Schools Open After Anchorage’s First Major Snowfall
On Friday, Anchorage experienced its first significant snowfall of the season, with a total accumulation of 8 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
School and Bus Service Updates
Anchorage schools remained open despite the snow, though bus services faced disruptions. The Girdwood K-8 bus service was canceled due to unsafe road conditions.
“Because of the snow, bus service for Girdwood K-8 is canceled,” the school district announced in a morning alert.
Other bus routes continued to run but with possible delays as drivers took extra caution. Students unable to attend school because of poor road conditions will receive excused absences.
Record-Breaking Snowfall and Traffic Impact
The snowfall on Thursday set a new daily record in Anchorage. The National Weather Service reported 6.8 inches at its Sand Lake office, surpassing the previous record of 6.1 inches set in 2011.
The storm caused multiple crashes, including several with injuries, particularly on the Glenn Highway north of Anchorage. Anchorage police responded to 38 crashes on Thursday, 13 of which involved injuries.
- 41 additional vehicles were reported in distress on Thursday.
- On Friday morning, there were four more non-injury crashes and eight vehicles in distress before 7:45 a.m.
- A crash involving two vehicles with injuries around 1 p.m. briefly closed all southbound lanes near the weigh station north of Anchorage.
“A crash with injuries just before 1 p.m. involving two vehicles led to a brief closure of all southbound lanes of the highway at the weigh station north of Anchorage,” police said.
Summary
The early season snowstorm set records and created hazardous travel conditions in Anchorage, prompting school bus cancellations and numerous traffic incidents, yet schools stayed open with accommodations for affected students.