Freezing rain overnight created dangerous road conditions across Anchorage on Tuesday, prompting the Anchorage School District (ASD) to implement a two‑hour delayed start for schools and cancel the majority of after‑school activities and events, according to ADN. The decision aimed to protect students and staff as the Anchorage Police Department reported “extremely slick roads” and logged 24 crashes, including one injury, by midmorning.
ASD officials detailed the cancellations in an early‑afternoon update, noting that after‑school activity buses, community rentals at ASD facilities, King Tech High School’s third session, and 21st Century after‑school programs would not run. The district said three programs would continue as scheduled: hockey games at Ben Boeke Ice Arena, state volleyball practices, and after‑school childcare.
Road conditions varied throughout the city, with district statements indicating that crews were seeing freezing rain in pockets across Anchorage. “ASD road crews are seeing freezing rain in pockets across Anchorage, so road conditions may be different depending on where you are,” the district said, urging families who felt unsafe to contact their school office for an excused absence.
Authorities also warned of broader regional impacts. Joint Base Elmendorf‑Richardson updated its status just before 8 a.m. to “road conditions black,” limiting travel to mission‑essential and emergency response vehicles only. The Anchorage Police Department’s alert highlighted reports of black ice on the Glenn Highway, while drivers reported snow in Wasilla, rain in Eagle River and increasingly slick conditions toward Anchorage.
Across Southcentral Alaska, the National Weather Service recorded overnight winds reaching a 92 mph gust at the Cordova harbor, with gusts near 70 mph in parts of Prince William Sound, 50 mph in the lower Matanuska Valley, and over 40 mph around Seward and Kenai. Snowpack sensors indicated up to a foot of fresh snow at higher elevations around Turnagain Pass, and state transportation workers reported 28 to 32 inches of snow between Mile 30 and 35 on the Richardson Highway.
What’s next: ASD will continue to monitor road conditions throughout the day and advise families of any further changes. Parents are encouraged to stay in contact with their schools and heed safety recommendations as crews work to clear icy patches.
Sources: adn.com
