Alaskan town of Utqiaġvik finally sees the sun after 65 days
The sun rose above the horizon for the first time in 2022 on Jan. 22 at 1:25 p.m. local time
Daylight is returning to Alaska after weeks of darkness
After weeks of darkness, the sun is rising in America's northernmost town, Utqiagvik, Alaska.
UTQIAGVIK, Alaska - The sun has risen over America's northernmost town after 65 days, signaling the end of what is known as the Polar Night.
The sun set in Utqiaġvik, Alaska, for the last time in 2021 at 1:37 p.m. local time on Nov. 18.
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Since then, the sun hadn't risen above the horizon. The town wasn't in complete darkness for the entire time, however. Civil twilight remained for several hours over the days following the final sunset of 2021, providing enough sunlight to see during what would generally be daytime hours.
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The National Weather Service defines civil twilight as when the sun's center is within 6 degrees below the horizon.
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And finally, on Jan. 22 at 1:25 p.m. local time, the sun made an appearance above the horizon - but only for a short period of time.
The sun set at 1:52 p.m. local time - just 27 minutes later.
The Utqiagvik Arctic Circle
(FOX Weather)
And as the Earth tilts and the sun's rays inch closer to the Arctic Circle, daylight will increase. But just as Utqiaġvik experiences darkness for a long duration, it will also go through a period of time when the sun won't set.
That period, known as the Midnight Sun, is found above the Arctic Circle. In 2022, that occurs between May 11 and Aug. 1.
The town, which was formerly known as Barrow, is home to around 4,500 people. A majority of which are Iñupiat Alaskan Natives.