Before you head to town, take heed. There is a National Weather Service (NWS) Winter Weather Advisory in effect through 6pm across Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley (including Wasilla and Palmer), and surrounding areas. That means freezing rain, wintry mix and slick road conditions on top of ground frost.
Now let’s get to the four highways and the day’s weather for each region.
Highway Conditions
Parks Highway
Overnight frost and early freezing rain have left some slick spots, especially on bridges and shaded curves near Willow and Palmer. Crews are working, but patches remain. Expect slower travel through the Mat-Su Valley until the roads warm and dry out.
Glenn Highway
Dense fog and a lingering wintry mix are reducing visibility inbound toward Anchorage. Outbound toward the Valley is seeing a thin glaze in places, especially overpasses and shady stretches. Keep extra distance between you and the car ahead because braking distances grow when surfaces glom onto that freezing mix.
Seward Highway
Wet road spray from light rain, combined with falling snow and intermittent freezing, is making travel south of Anchorage toward the Kenai Peninsula tricky. The curves near Turnagain Arm may ice over where drainage is poor. Tire tracks can catch unprepared tires, so take it easy.
Sterling Highway
The stretch from Soldotna up toward Cooper Landing is seeing slush in turn lanes and pockets of freezing fog near the hills. Shoulders are slick and narrow in places where plows piled snow. Ice may lurk where slush refreezes, especially at night.
Today’s Weather and Temperature Table
| Time | Anchorage Area | Mat-Su / Wasilla Area | Kenai Peninsula / Sterling Hwy Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 AM | 32 °F, light freezing rain and fog | ~35 °F, freezing rain and fog | ~33 °F, drizzle and cloudy |
| 12 PM | 34 °F, cloudy with possible wintry mix | ~36 °F, wintry mix and light snow | ~35 °F, cloudy with a chance of snow |
| 4 PM | 33 °F, mostly cloudy with wet roads | ~35 °F, cloudy with light snow flurries | ~34 °F, cloudy with damp roads |
| 8 PM | 30 °F, snow likely with slick roads | ~32 °F, snow or freezing drizzle possible | ~31 °F, snow or slush with refreezing roads |
💅🧣Memaw’s Driving Tips for the Day’s Chill and Slush
- Treat every road like it has been buttered. Slow down and watch for hidden slick spots.
- Keep headlights on all day. Fog, wintry mix and low light make you disappear fast.
- Leave extra stopping distance. That wintry glaze is not playing nice.
- Clean off all your lights and windows. Snow or slush on taillights is an open invitation to trouble.
- Keep the gas tank above half. With traffic delays and surprise slides, you may idle for a while.
- Bundle up in something warm and bright. If you end up walking or waiting, you will stay safer and more visible. 🧤
Stay safe out there, darling. May the roads treat you kind and your home be cozy, warm and sparkling under the lights when you return.
