Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
551 PM EDT Fri Nov 03 2023
Valid 12Z Tue Nov 07 2023 - 12Z Sat Nov 11 2023
...Multi-day Heavy Precipitation Threat from Southern to Southeast
Alaska later next week...
...Guidance Evaluation and Preferences...
It remains the case that the latest model and ensemble solutions
offer lower than normal forecast spread through medium range time
scales, bolstering forecast confidence. A preferred composite of
best clustered guidance from the 12 UTC GFS/ECMWF/Canadian models
and the 12 UTC GEFS/NAEFS/ECMWF ensemble means seems to offer a
good forecast basis for a mid-larger scale system and pattern
evolution with seemingly above average predictability and
continuity. Manual adjustments applied to the composite will
re-deepen best organized systems as consistent with individual
predictability as an offset to the inherent weakening as per the
blending process. WPC product continuity is well maintained in
this manner.
...Overview and Weather/Hazards Highlights...
A series of dynamic/amplified upper troughs and deepened surface
lows/frontal systems are expected to work from the southern Bering
Sea and northern Pacific into the Gulf of Alaska next week. This
will spread generally modest activity into the Aleutians and
Southwest Alaska early next week and again there by later next
week with system progressions. Additionally, enhanced winds and
deeper lead/rotating moisture feed looks to increasingly fuel
development of a heavier precipitation pattern from Southcentral
to Southeast Alaska, especially from later next week into next
weekend with deep northern Gulf of Alaska storm low formation.
This will include threats for heavy coastal rains and
inland/mountain snow, with precipitation totals and impacts
accumulating over time.
Meanwhile, lingering lowered heights and periodic pockets of
modest moisture rotating over an unsettled Interior and North
Slope may support scattered light snows next week with protracted
easterly fetch winds offering blowing snow situations to monitor
locally.
Schichtel
Hazards:
- Heavy precipitation across portions of the Alaska Panhandle and
southern Alaska, Tue-Thu, Nov 8-Nov 10.
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