By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026
🏔️ Before we talk tires and tailpipes, gather in close for a quick word. The National Weather Service, passing along guidance from the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center, has an Avalanche Warning in effect through this morning. Avalanche danger is HIGH across the Chugach and Kenai Mountains, including Anchorage, Girdwood, Portage, Lost Lake, and Seward. Heavy snow and strong winds have created very unstable conditions, with both natural and human triggered avalanches likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended, and even outside the backcountry, roof avalanches can and do happen. If you are near steep terrain, keep your awareness sharp and your plans flexible. Memaw says the mountains deserve respect, and they will always have the last word.
Now let us talk highways and surviving your Sunday drive.
🚗 Parks Highway
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | -8°F to 2°F | Cold tires slide easy. Slow your roll and give yourself extra stopping distance on shaded stretches. |
| Afternoon | 0°F to 8°F | Watch for frost polish where traffic packs snow tight. Do not trust a straight stretch just because it looks calm. |
| Evening | -5°F to 5°F | Temps dip fast after dark. Black ice likes to sneak in near bridges and river bottoms. |
🛻 Glenn Highway
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | -10°F to 0°F | Wind can drift snow back onto lanes. If the road looks swept clean, still expect slick corners. |
| Afternoon | -2°F to 10°F | Sun glare off snowbanks can blind you quick. Clean that windshield and wear sunglasses like a grown adult. |
| Evening | -8°F to 4°F | Winds pick back up and visibility can drop. If you cannot see the lines, follow speed not ego. |
🚙 Seward Highway
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 10°F to 18°F | This corridor sits under avalanche terrain. Obey closures and warnings without arguing with yourself. |
| Afternoon | 15°F to 25°F | Snow showers can come and go fast. Wet snow can freeze slick when clouds roll back in. |
| Evening | 12°F to 22°F | Darkness and blowing snow reduce depth perception. Keep headlights clean and patience cleaner. |
🚐 Sterling Highway
| Time of Day | Temperature | Driving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 5°F to 15°F | Expect packed snow with icy patches near lakes and low spots. Smooth inputs keep you upright. |
| Afternoon | 12°F to 22°F | Traffic packs snow into ruts. Stay centered and do not fight the wheel. |
| Evening | 8°F to 18°F | Cooling temps refreeze slush. Brake early and gentle like you are carrying soup in the back seat. |
Memaw’s final word. Sunday is a good day to take a breath and ease on down the road. Alaska does not care how tough or late you are for church, so do not rush it or show off. If the road feels wrong, trust that feeling. Slow down, leave yourself plenty of space, and get home safe. 🩷
💅
