Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 421 PM EDT Fri Jul 05 2019 Valid 12Z Tue Jul 09 2019 - 12Z Sat Jul 13 2019 ...Record heat for much of South-central Alaska... ...Guidance and Predictability Assessment... The intense ridge that has been anchored over mainland Alaska is progged to weaken and drift westward over the coming week. This westward shift will be favorable for the trough over the Bering Sea progress eastward. The latest model guidance supports this; however, it should be noted that the CMC yesterday was suggesting that the ridge would be slower to move out and today's runs of the 12Z GFS, CMC and even the ECWMF is trending toward that solution as well. Shortwave energy will pass through the top of the weakening ridge near the Beaufort Sea and will usher in slightly cooler air into northern and central Alaska. The preferred blend for this forecast comprised of the 12Z CMC, 12Z GFS, 12Z ECWMF ensemble mean, 12Z GEFS mean and the NAEFS mean. ...Weather/Threats Highlights... Daily maximum temperatures will generally be in the 80s and 90s through the middle of next week for a vast portion of the Mainland and the southeast. Temperatures will cool to the 70s and 80s by next weekend, allowing for some relief from the prolonged heat. These temperatures could easily tie, or set new records into early next week. In addition to the very warm temperatures, many locations will remain dry as well; which will prolong the critical fire weather conditions and increase risk for wildfires to spread. Campbell Additional 3-7 Day Hazard information can be found on the WPC medium range hazards 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