Living & Working in Utqiaġvik
Formerly known as Barrow, Utqiaġvik, the traditional Inupiaq name, was restored by voters in 2016. Situated on the Chukchi Sea, temperatures in Utqiaġvik are rarely the coldest in the state, although it does have the lowest average temperature. You can leave your umbrella at home, however, as Utqiaġvik is technically classified as a desert, enjoying only five inches of rainfall (or the snowfall equivalent) per year. Living in Utqiagvik you can observe whale hunting or the local high school football team, (appropriately named the Whalers) hosting in-state rivals on the northernmost AstroTurf field in the world. Life above the Arctic Circle offers polar bears, arctic foxes, views of the Aurora Borealis, snow-machining, and some wonderful birding opportunities.