Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
630 PM EDT Fri Aug 26 2022
Valid 12Z Tue Aug 30 2022 - 12Z Sat Sep 3 2022
***Heavy rain and flooding becoming more likely for portions of
southeast Alaska next week with multiple atmospheric river
events***
...General Overview...
An active weather pattern is expected across the Alaska domain for
next week, with a gradually weakening upper low situated over the
Gulf for early in the week, and then a strong storm system is
progged to cross the Bering and affect western Alaska by the
middle of the week. Much of the region remains within a broad
upper trough by the end of the forecast period, with upper ridging
across central/western Alaska tending to keep the trough in place
for longer than usual.
...Guidance/Predictability Assessment...
The 12Z guidance suite remains in above average agreement on the
synoptic scale through Thursday night, and thus a
multi-deterministic model blend worked well as a starting point.
By next Saturday, the GFS becomes stronger with the next Gulf low
taking shape, and thus more weighting was applied to the ECMWF/CMC
along with increasing contributions from the GEFS/ECENS. This
maintains good continuity from the previous WPC forecast.
...Sensible Weather and Potential Hazards...
A highly impactful and long duration heavy rainfall event is
likely across portions of the southeast Panhandle region next
week, with multiple atmospheric rivers impacting the region.
There will likely be some lulls during this time period.
Anomalous moisture flux oriented nearly orthogonal to the terrain
will likely lead to daily 1-3 inch rainfall maxima for the
southern portion of the Panhandle, and weekly totals reaching into
the 6-12 inch range are well within the realm of possibility for
interior portions of the panhandle bordering British Columbia.
This could lead to some serious flooding issues, and this is
something that will continued to be closely monitored. Elsewhere
across the state, isolated to scattered showers are possible each
day as the overall weather pattern remains unsettled.
In terms of temperatures, readings are likely to be below average
for most areas with highs generally in the 50s for western Alaska,
and 60s for east-central Alaska, and lows mainly in the 40s south
of the Brooks range.
Hamrick
Hazards:
- Heavy rain across portions of the Alaska Panhandle and southern
mainland Alaska, Mon-Fri, Aug 29-Sept 2.
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
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