University of Alaska Fairbanks | Scenarios Network for Alaska + Arctic Planning

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heating degree days

Thanks for checking out this tool! Until our complete launch in summer 2024, this is a public beta, which means that we’re still gathering feedback, testing data outputs and fixing bugs.

Data from this tool should not yet be used for engineering or decision–making purposes because datasets, while robust, have not yet been fully validated. However, “test driving” the tool by exploring layers and extracting data can be useful for project overviews and “ballpark” estimates.

Learn more about what’s in development and how to provide feedback

Heating Degree Days

The heating degree days are the cumulative annual degree days below 65°F.

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✓ Modeled Historical (1980–2009, ERA Interim)
Projected Mid–Century (2040–2069, NCAR CCSM4, RCP 8.5)

Heating degree days

These layers show the historical or projected cumulative annual heating degree days across Alaska.

Degree days below 65°F

	0
	2500
	5000
	7500
	10000
	12500
	15000
	≥ 17500

Heating degree days, measured below 65°F, provide information upon which the annual fuel requirement for a heated building can be calculated. For example, assume that house heating begins when the air temperature is near 65°F. If a particular day has a mean temperature of 50°F, the heating load for the day is 15 degree days (65–50). For the entire year the heating degree days are the sum of the daily degree days. If the mean temperature for a particular day is higher than 65°F, there is assumed to be no heating and thus no heating degree days.

Higher values for heating degree days suggest colder, longer winters.

Access detailed information about the dataset used to calculate heating degree days, including source data downloads.