Icy winter weather slows travel

MAT-SU — Mat-Su Borough School District schools are open today. And more freezing rain is in the forecast this morning.

Schools were closed in the core area Thursday due to changing road and weather conditions during a freezing rain advisory forecast through Thursday evening, according to an announcement from the district.

Five schools outside the core area were open: Glacier View School, Trapper Creek Elementary, Talkeetna Elementary, Susitna Valley Jr./Sr. High and Willow Elementary, the district says.

The National Weather Service in Anchorage issued a freezing rain advisory late Wednesday that continued through 6 p.m., Thursday. But which was later extended to midnight.

The weather service also issued a special weather statement for the Matanuska Valley related to the Dec. 5 weather. Whereas the Nov. 22 ice storm happened over a three to five hour timeframe, Thursday’s weather event was expected to last nine to 15 hours, the weather service says.

“Residents should prepare for significant ice glaze on exposed surfaces and take appropriate precautions,” according to the weather service.