Afternoon snow snarls evening commute in Anchorage, Mat-Su

Anchorage and Mat-Su drivers were encouraged to take it easy on the roads during the Thursday evening commute and into the night, as the National Weather Service expected an inch or two of new snow.

A fast-moving front was forecast to pass over Anchorage and the Matanuska and Susitna valleys, then weaken over the Gulf of Alaska, the National Weather Service said.

By 6 p.m., about half an inch of snow had fallen at the National Weather Service's office on Sand Lake Road, said meteorologist Julia Ruthford. In Eagle River, 2.5 inches had been reported.

Forecasters said light snow would contribute to "difficult driving conditions" from afternoon rush hour into the evening.

"Remember to slow down and allow for extra travel time when driving in snowy conditions!" the weather service's Anchorage office said.

Driving conditions were "very difficult" on the Glenn Highway between Anchorage and Palmer, from Mile 29 to Mile 66, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said in an alert issued after 3:30 p.m.

As of 6 p.m., the Anchorage Police Department reported 23 collisions with injuries, four without injuries and 23 vehicles in distress.

Isolated snow showers were forecast to continue into the evening but only bring minimal accumulation, Ruthford said.