Cold temps, patchy fog, and a whole lot of “be careful now, sugar.”
GLENN HIGHWAY (Anchorage ↔ Eagle River ↔ Mat-Su)
What Memaw sees:
The Glenn is its usual self this morning. Busy, cold, and a little moody. With temps in the low teens and fog drifting in and out, expect some slick patches, especially in those shaded curves and elevated stretches.
What to watch for:
- Black ice near Eagle River and the S-curves
- Light fog reducing visibility during peak drive hours
- Morning bunch-ups near Muldoon, Bragaw, and Fort Richardson
Memaw’s tip:
“Leave yourself enough space to stop, baby. Tailgatin’ on ice is how you end up in a stranger’s lap.”
PARKS HIGHWAY (Wasilla ↔ Willow ↔ Denali Route)
What Memaw sees:
No major alerts, but don’t let that fool you. With temps well below freezing, the Parks has that “don’t get too confident” shimmer. Traffic is rolling fine, but the surface can be slick even when it looks clear.
What to watch for:
- Overnight freeze = icy patches in the shoulders and dips
- Morning commuters merging around Wasilla
- Reduced traction near the Knik River and open, windy stretches
Memaw’s tip:
“Just because the road looks dry doesn’t mean it is dry. That’s how people meet a guardrail.”
SEWARD HIGHWAY (Anchorage ↔ Girdwood ↔ Turnagain Pass)
What Memaw sees:
This stretch is the diva of Alaska highways. Beautiful but dramatic. Turnagain Pass is holding onto plenty of snow, and with fog rolling through, conditions can flip on you fast.
What to watch for:
- Snow-covered shoulders in Turnagain Pass
- Fog pockets between Bird Point and Girdwood
- Shiny, icy patches near bridges and shaded cliff sections
- Avalanche terrain: DOT sensors are active, but stay aware
Memaw’s tip:
“If the Pass looks cranky, don’t you be shy about pulling over and letting her settle down. Ain’t no shame in waiting out a mountain.”
STERLING HIGHWAY (Kenai Peninsula Access)
What Memaw sees:
No road alerts, but winter conditions apply. The farther you get down the Kenai, the more likely you are to run into patchy ice, drifting snow, or low-contrast visibility.
What to watch for:
- Sudden surface changes near Cooper Landing
- Frost and fog in low-lying wetland areas
- Occasional blowing snow depending on overnight winds
Memaw’s tip:
“Honey, if the Sterling starts looking white and flat, slow down. When the snow and the sky match, you can’t trust your eyeballs.”
💅 MEMAW’S FINAL WORD
“Check your cameras before you go, pack something warm just in case, and don’t you be racing anybody. It’s Alaska. The road will remind you who’s in charge.”
