Weather on December 21 at Gates of the Arctic
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Based on 53 years of data from Fairbanks, AK
Elevation Note: Gates of the Arctic sits at 1,200 ft. Expect temperatures 4°F cooler than the data shown below, which comes from Fairbanks, AK at a lower elevation.
Planning Your Visit
December 21st in Gates of the Arctic National Park (via Fairbanks, AK) typically brings frigid winter weather, with average highs around 1°F and lows near -16°F. Over 53 years of records, the warmest December 21st was in 1990 (28°F average), while the coldest was 2022 (-51°F) — a 79°F range across recorded history. Precipitation has occurred on 21% of recorded December 21st dates, with snow falling 25% of the time (heaviest snowfall: 4"). The last decade has been 7.1°F cooler on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
The last decade has been 7.1°F cooler on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
Planning for December 21st in Gates of the Arctic? Bundle up with warm layers and protect extremities from the cold. Check road conditions if traveling, as snow is possible.
Year by Year History
| Year | High | Low | Precip | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | -36°F | -53°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2024 | 13°F | -13°F | -- | -- |
| 2023 | 5°F | -12°F | -- | -- |
| 2022 | -48°F | -55°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2021 | 29°F | 11°F | 0.23" | 0.8" |
| 2020 | 10°F | -19°F | -- | -- |
| 2019 | -31°F | -36°F | -- | -- |
| 2018 | -7°F | -26°F | -- | -- |
| 2017 | 15°F | -8°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2016 | 6°F | 2°F | -- | -- |
| 2015 | 6°F | -3°F | -- | -- |
| 2014 | 4°F | -7°F | -- | -- |
| 2013 | 13°F | -7°F | -- | -- |
| 2012 | -39°F | -47°F | -- | -- |
| 2011 | 33°F | -1°F | -- | -- |
| 2010 | -13°F | -30°F | -- | -- |
| 2009 | -4°F | -16°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2008 | -14°F | -22°F | -- | -- |
| 2007 | -3°F | -18°F | -- | -- |
| 2006 | 0°F | -17°F | -- | -- |
| 2005 | 10°F | -9°F | -- | -- |
| 2004 | -3°F | -25°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2003 | -3°F | -16°F | -- | -- |
| 2002 | -13°F | -18°F | -- | -- |
| 2001 | 26°F | -10°F | -- | -- |
| 2000 | 15°F | -3°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1999 | 14°F | 8°F | 0.1" | 0.7" |
| 1998 | 15°F | -5°F | -- | -- |
| 1997 | -20°F | -32°F | -- | -- |
| 1996 | -5°F | -34°F | -- | -- |
| 1995 | -7°F | -12°F | -- | -- |
| 1994 | -11°F | -27°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1993 | 24°F | -2°F | -- | -- |
| 1992 | -3°F | -29°F | -- | -- |
| 1991 | -19°F | -22°F | -- | -- |
| 1990 | 32°F | 23°F | 1.07" | 4" |
| 1989 | -2°F | -24°F | -- | -- |
| 1988 | 16°F | 16°F | 0" | 0.1" |
| 1987 | 10°F | -11°F | 2.03" | 1.7" |
| 1986 | 13°F | 0°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1985 | 35°F | 2°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1984 | 3°F | -22°F | 0.33" | 2" |
| 1983 | 15°F | -8°F | 0.13" | 1.1" |
| 1982 | -18°F | -26°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1981 | 7°F | -18°F | 0.03" | 0.2" |
| 1979 | -10°F | -25°F | 0" | 0.6" |
| 1977 | 20°F | 7°F | 0.81" | 3" |
| 1976 | 10°F | -11°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1975 | -7°F | -20°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1974 | -8°F | -23°F | 0.03" | 0.1" |
| 1973 | 12°F | -17°F | 0.25" | 1.8" |
| 1972 | -29°F | -37°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1971 | -22°F | -41°F | 0.08" | 0.4" |
December 21 at Nearby Parks
Holiday Weather at Gates of the Arctic
Explore More at Gates of the Arctic
See historical weather for other dates
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