_______________
Sorry, but no winner this week. Here is my weekly weather quiz question for the last time. What is “AFOS” and why is it being replaced by “AWIPS?” Here is the correct answer. Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) is a computer system linking NWS offices for the transmission of weather data. This system was installed in the early to mid 1980s and it is being replaced by Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS). I’ll have a new weather quiz question for you starting on Monday. Please remember to post your answer as a comment by clicking on “no comments /comments” in the upper right hand portion of this page under the caption, then add your comment. The first person to post the correct answer will win a week of free personalized weather forecasts tailored to your needs. The answer has to be a comment to win. An email answer will not count. Good luck.
________________
An upper level trough of low pressure (Shaded “U” shape) is moving through the Pacific Northwest sending storms our way. A frontal system will be bringing more clouds and precipitation to the Pacific Northwest today. A complex frontal system will continue the stream of moisture pouring into Oregon keeping the nearly “Spring Rain” falling. Spring officially begins with the “Vernal Equinox ” at 4:02 AM next Wednesday March 20th.
________________
Advisories: A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM SUNDAY ABOVE 3,000 FT. FOR THE NORTH OREGON CASCADES NOT INCLUDING THE CASCADES IN LANE COUNTY.
________________
Forecast for the Southern and lower Mid Willamette Valley including Eugene-Springfield and Albany-Corvallis: Mostly cloudy with showers likely (60%) this evening, a good (50%) chance of showers and colder late tonight (0.10 in. of rain possible), a mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of showers Sunday (under 0.10 in. of rain possible), partly cloudy in the evening, mostly cloudy Sunday night, a mix of clouds and sun Monday, mostly cloudy at night, cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Tuesday AM, then rain in the afternoon and Tuesday night lows 36-32 warming to 44 Tuesday night highs 50-57 cooling to 55 Tuesday. Mostly cloudy with rain Wednesday, a good (50%) chance of showers Wednesday night, a (40%) chance of showers Thursday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Thursday night, just partly cloudy Friday, then mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Friday night and Saturday highs 53-60 lows 37-33 warming to 38 Friday night. (seasonal averages high 56 low 37)
Forecast for the Umpqua Basin including Roseburg: Mostly cloudy with showers this evening, rain and snow showers likely (60%) late tonight (0.15 in. of rain possible, snow level 3,000 ft. falling to 2,000 ft. late), a (30%) chance of rain and snow showers Sunday AM, a slight (20%) chance of showers in the afternoon (0.10 in. of rain possible, snow level 1,500 ft. rising to 2,500 ft. in the afternoon), just partly cloudy Sunday night and Monday AM, mostly cloudy in the afternoon, a slight (20%) chance of rain late Monday night, mostly cloudy with rain likely (70%) Tuesday, then rain Tuesday night lows 37-33 warming to 43 Tuesday night highs 53-60. Mostly cloudy with showers Wednesday, rain and snow showers likely (60%) and colder at night, a good (50%) chance of rain and snow showers Thursday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Thursday night, then partly cloudy and a bit warmer Friday through Saturday highs 56-66 lows 35-39. (seasonal averages high 58 low 39)
_________________
Forecast for the South Oregon Coast including Coos Bay and North Bend: Mostly cloudy with evening showers, a good (50%) chance of coastal showers late tonight while showers likely (60%) inland late tonight (0.15 in. of rain possible, snow level 2,000 ft. late), mostly cloudy Sunday AM with a slight (20%) chance of inland rain and snow showers and partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of afternoon showers while a slight (20%) chance of coastal showers Sunday (under 0.10 in. of rain possible, AM snow level 1,500 ft.), partly cloudy with patchy frost late Sunday night and Monday AM, mostly cloudy in the afternoon, a slight (20%) chance of rain late Monday night, rain likely (60%) Tuesday, then mostly cloudy with rain Tuesday night lows 38-35 warming to 46 Tuesday night highs 50-54. Mostly cloudy with showers Wednesday, showers likely (60%) and colder Wednesday night, a good (50%) chance of showers Thursday, partly cloudy with a (30%) chance of showers at night, then just partly cloudy Friday through Saturday highs 55-48 warming to 53 Friday lows 46-36. (seasonal averages high 54 low 42)
________________
Forecast for the Cascades of Lane County: Mostly cloudy with rain and snow showers and colder tonight (0.25 in. of rain possible, 2-5 in. of snow possible), cloudy with a good (50%) chance of snow showers Sunday AM, a slight (20%) chance of snow showers in the afternoon, just partly cloudy in the evening, mostly cloudy Sunday night, a mix of clouds and sun and just a bit warmer Monday, partly cloudy in the evening, mostly cloudy late Monday night, cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain and snow Tuesday AM, rain and snow in the afternoon, then mostly cloudy with rain Tuesday night snow level 3,000 ft. tonight, at the surface Sunday, free air freezing level at the surface Sunday night, 3,500 ft. Monday, free air freezing level 5,500 ft,. Monday night, snow level 5,000 ft. Tuesday, then 6,000 ft. Tuesday night lows 20-32 highs 34-46. Mostly cloudy with rain and snow Wednesday, rain and snow showers likely (60%) at night, a mix of clouds and sun with a (40%) chance of snow showers Thursday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain and snow showers Thursday night, just partly cloudy Friday and Friday night, then mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Saturday snow level 5,500 ft. Wednesday, 3,000 ft. Wednesday night, at the surface Thursday, 4,500 ft. at night, free air freezing level 7,000 ft. Friday, 6,500 ft. Friday night, then snow level 6,500 ft. Saturday highs 40-52 lows 23-20 warming to 26 Friday night.
________________
**Because weather forecasting is a combination of science, intuition, and timing there can be no absolute guarantees that individual forecasts will be 100% accurate. Nature is in a constant state of flux and sudden unexpected weather events can happen.
________________
Get your local Eugene-Springfield news on-line at Eugene Daily News.com.
________________