Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
519 PM EDT Sun Sep 24 2023
Valid 12Z Thu Sep 28 2023 - 12Z Mon Oct 02 2023
...Possible Aleutians to Southern/Southeast Alaska offshore low...
...Guidance Evaluation/Preferences...
Rapidly building forecast spread and run to run continuity issues
quickly become unmanageable with deterministic model guidance,
lending preference Days 4-8 for a composite of now quite
compatible GEFS/NAEFS/ECMWF ensemble means. Given uncertainties,
there does still seem to be a better than expected signal for
development of a threatening Northern Pacific low set to track
northeastward to the state heading into/through next weekend. The
ensemble mean track, depth and timing is in between 12 UTC
GFS/ECMWF guidance. Manual adjustments are applied to ensure
sufficient storm depth to offset the mean blending process. WPC
product continuity is best maintained in this manner.
...Weather/Hazards Highlights...
A relatively benign weather pattern may reactivate later this
week. Flow wrapping around a leading southern Bering Sea low
favors some moderate precipitation into western and southwest
Alaska Thursday, lingering into Friday along with some unsettled
flow. Meanwhile, the forecast signal continues to grow in support
of development and track of a well orgainzed Pacific storm system
to approach the Aleutians late this week. This storm still offers
quite of bit of uncertainty, but would offer maritime and coastal
high wind/wave threats along with wrapping heavy rains. The main
impacts would then spread across the northern Gulf of Alaska and
inland into the AKpen/Kodiak Island through Southcentral to
Southeast Alaska through next weekend.
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