By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | March 22, 2026
💅 Good Sunday morning, sugar. The last full weekend of March is rolling in with classic Southcentral split personality weather. Inland valleys around Wasilla and Palmer are waking up cold but calm, while the coastal passes and Turnagain Arm keep flirting with those famous gusty winds. Overall it is shaping up to be a pretty friendly driving day if you keep an eye on shaded spots and bridge decks.
One stretch that deserves extra respect today is the Seward Highway near Summit Lake and Turnagain Pass, where Alaska 511 is showing orange “difficult driving” conditions. That mountain section can turn slick fast with wind, blowing snow, and drifting across the road, so drivers heading between Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula should slow down and give themselves extra space. And here’s a little early-morning magic for you. When Memaw rolled out of bed at 3:51 AM to check the roads, the Alaska 511 traffic camera at Seward Highway @ Summit Lake (MP 45.8.) appeared to catch the northern lights dancing across the sky above the pass (see below). Not a bad reward for getting up before the coffee’s even brewed. ✨
Cloud cover is drifting in and out across the region today, but temperatures are slowly creeping upward into the 20s for many areas around Anchorage and the Mat-Su. That means winter tires still rule the road this morning, but the afternoon drive should feel easier for most travelers.
And tonight? If the clouds thin out again, the sky might just put on another show..
🟢🟡🔴 Daily Verdict: Smooth Sunday Drives with a Possible Aurora Treat
Roads: Mostly plowed with typical winter traction spots early
Traffic: Light statewide with no widespread disruptions expected
Sky: Partial clearing tonight could allow a northern lights viewing window
🚙 Parks Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips | Road Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 15 | 5 | Watch for frost patches between Wasilla and Willow; shaded curves stay slick longer | 🟡 Moderate |
| Afternoon | 24 | 15 | Roads generally dry or packed snow; good traction with winter tires | 🟢 Low |
| Evening | 20 | 12 | Temps dropping again, so watch for refreeze near Talkeetna turnoffs | 🟡 Moderate |
| Sunrise & Sunset | Sunrise 7:52 AM Sunset 8:19 PM | Sun glare possible southbound into Wasilla late afternoon | 🟢 Low | |
| Aurora Forecast for Tonight | Kp 3; modest activity possible if skies partially clear | Best viewing north of Willow away from town lights | 🟢 Low |
🚙 Glenn Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips | Road Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 14 | 4 | Icy patches likely near Palmer bridges and shaded cuts | 🟡 Moderate |
| Afternoon | 23 | 14 | Mostly packed snow lanes but stable traction | 🟢 Low |
| Evening | 19 | 10 | Watch refreeze along Chickaloon and Sutton stretches | 🟡 Moderate |
| Sunrise & Sunset | Sunrise 7:51 AM Sunset 8:18 PM | Afternoon glare westbound toward Anchorage | 🟢 Low | |
| Aurora Forecast for Tonight | Kp 3; visible arcs possible in clearer northern skies | Pullouts near Palmer Hay Flats offer good viewing | 🟢 Low |
🚐 Seward Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips | Road Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 22 | 15 | Gusty winds through Turnagain Arm; watch blowing snow pockets | 🟡 Moderate |
| Afternoon | 28 | 20 | Strong crosswinds possible near Bird Point and Portage | 🟡 Moderate |
| Evening | 24 | 18 | Wind easing slightly but watch slick areas in shaded canyon curves | 🟡 Moderate |
| Sunrise & Sunset | Sunrise 7:50 AM Sunset 8:16 PM | Coastal glare off Cook Inlet possible mid-afternoon | 🟢 Low | |
| Aurora Forecast for Tonight | Kp 3; cloud breaks may allow views near Summit Lake | Best chances inland away from marine clouds | 🟡 Moderate |
🚚 Sterling Highway – Soldotna
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips | Road Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 20 | 10 | Patchy ice around Soldotna intersections and bridges | 🟡 Moderate |
| Afternoon | 27 | 18 | Fair travel conditions; watch wet snow edges near Kenai River | 🟢 Low |
| Evening | 23 | 15 | Temperatures dropping, so watch for icy shoulders | 🟡 Moderate |
| Sunrise & Sunset | Sunrise 7:48 AM Sunset 8:15 PM | Afternoon glare along open flats west of Soldotna | 🟢 Low | |
| Aurora Forecast for Tonight | Kp 3; partial clearing could allow brief aurora windows | Best viewing toward Skilak Lake region | 🟢 Low |
🚗 Knik Goose Bay Road
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips | Road Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 15 | 5 | Frost and packed snow common in shaded sections | 🟡 Moderate |
| Afternoon | 23 | 14 | Generally stable traction with winter tires | 🟢 Low |
| Evening | 19 | 10 | Refreeze possible along curves and neighborhood access roads | 🟡 Moderate |
| Sunrise & Sunset | Sunrise 7:52 AM Sunset 8:19 PM | Sun glare westbound heading toward Wasilla late day | 🟢 Low | |
| Aurora Forecast for Tonight | Kp 3; decent chance if clouds break over Mat-Su | Best viewing near Point MacKenzie away from lights | 🟢 Low |
💖 Memaw’s Parting Words
Now listen here, darling. Spring may be peeking around the corner, but Alaska winter hasn’t packed its bags yet. The roads today are mostly friendly, but those sneaky icy spots still like to lurk in the shade like gossip at a church potluck.
So take it easy on the throttle, keep that coffee warm, and if the clouds part tonight, step outside for a minute. The northern lights have a habit of showing up right when folks least expect them. Share your aurora photos with Memaw. She’d love to see them.
Drive alive out there. Memaw’s watching the road with you. 💅
Forecasts pulled from the National Weather Service, with road reality checks courtesy of Alaska DOT.
💅
