The National Weather Service says afternoon snowfall is expected to affect Thursday commutes along the Glenn Highway from Anchorage to the Mat-Su Valley, a day after poor driving conditions produced numerous wrecks on the highway near Anchorage.
According to a special weather statement released by the NWS at about 3 p.m. Thursday, winter conditions are expected to continue along the Glenn into early Thursday evening.
“The combination of falling and blowing snow will continue to produce reduced visibilities and difficult driving conditions along the Glenn Highway from Anchorage to the Matanuska Valley during the evening commute,” meteorologists wrote.
Anchorage police reported numerous crashes on the Glenn Highway Wednesday, including one that briefly reduced the Glenn to one lane inbound near Ship Creek during the afternoon and another that evening which blocked two lanes of the highway outbound near the Muldoon Road exit.
APD spokesperson Dani Myren twice advised people to avoid the Glenn, saying at one point Wednesday afternoon that eight or nine crashes had occurred on the highway between Muldoon and Ship Creek. She says reports of crashes in the Glenn Highway/Eagle River area from Wednesday through 4:30 p.m. Thursday include about 28 vehicles in distress, 11 reported accidents and five accidents with injuries.
Channel 2 chief meteorologist Jackie Purcell says that snowfall is expected to end Thursday evening, people should drive more slowly and budget additional time to do so.
“It’s regular winter weather -- there’s going to be snow,” Purcell said. “If you drive below the speed limit, you’re going to get where you need to be.”
Purcell says snowfall is expected to end by Thursday evening, with little chance of precipitation Friday giving way to more snow expected Saturday.
Contact Chris Klint
