Utqiagvik (pronounced oot·kee·aag·vuhk), formerly known as Barrow, holds the distinction of being the northernmost city in the United States. Located over 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle, this remote town experiences some of the most extreme seasonal light and temperature conditions on Earth.
The Polar Night: A Winter Without Sunlight
In Utqiagvik, the sun set for the final time in 2024 on November 18, and it won’t rise again until January 22, 2025. That’s 64 days—or 1,536 hours—of total darkness, a phenomenon known as the Polar Night. During this time, the town is lit only by the moon, stars, and occasional auroras shimmering across the Arctic sky.
Temperatures during the Polar Night regularly drop below 0°F, with the average high barely reaching -1°F. It’s a test of endurance for the approximately 5,000 residents who call this Arctic community home.
A Deep Connection to History and Culture
The majority of Utqiagvik’s population are Iñupiat, an Indigenous Inuit ethnic group with deep roots in the region. The Iñupiat have thrived in this harsh environment for over 1,500 years, relying on traditional knowledge and practices to sustain their way of life. Subsistence hunting, whaling, and fishing remain vital, providing food and materials in a region where imported goods are costly and transportation is limited.
Despite the modern challenges of isolation, the Iñupiat continue to celebrate their rich cultural heritage. Traditional practices, such as the spring and fall whaling seasons, are not only a means of survival but also an integral part of their community identity.
Summer Sun and Arctic Wonders
The contrast to the Polar Night is equally dramatic: the Midnight Sun. From mid-May to early August, Utqiagvik experiences 24-hour daylight, attracting tourists eager to witness the Arctic in perpetual sunlight. Visitors come to see unique wildlife, including a thriving polar bear population, and to marvel at the stark, otherworldly beauty of the tundra.
The town’s proximity to the Arctic Ocean offers another incredible experience—watching polar bears scavenging on whale remains left on the beaches by local fishermen. These natural spectacles have fueled a rise in tourism, helping to diversify the local economy, which also depends on oil field support services.
A Question of Resilience
For most people, the idea of enduring two months of complete darkness and temperatures consistently below freezing is daunting. Yet, for the residents of Utqiagvik, it’s a way of life. Their resilience is a testament to the adaptability of the human spirit and the strong bonds of community that sustain them through even the darkest days.
Could you imagine braving two months of total darkness, surrounded by a frozen landscape and temperatures that rarely rise above zero? For the people of Utqiagvik, it’s not just survival—it’s a celebration of the unique beauty and challenges of life in the Arctic.