Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 648 PM EDT Thu Apr 01 2021 Valid 12Z Mon Apr 05 2021 - 12Z Fri Apr 09 2021 ...Guidance/Uncertainty Assessment... The latest guidance over the Alaska region for the extended range period is mostly in agreement with the large scale/synoptic pattern, though continue to show timing and detail differences, particularly later in the period. A majority deterministic model blend (between the 12z GFS and 12z ECMWF) served well as a starting point for the first half of the period. After that, some differences in timing of ridging across the Bering and the next system upstream led to more weighting of the ensemble means the rest of the week. This solution favors renewed surface low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska and troughing along the Panhandle region. High pressure should dominate across the Bering Sea and much of the Aleutians through day 7, with the next deep surface low entering the western edge of the domain by day 7-8, dragging a cold front into the Western Aleutians. Initial surface troughing over the mainland should be replaced by high pressure across most of the state by the end of next week. ...Weather/Hazards Highlights... A weakening surface low along the southern coast may continue to support some snowfall across portions of interior Alaska through Monday, although the heaviest snowfall is expected before the start of the medium range period this weekend. Continued low pressure across the eastern Gulf should keep showers in the forecast through much of the week for Southeast Alaska and the Panhandle. The rest of the mainland should dry out after Monday as cold high pressure settles in. This would allow below normal temperatures to expand across almost all of Alaska, with the coldest anomalies (as much as 20-30+ below normal) across the central mainland region. The next surface low entering the Bering Sea by later in the week should bring leading precipitation into the western and central Aleutians next Thursday and Friday. Santorelli Hazards: - Heavy snow across portions of mainland Alaska, Sun, Apr 4. - Much below normal temperatures across portions of mainland Alaska, Tue-Thu, Apr 6-Apr 8. 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