By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026
Good morning, Southcentral! If you woke up thinking today might warm up, Memaw hates to be the bearer of bad news. Today’s high of 6 degrees already came and went just after midnight, and now temperatures are sliding into the negatives and staying there. That means snow stays packed, ice stays slick, and your commute needs a little extra respect.
Sunrise does not show up until 10:02am, and sunset taps out early at 4:11pm, giving us a short daylight window and long stretches of cold, dark road. With subzero air settling in, road conditions will not improve as the day goes on. This wintery commute for Monday, January 12, 2026 is built using NOAA and Weather.gov guidance only. Let’s talk roads before you grab those keys.
🚗 Parks Highway
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | -5F to 0F | Ice is set hard overnight. Take it slow on bridges and shaded stretches. |
| Afternoon | 0F to 5F | Cold keeps snow packed. Do not trust straightaways to stay grippy. |
| Evening | -6F to -1F | Darkness and cold team up. Carry warm gear and give yourself extra time. |
🚙 Glenn Highway
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | -3F to 2F | Commuter traffic polishes the ice. Brake early and gently. |
| Afternoon | 1F to 6F | Conditions stay slick. Watch Eagle River and bridge decks closely. |
| Evening | -4F to 0F | Temps drop fast. Increase following distance and stay patient. |
🛣️ Seward Highway
🫎 Caught on camera: A moose is spotted taking the Seward Highway on-ramp the wrong way. Stay alert, folks, you never know who’s sharing the road! ⬇️
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 5F to 10F | Looks manageable but ice hides well. Wind can change conditions fast. |
| Afternoon | 8F to 14F | Slick spots linger through Turnagain Arm. Keep speeds conservative. |
| Evening | 3F to 8F | Refreeze risk rises. Focus on the road and skip the sightseeing. |
🛻 Sterling Highway
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 0F to 5F | Shaded curves and river crossings ice first. Slow down early. |
| Afternoon | 3F to 8F | Cold keeps traction limited. Give trucks extra room. |
| Evening | -3F to 2F | Darkness settles in. Expect icy patches and reduced visibility. |
👵 Memaw’s Last Word
None of these highways are a free ride today. Cold like this does not forgive shortcuts, distractions, or rushing. Check 511 before you roll, travel during daylight if you can, and keep warm gear in the car even if the drive feels short. The goal is not to get there fast. The goal is to get there safe.
💅
