Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
721 PM EDT Thu Aug 24 2023
Valid 12Z Mon Aug 28 2023 - 12Z Fri Sep 01 2023
...Multi-day Heavy Rainfall Threat for South-central Alaska next
week...
...Guidance Evaluation/Preferences...
The 12 UTC GFS/ECMWF/UKMET/Canadian seem reasonably compatible for
early next week in an active pattern with average predictability
and ensemble support, albeit with plenty of uncertainties in the
details and timing of individual systems over time. Forecast
spread increases for mid-later next week, but a blend of the 12
UTC GFS/ECMWF and GEFS/ECMWF ensemble means along with manual
adjustments to maintain/deepen offshore low pressure systems given
support seems to provide a reasonable solution best in line with
the amplified flow and also with the expected stormy ejection
toward Alaska of deep extratropical low associated with current
west Pacific tropical system Eight.
...Weather/Hazards Highlights...
Wet weather associated with an exiting upper system/lingering
front across northern Alaska this weekend is forecast to give way
to drier conditions by early next week as high pressure moves over
the region. Meanwhile, a multi-day heavy rain event will
repeatably focus over the South-central Alaska and vicinity all
next week, extending quite a wet and unsettled pattern as several
deepened lows and deep moisture work into the region.
Several leading and organized surface lows will rotate/lift out
from the Aleutians and also the northeast Pacific through the Gulf
of Alaska and inland into early-mid next week as fueled by long
fetch moisture plumes/atmospheric rivers in advance of an
amplifying Bering Sea centered upper through. The combination of
moist storms and cumulative affect of multiple systems/rainfall
offers a threat for runoff problems. There is then an upstream
signal that still uncertain system energies from tropical "Eight"
currently in the West Pacific may approach the Alaska domain next
week, helping to deepen an associated extratropical surface low
that moves in towards the central-eastern Aleutians through next
midweek, then potentially onward to the mainland into mid-later
next week to fuel an additional heavy rain and maritime to coastal
wind threats.
In terms of temperatures, the coldest anomalies (10-20F below
normal for daytime highs) will linger Monday across the northern
interior of Alaska and the Brooks range as upper troughing moves
through. Otherwise, temperatures across much of the state will
moderate closer to normal and above next week as upper level
ridging builds into the region.
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
Hazards:
- Heavy rain across portions of northwestern mainland Alaska, Sun,
Aug 27.
- Heavy rain across portions of southern mainland Alaska, Sun-Tue,
Aug 27-Aug 29.
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