Analysis of synoptic forcing for widespread surface temperature extremes across Alaska

Widespread warm and cold extremes across the state of Alaska are identified using the ERA-Interim reanalysis. The self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm is used to identify the synoptic patterns that are responsible for these extremes. The widespread warm and cold extreme events are composited to determine common patterns as well as differences for extremes occurring across Alaska. We also analyze the days leading up to the extreme event to determine if there is a preferred synoptic evolution that favors extreme events. The results from this analysis will then be applied to climate model projections of the late 21st century to identify changes in the occurrence of the synoptic forcing responsible for extreme warm and cold events.