Alaska Plunging into Frigid 40s and 50s Below Zero This Week

Brian Donegan
Published: January 17,2017
While much of the Lower 48 enjoys a January thaw this week, Alaska is experiencing some of its coldest air of this winter season. This follows a record-warm 2016 for the nation's 49th state, where some locations even shattered average temperature records by 5 degrees or more.
The frigid air mass is being caused by a blocking jet stream pattern, dipping over the state and trapping the bitterly cold air in place for several days. Cold snaps like this one are not uncommon in the heart of winter.
(MORE: For the U.S., 2016 Was the Second Warmest Year on Record)

Current Temperatures

This bone-chilling air mass has arrived, especially over Alaska's interior. Places near the coast won't be nearly as cold as inland locations, such as Fairbanks.
Tuesday evening, Fairbanks saw the temperature fall to minus 40 degrees, making it the coldest reading there since February 2015 when the mercury dipped to minus 43 degrees.
Monday and Tuesday, parts of western Alaska were in the minus 40s to around minus 50 degrees, including Galena and Ambler. Hogzata River dropped to as low as the minus 50s on Tuesday.
Highs for much of this week will only reach the 20s, 30s and 40s below zero over the state's interior, with coastal areas, such as Anchorage and Bethel, topping out in the teens and single digits below zero.
(FORECAST: Anchorage | Fairbanks | Utqiaġvik (Barrow))

Forecast Highs

If you thought those high temperatures sounded cold, take a look at the low temperatures in the map below.
Alaska's interior will fall into the 40s to near 55 degrees below zero for morning lows, while locations closer to the coast will be in the teens and 20s below zero.
(MORE: When Is the Coldest Time of the Year?)

Forecast Morning Lows

A minus-15-degree temperature in Anchorage would be the first time that has happened there since Jan. 28, 2012.
Widespread record lows are unexpected this week in Alaska, despite temperatures potentially dipping into the 50s below zero. This week's record lows in Fairbanks range from 57 to 65 degrees below zero.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Fairbanks is 66 degrees below zero. Below is a map of locations that have fallen to 70 degrees below zero or colder in their recorded history. One state in the Lower 48 qualifies – Montana.
(MORE: The Coldest Temperatures Ever Recorded in All 50 States)
The coldest temperature recorded in Alaska is 80 degrees below zero.