Its inhabitants will live more than two months under the polar night, a phenomenon that completely transforms routine and life in this city.
Coincidences and natural phenomena sometimes leave us speechless, and this is one of those cases. In Utqiagvik, Alaskathe sun hid the past November 18, 2025 and will not appear again until January 22, 2026starting the famous polar night.
In this remote place, located more than 71 degrees north latitudethe inhabitants experience this impressive phenomenon every year: for approximately 64 daysthe sun remains below the horizon. But not everything is total darkness, since the civil twilight, the moon and, sometimes, the aurora borealisilluminate the sky in a magical way.
The exact moment of the last sunset of the year was recorded at 1:38 pm local timeand since then, the days of Utqiagvik have been plunged into almost permanent gloom. This phenomenon occurs due to the inclination of the Earth’s axis, which during the boreal winter prevents the sun’s rays from reaching certain extreme latitudes.
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The city, with a population of between 4,400 and 5,000 inhabitantsmany of them Iñupiat indigenous people, are accustomed to these cycles of light and darkness.
However, this period also impacts daily life: from work schedules to cultural activities. Some studies even indicate that the absence of sun can influence mood, although the community has learned to adapt to these extreme conditions.
Alaska plunges into darkness: the sun will not return to Utqiagvik until January 2026
In addition to darkness, the polar night brings with it very low temperatures and phenomena related to polar vortexthat mass of cold air that can even affect climates far from the Arctic. The contrast is impressive: while in winter the sun disappears, in summer Utqiagvik experiences the polar daywhere sunlight remains for weeks without disappearing.
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This natural spectacle, in addition to being a scientific phenomenon, is also a reminder of the beauty and strength of the Earth. The total darkness invites you to reflect, to look at the sky and marvel at the aurora borealisa spectacle that only a few privileged people can experience.
So if you are dreaming of extreme places and unique phenomena, Utqiagvik It is a clear example of how nature can surprise us and remind us how small we are compared to the greatness of the planet.
