I've seen some wacky weather in my three-plus decades of living in Alaska. I've seen it snow in the dead of summer, I've seen the temps drop so low it was a life threatening exercise just to walk five feet from your front door to gather wood for the fire and I've seen it so blasted hot you would swear you were in Florida in July. Icepocalypse 2010 is an experience I'm glad I'm missing.
It seems Mother Nature has taken to turning on the sprinklers mid November. Yep, that's right. It's raining in November in Fairbanks and it has done what few other winter storms have ever managed to do; Icepocalypse has shut down Fairbanks... and North Pole, Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and Palmer. 
At last report, the storm warning was in effect until 6PM Tuesday night. The Fairbanks North Star Borough has announced that area schools will be closed, all North Star Borough facilities and offices will be closed Tuesday. No Borough bus service or VanTran will be operating. The University of Fairbanks has announced there will be no classes tomorrow and University employees were encouraged to stay home.
Although DOT is working to sand/gravel local roads it is (as of last report) still raining in Fairbanks and North Pole and it's expected to continue through Wednesday. If you don't need to be on the road, stay home.
I mentioned to a friend earlier on Twitter to prepare for a power outage when the freezing rain starts to weigh power lines down. This is a great time to stock up on water; fill a five gallon container if you have one, or pitchers if you don't. Do you have a camp stove? Dig it and the fuel canisters out. Think about what you can cook if the power does happen to go out... now might even be a good time to cook a pot of spaghetti in case it does. Gather you candles. Find you flashlights. Charge your cell phones. If you have elderly neighbors, please check on them and make sure they're ok and help them prepare.
Weather like this tests the resolve and grit of Alaskans. We've been through nasty winter storms before. By being prepared Alaskans will weather this one as well. Stay safe out there folks!
The photos used above were sent to me from a friend and were not taken by me... We're enjoying the first snow-free Thanksgiving in I can't remember how long... and yes, it's very strange but we're getting used to it!
Jesse - We had an Ice storm that crippled the Charlotte in early December 2003. We were crushed. Here's hoping this storm leaves you with the basics in tact
wow... those are scary, scary photos... especially that first one. And you're absolutely right about the weight of the ice, and what it'll do. Best be prepared.
Jesse, the tough weather it looks like hit your area hard early this year. Hang in there. Ice can be so much more dangerous than snow too.
Jesse...we just went through a minor Ice storm here in Minnesota. Keep safe my friend and my best to your family!
We're experiencing very similar weather Jesse. Hard to see the cars in ditches (as that was me last year!). Hope you and Kathy are enjoying your Thanksgiving wherever you are right now!
Jesse, I have been through a number of ice storms and they just SUCK. NO ONE can drive on ICE! I think the scariest experience of my driving career was in Colorado on black ice. At the time I was selling Discovery Toys and was on the way to a party. The only reason I went forward was because I was too scared to turn around. Amazingly my hostess got 12 people to the party (they all lived in the subdivision). We had an ice storm when we moved here 14 years ago. We knew we were in trouble when we went to Sears hardware looking for rock salt and they didn't know what it was.
Jesse, why is that when you post gorgeous pictures, you immediately get a girl who is willing to meet you and send you her private e-mail, and heck knows what else private? (LOL)
Yikes Jesse, I can't even begin to imagne with that must be like. You're a hearty bunch up there. People in my neck of the woods can't even drive in the light rain!
Your preparations sound like getting ready for a hurricane here in Florida. Those roads do look very nasty!
Claude - Ice storms are definitely in a class all their own when it comes to destruction, aren't they?
Alan - That hill is bigger than it looks in that photo. I can't imagine people even thinking they could make it up or down it. Crazy.
Gary - They got a heavy dose of rain for several days and then bitter cold. That's just a recipe for disaster.
Bill - We're doing our darnedest to avoid it... and winter altogether :)
Colleen - Thanks, Colleen! Here's hoping the ditches stay out of your way from here on out...
Marchel - You're right on the money... no one can drive on ice. Four wheel drive or no... it just doesn't matter. The best bet is just to stay in and ride it out!
Jon - haha I don't know but she/he/they were sure quick to offer their 'services'!
Lynda - Hearty or crazy... the line gets pretty blurred at times. :)
Gary - My guess is they are pretty similar... be prepared to last a few days (or longer) with minimal services.
That picture of ice an ice covered road just screams "Danger! Stay Home!"
Wow! Crazy weather. I'm from AZ and I haven't ever seen anything like this.
Tim