Surprise Halloween snowstorm makes for slick roads around Anchorage

A motorist digs out after getting stuck on a snow berm in downtown Anchorage on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (Bill Roth / ADN)

A second and relatively unexpected snowstorm this week was coating already slick roads around Anchorage, making for treacherous driving conditions in and around the city on Halloween.

Forecasters initially said a mix of rain and snow was possible by Thursday afternoon, but the forecast shifted to mostly snow by midafternoon. The National Weather Service said warmer air did not move over the region as expected and the presence of colder air led to increased accumulation.

[WINTER WEATHER UPDATE] - Cool air has lingered longer than expected & forecast snow fall accumulations have increased. However, freezing rain potential cannot be ruled out. We expect to maintain this snowfall rate for a few more hrs (as of 3 PM) & Advisories are in effect. #AKwx pic.twitter.com/QcllIPCPsV
— NWS Anchorage (@NWSAnchorage) October 31, 2024

A winter weather advisory in effect for Anchorage, Eagle River, Indian and Eklutna until 7 a.m. Friday called for total accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and a chance for freezing rain.

The National Weather Service had measured just over 6 inches at its Sand Lake offices as of 4 p.m., bringing the total snow depth to 17 inches, according to meteorologist Virginia Rux.

A woman brushes snow off her vehicle in Midtown Anchorage on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (Bill Roth / ADN)

The first big snowfall of the season started Monday and ended Tuesday, dropping up to a foot on the city and triggering remote learning for Anchorage School District students. Plow crews were still clearing roads and sidewalks when the second storm started. As of Thursday morning, municipal plow crews had finished or started about half the residential sectors in the city.

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Tracy Smithmyer shovels the entry to 6th Avenue Outfitters during the snowfall in downtown Anchorage on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Police in an alert issued just after 3:30 p.m. reported deteriorating road conditions “due to fast-falling snow and the winter storm” with 36 vehicles in distress and 36 crashes including nine involving injuries in the Anchorage area.

Drivers on Thursday afternoon reported treacherous conditions on the Glenn and Seward highways heading out. Several rollovers were reported between Anchorage and Peters Creek. The school district reported at least one delayed West High School bus route.

The weather service said the Halloween storm set two records by afternoon: A daily snowfall record of 6.2 inches, besting a 6-inch record set in 1983; and a precipitation record of .39 inches that broke a 1970 record of .3 inches.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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