Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 342 PM EST Wed Nov 20 2024 Valid 12Z Sun Nov 24 2024 - 12Z Thu Nov 28 2024 ...A shot of snow expected for western and central Alaska this weekend... ...Enhanced gap winds for a cooled Southeast Alaska mid next-week... ...Guidance Evaluation/Preferences... The guidance has come into better agreement with a potentially impactful low moving by the Bering Strait this weekend. The big outlier overall was the 12z Canadian, which became out of phase with the other guidance early next week in and near the Bering Sea. When the guidance was most agreeable, used a composite 12z GFS/ECMWF/UKMET/Canadian model blend early on before including more strongly towards the 12z NAEFS/ECMWF ensemble means with time. Most of the grids are 19z NBM weighted, as usual, though went without including the 12z Canadian due to its outlier status next week. The QPF was equal parts ECMWF/GFS and NBM. ...Weather/Hazards Highlights... A shot of moderate to heavy snow is expected in western and central Alaska this weekend as a cyclone moves by. This system should bring gale-force winds near the Bering Strait. A warm core high should increasingly shield southern AK from much cooling or significant precipitation. As is typical, the coldest readings will be on the North Slope and eastern interior, though the eastern interior will see fluctuations due to the frontal passage. In the wake of the front, gap winds should strengthen/renew near the AK Panhandle early to mid next week. With the guidance backing off on cyclone(s) approaching the Aleutians, there has been a decided lowering in expected precipitation for the entire state of Alaska when compared to the past couple days of continuity. Roth 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