Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 527 PM EST Sun Feb 02 2025 Valid 12Z Thu Feb 06 2025 - 12Z Mon Feb 10 2025 ...Guidance Evaluation and Preferences... An amplified mean upper ridge position will periodically ease and re-strengthen over the Mainland over the coming week as a series of weather focusing systems track around the periphery. Prefer a composite of the reasonably clustered 12 UTC GFS/ECMWF/Canadian/UKMET to provide maximum detail as consistent with a pattern with above normal predictability valid for Thursday into Saturday. The 12 UTC Canadian seems to work less predictable shortwave energy too much into the blocking ridge at longer time frames as big ridges tend to linger. Opted to accordingly switch preference to the GEFS/ECMWF ensemble means and the compatible 12 UTC GFS/ECMWF to provide best system definition as consistent with individual predictability. ...Weather/Hazards Highlights... Quite amplified upper flow will become re-established by late this week for Alaska and vicinity as a mean upper ridge strongly rebuilds over the Gulf of Alaska and the Mainland after an earlier week period with temporarily eased amplitude. A protracted series of weather focusing shortwaves and accompanying surface lows/systems will track around the periphery of the ridge and lift across the Aleutians to the Bering Sea/Strait and round the North Slope before digging sharply through a cooling eastern Interior and Southeast Alaska to the lee of the ridge. Much of the rest of the state should experience above normal temperatures and periodic enhanced moisture/precipitation and winds near the aforementioned system track along with leading inland flow into the Alaskan Peninsula and up the Alaskan West Coast. 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