Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
803 PM EDT Wed Jul 20 2022
Valid 12Z Mon Jul 25 2022 - 12Z Fri Jul 29 2022
...Heavy rain possible across portions of coastal southern Alaska
and the Southeast through Tuesday...
...Much below normal temperatures expected for parts of northern
Mainland through midweek...
...General Overview...
Multiple impulses of energy will eject out across the Aleutians
and Gulf leading to heavy rain from the Kenai Peninsula to the
Southeast as the upper level low weakens over the western half of
the state.
...Guidance/Predictability Assessment...
Overall, models are in agreement that the upper low weakens and
that multiple impulses will track across the Aleutians/Gulf. These
features will keep cooler temperatures across the northern part of
the state while the southern coastal region and the Southeast will
be wet for a few days. For several days now the GFS has been
faster and further east with the surface features. The latest runs
were hinting at being west/south of the rest of the cluster
initially before returning to an eastward placement by mid/latter
periods. This trend doesn't bolster confidence with it so its
inclusion with the WPC blend was minimal early on and then omitted
completely by the tail end of the forecast. The ECWMF has been
persistent in depicting a stronger low that emerges from south of
the Aleutians by the start of the week with a more amplified
trough in place. Model spread in the timing and placement of the
surface features increased with this cycle which decreased
confidence on specifics. The WPC blend leaned heavier toward the
ECWMF/EC means but also used the CMC/UKMET/GEFS means; with the
means making up 50% of the blend by the end of the forecast.
...Sensible Weather...
Temperatures, especially the overnight lows, are forecast to be
much below normal across northern portions of the Mainland;
ranging from the 30s to the low 50s. The daily maximums will
mostly range from the 40s to 60s, however a few locations may
actually reach the low 70s. There will be occasional breaks in the
cloud cover, but most areas will be mostly cloudy to overcast.
Much of the southern coastal areas and the Southeast will be in a
prolonged wet period with multiple rounds of showers and
thunderstorms. Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall is expected
through Tuesday July 26th which may lead to areas that receive
excessive rainfall and develop localized flooding concerns. During
this time 3 to 7 inches of rainfall is forecast with isolated
higher amounts possible.
Campbell
Additional 3-7 Day Hazard Information can be found on the WPC
medium range hazards outlook chart at:
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/threats/threats.php
- Heavy rain across portions of the Alaska Panhandle and mainland
Alaska, Sun-Tue, Jul 24-Jul 26.
- Much below normal temperatures across portions of mainland
Alaska, Sat-Wed, Jul 23-Jul 27.
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