Why is fairbanks so cold

That December, Fairbanks experienced its most intense cold snap on record — averaging about F for the last week of the month. Thoman said a significant driver of that is climate change. But he said there are other factors too. One is related to urban growth, especially the increased number of cars on the road. Another piece, he said, is natural variability — multi-decade cycles in the atmosphere and ocean that can be more conducive or less conducive to creating that super-cold weather.

The current forecast for the end of this week show lows in the F to F range in the Fairbanks area. Not this time, he said. Sign in. When the temperature is colder than 20 degrees below zero in Fairbanks, outdoor recess is canceled, according to the local school district. And when it dropped to 40 below in Fairbanks, a meteorologist quipped "Celsius or Fahrenheit?

Presented without comment. Still, that level of extreme cold can ground planes, freeze pipes and prevent cars from starting. We took advantage of the cold temperatures today at our office to have some fun with boiling water. Farther south, the 1-below-zero reading in Anchorage on Wednesday made it the coldest day there since January The icy chill is the result of an upper-level low pressure system containing a lot of cold air that is locked into place over western Alaska, Brettschneider told Alaska's Energy Desk.

First time in 5 years. School Lunch Menu. KTVF Careers. May No Child Go Hungry. Submit Photos and Videos. Full Court with Greta Van Susteren. Gray DC Bureau. Investigate TV. Latest Newscasts. Fairbanks experiencing a longer than usual cold spell. By John Dougherty. Published: Jan.