Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Fairbanks, AK
Issued by NWS Fairbanks, AK
892 FXAK69 PAFG 221428 AFDAFG Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 628 AM AKDT Sat Jun 22 2024 .DISCUSSION... At 00Z, models all initialize 10 to 20 meters too low on the 500 mb ridge centered over Northern AK, except that the ECMWF initializes very well. Models show similar solutions aloft through Mon except that the ECMWF keeps heights slightly higher than other models, and the ECMWF weaken the short wave over SW more quickly tonight and Sun than other models. This means that the upper level pattern should consist of a strong ridge centered over Northern AK that will drift south over Southern AK by Sun with slightly lower 500 mb heights over Northern AK on Sun, then build over all of AK on Mon and then continue building into Tue. Expect this to mean that there will be just slight warming in temperatures most areas through the weekend as skies become more sunny, with more of an increase in temperatures Mon. This should also result in decreasing moisture and convection and showers today into Sun, with little if any convection and drier conditions by Mon. A weak short wave trough over the SE Interior will weaken slowly through Sun. This will cause isolated to scattered showers and isolated PM thunderstorms over the SE Interior today, with isolated PM thunderstorms on Sun. A stronger short wave trough from Nome to Bethel will move to Golovin to Sleetmute by 4pm Sat, to Galena to McGrath by 4am Sun, then weaken and move to Anaktuvuk to McGrath by 4pm Sun, then dissipating Sun night. This will cause scattered to numerous showers over SW AK and Norton sound to move east over the Western Interior today with Isolated thunderstorms, and widely scattered thunderstorms in the PM, then just isolated showers and isolated PM thunderstorms from McGrath to Anaktuvuk Pass on Sun. Beyond Mon, all models build the ridge over NW Canada and Eastern AK strongly through next week, but they do differ on how close lows move into the West Coast next week. What this means is that the Interior and much of the North Slope will warm to much above normal next week and be mainly dry, while the West Coast will cool to be near normal and wet. With precipitation, models show similar areas for coverage by showers through Mon, but differ in pops and amounts. The main thing to show is trending to drier conditions most areas through Sun, with little if any showers on Mon. Expect scattered to numerous showers over SW AK and Norton Sound moving east over the Western Interior today with Isolated thunderstorms, and widely scattered thunderstorms in the PM. The Eastern Interior will be mainly dry with isolated to scattered showers and isolated PM thunderstorms over the SE Interior and over the Brooks Range today. Expect showers in the same areas on Sun but lower in areal coverage. By Mon just isolated showers along the Brooks Range. At the surface at 06Z, models verify well on most features except that they are all 8 MB too weak on the low in the Gulf of AK. Sine the gradient between the Arctic Coast and the Interior is well modeled, expect models winds to perform well in most areas. The exception is the AK Range where north winds will be stronger than models indicate through passes, but this will mainly affect areas on the south side of the AK Range. Expect winds to remain less than 15 mph over the Interior through Mon, except for north winds 15 mph gusting 25 mph today through Brooks Range and Alaska Range Passes. The coasts should see winds less than 20 mph through Mon. Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None. && .FIRE WEATHER... There will be slight warming in temperatures in most areas through the weekend as skies become more sunny, with more of an increase in temperatures on Mon. This should also result in decreasing moisture, and a decrease in convection and showers today into Sun, with little if any convection and drier conditions by Mon. There will be isolated to scattered showers and isolated PM thunderstorms over the SE Interior and over the Brooks Range today that will diminish to isolated PM thunderstorms in those areas on Sun. Scattered to numerous showers over SW AK and Norton Sound will move east over the Western Interior today along with isolated thunderstorms, and widely scattered thunderstorms in the PM. Expect showers in the same areas on Sun but lower in areal coverage and warmer temps and drier conditions. By Mon conditions will be warmer and drier with just isolated showers along the Brooks Range. Beyond Mon, the Interior will warm to much above normal next week and be mainly dry, while the West Coast will cool to near normal and become wetter. && .HYDROLOGY... The Fortymile River is rising today and will start falling next week. Most other clear water rivers will fall this weekend into next week as conditions dry, but glacial fed rivers will rise steadily through the next week due to warming temperatures and increased high elevation snow melt. FAREWELL... This forecaster is retiring after 37 years forecasting in Alaska, and this is their last official forecast. It has been their great pleasure to work for the NWS and serve the people of Alaska. There is a strong team of forecasters in Fairbanks that will do a great job carrying out the NWS mission of protection of life and property in the future. Farewell. && .AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AK...None. PK...None. && $$ JB