I have lived in Fairbanks since 1967; so, I have seen a lot of different weather in October.  Although there is no way to predict what will happen this October, here are a few guidelines.

Juneau weather is much warmer than Fairbanks.  You are more likely to need rain gear there than winter gear.  Anchorage is between the two.  Our last few winters have been especially mild, and Anchorage didn't get snow until December.  If you are going to Barrow, well, it is still snowing there the first week of June.  :)

Valdez, Seward, Homer, Cordova, Juneau, and Ketchikan can be windy and rainy.  Anchorage and Valdez can have huge amounts of snow drop overnight.  Fairbanks gets the coldest weather, but has the stillest air.  In Anchorage, I need lighter-weight clothes, but more layers to stay warm because of the wind.

Footwear:

Bring boots.  More than likely we'll have snow on the ground.  I've seen the first snow arrive as late as the middle of November and as early as the middle of September.  However, the ground is usually well covered by October 20.  I wear fleece-lined leather boots that extend to my knee.  Mukluks are not a good idea in October because it is too warm.  Men can wear overshoes.

For errands and quick trips between the car and stores, I wear leather athletic shoes and wool socks most of the winter.  The rubber bottoms give me good traction on slippery sidewalks and the sides are high enough to keep out a few inches of snow.

Otherwise, I wear leather boots from October until March.  Dress shoes or high heels I carry with me in a bag and change into them when I reach my destination.

Whether you choose to wear your boots or not, always bring them with you in the car.  You never know when something unexpected will come up, and you will have to walk outside.

Outerwear:

A parka is not a necessity in October, but if you have one bring it.  You won't need a wardrobe of coats here.  Dressing for warmth is the norm, and people don't expect you to look like a fashionplate when it is cold outside.  Otherwise, bring a wool or insulated coat that covers as much as your body as possible.  Down is not a necessity in October.

Bring a hat.  I wear a hat all winter from the time I leave the house until I return.  I have a simulated fur hat made out of some sort of petroleum product.  Even though the hat doesn't cover my ears, it does the job.  I have a felt hat that has an attached scarf on each side that I can tie under my chin.  That works well in colder weather.  At the least, bring a knitted beret or tam.  If you wear wigs, they work great as a hat in the winter, although you may get a little warm inside buildings.

Bring dress gloves for driving, a smooth unlined pair of leather gloves are my first choice.  Then bring mittens to wear over the gloves if you must be outside for any length of time.  If you wear the hat, though, you'd be surprised how warm your hands will be.

Bring a knitted scarf.  You need something to cover your neck from where your hat leaves off and your coat's collar begins.  Even if you wear a hooded - parka (which takes care of your neck area), a scarf is also used to put over your nose and mouth.  You can breath through it to avoid breathing cold air directly.

Wardrobe:

Layering keeps you warm.  Men wear long underwear during the winter, at least the bottoms.  Silk makes for a very warm undergarment.  I often wear my summer cotton tank tops as camisoles in the winter. Then add a long-sleeve shirt or blouse, a vest, then a sweater or suit coat.  Wool is the warmest.

Pants or slacks are accepted at any occasion.  Denim jeans are popular for casual wear.  A-line wool skirts are nice.  When it is really cold, I can wear long underwear that is not visible because my skirt touches the top of my boots.  I love Pendleton wools suits for winter.

A note about plastic:

In cold weather plastic gets stiff and cracks easily.  Rubber and leather work better.  If you can't afford a leather purse or briefcase, then a cloth or canvas one would be a better choice than plastic.  The same can be said for coats, hats, shoes, and boots.  In our coldest weather, I've seen a plastic flowerpot shatter like a lightbulb.

Visiting a coastal area:

An umbrella and raincoat will be needed if you are visiting the southern portions of the state.  You don't need these two items in Fairbanks, and most likely not in Anchorage either.

Alaska Shopping:

• Anchorage has lots of stores, and in October you should be able to buy any extra clothing you need.
• Fairbanks has a Sears, a Gottshalks, and a Fred Meyer (similar to Walmart).
• It has been awhile since I've been to Juneau, but since the capitol is there, I would guess the stores are well-stocked.
• If you are going to Ketchikan, the weather should be similar to what you are having in Pennsylvania, plus lots of rain.
• If you are visiting smaller towns or villages, your shopping opportunities will be quite limited.

More Information:

We have a group of people who like to talk about Alaska living.  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Alaska-Living/ You don't need to join to read the messages, but if you want to post a question or comment, send a blank e-mail to Alaska-Living-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

You can also check out the October monthly diary pages on this site.