Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
353 PM EDT Wed Apr 24 2019
Valid 12Z Sun Apr 28 2019 - 12Z Thu May 02 2019
Amplified pattern will hold in place during the medium range but
its shape/orientation remains less certain. Regardless, main storm
track will be kept through the western/central Bering Sea but some
moisture will creep into western areas and also into southwestern
Alaska and Southcentral via a system to the south of the Aleutians
that will stay offshore. Models/ensembles show reasonable
agreement overall and a blend of the 12Z GFS with the 00Z ECMWF
and their ensemble means offered a good starting point to the
forecast which favored stronger ridging through next week. Ridge
may take on a skinny/tall shape next week that would allow height
falls over NW Canada to possibly sneak into southeastern
Alaska/Panhandle with some cooler temperatures on easterly flow,
per the forecast. Temperatures should increase steadily to
generally near/above average values for most areas, perhaps the
warmest of the season [e.g. >54 (Anchorage), >52 (McGrath), and
>56 (Fairbanks)] with low 60s possible in the warmer valley areas
of Southcentral.
Fracasso
Bullet points from the WPC Days 3-7 Hazards chart can be found at:
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/threats/threats.php
- High winds across portions of the Aleutians, Mon, Apr 29.
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