Winter Weather — Susitna Valley, Alaska

2024-12-04 to 2024-12-06 · Susitna Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

The Talkeetna ASOS (PATK) reported freezing rain between 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKST on December 5th. Road conditions along the Parks Highway according to Alaska 511 was very difficult from Susitna North to Talkeetna and south of Cantwell. Hazardous road conditions were reported south of Susitna North to Houston. Temperatures dropped below freezing overnight December 5th into December 6th which prompted refreezing of water on roadways, creating additional slick road conditions.

Wider weather episode

In early December, a north Pacific low tracked into Southcentral Alaska, shifting winds southerly and increasing temperatures and precipitation chances. Temperatures aloft rose above freezing while surface temperatures remained below freezing in the Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley regions. This had the effect of transitioning precipitation that fell into freezing rain. Roads across the aforementioned regions became slick, particularly in neighborhoods and back roads that had prior snow/ice cover. A fatal accident off the Parks Highway occurred with State Troopers noting that weather was a major factor.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1229833. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.