Winter Weather — Matanuska Valley, Alaska

2023-01-29 to 2023-01-30 · Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

The AWOS in Wasilla reported unknown precipitation type at around 4 PM AKST, verified to be mainly freezing rain based on other reports and nearby webcam imagery. The Glenn Highway was reportedly very slick south of the Parks Highway and Glenn Highway interchange near Palmer during the same afternoon and evening.

Wider weather episode

An area of weak lift aloft and temperatures near freezing below the snow growth layer of the the atmosphere was able to facilitate a period of light freezing rain and drizzle across parts of the Kenai Peninsula, Matanuska Valley and Anchorage area during the afternoon of 1/29. While ice accumulation was very light, it did not take much to cause significant travel disruptions, with multiple ditched cars and accidents reported along the Glenn Highway between Palmer and Anchorage on the afternoon of 1/29.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1099965. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.