Today the people in the Northernmost city in North America celebrate there first sunrise since November 18, 2011. It will be short lived sunlight with a sunrise at 1:11 pm and a sunset at 2:09 pm. That will only be 59 minutes of daylight, but after not seeing light for three months they aren't complaining.

The midnight sun is known in Barrow through the summer and no sun at all in the winter because it's 400 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

Even though the sun doesn't rise it isn't as dark as we think.
There is still what is called a "civil twilight" which allows the sky to be light enough for activities. During the days it usually clear and cold allowing enough civil twilight and so artificial light is unnecessary. After November 15, 2011 Barrow still saw about three hours of "civil twilight."

From today on we will continue to gain daylight, and by March will be sitting at about 9 hours.

Now on May 10th and August 2nd we will do the other extreme where the sun will not set for 84 days. This continuous daylight, is a little bit more favorable to Barrow residents however, even though the sun is out it's so low in the sky that is gives off less warmth. July is the warmest month, with a toasty average high of 45 degrees.

Today brings back the sunlight, but not warm conditions. This arctic air continues to filter into the North Slope causing a daytime high of 35 below with clear skies. Tonight temperatures drop even more to 45 below with patchy ice fog. High pressure will continue throughout the week allowing clear and cold weather, but you will surely be able to catch that sunrise.

Our friends in Barrow enjoy that sunrise today, and bundle up!!