On Saturday morning, the sun set in Utqiaġvik for the last time until Aug.2, marking the beginning of the seasonal “midnight sun” period. The phenomenon is caused by the Earth’s axial tilt that results in continuous daylight for approximately 83 days in this northernmost city in Alaska.
Located about 330 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Utqiaġvik experiences extreme variations in daylight throughout the year. From mid-November to late January, the town undergoes a polar night, where the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon. From mid-May to early August, the sun remains visible 24 hours a day.
Despite the continuous daylight, temperatures remain relatively cool (22 degrees at 9 pm) and it was overcast on Saturday.