🎉 Memaw’s New Year’s Eve Cold Road Commute. Ring in 2026, Not the Guardrail. It’s Arctic Cold, Icy Roads, and No Night for Drinking and Driving
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | New Year’s Eve 2025
Happy New Year’s Eve, darlin’s! Southcentral Alaska is heading into the holiday under a push of Arctic air, with temperatures well below normal and icy road conditions expected through the day and night. That’s according to the National Weather Service Anchorage office. This is the kind of cold that stiffens steering wheels, numbs fingers fast, and turns small mistakes into big trouble.
Memaw says this is one of those nights where good sense matters more than good intentions. Roads are frozen solid, temperatures are biting, and reaction time drops fast in the cold. Add alcohol to that mix and it turns dangerous in a hurry. Celebrate, laugh, hug your people. But, if you plan to drink tonight, do not drive. Call a ride, call a cab, or stay put (Uber, Lyft, and local taxi numbers listed at the bottom). Cold weather and icy highways do not forgive mistakes. New Year’s Eve should end with warm feet at home, not flashing lights on the roadside.
Below is your Memaw’s Holiday Commute for Wednesday, December 31.
🚗 PARKS HIGHWAY
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 0°F to 8°F | Icy pavement likely. Slow down early and leave extra space. Cold engines need gentle starts. |
| Afternoon | 5°F to 12°F | No real warmup coming. Watch shaded areas and bridges for slick spots. |
| Evening | -2°F to 6°F | Bitter cold after dark. Visibility drops and ice hardens. If you are celebrating, do not drive. |
🛣️ GLENN HIGHWAY
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | -4°F to 4°F | Black ice possible in wind sheltered areas. Ease into braking. |
| Afternoon | 1°F to 10°F | Cold keeps roads slick. Expect icy curves and ramps. |
| Evening | -6°F to 2°F | Arctic cold settles in. Fatigue and cold slow reaction time. Call a ride if needed. |
❄️ SEWARD HIGHWAY
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 10°F to 18°F | Packed snow and icy shoulders possible. Take it slow through turns. |
| Afternoon | 12°F to 20°F | Cold keeps traction limited. Watch for shine on the road. |
| Evening | 8°F to 15°F | Temperatures fall fast. Wind and ice can surprise you. No drinking and driving tonight. |
🚙 STERLING HIGHWAY
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 8°F to 16°F | Frosty start with slick stretches. Give yourself extra travel time. |
| Afternoon | 10°F to 18°F | Cold keeps roads icy even in daylight. Brake gently. |
| Evening | 6°F to 14°F | Deep cold and darkness. Visibility drops and ice hardens. Stay sober or stay parked. |
RIDE HOME, DON’T RISK IT! (The consequences of a DUI are too expensive.)
If you plan to drink tonight, plan your ride now. The consequences of a DUI are too expensive.
Memaw says: Darlin’, don’t line a lawyer’s pockets with your misery.
Uber and Lyft operate in many Southcentral communities through their apps.
Anchorage Yellow Cab: 907 222 2222
Ace Taxi Anchorage: 907 561 2121
Mat Su Taxi Wasilla Palmer area: 907 376 2000
Kenai Peninsula Taxi Kenai Soldotna: 907 260 8294
Memaw loves a good New Year’s celebration, but she loves you getting home safe even more. Slow down, bundle up, and make smart choices. Let 2026 start the right way.
