Seasons of the Arctic
The changes to the land are beautifully dramatic as months pass in all of the Arctic Refuge’s ecosystems.
Spring:
Days leap longer than nights. Local people travel across snow to hunt and fish. Under increased daylight, energy surges on the land and snow abruptly melts, river ice breaks up with thunderous power, and polar bear mothers emerge from dens with newborn cubs.
Summer:
A burst of life transforms the tundra as plants shoot up and bloom, animals migrate to the refuge from far away, birds sing, and visitors find stunning beauty.
Fall:
On the land, fall is short but intense as boreal forest and tundra turn rich red before a dusting of snow. Along the Beaufort Sea coast, fall lasts longer as huge flocks of birds feed in coastal lagoons, whales migrate by, polar bears move on shore to feed and den.
Winter:
Hardy residents live here during the cold, dark, and twilight including Gwich’in and Inupiat in local communities. Animals adapted to this season include ancient muskox, caribou, polar bear, willow ptarmigan, raven, and fish in scarce water in deep river pools.
