🚙 Arctic Grind with a Side of Snow: Saturday’s Slush Patrol ❄️

By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026

💅 Well, look at that. After the Alaskan deep freeze we’ve survived, today almost feels like a summer vacation. Temps are climbing, spirits are lifting … but, don’t let that fool you into leaving your coat at home. This is the kind of weather that makes roads mean: melting by day, refreezing by night, and slick spots hiding where you least expect them. Just rude, right? Enjoy the break, but drive like winter’s still got her boots on. 👢

PS: Soldotna residents, there’s a little something-something for you. Read on! 💅

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🚙 Parks Highway

Time of Day	Hi Temperatures (°F)	Lo Temperatures	Driving Tips	Road Risk Level
Morning	Upper 20s	Low teens	Watch for black ice in shaded stretches and near overpasses	Moderate
Afternoon	Around 30	Low 20s	Slush possible as temps rise. Increase following distance	Moderate
Evening	Mid 20s	High teens	Refreeze likely. Expect slick lanes after dark	Elevated
Sunrise & Sunset	Sunrise ~9:22 am Sunset ~5:01 pm		Low sun angles can hide ice patches	Moderate
Aurora Forecast for Tonight	Kp ~2; quiet skies with little activity expected		Clouds may limit visibility anyway	Low

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🚙 Glenn Highway

Time of Day	Hi Temperatures (°F)	Lo Temperatures	Driving Tips	Road Risk Level
Morning	Upper 20s	Low teens	Bridges and ramps most likely to be icy	Moderate
Afternoon	Around 30	Low 20s	Slushy spots where snow has softened	Moderate
Evening	Mid 20s	High teens	Ice reforms quickly once the sun dips	Elevated
Sunrise & Sunset	Sunrise ~9:22 am Sunset ~5:01 pm		Flat light reduces contrast on snow-covered pavement	Moderate
Aurora Forecast for Tonight	Kp ~2; calm geomagnetic conditions		Keep expectations low	Low

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🚐 Seward Highway

Time of Day	Hi Temperatures (°F)	Lo Temperatures	Driving Tips	Road Risk Level
Morning	Upper 20s	Low teens	Expect mixed conditions with packed snow	Moderate
Afternoon	Around 30	Low 20s	Melting snow may create wet, slick stretches	Moderate
Evening	Mid 20s	High teens	Refreeze after sunset increases slide risk	Elevated
Sunrise & Sunset	Sunrise ~9:22 am Sunset ~5:01 pm		Shadows can hide ice near curves	Moderate
Aurora Forecast for Tonight	Kp ~2; low chance of visible aurora		Clouds likely interfere	Low

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🚚 Sterling Highway – Soldotna

Time of Day	Hi Temperatures (°F)	Lo Temperatures	Driving Tips	Road Risk Level
Morning	Upper 20s	Low teens	Packed snow with icy patches in low areas	Moderate
Afternoon	Around 30	Low 20s	Slush possible in traveled lanes	Moderate
Evening	Mid 20s	High teens	Refreeze risk climbs quickly	Elevated
Sunrise & Sunset	Sunrise ~9:22 am Sunset ~5:01 pm		Dimming light makes depth harder to judge	Moderate
Aurora Forecast for Tonight	Kp ~2; no major activity expected		Not an aurora night	Low

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🚗 Knik Goose Bay Road & South Clapp / W Fairview Loop

Time of Day	Hi Temperatures (°F)	Lo Temperatures	Driving Tips	Road Risk Level
Morning	Upper 20s	Low teens	Neighborhood roads may be icy and uneven	Moderate
Afternoon	Around 30	Low 20s	Wet spots form where snow melts	Moderate
Evening	Mid 20s	High teens	Ice sets back in fast after sunset	Elevated
Sunrise & Sunset	Sunrise ~9:22 am Sunset ~5:01 pm		Glare off wet pavement possible	Moderate
Aurora Forecast for Tonight	Kp ~2; quiet skies		Moonlight may outshine any aurora	Low

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Memaw’s Parting Words

Enjoy the warmth, but don’t fall in love with it. Slow your roll, brake early, and treat every dark patch like it’s plotting against you. Winter’s still boss, just standing there smiling with a sparkle in her eye, daring you to believe she’s done. 😉

💅