If you’re staring at a screen right now trying to figure out if you should pack that extra thermal base layer for a trip to Alaska, let’s be real: Anchorage in January is a mood. It's not just "cold." It’s a specific kind of sub-arctic theatrical performance where the sun barely shows up for the opening act and the snow refuses to leave the stage.
Honestly, the anchorage weather forecast 14 day window right now is telling a story of a city shaking off a record-breaking snow dump while bracing for a weirdly warm—and then suddenly deep-freeze—rollercoaster.
The Current Chaos: Why It’s Not Just "Snowy"
We just watched 19.4 inches of powder fall in a single 48-hour window earlier this month. Brandon Lawson over at the National Weather Service in Anchorage noted it was the highest two-day snow total for January on record. Think about that. You’ve basically got a city buried under fluff that car tires turn into a fine, visibility-killing dust the moment you hit the Glenn Highway.
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As of today, January 15, 2026, the current temperature is sitting at 21°F, but it feels more like 14°F thanks to a steady north wind. Humidity is high—around 77%—which gives the air that "bite" that gets right into your bones if you aren't wearing wool.
The 14-Day Trajectory: Rain, Snow, and the Big Dip
The upcoming forecast is a bit of a mess, and I mean that in the most Alaskan way possible.
For the next few days, we’re seeing a significant warm-up. Friday, January 16, is looking at a high of 35°F. That sounds great until you realize the precipitation chance is 75% for "rain and snow." In Anchorage, that’s the recipe for "black ice" and "slush hell." If you’re driving toward Eagle River or the Matanuska Valley, be careful. The winds are expected to gust up to 50 mph in some spots, which turns a simple commute into an Olympic sport.
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By Sunday and Monday (Jan 18-19), things stabilize. We’re looking at highs in the high 20s and low 30s with partly cloudy skies. This is the "sweet spot." You get the views of the Chugach Mountains without your eyelashes freezing together instantly.
But wait for the second half of the 14-day window.
Starting around January 21, the mercury starts a slow, agonizing slide. We go from a high of 21°F on Wednesday to 16°F on Thursday, and by Saturday, January 24, we’re looking at a high of only 13°F and a low of 2°F. That’s the real Alaska. The "partly sunny" labels on those days are a bit of a joke because "sunny" in January means the sun is barely scraping the horizon for a few hours.
The Daylight Problem (Or Opportunity)
You’ve gotta understand the light situation to survive the anchorage weather forecast 14 day stretch. Right now, we’re gaining light fast—about 4 minutes a day.
- Today (Jan 15): 6 hours, 32 minutes of daylight.
- By the end of this 14-day window (Jan 29): We’ll be over 7.5 hours.
Sunrise is around 9:50 AM and sunset is near 4:25 PM. If you’re planning on hitting the trails at Hillside or Kincaid Park, you have a very narrow window of "bright" light. Outside of that, it’s various shades of blue and gray twilight. It’s beautiful, kinda surreal, but it’ll mess with your internal clock if you aren't ready for it.
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Survival Guide for the Slush-to-Freeze Transition
If you're coming here or just trying to plan your chores, the next two weeks require a strategy.
- The Rain/Snow Window (Jan 15-17): This is the dangerous part. The temps are hovering right at freezing. That means the 19 inches of snow already on the ground is going to get heavy, wet, and then—when it hits 35°F and rains—it’s going to turn the roads into a skating rink. Studded tires aren't just a suggestion right now; they're a requirement for sanity.
- The Dry Cold Window (Jan 20-25): The humidity drops as the temperature falls. This is actually better for outdoor activities like skiing at Hilltop or Arctic Valley. The snow stays "fast" and your gear stays dry. Just don't skimp on the face protection. 13°F with even a 5 mph wind will nip at your nose in minutes.
- The Aurora Chance: Keep an eye on those "partly cloudy" nights toward the end of next week. With low temperatures and clearer skies (thanks to the Arctic high pressure moving in), the Northern Lights are much more likely to be visible from spots like Glen Alps.
What Most People Miss
People look at a 14-day forecast and see "Snow" every day and panic. Look at the percentages. Most of the time, it's just "flurries" or "snow showers" with a 10% chance. Anchorage is in a rain shadow. We don't get hit like Juneau or even Girdwood.
However, the 19 inches of snowpack currently on the Hillside (which is about 82% of normal for this time of year) means the ground is already saturated. Any "rain and snow" mix we get this Friday is going to sit on top of that frozen base.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you're heading out in the next 48 hours, check the Alyeska avalanche report if you're going anywhere near the mountains; the recent record snow plus the incoming 35°F warm-up is a classic recipe for slides. For city dwellers, clear your drains now before the Friday slush-fest turns your driveway into a private pond. If you're a visitor, stick to the plan for Jan 18-20—those look like the most "stable" days for sightseeing before the deep freeze returns.