Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 347 PM EST Wed Jan 04 2023 Valid 12Z Sun Jan 08 2023 - 12Z Thu Jan 12 2023 ...Overview and Guidance/Predictability Assessment... The guidance is agreeable on showing weakening cyclones over portions of the Bering Sea and northeast Pacific well north of the main band of the Westerlies, which are depressed into the 30s latitude, with occluded cyclones tracking closer to the mid to upper 40s latitude, south of the state. Other than the 12z GFS being a little stronger with mid-level troughing across western AK, the guidance is fairly agreeable. To deal with the detail issues including the GFS apparent issues in those locations, used a blend of the 12z GFS, 12z ECMWF, 12z Canadian, and 12z UKMET this weekend for the 500 hPa heights, pressures, fronts, and winds, before blending in up to half of the 12z NAEFS/00z ECMWF early next week. The remainder of the grids were closer to the 19z NBM, as it standard. ...Weather/Hazards Highlights... A low pressure center is forecast to move north to northwest into the Gulf of Alaska this weekend before fading while moving inland. Another low in the southern Bering Sea should be doing the same this weekend. Some moisture from the Pacific will likely flow northward with the lows and overspread portions of the the AK Panhandle, South Central AK, and the Aleutians which have the higher rain chances this period and the potential for 2-4" of rain. Gales are likely to spread across portions of the Upper Aleutians, Bering Sea, and northeast Pacific/Gulf of AK, with some potential for storm force winds in the Bering Sea early to mid next week as strong lows moving south of AK tighten up the pressure gradient in those areas. Mildness should remain across the Aleutians and southern AK coast with seasonably cold and dry conditions across the Interior. Roth No significant hazards are expected over Alaska during this forecast period. 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