Third major storm deepens Anchorage snow woes as dangerous roads close offices and schools
Dec. 16—winter, snow, storm, weather
A third major winter storm in about 10 days blanketed Southcentral Alaska in snow Thursday morning, closing public schools in Anchorage and Mat-Su and making driving treacherous.
As the snow tapered off early Thursday, the National Weather Service measured 9 inches of new snow at the agency's Sand Lake offices — and just over 41 inches in the past 11 days.
People Mover and AnchorRIDES service was canceled in Anchorage Thursday due to heavy snow. By around noon, drivers in the Midtown area reported a mix of road conditions ranging from decent to dreadful with few sidewalks cleared, sending pedestrians trudging into busy streets.
School districts in Anchorage and Mat-Su announced closures Wednesday evening as snow again began falling across the region.
winter, snow, storm, weather
Anchorage district officials said they made an "early call" due to current conditions and forecasts for hazardous weather. Mat-Su later Wednesday announced another remote-learning day, the fourth this week.
Anchorage mid-morning Thursday cancelled all after-school activities, except for state wrestling activities, as well as facility rentals. Mat-Su cancelled all activities except two Doc Larson basketball games at Wasilla High School.
The Parks Highway was closed in both directions early Thursday between miles 133.5 and 127, north of Trapper Creek, due to a commercial vehicle collision, the Alaska State Troopers said. The closure is expected to last hours; there is no detour around the area.
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State offices in Anchorage and Mat-Su are closed Thursday, as are the University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University campuses. Municipal officials say People Mover may re-evaluate resuming fixed route bus service Thursday afternoon.
State courts in Anchorage and Palmer are closed Thursday except for emergencies and a trial being held via Zoom involving an Alaska legislator's membership in the far-right Oath Keepers.
[Anchorage is buried in snow. You have questions. Here are some answers.]
december, cold, snow, winter, snow storm, winter weather
december, cold, snow, winter, snow storm, winter weather
Anchorage plow crews late Wednesday raced to make at least one pass through neighborhoods ahead the new storm.
Alaska Department of Transportation crews plowed main roads throughout the night, but they were in rough condition on Thursday morning, said Justin Shelby, central region administrative operations manager. Crews were clearing lower priority roads Thursday morning. Shelby described driving conditions on those roads as very difficult.
Several school buses got stuck Wednesday, Anchorage School District officials said, and another bus not carrying students was involved in a minor accident.
[Snow days pile on complications and uncertainties for Anchorage School District and families]
The Weather Service initially issued a winter storm warning starting 6 p.m. Wednesday through 9 a.m. Thursday, though the snow was easing in Anchorage by 5 a.m. Reported snow totals around the region Thursday morning varied from 9 inches in several parts of Anchorage to 10 inches in Eagle River, 11 1/2 inches at Palmer and 16 at Big Lake.
Reported snowfall amounts were fairly uniform around Anchorage at between 8 and 10 inches, according to meteorologist Shaun Baines, who said Thursday morning that the Weather Service was still waiting on additional reports from the Hillside as well as the Kenai Peninsula.
A winter storm warning for Valdez through noon Thursday called for 15 to 30 inches of snow; an avalanche warning was also in effect. A winter storm warning remained in place for the Copper River Basin until 3 p.m. Thursday, with the forecast calling for 7 to 14 inches of snow.
Forecasters say this should be the last major snowfall for a while: Cold, clear weather is expected to settle over Southcentral and the Copper River Basin.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
— Daily News reporter Tess Williams contributed reporting.
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