Fairbanks, Alaska – Roads across Interior Alaska could refreeze within hours after sunset Sunday as temperatures plunge from near 30°F during the day to as low as -13°F overnight, creating slick conditions for the Monday morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Fairbanks, daytime highs Sunday range from 22°F to 31°F across much of the Interior, including Fairbanks near 29°F and Fort Yukon near 23°F. However, clear skies and increasing daylight are driving a sharp overnight cooldown, with lows dropping to -2°F in Fairbanks and as cold as -13°F in eastern Interior communities.
This widening temperature gap signals a classic spring transition pattern in Alaska, where melting during the afternoon is quickly erased by refreezing at night. Roads, sidewalks, and untreated surfaces are especially vulnerable to black ice formation between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Communities including Fairbanks, Delta Junction, and Tok will see the most noticeable swings, while areas like Galena and McGrath also dip below zero by early Monday. Drivers should slow down on bridges and shaded roads where ice develops fastest.
Residents are urged to clear meltwater from walkways before sunset and prepare for fluctuating conditions each day. More pronounced warming trends are expected later this week, but nightly freezes will continue to pose hazards through early week.
