Arctic Darkness: On November 18, 2025, the solar disappeared from Utqiagvik, Alaska, marking the start of the town’s polar night time. Residents skilled the final daylight of the yr at 1:36 PM. For 65 days, the solar won’t rise right here. Utqiagvik is the northernmost metropolis in the US. Yearly, it experiences this extended darkness. The await the subsequent dawn will proceed till January 22, 2026.
The phenomenon is known as the polar night time. Throughout this era, the solar stays under the horizon. Beforehand often called Barrow, Utqiagvik lies contained in the Arctic Circle. The earth’s tilt causes the solar to fade for a lot of weeks.
In 2025, the final solar was seen on November 18 at 1:36 PM. The subsequent dawn will happen on January 22, 2026. The darkness lasts for precisely 64-65 days.
The earth tilts 23.5 levels on its axis. Through the winter, the North Pole strikes away from the solar. Arctic areas don’t obtain daylight. In summer time, the reverse occurs. The polar day brings steady daylight.
In Utqiagvik, the solar stays seen for 80-85 days from Might to August. Daylight saving time this yr made the phenomenon much more noticeable.
Town has roughly 4,500 residents, most of whom belong to the Inuit group. Life in darkness turns into difficult. The absence of daylight impacts well being. Residents expertise fatigue, unhappiness or seasonal melancholy. This situation is named seasonal affective dysfunction. Gentle remedy offers reduction.
However each day life continues. Faculties open, work continues and other people go outdoor. Streetlights and residential lighting information each day actions. Temperatures drop to minus 20 to minus 30 levels Celsius. Residents spend extra time indoors.
The polar night time has constructive sides. Folks have fun events, Christmas and New 12 months. The Arctic shows its magnificence. The Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, shines brightly within the sky like colourful ribbons. Vacationers go to to witness the distinctive expertise. Excessive chilly limits tourism.
In 2016, the town obtained its present identify. Scientists conduct Arctic analysis right here. They research local weather change. Melting ice from world warming might have an effect on the polar night time sooner or later.
Consultants say local weather change might carry shifts to the area. The pure cycle continues for now.