When It's Springtime in Alaska (It's Forty Below)

"When It's Springtime in Alaska (It's Forty Below)" is a 1959 single by Johnny Horton. The single was Johnny Horton's sixth release on the country chart and the first of three number ones on the country chart.^[1] The single spent twenty-three weeks on the chart. The song was a marginally successful crossover, reaching #85 on the Music Vendor Pop Top 100.

The song takes place in Fairbanks in the springtime and the temperature outside is -40°F (-40°C). The coldest 1/4 of the year in Fairbanks ends in late February, so that's when spring starts according to temperature.^[2] In real life, afternoon temperatures in early spring average around 14°F (-10°C) and morning temperatures average around -11°F (-24°C).^[2] While it may uncommon to have -40°F (-40°C) weather in the springtime, it's not impossible. Temperatures as low as -41°F (-41°C) have been recorded as late as March 17.^[2] However, no temperatures of -40°F (-40°C) have been recorded in the astronomical spring (past the Vernal Equinox).^[2]

References