Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service College Park MD
721 PM EDT Sat Jul 12 2025
Valid 12Z Wed 16 Jul 2025 - 12Z Sun 20 Jul 2025
...Guidance Evaluation and Preferences...
The 12Z model guidance suite initially features decent overall
model agreement across the Alaska domain for the middle of next
week across the mainland. However there are differences already
evident across the Bering and the Aleutians by this time
concerning the large low and eventual triple point low development.
The UKMET deviates the most from the model consensus through the
end of the week with holding onto a separate surface low across
the northern Gulf longer than the other guidance, and is
therefore not used in the preferred model blend beyond Wednesday.
The GFS has trended weaker with the Bering Sea low compared to
yesterday's runs, and is now more in line with the consensus in
that regard. Towards next weekend, the CMC erodes the surface high
over the Gulf much faster than the more compatible GFS and ECMWF
solutions. The ensemble means were increased to about 60 percent
by next Sunday owing to greater than normal model differences at
these time scales.
...Pattern Overview and Weather/Hazards Highlights...
A mild weather pattern will continue across mainland Alaska
through next week with a weak upper ridge in place and a weakening
low pressure system over the Gulf. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms are likely to develop during the afternoon and
evening hours across much of the Interior on Tuesday and into
Wednesday with moisture advecting northward across the state.
Depending on the Bering Sea low evolution and its proximity to the
state, an increase in rain and wind could be coming to portions
of southwestern Alaska for the end of the week, but currently
does not appear to be a hazards level event. This would also help
to disperse more of the wildfire smoke across western portions of
the state. For the southern coastal areas, on and off showers are
likely through the upcoming week, but not a wash- out since there
will likely be some sunny spells as well. Temperatures will
likely be in the 70s to around 80 degrees for inland areas south
of the Brooks Range, and 50s and 60s for the coastal areas.
Hamrick
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