In Anchorage, Alaska, during early July, it generally gets dark very late, with sunset occurring between approximately 11:28 PM and 11:32 PM. However, it's important to note that "dark" in Alaska during summer is relative, as full darkness may not be experienced, particularly further north.
Understanding Darkness in Alaska's Summer
When asking what time it "gets dark" in Alaska in July, it's crucial to understand the unique daylight conditions. Due to its high latitude, Alaska experiences extremely long daylight hours in summer, including the phenomenon often referred to as "midnight sun." True astronomical darkness, where the sun is more than 18 degrees below the horizon, may not occur at all for weeks in July in many parts of the state.
- Sunset: This is when the sun officially dips below the horizon. While the sun is gone, the sky remains bright for an extended period.
- Civil Twilight: This period begins after sunset and lasts until the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon. During civil twilight, there's usually enough natural light for outdoor activities without artificial illumination. In July, Anchorage often experiences very little, if any, true "darkness," with the period between sunset and sunrise often remaining in some form of twilight.
Sunset Times in Anchorage, Alaska for Early July
Based on available data, here are the sunset times for Anchorage, Alaska, in early July:
| Date | Sunset |
|---|---|
| July 07 | 11:32 PM |
| July 08 | 11:31 PM |
| July 09 | 11:29 PM |
| July 10 | 11:28 PM |
As you can see, the sun sets very late, nearing midnight. Even after sunset, the sky remains illuminated by extended twilight hours, meaning it never truly becomes pitch black.
Variability Across Alaska
It's vital to remember that Alaska is a vast state, and daylight hours vary significantly by location:
- Northern Regions: Areas further north, like Fairbanks or Barrow (Utqiaġvik), experience even longer periods of daylight, with the sun potentially remaining above the horizon 24 hours a day for parts of July. In these regions, it literally does not get dark at all.
- Southern Regions: Locations in southern Alaska, closer to the Gulf of Alaska, will still have very long daylight hours but might experience a slightly more discernible period of dim twilight compared to their northern counterparts.
Therefore, while Anchorage experiences sunset close to midnight, the concept of "getting dark" is significantly different from what most people outside of high-latitude regions are accustomed to.
