🚗 Memaw’s Chill & Thrill Winter Commute for Friday, January 23, 2026

By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026

☕️ Morning, sugars! Pour that coffee, give those tires a quick kick, and lean in. Roads are cold today with highs in the teens near 18°F and lows dipping into the single digits and low teens. Daylight is short, the sun stays low, and if the skies cooperate tonight you just might catch a little northern lights sparkle. Memaw’s got the temps, sunrise and sunset, and the aurora forecast so you can drive safe and maybe even chase a touch of sky magic. ✨

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🚗 Parks Highway

Time of Day	Hi Temperatures (°F)	Lo Temperatures	Driving Tips
Morning	18°F	8°F	Patchy freezing fog early. Let those headlights do their job.
Afternoon	18°F	12°F	Roads stay cold. Sun can help visibility but not melt slicks.
Evening	14°F	10°F	Temps fall after sunset. Watch for refreeze on bridges.
Sunrise & Sunset	Sunrise ~9:43 AM Sunset ~4:36 PM		Low sun can blind your eyes. Sunglasses help.
Aurora Forecast for Tonight	Southcentral: Minor activity likely (Kp around 3). Broader Alaska: Active-to-minor forecast with some potential later tonight.		Best chance late night if skies clear and activity peaks briefly.

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🚙 Glenn Highway

Time of Day	Hi Temperatures (°F)	Lo Temperatures	Driving Tips
Morning	18°F	8°F	Fog and frost early. Space out from other vehicles and go slow.
Afternoon	18°F	12°F	Roads stay winter slick. Sunlight can be deceiving.
Evening	14°F	10°F	Low light and refreeze can catch drivers off guard.
Sunrise & Sunset	Sunrise ~9:43 AM Sunset ~4:36 PM		Keep your visors handy.
Aurora Forecast for Tonight	Same as Parks Hwy (Kp ~3 forecast with brief elevations possible).		Best chance late night if skies clear and activity peaks briefly.

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🚐 Seward Highway

Time of Day	Hi Temperatures (°F)	Lo Temperatures	Driving Tips
Morning	18°F	8°F	Early fog near the inlet. Traction can be tricky.
Afternoon	18°F	12°F	Roads still cold in shaded spots. Watch for refreeze.
Evening	14°F	10°F	Bring the headlights on early.
Sunrise & Sunset	Sunrise ~9:43 AM Sunset ~4:36 PM		Glare off water and curves can be tough.
Aurora Forecast for Tonight	Same as Parks Hwy (Kp ~3 potential).		Best chance late night if skies clear and activity peaks briefly.

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🚚 Sterling Highway

Time of Day	Hi Temperatures (°F)	Lo Temperatures	Driving Tips
Morning	18°F	8°F	Patchy fog lingers. Let that defroster earn its keep.
Afternoon	18°F	12°F	Winter roads still require full respect.
Evening	14°F	10°F	Shaded curves might be icy. Slow approach.
Sunrise & Sunset	Sunrise ~9:43 AM Sunset ~4:36 PM		Low light makes curves trickier.
Aurora Forecast for Tonight	Same as Parks Hwy (Kp ~3 potential).		Best chance late night if skies clear and activity peaks briefly.

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👵 Memaw’s Parting Words

Alright, sweetheart, here’s the deal. Take your time, keep both hands on the wheel, and don’t let a little frost or fog rattle your nerves. The roads may be icy, the sun low, and the air nippy, but you’ve got your wits, your coffee, and a little Memaw magic on your side. Look up at the sky tonight once it’s fully dark. The aurora forecast shows minor-to-active chances with Kp around 3, which might mean a faint glow if clouds clear, especially later overnight.

Remember, slow and steady gets you there safe and sound, and a little wonder goes a long way. Now go out there, drive smart, and don’t forget to smile, even if your toes are frozen. 🥶 

Quick Kp Index Guide

Kp 0–2: Very quiet skies. Aurora will likely stay up near the pole and be hard to see.
Kp 3–4: Moderate activity. You might catch a faint glow or curtains of light if the skies are clear and dark.
Kp 5+: Strong geomagnetic activity. The aurora can glow brightly and spread across much of Alaska’s night sky if it stays dark and clear. 

According to the current NOAA-based aurora forecast models, geomagnetic activity tonight is expected to reach into the G1 to G2 range with Kp values around 4 to maybe 5 at times due to persistent solar wind influences. This means conditions could be better than a basic 3, with a minor to moderate chance of aurora activity if skies clear, especially later after dark. 

So tonight’s Kp is looking around 4 (with brief spikes toward 5 possible), which means keep your eyes peeled in the late evening and overnight hours, but temper your expectations. A big storm isn’t guaranteed, yet a satisfying glow or flicker could show itself if clouds cooperate. 🌜 

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