You’ve probably heard people say Sitka is the "warmest" place in Alaska. Honestly, it’s a bit of a running joke among the locals when you’re standing in 40-degree rain while the rest of the state is actually freezing. But this January? Things are feeling kinda different.
If you’re looking at the Sitka AK weather forecast right now, you’re seeing a classic battle between a maritime "thaw" and a looming Arctic boundary. It’s the kind of weather that makes you question why you own a heavy parka when a high-quality raincoat is basically the only thing that matters.
What’s Happening Right Now in Sitka?
As of Friday, January 16, 2026, the current conditions are sitting at a cool 41°F, but with that southeast wind kicking at 6 mph, it feels more like 37°F. We’re seeing partly sunny skies, which is a rare treat for a month that usually averages about 77% cloud cover.
Here’s the breakdown for the immediate forecast:
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- Today (Friday, Jan 16): It’s looking cloudy with a high of 44°F and a low of 36°F. There’s a 20% chance of rain during the day, dropping to 10% tonight.
- Tomorrow (Saturday, Jan 17): Expect more clouds. Highs will hover around 42°F, and those southeast winds are shifting slightly east at 4 mph.
- Sunday (Sunday, Jan 18): Still cloudy, with a high of 44°F and a low of 39°F. The humidity is expected to drop to 55%, which is practically "dry" for Sitka standards.
The Weird Shift Coming Next Week
Usually, January in Sitka is just... wet. But if you look ahead to late next week, the mercury is about to take a dive. By Friday, January 23, the high is only hitting 31°F, and the low is plummeting to 18°F.
Wait, it gets colder. By Saturday, January 24, we’re looking at a high of just 20°F.
That’s roughly 20 degrees below the typical January high. For a town that stays "temperate" because of the North Pacific Current, this is a legitimate cold snap. We’re moving from rain chances to actual snow chances—around 35% by Monday, January 26.
Why Sitka Weather is So Hard to Predict
Meteorologists like Zoe Kaplan and Spencer Fielding from the National Weather Service in Juneau have been pointing out how sharp the "arctic boundary" is this year. Sitka sits right on the edge. One day you’re in the warm, moist air of the southern Panhandle, and the next, a shift in the pressure gradient funnels freezing air right through the channels of Baranof Island.
Honestly, the wind is the real story here. Because Sitka is a seaside town, the wind doesn't just blow; it funnels. Even a 12 mph wind from the northeast (expected next Saturday) can make 20°F feel like a single-digit nightmare.
The Rain vs. Snow Dilemma
Most of Sitka’s 90 inches of annual precipitation falls as rain. In fact, February is technically the month with the "least" rainy days (usually around 15), but January is the king of the "overcast and drizzly" vibe.
Since manual snow measurements haven't been consistently recorded at the airport since 1996, locals rely on "porch data"—basically seeing how high the slush gets on the deck. This year, the transition from heavy rain to snow flurries has been faster than usual, likely due to a weak La Niña pattern transitioning into neutral conditions.
What You Actually Need to Pack
If you’re traveling here or just trying to survive the week, forget the "all-weather" boots. You need Xtratufs. There’s a reason they call them the "Sitka sneaker."
- Layers are non-negotiable: You’ll start the day at 44°F and end it at 36°F, but the humidity (currently 68%) makes that cold seep into your bones.
- Waterproof everything: Not "water-resistant." We’re talking Gore-Tex or heavy-duty rubber.
- Prepare for the "Freeze-Thaw" cycle: With temps bouncing between 44°F and 17°F over the next ten days, the roads are going to be a skating rink.
Basically, Sitka's weather right now is a mix of a "January Thaw" and a "Polar Vortex" warning. It’s unpredictable, damp, and perfectly Alaskan.
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To stay safe during this transition to colder temperatures, clear any ice from drainage areas around your property before the heavy rain predicted for later tonight turns into the hard freeze expected by next weekend.