Freezing rain threatens Fairbanks roads after Monday snowfall

Drivers in the Fairbanks area should expect slick and potentially icy roads this morning. A warming trend that turned Monday's snow into rain during the evening is now reversing. Temperatures are falling back to the freezing point overnight, which creates conditions for ice to form on pavement.

The Department of Transportation has been actively clearing the borough. However, the agency notes that managing the aftermath of mixed precipitation often takes longer than a standard overnight snow removal. The transition from solid snow to liquid rain and back to ice complicates the cleanup process.

Angelica Stabs, the public information officer for the DOT, explained the operational approach. Crews generally wait for the storm to pass before determining their next steps. "What our M&O crews do is they wait for the storm to pass. Then they decide, ‘Okay, where are we going to target sanding? Where are we going to scrape? Where are we going to just plow?’" Stabs said.

The agency is currently weighing where to apply sand, where to scrape, and where to plow. This planning phase aims to keep roads safe as the winter season continues. Stabs emphasized that there is a substantial amount of strategy involved in tackling these specific weather conditions.

Stabs advised motorists to take extra precautions. She noted that warmer weather brings variable precipitation, leading to unpredictable road conditions. "I think it’s always best to check 511 before you get in your vehicle, whether you’re going a short distance or a long, especially if you’re going a long distance .. it’s going to tell you everything you need to know about the roads," Stabs said.

Forecasts indicate daily highs above freezing will persist throughout the week. This sustained warmth continues to impact the state of the roads in the Interior region.