Weather Alerts For Birchwood, AK

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Anchorage AK 500 AM AKST Fri Jan 16 2026 Anchorage-Anchorage Hillside / Eagle River-Lower Matanuska Valley- Sutton / Upper Matanuska Valley-Southern Susitna Valley- Including the cities of Wasilla, Willow, Anchorage, Sutton, Eklutna, Palmer, Eagle River, Anchorage Hillside, Upper Eagle River, Indian, Big Lake, and Chickaloon 500 AM AKST Fri Jan 16 2026 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total liquid equivalents of 0.15 to 0.30 inches, with the highest amounts at higher elevations. Total snow accumulations of a trace to 3 inches and ice accumulations up to a tenth of an inch. Southerly winds gusting up to 50 mph by mid morning. * WHERE...Anchorage and Eagle River (all elevations), Matanuska Valley, and Southern Susitna Valley. * WHEN...Until 9 PM AKST this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes. Very strong winds could cause damage. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A warm and wet system will move into the area today, gradually increasing temperatures and southeasterly winds. Overnight tonight, light to moderate rain will develop and spread over Anchorage, the Mat Valley and southern Susitna Valley. The most likely area for freezing rain will be from Houston north to Willow before temperatures warm. Rain falling onto roadways with blocked or frozen drainage may cause ponding and localized flooding. Hydroplaning is likely in areas with significant water build up. Colder air moving in rapidly behind this system Friday morning will quickly transition rain back to snow with heavy snow squalls possible between 8 AM and 11 AM. The rapid return to freezing temperatures will quickly refreeze any water on area roadways, creating hazardous conditions. Southeasterly winds will develop in the Anchorage Bowl around 7am, becoming southwesterly between 9am and noon. The combination of wind and snow squalls could significantly reduce visibility at times this morning. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov. &&