11. A rare January thaw has taken hold in Fairbanks, Alaska, sending the mercury to 42 degrees on Sunday and Monday. 12. Then came the January thaw , and the river rose nine feet and sent 16 inches of water into the basement. 13. The mild air that has dominated much of the East this month came too early to be the traditional January thaw . 14. Though the arctic chill loosened its grip on much of the East this weekend, there has been no traditional January thaw . 15. Before and after the great January thaw , there was some skiing at Jackson and a few other centers in the north country. 16. Despite the increasing understanding of the forces that drive the global climate, the reason for the January thaw remains a meteorological mystery. 17. The warm spell started on the weekend in many sections and it is remarkably mild nights that has characterized this January thaw . 18. Despite the increasing understanding of the forces that drive the global climate, the ruason for the January thaw remains a meteorological mystery. 19. A mild spell that will spread over the East during the week ahead will come too early to be the traditional January thaw . 20. "Usually, our January thaw helps ( the snowmobiling ), " says Bob Griscom, a native of Rangeley who helps organize the Snowdeo Weekend.