Northerly winds will bring colder air from the Arctic to Fairbanks starting Thursday evening, according to NWS meteorologist Bobby Bianco.

“This is all due to the high pressure over the Bering Sea and eastern Siberia, which is surrounded by air and brings northerly winds,” he said.

Temperatures will rise from highs in the 20s and 30s on Thursday to single digits on Friday and Saturday. “These will be the coldest days,” Bianco said. He said colder places like the Goldstream Valley will see single digits below zero and warmer areas will see single digits above zero.

According to Bianco, normal temperatures for this time of year are with highs around 34 degrees Fahrenheit and lows around 19 degrees.

“It's not unusual to see temperatures like this in October, but we'll be well below average,” Bianco said.

The storm is expected to begin Monday, with snow during the day and temperatures to rise Monday afternoon and evening.

“There is a chance we could mix with some rain, particularly in Fairbanks and the valleys west of Fairbanks,” Bianco said.

Monday night and Tuesday morning will bring precipitation – whether it snows or rains depends on the temperature.

“If it gets a few degrees colder, it will snow heavily. If it gets a few degrees warmer, it will rain heavily,” Bianco said. “Our trust is low.”

Precipitation could change back to snow Tuesday evening after another cold front moves through.

According to the weather forecast, the weather service predicts at least 15 cm of snow inland, and even more than 30 cm at higher altitudes.

“This will be a heavy, wet snow, like cement falling from the sky,” Bianco said. He called the storm a “really slushy mess.”

Bianco said storms in the Bering Sea are normal this time of year, but the amount of precipitation is unusual for Fairbanks in October. According to climatology data from the NWS, the average snowfall this time of year is 0.9 inches.

Bianco said the storm will also bring strong winds.

“It's getting windy. Any snow could blow around and reduce visibility, particularly further north on Haul Road.”

Department of Transportation spokesman John Perreault said operators are cleaning and clearing roads to prepare for the winter storm.

Perreault said the department focuses on clearing Priority 1 roads as best as possible with plows and graders during a storm before moving down the priority list.

Priority 1 roads in Fairbanks include the Johansen Expressway, approximately seven miles of Parks Highway, Richardson Highway and Steese Highway between Fairbanks and Fox. It can take up to 12 hours to clear Priority 1 roads after a winter storm, so Perreault asks residents to be patient and drive carefully.

Heavy snow and rain on wet roads can lead to dangerous or difficult driving conditions, according to the weather forecast.

Perreault reminds residents that speed limits are in place for ideal road conditions. Therefore, drive according to the respective road conditions. have the right tires; Make sure you have working headlights and taillights. Turn on your headlights. and carry emergency equipment, including flares and additional personal winter equipment.

“Maybe you don't need a parka and boots to go to the office, but between the office and home it's Alaskan winter weather,” he said. He also recommends giving plows plenty of room and not trying to overtake them or follow closely behind them.

Slippery roads led to increased traffic accidents in Fairbanks this week.

Alaska State Troopers in the Fairbanks North Star Borough responded to 43 vehicle collisions and calls for assistance from motorists between Monday and Wednesday, according to spokesman John Dougherty.

Fairbanks Police Department spokesman Teal Soden said the Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center received 146 more emergency calls this week than last week.

Due to staffing shortages, FPD does not have regular patrol officers from 8 a.m. to noon, so these calls are primarily handled by administrative staff.

Soden said police are only allowed to respond when vehicles are disabled due to damage; A collision will result in an injury that requires medical attention. Alcohol or drugs are involved; there is damage to public property; the accident is a hit-and-run accident; or there is another criminal element.

If someone is involved in a minor collision without injuries, they don't need to call 911, Soden said. You should exchange insurance and contact information and report the collision at reportcrash.alaska.gov.

Soden recommends drivers give themselves extra time to get to their destination, clear snow and ice from the outside of their car before driving, leave more space between cars than usual and make sure to wear seat belts.