Fairbanks, AK – Alaskans can expect a brief reprieve from bitter cold temperatures later this week, as a short-lived warm-up brings slightly milder conditions and periods of light snow to much of the Interior and northern regions, according to the National Weather Service Fairbanks.
The warming trend will begin Thursday and Friday, when temperatures climb into the teens and 20s above zero for areas like Nome, McGrath, and Delta Junction. Fairbanks is forecast to reach around 20°F by Friday afternoon, before colder air sweeps back into the region by Sunday and Monday, dropping readings once again into the -20°F to -40°F range.
Snowfall will accompany the warm-up, with 1–3 inches possible in parts of the Interior and western coast, including Nome, Point Hope, and Kotzebue, through Friday night. Lighter snow—generally under one inch—is expected for Fairbanks, Denali Park, and Livengood.
“Unfortunately, this will be short-lived and colder temperatures are expected to return by next week,” forecasters said in a statement Wednesday.
The forecast shows Birch Creek, Tok, and Arctic Village enduring some of the harshest cold, with overnight lows near -40°F to -46°F through midweek. Meanwhile, Prudhoe Bay and Wainwright will remain frigid but stable, hovering between -10°F and -15°F most of the weekend.
Residents are advised to prepare for icy roads, reduced visibility, and rapidly refreezing surfaces once colder air returns. The National Weather Service continues to monitor potential wind chill impacts, especially across northern and eastern Alaska.
