A freezing rain advisory is in effect Thursday morning for parts of Anchorage and the Mat-Su, with the Mat-Su Borough School District closing most schools for the day.
The district announced the closures on its Facebook page early Thursday, with only schools north of the Palmer/Wasilla area remaining open.
"The only schools open are: Glacier View, Su Valley Junior/Senior High School, Talkeetna Elementary, and Trapper Creek Elementary," district officials wrote. "We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our students and staff safe."
The National Weather Service advisory, issued just before 5:30 a.m., is in effect for northeast Anchorage and areas along Knik Arm until 9 a.m.
"Freezing rain will diminish and temperatures will rise by late morning," forecasters wrote. "Travel may be difficult. Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving."
As of 5:45 a.m. Thursday, Anchorage police dispatchers reported just two accidents since midnight and no injury accidents or vehicles in distress. Reports were coming in, however, of vehicles in the ditch along the Glenn Highway near the Eklutna exit.
Luis Ingram, a meteorologist at the Weather Service's Anchorage office, said calls have been coming in about slick conditions from Birchwood and the Old Glenn Highway as far north as Palmer.
"It's not widespread -- it's patchy, which may be even worse," Ingram said. "It's dry, it's icy for a mile, and it's dry again."
Thursday's forecast for the region includes a mix of light snow and freezing rain in the morning, giving way to strong winds -- reaching 30 to 45 mph along Turnagain Arm and higher elevations -- and high temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s by evening.