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Here is my weekly weather quiz question. The “Winter Solstice” occurs at 9:11 AM December 21st. What is the significance of this event? 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:

• AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM SATURDAY FOR THE SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY INCLUDING ALBANY/CORVALLIS AND EUGENE/SPRINGFIELD.
• AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON SATURDAY FOR CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTY (INCLUDING ROSEBURG), EASTERN CURRY COUNTY, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, JACKSON COUNTY, THE KLAMATH BASIN, NORTHERN AND EASTERN KLAMATH COUNTY, AND WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND  EASTERN LAKE COUNTY.

A Blue-Green Algae warning  has been cancelled for Devils Lake while the warning continues for Tenmile Lakes in Coos County, Fern Ridge Reservoir, Lost Creek Lake, and Willow Creek Reservoir (NE Oregon). 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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An upper level high pressure ridge (Shaded “Arch” shape) has been controlling our weather. The ridge is weakening, though. A frontal system has moved through Oregon bringing only some clouds to the area. An upper level low (shaded “U” shape) will slide to the east well south of us by the weekend and we will see clouds and a chance of showers as it spins moisture at us from the south. Two more frontal systems will push down from the northwest bringing precipitation and colder temperatures along with them starting Sunday (position shown Monday AM with one front through and another right behind it.).

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

• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of sprinkles this evening, mostly cloudy tonight,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Saturday afternoon, cloudy with a good (50%) chance of evening rain, rain likely (60%) Saturday night (under 0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Cloudy with AM rain likely (60%), a good (50%) chance of rain Sunday afternoon (under 0.10 in. of rain possible) and evening, rain likely (60%) late Sunday night (under 0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Rain Monday (possibly heavy at times in the AM), rain and snow (there’s that 4-letter word) showers likely (70%) at night,
• lows 36-45 cooling to 32 Monday highs 54-46.
• Mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain and snow showers Tuesday, partly cloudy Tuesday night through Wednesday night,
• Mostly sunny Thursday, partly cloudy at night,
• Then a mix of clouds and sun Friday.
• highs 37-32 warming to 35 Friday lows 18-15 warming to 22 Thursday night. (seasonal averages high 48 low 35).

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

• Mostly cloudy with patchy fog late tonight,
• Mostly cloudy with patchy AM fog, a slight (20%) chance of rain Saturday afternoon (under 0.10 in. of rain possible), a (30%) chance of rain Saturday night (under 0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with coastal rain likely (60%) while a good (50%) chance of inland rain  Sunday (0.10 in. of rain possible), cloudy with evening coastal rain likely (60%) at night while a good (50%) chance of inland evening rain and rain likely (60%) late Sunday night (0.15 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with rain Monday, showers in the evening, then rain and snow showers and colder late Monday night.
•  lows 40-47 cooling to 35 Monday night highs 56-52.
• Mostly cloudy with rain and snow showers likely (60%) Tuesday, just mostly cloudy Tuesday night and Wednesday, mostly clear Wednesday night,
• Areas of AM freezing fog, partly cloudy Thursday afternoon and at night,
• Then areas of AM freezing fog and partly cloudy Friday.
• highs 45-40 warming to 43 Thursday and Friday lows 29-25. (seasonal averages high 52 low 41)

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Forecast for the Cascades of Lane County:

• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of isolated sprinkles this evening, a slight (20%) chance of rain late tonight,
• Mostly cloudy Saturday, a good (50%) chance of rain Saturday night,
• Mostly cloudy with rain likely (70%) Sunday, a good (50%) chance of evening rain, rain late Sunday night and windy (wind: SW 10-20 gusts to 40 mph increasing to SW 20-30 mph gusts to 50 mph late),
• Mostly cloudy with rain and snow (possibly heavy in the AM) Monday, then snow showers at night.
• snow level above 8,000 ft. tonight, free air freezing level 6,500 ft. Saturday, snow level 7,000 ft. Saturday night, 8,000 ft. Sunday, 7,000 ft. Sunday night, 6,000 ft. falling to 4,500 ft. Monday, then at the surface Monday night.
• lows 33-19 highs 47-34.
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of snow showers Tuesday, a slight (20%) chance of snow showers at night,
• Then partly cloudy Wednesday through Friday.
• snow level at the surface Tuesday and Tuesday night, free air freezing level at the surface Wednesday through Friday.
• highs 24-19 warming to 22 Friday lows 10-7 warming to 15 Thursday night.