Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service College Park MD
632 PM EDT Tue Aug 19 2025
Valid 12Z Sat 23 Aug 2025 - 12Z Wed 27 Aug 2025
...Guidance Evaluation/Preferences...
WPC continued to prefer a heavier weighting of the CMC/ECMWF
solutions for the blend since non GFS guidance have been
persistent in the overall clustering and evolution of this
synoptic pattern. The GFS has had multiple cycles where its more
progressive than the EC and CMC with a deep and phasing trough
over east Russia/the Bering Sea, along with more pieces of
shortwave energy rotating around the base of the Arctic low.
Days 4 and 5 began with a general model blend consisting of the
12z EC/GFS/CMC/UKMET with greater weighting on the EC and CMC.
Ensemble means were integrated into the blend and increased in
weighting through day 8. The Canadian and GFS signal another
shortwave emerging over eastern Russia on days 7/8. This latter
feature will need to continue to be monitored as it has potential
to pack a punch to the western coastal areas in terms of
surge/flooding and points inland with heavy rainfall.
...Weather/Hazards Highlights...
Through the course of the coming week the Bering Sea will have
ridging while a deep Arctic low will remain anchored with
troughing/closed low in place over the Gulf of Alaska. Shortwave
energy will likely 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. Diffluence ahead of potential phasing between a low
emerging off of east Russia and the deep arctic system is expected
to bring a substantial plume of moisture to the State late this
week. This surge of moisture will likely include some of the
remnant moisture associated with TD 18W. There is an increasing
threat for heavy rain for the Brooks Range, Alaska Range and
surrounding locations through the course of the week. 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
late this week due to persistent troughing in the Gulf sending
warm southerly air into the region.
Campbell
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