Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
626 PM EDT Fri Jun 02 2023
Valid 12Z Tue Jun 06 2023 - 12Z Sat Jun 10 2023
...A stalled deep layer low will bring heavy rain and high winds
to the Alaska Peninsula/Southcentral next week...
...Overview/Guidance Evaluation/Preferences...
A consolidating upper low and its associated surface low
reflection slowly positioning itself over the eastern Aleutians
will be the main weather feature going into next across the Alaska
region. With such a blocky pattern, there is relatively good
agreement and higher confidence in the bigger picture details.
Energy coming in from the west across the Bering Sea will combine
with an existing piece of mid-level energy to consolidate into a
large sprawling closed low. Overall, in the day 4-6 time frame,
the deterministic guidance is in reasonably good agreement such
that a near equal blend of the 12Z GFS, ECMWF, UKMET, and CMC was
used in the preferred blend. By Day 7-8, some timing differences
develop with the GFS being a bit faster to push the energy
eastward and given the blocky pattern, it may end up being slower
to erode or open up. The 12Z ECMWF does linger the closed low
further west longer, so something to consider going forward. So
for the Day 7-8 blend, higher weights of the EC and GEFS ensemble
means were used while retaining some 12Z deterministic GFS and
ECMWF. This led to a reasonable adjustment from continuity.
Further downstream, model guidance is increasing its signal for a
bout of ridging to develop over Southeast Alaska and then extend
northward/northwestward through the northern Mainland next week.
...Sensible Weather and Potential Hazards...
The heaviest precipitation amounts next week will be from the
Alaska Peninsula into Southcentral Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula,
as the strengthening deep layer cyclone over the Aleutians brings
increasing moisture in the form of an atmospheric river channeling
moisture from what is currently Tropical Storm Mawar in the
western Pacific. Precipitation is expected to begin early next
week and last for several days, accumulating to several inches in
Southcentral Alaska. Mainly rain is likely though some
precipitation could be snow in the highest elevations. Strong
winds could also be a threat ahead of the lows especially over
marine and adjacent areas, with favored gap wind areas increasing
wind speed. Some rain may spread into Southeast Alaska with time.
A warming trend is in store for areas north of the Alaska Range
next week after a cool period in the short range, as the upper
troughing over the northern Mainland lifts out and warm front
moves north. Temperatures should generally warm to above average
next week in the lower elevations, though the higher elevations of
the Brooks Range may take longer to moderate. Afternoon highs will
likely rise into the 70s for lower elevations of the Interior for
with lows perhaps staying in the low 50s by midweek. However, the
upper low and the coincident rain and cloudiness chances could
keep high temperatures down below normal along the southern
coastal regions. Southeast Alaska may warm somewhat around
Tuesday-Wednesday, but could cool again by late next week
depending on whether the upper low's influence extends that far
east.
Tate/Taylor
Hazards:
- Heavy rain across portions of mainland Alaska, Mon-Wed, Jun
5-Jun 7.
- High winds across portions of mainland Alaska, Mon-Tue, Jun
5-Jun 6.
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