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