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Check out my latest Eugene Daily News Weather Or Not Column That Pioneer Spirit Still Lives Within Us. Where To Next?

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No winner this week. Here is my weekly weather quiz question for the last time. What is the difference between the “Visible” satellite view and the “Enhanced Infrared” satellite view? Also, how does that difference help forecast the weather over Western Oregon? Here are the correct answers. Visible Satellite Imagery uses reflected sunlight (this is actually reflected solar radiation) to see things in the atmosphere and on the Earth’s surface. Clouds and fresh snow are excellent reflectors, so they appear white on the imagery. Clouds can be distinguished from snow, because clouds move and snow does not move. Meanwhile, the ground reflects less sunlight, so it appears black on the imagery. The satellite uses its 0.55 to 0.75 micrometer (um) channel to detect this reflected sunlight. Since this imagery relies on reflected imagery, it cannot be used during night. Infrared Satellite Imagery senses surface and cloud top temperatures by measuring the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted from these objects. This energy is called “infrared”. High clouds are very cold, so they appear white. Mid-level clouds are somewhat warmer, so they will be a light gray shade. Low cloud are warmer still, so they appear as a dark shade of gray or black. Often, low clouds are the same temperature as the surrounding terrain and cannot be distinguished at all. The satellite picks up this infrared energy between 10.5 and 12.6 micrometer (um) channels. I’ll have a new weekly weather quiz question for you Monday. The Visible Satellite image also picks up the low clouds and dense fog that can get stuck in the South Willamette Valley so comparing the two satellite views can help determine if the fog and low clouds are dissipating. 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.

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ADVISORIES:

• A DENSE FOG ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM TODAY FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY.

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A NEW Blue-Green Algae warning has been issued for Tenmile Lakes in Coos County. A Blue-Green Algae warning has been lifted for Walterville Pond, Dorena Reservoir and Dexter Reservoir,  but continues for Fern Ridge Reservoir and  at Devils Lake. Water monitoring has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae that can produce toxins, state public health officials said. The algae levels are likely associated with dangerous cyanotoxin concentrations in the water that can be harmful to humans and animals. Swallowing or inhaling water droplets, as well as skin contact with water, should be avoided according to the authorities.

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A high pressure ridge (Shaded “Arch” shape) was drying us out and warming us up. A frontal system will slide into the Pacific Northwest and an upper level low will move toward us bringing back the chance of showers.

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Forecast for the Southern and lower Mid Willamette Valley including Eugene-Springfield and Albany-Corvallis:

• A mix of clouds and sun with patchy fog this AM, mostly sunny this afternoon, clouds increasing to cloudy with rain developing late this evening (under 0.10 in. of rain possible).
• Mostly cloudy with showers and cooler Monday  (under 0.10 in. of rain possible), a good (50%) chance of scattered showers at night (under 0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of scattered showers Tuesday, mostly cloudy  with a slight (20%) chance of showers late Tuesday night,
• highs 72-62 lows 39-45.
• Partly cloudy Wednesday and Wednesday night,
• Partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Thursday and at night,
• Then a mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of showers Friday and Saturday and partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Friday night.
• highs 63-60 lows near 45. (seasonal averages high 69 low 43)

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Forecast for the South Oregon Coast including Coos Bay and North Bend:

• Sunny today, mostly clear inland this evening, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of coastal rain this evening and rain likely (60%) late tonight while a (40%) chance of inland rain late at night (under 0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Cloudy Monday with coastal showers likely (60%) while a good (50%) chance of showers inland, a (30%) chance of showers Monday night (under 0.10 in. of rain possible).
• Then mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of showers Tuesday and Tuesday night.
• highs 66-59 lows 46-50 cooling to 47 Tuesday night.
• Just partly cloudy Wednesday through Thursday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Thursday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Friday, then partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Friday night and Saturday.
• highs 64-60 back up to 65 Saturday lows near 48. (seasonal averages high 63 low 47)

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Forecast for the Cascades of Lane County: