Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 300 PM EDT Thu Jul 11 2019 Valid 12Z Mon Jul 15 2019 - 12Z Fri Jul 19 2019 Model consensus continues the trend to slowly weaken the upper ridging over central/northern portions of Alaska, however they have shifted further south than previous runs. The preferred blend was heavier with the 12Z GFS and also utilized 00Z CMC/ECWMF/UKMET and the ensemble means. This setup up will be favorable for a wetter and cooler than average regime for northern Alaska. Arctic shortwave energy should generally remain north of the upper ridge, potentially amplifying and reaching the North Slope by the middle of next week. The low over the Bering Sea will shift eastward into the the Gulf of Alaska by midweek; shortwave energy rotating through will send a couple of cold fronts over the Peninsula and into the Gulf. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible through much of the forecast period, initially most common across the Alaska Peninsula and southern/central mainland Alaska, showers could also develop across the North Slope by the middle of next week as the upper ridge weakens, opening the door to potential shortwave energy passing overhead. Campbell/Ryan Additional 3-7 Day Hazard information can be found on the WPC medium range hazards chart at: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/threats/threats.php No significant hazards are expected over Alaska during this forecast period. WPC medium range Alaskan products including 500mb, surface fronts/pressures progs and sensible weather grids can also be found at: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/alaska/ak_5dayfcst500_wbg.gif https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/alaska/akmedr.shtml https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/alaska/ak_5km_gridsbody.html