Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 650 PM EDT Sat Mar 20 2021 Valid 12Z Wed Mar 24 2021 - 12Z Sun Mar 28 2021 ...Stormy pattern for Alaska next week... ...Guidance/Uncertainty Assessment... The latest model guidance shows relatively good agreement in the upper level pattern, featuring a faster zonal flow at the start of the period transitioning to a more unsettled/active setup with a couple digging shortwave troughs by day 7-8 over the mainland and Aleutians. This will lead to a couple of lows tracking through the Gulf of Alaska and toward the Southeast region. The blended forecast was primarily derived from the 12Z ECMWF/GFS/GFSP/CMC/UKMET for day 4-5 followed by a blend of the ECMWF/ECENS/GFS/GFSP/GEFS for days 6-8. Composites tend to mitigate the less predictable smaller scale differences. WPC continuity is well maintained with this forecast methodology in a pattern with above normal predictability overall. ...Weather/Hazards Highlights... A pair of storms are expected to bring unsettled to active weather later in the forecast period. The first system at the start of the period will bring precipitation mainly to the western mainland before weakening/dissipating. This will be followed a stronger low impacting the southern mainland by late in the upcoming work week or early next weekend. A final system at the end of the period is likely to track across the Bering Sea into the western mainland, though this could be just beyond the current forecast period, depending on timing. Temperatures are expected to at or above normal for nighttime lows for much of the upcoming period while highs generally range below normal for the southern mainland and southeastern areas with some above normal departures for the northern mainland. Taylor 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