Temperature
Protected by tall coastal mountains and warmed by Japanese currents off the Pacific Ocean, Juneau's moist maritime climate is characterized by comfortable year-round temperatures. Average summer days are in the 60's with many days reaching into the high 70's and low 80's. Winter's mild temperatures average 29 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, Juneau's winter temperatures are warmer than cities like Minneapolis, Chicago and Cleveland.

Daylight vs. Darkness
The period around the longest day, June 21, gives you a taste of the midnight sun. There are 18 hours and 18 minutes of daylight. While the sun briefly dips below the horizon, its glow illuminates the sky until it reappears a few hours later. This makes for long, beautiful evenings with plenty of light. About the time the leaves begin to turn their brilliant fall colors, we experience a rapid decrease in light. The shortest day, December 2, provides 6 hours and 21 minutes of daylight. On that day, the sun rises at 8:46 a.m. and sets at 3:07 p.m. With the passing of December 21, the cycle begins again.

What to Wear
During the spring, summer, and fall, dressing in layers is the key to being comfortable. A light shirt, short or long sleeved, makes an excellent first layer. Over that, something for warmth like a sweatshirt, wool sweater or fleece pullover. The ideal outer layer is light waterproof jacket. Layers should be lightweight and easy to remove depending on weather changes or your activity. Don't forget shorts or sleeveless shirts for those warm days! Comfortable footwear is a must, and if you plan to be out on the beach or hiking in the woods, waterproof boots are the best choice.

Staying in Touch
Juneau is Alaska's capital city, with all of the communication amenities you would expect to find in a city that is the seat of government for a state. In fact, Juneau enjoys some of the best telephone and Internet connectivity in the world, serviced by three different fiberoptic cable systems.

Cell Service
Currently two different companies offer digital service. Your phone ought to work well in roaming mode. Check with your provider for rates. Most of Southeast Alaska is serviced by the same cell zone.

Mail & Parcel Delivery
UPS, Federal Express, Airborne and the US Postal Service all provide rapid parcel delivery service into and out of Juneau. Many of Juneau's shops offer to do the packing and mailing for customers.

News
Keeping up with the news or financial information is simple. Juneau's cable television system offers 60+ channels including all major networks. Most national newspapers are available. The local newspaper, the Juneau Empire, is published each afternoon Monday-Friday, and Sunday mornings.


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