Current Time in Alaska

What is the Time in Alaska?

If you are planning to arrange an online meeting with your client or make a call to your loved ones in Alaska, United States, it might be a little chaotic without knowing the time in Alaska. Yes, you heard that right! The Alaska time right now may differ a little or a lot depending upon the country you are residing in.

 

We make sure that the hours and dates of events on Justfreetools.com are correct and up-to-date, taking into account any changes in Daylight Saving Time or time zone effects.

 

The Alaska Time Zone is approximately nine hours behind Greenwich Mean Time also called (GMT). During daylight saving time it is eight hours behind. The time in this zone is based on the mean solar time of the 135th meridian west of the Greenwich observatory.

 

The time in Alaska is one hour behind the Pacific Time Zone.

Standard time: Alaska Standard Time (AKST)

Daylight saving time: Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT)

 

How many time zones does Alaska have?

 

There are two time zones in Alaska, although we had initially four, due to our large geographic area. Alaska now has just two time zones– Alaska Time and Hawaii-Aleutian Time – in 1983 to put our state capital, Juneau, on the same time zone as the more populated Anchorage and Fairbanks (and to make doing business with companies in the Lower 48 states a little easier).

 

Most of the state is on Alaska time – four hours behind our friends on the East Coast. So, when it’s noon in New York, it’s only 8 AM in Alaska. When you are traveling from Seattle, Portland, or another West Coast destination to Alaska, change your clocks so it's 1 hour later (Fortunately, your phone will automatically update the time) Hawaii-Aleutian time which is used in the Western Aleutian Islands. You will need to adjust your watch if you're traveling west of Dutch Harbor.

Daylight Savings Time is also observed by us, moving our clocks ahead in spring and back in fall to take advantage of natural light.

 

Hyder, a small town in the Inside Passage of Alaska, observes two time zones. By unofficial agreement, it observes Pacific Time with residents setting their clocks accordingly. However, the U.S. Post Office is a federally-funded agency and thus follows Alaska Time by default so there can be no confusion as to which country they belong to.

 

Daylight Saving Time Information

 

The starting and end dates of daylight-saving time in the United States and Canada

Insert chart

 

Year	Begins	Ends
2020	Sunday, 8 March, 02:00	Sunday, 1 November, 02:00
2021	Sunday, 14 March, 02:00	Sunday, 7 November, 02:00
2022	Sunday, 13 March, 02:00	Sunday, 6 November, 02:00
2023	Sunday, 12 March, 02:00	Sunday, 5 November, 02:00
2024	Sunday, 10 March, 02:00	Sunday, 3 November, 02:00
2025	Sunday, 9 March, 02:00	Sunday, 2 November, 02:00
2026	Sunday, 8 March, 02:00	Sunday, 1 November, 02:00
2027	Sunday, 14 March, 02:00	Sunday, 7 November, 02:00
2028	Sunday, 12 March, 02:00	Sunday, 5 November, 02:00
2029	Sunday, 11 March, 02:00	Sunday, 4 November, 02:00

 

North American Time Zones

 

Here are the time zones in North America, from Hawaii and Alaska to the east coast of the USA and Canada and down to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

 

Hours from UTC/GMT	Standard Time	Daylight Saving Time
-10	Hawaii-Aleutian
-9	Alaska	Hawaii-Aleutian
-8	Pacific	Alaska
-7	Mountain	Pacific
-6	Central	Mountain
-5	Eastern	Central
-4	Atlantic	Eastern
-3:30	Newfoundland
-3		Atlantic
-2:30		Newfoundland

 

GMT and UTC

 

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is the average solar time at Royal Observatory, Greenwich. It's seen as equivalent to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) when the detail of seconds is not important.

 

Sunrise, Sunset, Day length and Solar Time for Alaska

 

Sunrise: 08:33

Sunset: 15:07

Day length: 6h 34m

Solar noon: 11:50

 

Note: The time in Alaska is officially 10 minutes behind apparent solar time.

 

When is the best time to travel to Alaska?

 

Anytime in Alaska is the best time!

 

We have traveled to Alaska in the winter and the most beautiful part is that you don't have to go far to see some amazing things. You can go sledding, watch the dog sled races, and participate in winter festivals.

 

Plus, whales start showing up as you get closer to May. The most popular months to see the northern lights in late August through April, while June-August is the best time to see the Midnight Sun.

 

Travelers are often blessed with discounts on tours and lodging during the fall seasons, which are great times to experience Alaska like the locals. Alaska is waiting for you – whatever the time of year!