The jet stream is set up as a trough of low pressure over the Pacific Northwest. A frontal system is moving through the Pacific Northwest bringing precipitation with it. It has fallen as snow from Corvallis to the North. The rest of us are in the warm sector so we have only rain. Another stronger cold front will move in between Thursday and Friday.
_______________
Advisories: . A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH 10 AM TODAY FOR THE WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE AND THE UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY, AND FOR THE NORTH CASCADES OF LANE COUNTY AND FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CASCADES AND SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS UNTIL 4 AM TODAY.
_______________
Forecast for the Southern Willamette Valley: Showers likely (60%) today with a good (50%) chance of rain tonight high in the mid 40s low 32-34. Mostly cloudy with rain Thursday and Thursday night high 43-46 low near 40. Showers New Year’s day and likely (60% ) high near 50 low near 40. Mostly cloudy Saturday and Saturday night with a good (50%) chance of showers high 43-46 low in the mid 30s. Mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Sunday through Tuesday highs mid 40s low in the mid 30s.
_______________
Forecast for the Umpqua Basin including Roseburg: AM rain and snow showers this morning changing to a good (50%) chance of rain showers this afternoon snow level 2,500′ rising to 3,500’up to 1″ of snow possible high in the mid 40s. Isolated showers this evening with a rain late low 40. Rain Thursday, Thursday night, and New Year’s Day highs near 50 low 40-45. Rain likely (60%) Friday night low 45. Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of showers Saturday high near 50. Mostly cloudy with a (40%-50%) chance of rain Saturday night through Tuesday highs near 50 lows near 40.
_______________
Forecast for the South Oregon Coast: Mostly cloudy with showers likely (60%) today and scattered evening showers followed by rain likely (60%) tonight high 46 low near 40. Rain Thursday and Thursday night high 50 low 44. Rain and breezy Friday then showers likely (60%) at night high 53 low 45. Mostly cloudy with a (40%-50%) chance of showers Saturday through Monday highs in the upper 40s lows near 40. Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Tuesday high near 50.
_______________
Forecast for the Cascades of Lane County: Snow showers likely (60%) today snow level 2,500′ to 3,000′ 1-3″ of snow. Snow and rain after a good (50%) chance of evening snow and rain tonight snow level 3,500′ 3-7″ of snow. Rain and snow and breezy Thursday snow level rising to 5,000′ in the afternoon. Thursday night rain and snow showers and breezy snow level 5,000′. AM rain and snow showers Friday (New Year’s Day) breezy with rain likely (60%) and snow level 3,500′. Rain and snow likely (60%) Friday night and breezy snow level 3,500′. Rain and snow showers likely Saturday (60% ) snow level 4,000′. Rain and snow likely (60%) Saturday night snow level 4,000′ and a good (50%) chance of rain and snow Sunday snow level holding at 4,500’Mostly cloudy with a (50%) chance of rain and snow Sunday through Tuesday snow level 4,000′.
_______________
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.