Fairbanks, Alaska Records −50°F Early Morning as Airport Sees Coldest Temperature of Winter for First Time Since February 2024
FAIRBANKS, ALASKA — Interior Alaska plunged into dangerous Arctic cold early Sunday morning as Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA) officially recorded a temperature of −50°F at 3:53 a.m., marking the coldest reading of the current winter season and the first time the airport has observed −50°F since February 2, 2024, according to the displayed observational data.
Extreme Cold Confirmed by Hourly Observations
Temperature readings at PAFA show the cold intensified steadily overnight rather than arriving as a brief dip. In the hours leading up to the record low, readings repeatedly hovered between −47°F and −49°F, before finally reaching −50°F shortly before 4 a.m. This confirms a sustained Arctic air mass rather than a momentary fluctuation.
Wind speeds during the observation period were generally light to calm, mostly ranging from 0 to 5 mph, allowing surface temperatures to fall efficiently under clear overnight conditions. Even with minimal wind, wind chill values dropped as low as −68°F, highlighting how dangerous conditions became for anyone outdoors.
Why −50°F Matters for Fairbanks
While Fairbanks is no stranger to extreme cold, −50°F remains a significant threshold, even by Interior Alaska standards. At this level, exposed skin can develop frostbite in just minutes, mechanical failures become more common, and heating systems are pushed to their limits. Vehicles may struggle to start, fuel lines can freeze, and prolonged outdoor exposure becomes life-threatening without proper protection.
The data indicates that this was not an isolated temperature spike, but part of a broader deep-freeze pattern affecting the Interior.
What’s Driving the Deep Freeze
The conditions align with a strong Arctic high-pressure system centered over Interior Alaska. This setup promotes clear skies, very dry air, and calm winds — a combination that allows rapid radiational cooling overnight. Once this type of cold dome becomes established, temperatures can remain dangerously low for multiple nights until cloud cover or wind increases enough to disrupt the pattern.
What Comes Next
At the time of observation, there was no immediate indication of rapid warming, suggesting that additional nights of extreme cold remain possible. Forecasters typically watch for increases in cloud cover, wind, or a shift in the upper-level pattern to signal any meaningful moderation.
For now, the data shows Interior Alaska firmly locked in a classic mid-winter Arctic outbreak, with Fairbanks once again experiencing some of the coldest air in the United States.
If you live in Alaska or have experienced temperatures this extreme, how do you prepare when the mercury drops to −50°F? Share your experience and stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com for continued weather coverage and major climate updates.