Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
547 PM EDT Sun Jun 18 2023
Valid 12Z Thu Jun 22 2023 - 12Z Mon Jun 26 2023
...Guidance Evaluation/Preferences...
The 12 UTC GFS/ECMWF/CMC/UKMET and GEFS/NAEFS/ECMWF/Canadian
ensemble solutions seem well clustered, but the ECMWF seems too
progressive with height falls across the southern to southeastern
tier of Alaska and the Gulf of Alaska by next weekend given
overall flow amplitude/persistence and lack of ensemble support.
An otherwise composite blend with a slight focus on the higher
resolution models acts to maintain good WPC product continuity
with detail consistent with a pattern with above normal
predictability. Additional adjustments were manually applied,
primarily to offshore low pressure systems, to offset inherent
weakening from the blending process and ensure sufficient depth
given favorable upper support.
...Pattern Overview and Weather/Hazards Highlights...
A strong closed low/amplified trough aloft and surface focus over
the North Slope and the adjacent Arctic Ocean should along with
weather focus eject eastward and away into mid-later week. Expect
northwest/western Alaska through the northern Interior and North
Slope to the Arctic Ocean will experience unsettled conditions to
include multiple periods with enhanced winds and precipitation
along with some potential for Brooks Range rainfall/snowmelt
fueled local runoff issues to monitor.
Well to the south, a closed upper low and surface low/frontal
system with deepened moisture will dig over the Gulf of Alaska
mid-later week. Flow around the system favors lingering enhanced
rainfall chances northward into the Alaskan Peninsula/Kodiak
Island and South-Central, but activity should be slow to work
eastward toward Southeast Alaska as shielded by amplified eastern
Gulf of Alaska to Interior to Southeast Alaska upper ridging.
Upstream, a continued and highly energetic/active storm flow off
eastern Asia and the western Pacific will continue to churn up
additional low pressure systems to include deepened storm tracks
toward the Aleutians and southern Bering Sea as a protracted
maritime threat this week into next that offers potential for high
winds/waves and wrapping enhanced rains. Enhanced winds and rains
should work steadily but slowly eastward, and increasingly by next
weekend into early next week to southwest/western Alaska and the
Interior as well as underneath with additional triple point low
focus into the Alaska Peninsula/Kodiak Island and South-Central.
Schichtel
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