Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service College Park MD
628 PM EDT Sat Aug 16 2025
Valid 12Z Wed 20 Aug 2025 - 12Z Sun 24 Aug 2025
...Guidance Evaluation/Preferences...
The 12z guidance is in relatively good agreement on the overall
synoptic pattern across the Alaska region during the medium range
period. The Canadian deviates from the rest of the guidance by day
7 with a very deep arctic low pushing into northern Alaska and
then another over-amplified Bering Sea low on day 8. The Canadian
is a bit more progressive than the rest of the guidance over the
Gulf of Alaska on days 5 and 6. A general model blend favoring the
Euro is used on days 4 and 5. A more equitable blend consisting
of deterministic and ensemble (GEFS/ECE) is deployed on day 6
followed by heavier weighting given to the ensembles on days 7 and
8.
...Weather/Hazards Highlights...
The synoptic pattern across the Alaska region on Tuesday will
feature ridging over the Bering Sea, a deep Arctic low that will
likely persist through the rest of the week, and troughing in the
Gulf. Shortwave energy is likely to rotate through the southern
periphery of the Arctic low and kick-off an active period of
precipitation across much of the mainland beginning Wednesday and
continuing through the weekend. A deep surface low pressure system
is expected to emerge over the Bering late next week and bring
a substantial plume of moisture to the State. Heavy rain is
possible across portions of the West Coast into interior areas
next weekend. High temperatures will likely remain average across
the mainland, while widespread cloud cover will probably keep
overnight temps above average. Temperatures across the panhandle
will be above average due to persistent troughing in the Gulf
sending warm southerly air into the region.
Kebede
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