ALASKA EXTENDED FORECAST DISCUSSION NWS WEATHER PREDICTION CENTER COLLEGE PARK MD 146 PM EDT FRI MAY 08 2015 VALID 12Z TUE MAY 12 2015 - 12Z SAT MAY 16 2015 THE GFS AND ECMWF HAVE COME INTO BETTER AGREEMENT ALONG AND EITHER SIDE OF THE ALEUTIANS--REALLY THE ONLY PORTION OF THE ALASKA REGION WITH SIGNIFICANT WEATHER THIS MEDIUM-RANGE PERIOD. THERE ARE STILL ENOUGH TIMING DIFFERENCES WITH THE VARIOUS SHORTWAVES CIRCULATING IN AND ABOUT THE MAIN WAVE PACKET PROGRESSING UP THE ALEUTIAN CHAIN TO WARRANT AT LEAST A BASE OF ENSEMBLE MEAN. HOWEVER, THE THREAT OF HIGH WINDS AND WAVES IS GREAT ENOUGH TO NECESSITATE THE INCORPORATION OF A MODERATE CHUNK OF DETERMINISM--IN THIS CASE, THE LARGELY COMPATIBLE 00Z/08 ECMWF--FOR THE ONSET OF THE MAJOR WEATHER DAY 4. FOR THE PANHANDLE AND INTERIOR, IT LOOKS MOSTLY HIGH AND DRY WHERE THE BLOCKING RIDGE HOLDS SWAY. CISCO