Anchorage Daily News

After a day of weather extremes, Anchorage is going into the night above freezing and with strong wind gusts expected into the morning.

Temperatures are not expected to fall below freezing tonight. It probably won't get cold again until the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Anchorage has restored public bus service, which was suspended for most of the day because of icy roads.

The wet, icy streets have caused dozens of traffic accidents Wednesday and resulted in closure of public schools, the city's two universities, state courts and the Alyeska ski resort.

But early afternoon, rapid snowmelt had begun. Temperatures spiked to above 40 degrees in some spots in the city. A layer of slush coated many icy roads, making for "interesting driving," said Anchorage police spokesman Dave Parker.

He cautioned that drivers should slow down and leave more space between their car and the vehicle in front.

Local bus service was restored just before 3 p.m. But city officials said they might stop the buses again later if road conditions get as bad as they were in the morning.

Winds were picking up. At 11 a.m., the National Weather Service reported a 95-mph gust at Glen Alps. The service is predicting gusts up to 105 mph in the Turnagain Arm area later in the day.

City officials said they hoped to restart bus service in the afternoon, but for now, "the roads are still pretty greasy," said city manager Mike Abbott.

Four jury trials were in progress downtown in the morning, but only because the jurors arrived before officials decided to close state court in Anchorage and Palmer, officials said.

The Nesbett State Courthouse in Anchorage has remained open solely for the filing of domestic-violence petitions.

City offices are open and city maintenance crews were busy on the roads with sanders, blade trucks and other ice removal equipment.

So far, federal court and Anchorage jail hearings are not affected by the weather: They are continuing as scheduled today, officials said.

Numerous traffic accidents -- including at least one public bus accident before bus service was suspended -- have been reported due to extremely hazardous driving conditions, city officials said.

Police saw 62 accidents -- including nine with injuries -- between midnight and noon today.

It took Parker half an hour just to get out his driveway, he said.

"Lake Otis (Parkway) was polished smooth. Ice skates would have been better on the wheels than snow tires."

Police reported another 165 vehicles in distress -- which can mean cars that ended up in a ditch.

State troopers reported "extremely icy conditions" on the Parks Highway from Big Lake to at least Trapper Creek. The highway was still open at noon but many vehicles were slipping off the road, including a semi that jackknifed and temporarily blocked the highway at Mile 84.

AnchorRIDES service has been reduced to essential trips only. Essential trips include trips for dialysis and cancer treatment and trips to get essential oxygen or medical supplies, said Jody Karcz, public transportation director.

For Anchorage public schools, although classes were canceled, the administrative facilities are open.

While roads were also slick and icy on the Kenai Peninsula, schools there were not closed. Yet buses ran two hours behind schedule during the morning.

Alyeska ski resort closed for the day because of icy roads and electrical issues, the resort said.

Driving conditions are extremely hazardous on the Seward Highway northbound from Mile 90 at Girdwood to Mile 115 at the Potter Creek viewpoint due to storm-force winds and surface-water hazards, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The Weather Service has a wind warning in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday.

The Weather Service is forecasting southeast winds of 65 to 80 mph, with gusts of 105 mph, along higher elevations and through Turnagain Arm in the evening. Winds over the Anchorage Bowl are expected to increase to 25 to 40 mph tonight, and temperatures should be in the mid to upper 30s, the Weather Service said.

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