Fairbanks, Alaska – On January 13, 2026, the National Weather Service office in Fairbanks released a short video demonstrating the Mpemba effect, where hot water freezes faster than cold water under extreme Arctic conditions. Temperatures were near -40°F (-40°C) during the outdoor experiment.

In the clip, two people, one wearing a red jacket and the other dark clothing, stand in a snow-covered open area. Each holds a container of water, one hot and one cold. They simultaneously throw the water into the air.

The hot water instantly transforms into a dramatic cloud of fine ice crystals and vapor, dispersing widely and forming a sparkling mist that briefly lingers. The cold water falls mostly as larger droplets or slush, with less dramatic effect and quicker settling on the snow.

The scene highlights the stark contrast between hot and cold water behavior in extreme cold. Snow blankets the ground, bare trees are coated in frost, and distant buildings and streetlights are visible under a twilight sky. The focus remains entirely on the physical demonstration.

The NWS Fairbanks explained the science: “Hot water has more kinetic energy, higher vapor pressure, and disperses into smaller droplets in the air, allowing it to evaporate and condense at a much faster rate than cold water.” The demonstration reflects the extreme Arctic temperatures common to Fairbanks in January 2026, where sub-zero conditions can reach -30°F to -50°F.

This short clip has drawn engagement and discussion about the Mpemba effect, a classic experiment used to teach physics in cold climates.

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