September is when Alaska starts to feel like a very different place. The calendar may say summer, but meteorologically, it’s very much fall.

I spent the latter part of September cruising from Vancouver to Seward, then road-tripping through Alaska with stops in Talkeetna and Denali National Park before returning to spend several days in Anchorage.

That gave me a pretty good introduction to Alaska weather in September — and what you really need to be prepared for.

If you’re planning to visit Alaska in September, the weather is probably one of your biggest questions. How cold will it be? Will it rain? Do you need winter clothes? And is September even a good time to visit?

The short answer is: September can be a great time to visit Alaska, but you need to be prepared for changing weather. Here’s what I experienced, what my September weather was like and what I packed for the trip.

Alaska in September: What Is It Like?

September in Alaska is a transition month. Not just in weather but in everything.

The summer cruise season is winding down, seasonal businesses are getting ready to close and some of the things that make an Alaska trip possible in the summer are already coming to an end. That includes some train services, visitor centers and seasonal tours and activities.

We saw it firsthand during our trip when we found most businesses in Talkeetna shut down for the season. The hotels and restaurants were open because people do live there, so that wasn’t an issue, but most stores were already closed. Then we messed up the morning we left for Denali and didn’t grab breakfast before we got on the road. There was nothing open.

By the time we got to Denali, the whole town was closed for the season — some places even boarded up. We drove on to Healy for food and let’s just say we were pretty hangry by that time. It wasn’t the end of the world to go on a little further. But we wasted some precious time for some not-so-great Thai food because we didn’t know virtually everything between Talkeetna and Denali would be closed.

That’s one of the biggest things to understand about visiting Alaska in September. You’re not getting summer Alaska with slightly cooler temperatures. You’re catching Alaska as it changes seasons.

And it’s not a bad thing. It just means you may miss some things you had planned to do, especially if they’re seasonal, so check operating dates carefully when planning a September Alaska trip.

The Crowds — Or Lack Thereof

The tradeoff? Fewer people. Our cruise was the second-to-last cruise with Norwegian. The boat seemed pretty well occupied but never overwhelmingly crowded. The only time I felt crowded was at the breakfast buffet when everyone was looking for a table.

The lack of crowds alone would be enough to make me consider a September cruise again. I really liked not having to fight crowds at the ports or feel like I was constantly surrounded by people.

Same thing anywhere else we went. There were hardly any tourists in Talkeetna or Denali National Park. And sometimes driving I felt like we were the only people on the road.

Yes, we missed a few things, but there were also perks, like driving into Denali National Park in our own vehicle instead of on a bus, meeting the dog sled team because we were the only ones there and experiencing the winter visitor center with its cute wood stove.

The Weather in Alaska in September

My overall impression of Alaska in September was that it wasn’t as cold as I expected. Don’t get me wrong — there were days when it was cold and probably felt colder than it was because of the dampness but it wasn’t enough to keep me inside. You can definitely have fall in one place and what feels more like winter a couple of hours north.

Destination	Average High	Average Low
Anchorage	55F	43F
Denali	50F	35F
Talkeetna	50F	40F
Juneau	55F	44F
Seward	56F	43F

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Cruise Weather

Honestly, the weather was fairly consistent the entire cruise week.

It started out sunny in Vancouver — a gorgeous day hanging out downtown and wandering around Gastown before we boarded the ship. The next morning we arrived in Ketchikan, where it was overcast and in the 40s.

For most of the cruise, the skies stayed overcast. We did have a few moments of blue sky, but for the most part, it was simply gray rather than rainy. And honestly, that didn’t make Alaska ugly. The scenery was still beautiful — it just looked different without bright sunshine.

It consistently stayed that way throughout the week in all the port cities. Some days there were sprinkles, but we didn’t have any heavy rain until the morning we got off the ship. An incoming storm caused us to head into Seward early but that was the only day we had any changes to the itinerary.

I was very relieved about that because I wanted to fly in a seaplane in Ketchikan. I was so worried about the weather that I waited until that morning to book it, in town on the spot. I ended up getting the next-to-last seat available for the day. My thinking was if it’s right it will work out and it did. (My daughter went salmon fishing that day)

I was also worried the Glacier Bay Rangers wouldn’t make it onto the ship when we cruised through there, but they did. That day was wonderful and we hung out on the back of the boat where we could tip the bartender to keep us well stocked with warm drinks.

All in all, the weather was better than what it could have been.

Talkeetna in September

Talkeetna is so cute and was a lot of fun to walk around and explore. It was kind of odd seeing fall colors and summer wildflowers blooming at the same time. That’s how quickly Alaska changes.

September Weather in Denali

Denali was much more winter-like and there was very little fall foliage left. It was colder than the average temperature shown in the table above and it even snowed the farther we went into the park. It didn’t affect driving since it was just flurries.

What’s Anchorage Like in September?

Around Anchorage, the trees were still very pretty with remnants of fall color hanging around. The weather was mild, a little sunny one day and a little rainy the next, but nothing that kept me from getting out and exploring. I walked everywhere after I returned the car.

September Weather Can Change Quickly

The best way to describe Alaska in September: you can get a little bit of everything. Fall colors, cold days at sea, rain, snow farther north and weather that can change depending on where you are.

I also know we were lucky. The cruise immediately after ours had much worse weather and missed most of what was on its itinerary. That really drove home just how quickly conditions can change in Alaska.

So if you’re concerned about weather, or you’re a first-time visitor who wants to see as much as possible, I’d book earlier in September rather than waiting until the end of the month. There’s certainly no guarantee you’ll have good weather, but after seeing how different two consecutive weeks could be, I’d rather go earlier.

What to Pack for Alaska in September

Packing for Alaska in September means layers. The weather outside on the ship was different than the weather in port — colder and windy. We really didn’t spend much time outside on deck except the Glacier Bay day and cruising the inside passage.

My Clothes for Alaska

Packing for Alaska in September is mostly about layers. I found that the same basic wardrobe worked for the cruise, shore days, road-tripping and exploring Anchorage. I just added or removed layers depending on the weather and dressed it some by changing out my shoes.

On the ship, I lived in leggings, T-shirts or tanks, long cardigans and comfortable shoes. On shore, I added a thin long-sleeve layer, sweater or sweatshirt and my Blundstones. In Anchorage, I wore mostly jeans with sweaters and black motorcycle boots. Even going out to restaurants and bars, casual dress was fine.

A waterproof rain jacket is important. I actually ended up buying one in Ketchikan after my old REI raincoat finally bit the dust. The Mill at Ward’s Cove is right by the cruise port and has pretty much anything you might realize you need, so if you forget something, don’t panic.

I also brought a beanie — and bought two more Alaska ones — gloves and warm socks. I used all three during the trip, although not every day.

Binoculars are very important to have for the cruise. You’ll use them from the ship, on excursions and when you’re trying to spot wildlife. They were the only way we were able to see bears along the shore.

A packable daypack is another useful addition. I carried one from IKEA that I’ve had for years and it came in handy throughout the trip. I also used a Pacsafe crossbody that doubled as my camera bag.

Bring Snacks if You’re Road-Tripping

If you’re combining your cruise with a road trip, keep some snacks in the car. We had water bottles with us, but we didn’t have much food when we left Talkeetna. We’d just gotten off a cruise where food was constantly available, so we weren’t exactly thinking about stocking the car with lots of snacks.

What I Didn’t Need

I’m a professional traveler, so I have my packing down to a tee. I rarely forget anything. Instead, the more useful question is what I packed that I didn’t really need.

For this trip, that was sunglasses, sunscreen and bug spray.

I packed all three because, well, Alaska. But in late September, I didn’t use them. That doesn’t mean you won’t so don’t automatically leave them home, especially if you’re visiting earlier in September or spending a lot of time outdoors.

Don’t Forget These

A bathing suit and some kind of cover-up are easy to forget when you’re packing for Alaska, but don’t. Even when it’s cold outside, cruise ships and hotels can have hot tubs, pools and spas. I was glad to have one.

And if you plan to use the gym, throw in a workout outfit. You don’t need much, but it’s one of those things that’s easy to leave behind when you’re focused on packing layers and rain gear.

FAQ

Does It Rain in Alaska in September?

Yes, rain is common in Alaska in September, particularly in coastal areas and Southeast Alaska. Ketchikan, Juneau and Seward can be especially wet, so a waterproof rain jacket is one of the things I’d consider essential.

We had a little bit of everything during our trip. Most of our cruise days were cloudy with occasional sprinkles, but the final day brought heavy rain and an incoming storm that caused the ship to arrive in Seward early.

Rain doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Alaska, though. Just plan on pack accordingly and maybe getting a little wet.

Does It Snow in Alaska in September?

Yes, it can snow in Alaska in September, especially later in the month and at higher elevations. We actually saw snow in Denali, with conditions becoming more winter-like the farther we went into the park.

That said, snow isn’t necessarily what you’ll experience everywhere. During our September trip, we had fall weather around Anchorage and Talkeetna while Denali felt much more like winter. September weather can vary quite a bit depending on where you are and how late in the month you visit.

How Much Daylight Does Alaska Get in September?

You still get plenty of daylight in Alaska in September, especially at the beginning of the month. In Anchorage, there are about 14 hours of daylight on September 1, dropping to around 11½ hours by September 30.

That’s a noticeable difference over the course of the month, so an early-September trip will give you considerably more daylight for sightseeing and road trips than one at the end of September. You won’t have the nearly endless summer days, but you also aren’t dealing with short winter days yet.

Planning a Trip to Alaska?

Alaska was a completely different experience than I expected, and I’m glad we chose to go when we did. September has its challenges, but it also gave us a side of Alaska I’m not sure we would have experienced during the height of summer. I hope this article helps you feel more confident about going.

If you’re planning an Alaska cruise, road trip or a combination of the two and aren’t sure where to start, feel free to email me. I’m happy to answer questions about traveling to Alaska in September or help you put together a trip that fits the way you like to travel.

See you on the road!