Tuesday Morning Update | Parks, Glenn, Seward and Sterling Highways
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | December 2025
Good morning Alaska and happy Tuesday, Alaska! Sunshine is helping visibility across Southcentral today, but do not let that cheer fool you. Arctic cold remains firmly in place, keeping pavement icy from morning through evening. Roads may look calm, but cold soaked surfaces mean slick conditions linger all day, especially on bridges, shaded curves, and less traveled lanes.
Before heading out, checking 511.alaska.gov is still the smartest first step.
🚗 Parks Highway (Wasilla and the Mat Su Valley)
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Low: -15°F | Overnight refreeze keeps intersections and curves icy. Slow down early. |
| Afternoon | High: 12°F | Visibility improves, but traction remains limited. Avoid sudden braking. |
| Evening | Low: -5°F | Rapid refreeze after sunset. Increase following distance. |
🚙 Glenn Highway (Anchorage to Palmer)
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Low: 5°F | Black ice likely on bridges and trestles, especially near Eagle River. |
| Afternoon | High: 18°F | Cold pavement stays slick. Use smooth steering and steady speed. |
| Evening | Low: 0°F | Ice spreads quickly after dark. Reduce speed early. |
🚐 Seward Highway (Turnagain Arm Corridor)
Right: New Seward Highway at Northern Lights in midtown Anchorage, with urban traffic moving cautiously under cold, slick winter conditions. | Alaska 511
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Low: 7°F | Icy surfaces persist from Potter Marsh to Summit Lake. Watch curves. |
| Afternoon | High: 20°F | Cold roads remain slick despite sun. Slow through exposed areas. |
| Evening | Low: 2°F | Refreeze happens fast. Brake gently and avoid sudden lane changes. |
🚘 Sterling Highway (Kenai Peninsula)
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Low: 6°F | Early travel remains slick. Bridges and shaded hills freeze first. |
| Afternoon | High: 19°F | Packed snow and icy patches alternate. Expect uneven traction. |
| Evening | Low: -3°F | Hard refreeze sets in. Winter tires and patience are essential. |
🌬️ Cold and Road Outlook
The National Weather Service reports continued Arctic air across Southcentral Alaska today, with temperatures staying well below normal. Calm winds improve visibility, but pavement temperatures remain cold enough to keep roads icy throughout the day. Interior valleys remain coldest, and refreeze will begin quickly again this evening.
❄️ Memaw’s Holiday Road Wisdom
Check 511.alaska.gov before every trip
Bridges, trestles, and shaded curves refreeze first
Slow down early in the morning and again after sunset
Leave extra space between vehicles
Keep winter gear in the car even for short drives
Dress for extreme cold and let someone know your route
Memaw’s rule of the road is simple: Slow, steady, and prepared will get you there safe and sound.
⚠️ ❄️ Winter Road Safety: Why Memaw Keeps Harping on Icy Roads
When temperatures hover near 0 degrees, roads that look dry can actually be dangerously slick. This is often black ice, a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice formed when moisture from fog, melting snow, or seepage freezes on cold pavement. At these temperatures, salt is far less effective, so ice does not melt and traction stays limited.
Be extra cautious in these spots:
Bridges and overpasses that freeze first and thaw last
Shaded areas that never see sunlight
Untreated roads without salt or sand
Clues the road is icy:
A shiny or glassy look on the pavement
Spray from vehicles ahead that freezes on your windshield
Memaw’s advice:
Slow down and leave extra space 🚗 🚕 🚑
🚫 Avoid cruise control on winter roads
Gently test your brakes to feel for traction 🛣️
💅 Memaw says winter does not need fresh snow to make trouble. It just needs cold. ❄️
