Sun Returns To Alaska’s Northernmost City After Months
Sun Returns To Alaska’s Northernmost City After Months
US · Published Jan 26, 2026
Utqiagvik, Alaska, celebrated the return of the sun after months of Polar Night, marking the end of near-total darkness since November.
Local residents and NOAA captured the event, highlighting Utqiagvik's resilience and its role as a key Arctic research center.
The return of sunlight symbolizes hope and renewal, while also drawing attention to the impacts of climate change on the Arctic region.
Sun returns after months of darkness
After months of darkness, the sun has finally returned to Utqiagvik, Alaska, the northernmost city in the United States. Residents celebrated the end of the Polar Night this weekend as the sun peeked above the horizon for the first time since November. For over two months, Utqiagvik experienced near-total darkness, a phenomenon known as Polar Night, where the sun remains below the horizon due to the Earth's tilt. The return of sunlight is a significant event for the community, marking a shift from the long, dark winter days to the gradual return of longer daylight hours.
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