The National Weather Service issues Alaska’s first ever heat advisory

For the first time ever, parts of Alaska will be under a heat advisory. The first advisory is for Sunday in Fairbanks, where temperatures are expected to top 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). Fairbanks has has been warmer in the past, but this is unusual for June, officials said.

For the first time in Alaska's history, a heat advisory has been issued, signaling a significant shift in how residents are alerted to unusually warm conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Fairbanks has issued a heat advisory for Sunday, June 14, 2025, as temperatures are expected to soar into the mid-80s Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). This is an unusual occurrence for June, with the city typically experiencing temperatures in the 60s and 70s during this time of year [1].

The heat advisory comes as part of new procedures that allow Alaskan forecast offices to use the Heat Advisory product, aligning them more closely with practices used across the Lower 48. Until recently, Fairbanks and other Alaskan forecast offices relied on Special Weather Statements to alert the public about sudden heat. The criteria for issuing a heat advisory vary across the Last Frontier, with Fairbanks' threshold set at 85 degrees Fahrenheit [1].

The NWS office in Fairbanks anticipates several upcoming days will hit at least 85 degrees, making this heat advisory a first for the state. The observed temperature of 85 degrees is 15-20 degrees above average for mid-June, but it is still well below the all-time record of 96 degrees, set in 1969 [1].

While the temperatures may seem modest compared to those seen during heat waves in the Lower 48, locals said the alert reflects the region's unique vulnerabilities in coping with unusual warmth. For example, the Haas Energy Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, estimates that about 7% of households across the state have sufficient air conditioning. The lack of air conditioning, combined with actions like closing blinds and curtains to block over 20 hours of sunlight during meteorological summer, can interfere with a building's natural ventilation and cause indoor temperatures to climb to uncomfortable levels [1].

Additionally, Fairbanks is farther inland and well removed from ocean influence, making it more vulnerable to heat waves, dry spells, and wildfires, which can also affect air quality. On average, the city's warmest high temperature reaches about 74 degrees during early July before starting its daily plunge and reaching the lower 60s by the time summer ends [1].

The heat advisory serves as a reminder of the changing climate in Alaska, which is experiencing some of the most significant warming on Earth from human-caused climate change. The surge in temperatures, coming on the heels of a chilly May and cool start to June, could persist. Meteorologists anticipate additional hot weather next week as an area of high pressure extends its hold over the region [3].

References:
[1] https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/alaska-first-heat-advisory-fairbanks
[2] https://weather.com/forecast/regional/news/2025-06-13-fairbanks-alaska-first-heat-advisory
[3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025/06/13/alaska-first-heat-advisory/