Weather in Alaska

[jc]

Hi
My wife and I plan to ride north to Alaska, leaving New York around 1 August. We plan to take it easy and should get to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, by the end of August, spent a week or two in Alaska, before we will return back South by Mid-September.
I know nothing about arctic weather paterns, and are hoping that it will not be too late to enjoy Alaska and Northern Canada.
We will be camping almost all the way, if the weather permits. Camping in the rain is not what I call fun.

What are the chances of seeing the Northern lights that time of the year?

Should I invest in heavy duty riding and rain gear, or is it not as bad as I think it might be? How cold does it realy get there at that time? We've been living in the Desert (Dubai) for three years now and when the temprature gets down to 16 deg C in winter, my wife is 'freezing'! I might have to dress her up like the Michillen-man.

Any advise would be welcome.

Johan