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Utqiagvik Enters Polar Night, Sunless Until Late January

Earth’s axial tilt keeps the sun below Utqiagvik’s horizon for roughly 65 days.

Overview

  • Most reports place the next sunrise on Jan. 22, 2026, after about 64–65 days without direct sunlight, though one Fox Weather line listed Jan. 26.
  • Residents will still see a few hours of civil twilight each day, with occasional illumination from the Aurora Borealis.
  • The loss of daytime heating sends Arctic temperatures well below zero and contributes to a strengthened polar vortex that can at times funnel cold into the Lower 48.
  • The northernmost U.S. town, several hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle and home to roughly 4,400–5,000 people, experiences the opposite midnight sun in summer.
  • Health guidance for the dark stretch stresses morning light therapy, consistent routines, physical activity, and vitamin D to support sleep and mood.