The jet stream is set up as a trough of low pressure over the Pacific Northwest. A storm system still over the Pacific Ocean, is moving toward us from the southwest and will bring precipitation with it. Another strongfrontal system will move in between Thursday and Friday.

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Advisories: . A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 10 AM WEDNESDAY FOR THE WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE AND FOR THE UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM  TODAY UNTIL 10 AM WEDNESDAY FOR THE NORTH CASCADES. AND UNTIL 4 AM WEDNESDAY FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CASCADES.

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Forecast for the Central and Southern Willamette Valley:  Patchy AM fog with possible freezing fog this morning with a slight (20%) chance of rain and freezing rain, then rain this afternoon high 40-43. Rain tonight  low in the mid 30s. Showers likely (60%) Wednesday with a good (50%) chance Wednesday night high in the mid 40s low 33-35. Mostly cloudy with rain likely (60%-70%) Thursday through Friday night (New Year’s night) high in the mid 40s low in the upper 30s. Mostly cloudy Saturday with a good (50%) chance of showers high in the mid 40s. A (40%-50%) chance of rain Saturday night through Monday highs mid to upper 40s low 36-39. .

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Forecast for the Umpqua Basin including Roseburg:  Patchy dense fog this morning with a good (50%) chance of rain, snow, and a slight (20%) chance of freezing rain, then rain this afternoon snow level 3,000′ rising to 3,500′ high 43. Rain at night snow level 3,000′ low 34-38. AM rain and snow showers likely (60%) Wednesday morning changing to rain showers in the afternoon snow level 3,500′ falling to 3,000′ with a (40%) chance of showers at night high 48 low 36. Rain likely (60%)  Thursday, Thursday night (breezy at night), and Friday (New Year’s Day)  low near 40 highs near 50. Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of showers Friday night through Monday lows near 40 highs near 50.

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Forecast for the South Oregon Coast: Mostly cloudy with rain likely (60%) this morning and rain this afternoon and windy high 50 low near 40. Showers likely (60%) Wednesday and a (40%) chance at night high 50 low 40. Rain and windy Thursday and Thursday night high 53 low 42. Rain will be likely (60%) New Year’s day with showers likely (60%) at night high 53 low 45. Mostly cloudy with a (50%) chance of showers  Saturday through Monday highs 54 lows near 45.

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Forecast for the Cascades of Lane County: A chance of rain and with a slight (20%) chance of snow this morning, then breezy with rain and snow (2-4?) in the afternoon snow level 2,500′. Snow tonight snow level 2,500′( 4-7″ of snow). Snow likely (60%) Wednesday snow level 3,000′ 1-3″ of snow. Rain and snow likely late Wednesday night snow level 3,000”Rain and snow Thursday snow level 4,000′ . Thursday night rain and snow likely (60%) snow level 5,000′. Friday (New Year’s Day) windy with rain likely (60%) and  snow level 4,500′. Rain and snow likely (60%) Friday night and breezy snow level 4,000?. Rain and snow showers likely Saturday snow level 4,000′. Rain and snow likely (60%) Saturday night and a good (50%) chance of rain and snow Sunday snow level holding at 4,500′.

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Here again is this week’s weekly weather quiz. How much does the entire atmosphere of Earth weigh? Please give your answer in pounds and place the answer as a comment on this page. The first person to answer correctly will win one week of free personalized forecasts tailored to your needs. Good luck.