Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
631 PM EDT Sat Nov 04 2023
Valid 12Z Wed Nov 08 2023 - 12Z Sun Nov 12 2023
...Multi-day Heavy Precipitation Threat from Southern to Southeast
Alaska later next week...
...Guidance Evaluation and Preferences...
Guidance solutions remain reasonably well clustered through medium
range time scales. A preferred composite of the 12 UTC
GFS/ECMWF/UKMET/Canadian models and the 12 UTC GEFS/NAEFS/ECMWF
ensemble means seems to offer a good forecast basis in a pattern
with seemingly above normal predictability and continuity.
Guidance run to run trends toward slightly slower progressions
again today seems reasonable given the amplified nature of the
surrounding upper flow. Manual adjustments applied to the
composite deepen best signal supported systems as consistent with
individual predictability as an offset to the inherent weakening
as per the blending process. Additional manual adjustments to the
composite blend increased winds to better match deepened system
flows and collaborated thresholds. QPF and PoPs were also adjusted
to favor windward versus leeward slopes. WPC product continuity is
overall well maintained with this forecast strategy.
...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 and across the Gulf of Alaska next
week. A lead storm in this forecast period is expected to work
across the Gulf of Alaska Wednesday/Thursday with another hot on
its heels on a likely track from the southern Bering Sea/Aleutians
through the Gulf of Alaska Thursday into next weekend. Yet another
storm may reach the Bering Sea in this pattern later next weekend.
All these systems offer protracted maritime wind/wave threats.
High winds and a deepened lead/rotating moisture feed looks to
increasingly fuel development of an emerging heavy precipitation
pattern, especially from Southcentral to Southeast Alaska. This
will include threats for heavy coastal rains and inland/mountain
snow, with ample precipitation totals and impacts accumulating
midweek through next weekend.
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
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