Fairbanks, Alaska – Engines may fail and exposed skin can freeze in under 10 minutes as temperatures plunge toward -36°F across Interior Alaska by early Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Fairbanks, overnight lows from Wednesday through Friday nights will remain well below normal, ranging from -20°F to -36°F, with the coldest pockets centered near Fairbanks, Eagle, and Fort Yukon. Wind chills could dip near 40 below zero at times, increasing the risk of frostbite and mechanical failures.
Fairbanks is expected to bottom out near -30°F to -36°F multiple nights, while Eagle could hit -35°F and Bettles drops into the low -30s. Along the West Coast, Nome and Kotzebue stay comparatively “warmer” but still brutal, ranging from -10°F to -20°F. Utqiaġvik and the North Slope hover between -20°F and -30°F through Saturday morning.
Roads across the Dalton Highway and stretches near Fairbanks may become brittle and slick, especially on untreated surfaces. Alaska DOT crews warn that extreme cold can cause ice to harden, reducing tire traction and increasing stopping distances.
Residents should limit time outdoors, keep vehicles plugged in, and protect pipes from freezing. مدارس and local services could see delays if equipment fails in the cold.
The deep freeze holds through the weekend, with additional advisories possible if wind chills drop further below 40 below zero.
