By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | February 2026
☕️ It’s a bright but biting Friday across Southcentral. Overnight lows dropped into single digits and teens, leaving refreeze conditions on shaded stretches and bridge decks. Sunshine helps visibility, but don’t let it fool you. Cold pavement plus overnight frost means slick spots where you least expect them. Alaska 511 reports no major corridor closures this morning on our primary commuter highways, but winter surface conditions remain in place and cameras show patchy snowpack in areas. Drive like it’s still February. Because it is. 💖
🚙 Parks Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips | Road Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 20 | 11 | Watch shaded bridges and ramps for refreeze | Moderate |
| Afternoon | 20 | 11 | Good visibility; drifting possible in open areas | Moderate |
| Evening | 14 | 5 | Rapid refreeze after sunset | High |
| Sunrise & Sunset | Sunrise ~7:55 AM Sunset ~5:34 PM | Sun glare + slick shoulders | Moderate | |
| Aurora Forecast for Tonight | Kp ~3; quiet to slightly active geomagnetic conditions | Best viewing after 10 PM if skies clear | Low–Moderate |
511 Status: No reported closures. Winter driving conditions persist in stretches north of Wasilla. Check cameras before departure.
🚙 Glenn Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips | Road Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 20 | 11 | Icy north-facing grades | Moderate |
| Afternoon | 20 | 11 | Clear skies; stay spaced out | Moderate |
| Evening | 14 | 5 | Bridges refreeze first | High |
| Sunrise & Sunset | Sunrise ~7:55 AM Sunset ~5:34 PM | Glare eastbound in morning | Moderate | |
| Aurora Forecast for Tonight | Kp ~3; low-level activity possible | Dark sky areas best | Low–Moderate |
511 Status: No major alerts posted at time of check. Packed snow reported in areas outside core Anchorage.
🚐 Seward Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips | Road Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 21 | 12 | Shaded curves near Turnagain Arm may be slick | Moderate |
| Afternoon | 21 | 12 | Watch for wind-blown snow in exposed areas | Moderate |
| Evening | 15 | 6 | Rapid temp drop after sunset | High |
| Sunrise & Sunset | Sunrise ~7:55 AM Sunset ~5:34 PM | Glare + icy shoulders | Moderate | |
| Aurora Forecast for Tonight | Kp ~3; quiet to modest | Possible late evening | Low–Moderate |
511 Status: No closures reported. Monitor for wind advisories along Turnagain Arm.
🚚 Sterling Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips | Road Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 20 | 10 | Packed snow in rural stretches | Moderate |
| Afternoon | 20 | 10 | Clear but cold pavement | Moderate |
| Evening | 13 | 4 | Icy build-up overnight | High |
| Sunrise & Sunset | Sunrise ~7:55 AM Sunset ~5:34 PM | Low sun glare risk | Moderate | |
| Aurora Forecast for Tonight | Kp ~3 | Best in low-light areas | Low–Moderate |
511 Status: No corridor shutdowns. Winter maintenance ongoing in sections.
🚗 Knik Goose Bay Road & South Clapp / W Fairview Loop
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips | Road Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 20 | 11 | Urban refreeze; black ice possible | Moderate |
| Afternoon | 20 | 11 | Watch intersections | Moderate |
| Evening | 14 | 5 | Slick neighborhood roads | High |
| Sunrise & Sunset | Sunrise ~7:55 AM Sunset ~5:34 PM | Glare + shaded ice patches | Moderate | |
| Aurora Forecast for Tonight | Kp ~3 | Light show possible if clouds thin | Low–Moderate |
511 Status: No reported closures. Local side roads may vary widely in condition.
👵 Memaw’s Parting Words
Sunshine does not cancel physics. If it froze overnight, it’s still frozen at 8 AM. Slow down on ramps, give yourself extra braking distance, and let the aggressive drivers be the canary in the coal mine. You win by getting there safe. Now go earn your Friday. 💖
💅
Pulled fresh from the National Weather Service Alaska forecast, Anchorage NOAA updates, a spin through Alaska 511 road cameras, and a peek at the NOAA Space Weather Center for that Kp number.
