Fairbanks, AK – A stretch of cold, dry weather continues across the Interior and West Coast of Alaska, with temperatures dropping sharply through the weekend before a gradual warmup arrives next week. The National Weather Service in Fairbanks reports that localized fog and pockets of light snow will persist tonight into early Saturday, especially along coastal communities.
According to the NWS, Interior locations such as Bettles, Hughes and Koyukuk will see some of the coldest readings heading into Sunday. Bettles is expected to fall to –18°F Sunday morning, with highs only reaching –4°F. Hughes and Selawik will similarly bottom out between –10°F and –14°F during the coldest period. Fairbanks will hover near –6°F to –12°F at night through Sunday before rebounding into the teens early next week.
A significant shift occurs along the West Coast this weekend as a low-pressure system in the Bering Sea pushes strong winds and increased snow chances into communities from Nome to Kotzebue and Shishmaref. Highs in Nome are forecast to rise into the mid-20s this weekend before climbing toward 31°F by Wednesday, bringing the first notable warmup in several days.
By early next week, temperatures across much of northern Alaska will trend warmer, with widespread highs in the teens to 20s and lows moderating above zero in many areas. Snow chances are expected to increase region-wide next week, with the greatest likelihood along the West Coast as moisture spreads inland.
Despite some fog and occasional light snow through Saturday morning, forecasters note that most of the Interior will remain dry through the weekend until the broader pattern change begins developing Monday and Tuesday.
Residents across northern and western Alaska should prepare for extreme cold through Sunday, followed by improving temperatures and increasing snowfall potential next week.
