Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
645 PM EDT Thu Aug 08 2024
Valid 12Z Mon Aug 12 2024 - 12Z Fri Aug 16 2024
...Overview and Guidance Evaluation/Preferences...
The latest models offer less than stellar forecast spread during a
transitional pattern into early next week as multiple northern
stream and Pacific shortwave systems work through the Alaskan
domain and vicinity. These models do however show a reasonably
similar signal along with ensembles in support of the return of an
amplified Bering Sea/Aleutians upper trough and eastern Mainland
upper ridge couplet into mid-later next week. Accordingly, prefer
a composite of run to run and product continuity consistent 12 UTC
GFS/ECMWF/Canadian ensemble means. WPC manual adjustments to this
composite by WPC to ensure sufficient offshore low system depth as
consistent with individual predictability and as an offset to
inherent weakening due to the blending process.
...Weather/Hazards Highlights...
Guidance shows quite active and progressive flow into early next
week in complex multi-stream flow across all of Alaska as energies
work within a expansive mean upper trough position. This will
produce widespread unsettled and periodically wet conditions
across much of the state, albeit with less protracted local foci
amid greater than normal system timing and strength uncertainties.
The flow is expected to begin to amplify into mid-later next week
with development of a pronounced Bering Sea/Aleutians upper trough
and warming/stablizing downstream eastern Alaska upper ridge.
These amplified features are slated to be slowly but steadily
progressive through these longer time frames. Associated surface
based cyclogenesis and frontogenesis with upper trough development
offer a threat of enhanced winds and moisture/rainfall for
primarily the western half of the state with approach, with main
impacts possible later next week for western Alaska to monitor,
but specifics are less clear given ample individual model and
ensemble member variance within a favorable pattern.
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