By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026
Yesterday afternoon on the Glenn Highway, Memaw saw a gentle reminder that winter roads are not always as dry as they seem. 👀 One pickup driver learned the hard way that Alaska pavement has a mind of its own, especially for those who like to push it. While some folks can’t resist testing their luck, ditch divers keep proving Memaw’s point. And just to be clear before the emails start, Memaw was not behind the wheel. 💅 She was riding shotgun, safely buckled, filming from the passenger seat, and minding her own business, which looks like this:
🚗 Parks Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 34°F (slow and frosty) | Around 23°F | Watch for freezing fog before 9am, go slow and keep your lights on early. |
| Afternoon | High near 34°F | Still chilly | Snow patches possible, keep a safe space between cars. |
| Evening | Falling toward low 20s | Cold and icy | Roads will refreeze, treat ‘em like ice rinks. |
| Sunrise & Sunset | 9:41 AM / 4:34 PM | Short day so use daylight wisely. Use those headlights. |
🚙 Glenn Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | ~34°F | ~23°F | Same deal as Parks, fog and frost early. |
| Afternoon | ~34°F | ~25°F | Slush or slick spots, keep winter tires rubber side down. |
| Evening | ~20s°F | ~20°F | Black ice loves evening traffic. |
| Sunrise & Sunset | ~9:41 AM / ~4:34 PM | Daylight’s precious so hustle safely. Keep your lights on. |
🚐 Seward Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 35°F | ~28°F | Partly sunny start, but still slick in shady spots. |
| Afternoon | ~35°F | ~30°F | Melt-refreeze trick makes the road crusty. |
| Evening | ~30°F | ~28°F | Keep a long follow distance and don’t rush. |
| Sunrise & Sunset | 9:40 AM / 4:36 PM | That daylight is quick and won’t last long. Are your headlights on? |
🚗 Sterling Highway
| Time of Day | Hi Temperatures (°F) | Lo Temperatures | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | ~35°F | ~28°F | Warmer temps can make sloppy slush early. |
| Afternoon | ~35°F | ~30°F | Plenty of shaded curves become slick. |
| Evening | ~30°F | ~28°F | Refreeze on bridges and shoulders, so slow down. |
| Sunrise & Sunset | 9:50 AM / 4:36 PM | Sunrise’s late so watch out when you head out. Headlights on? |
👵 Memaw’s Top Winter Commuting Tips
And one more thing before you mash that gas pedal. Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which means plenty of kids are home from school, folks are out running errands, and traffic patterns are not what you expect on a regular Monday. Slow it down through neighborhoods, parking lots, and highway on-ramps. Roads are slick, daylight is short, and children do not move like grownups. Honor the day by looking out for one another and get everybody home in one piece. 😘
💅
