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Sorry, no winner this week. Here is my weekly weather quiz question for the last time. Define “veering winds.” Here is the correct answer. Veering Winds are winds which shift in a clockwise direction with time at a given location (e.g., from southerly to westerly), or which change direction in a clockwise sense with height (e.g., southeasterly at the surface turning to southwesterly aloft). The latter example is a form of directional shear which is important for tornado formation. Compare with backing winds. I’ll have a new weather quiz question for you starting 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.

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Record low 18 degrees Wednesday in Eugene and we broke the record again Thursday morning (14 degrees). As for snow I measured 8.25 inches of snow in my driveway for Friday’s total. A brand new record low for Eugene Saturday was a frigid -7. This morning’s unofficial low of -10 is just 2 degrees short of the all-time record low for Eugene set on this date in 1972.

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Advisories:

• A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM TODAY FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND THE CURRY COUNTY COAST.
• A Blue-Green Algae warning  has been cancelled for Tenmile Lakes in Coos County, but continues for 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) is drawing much colder air down to the Pacific Northwest. A surface low and frontal system have moved southward along the Oregon coast (now in Nevada) producing our snowstorm while a trough of  (Shaded “U” shape) slides to the south and is the generating force for this snow event. The snow storm is over but snow will stay on the ground for a while due to the very cold temperatures. Please drive slower and don’t make any sudden moves as your vehicle could start to skid.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Pollution Index is 145 in the Unhealthy For Sensitive groups category measuring Particulate Matter at Amazon Park, Eugene. Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

Oakridge: The Pollution Index is 78  in the Moderate category measuring Particulate Matter at Willamette Activity Center, Oakridge.  Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

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Home Wood Heating Advisory:

Eugene/Springfield: (YELLOW) Burning Cautioned Against.

Oakridge: (YELLOW) Burning Cautioned Against.

Pellet stoves are always allowed.

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

• Mostly sunny with patchy freezing fog this AM, partly cloudy this afternoon, partly cloudy with patchy freezing fog late tonight,
• AM patchy freezing fog, a mix of clouds and sun Monday afternoon, partly cloudy and not quite as cold with a slight (20%) chance of snow late at night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of snow Tuesday, partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy Tuesday night.
• highs 20-35 lows 7-27.
• Mostly cloudy Wednesday, cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Wednesday night,
• Rain likely (60%) Thursday and Thursday night,
• Cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Friday, a (40%) chance of rain Friday night,
• Then rain likely (60%) Saturday.
• highs 39-44 cooling to near 40 Saturday lows 33-38. (seasonal averages high 46 low 34).

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

• Sunny today and Monday, partly cloudy both nights,
• Then mostly cloudy Tuesday with a slight (20%) chance of coastal showers in the AM, mostly cloudy in the afternoon and Tuesday night,
• highs 37-47 lows 22-33.
• Partly cloudy Wednesday AM, mostly cloudy in the afternoon, cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Wednesday night,
• Rain likely (70%) Thursday, showers likely (60%) at night,
• Mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of showers Friday and Friday night,
• Then cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Saturday.
• highs 48-53 lows 40-43 cooling to 40 Friday night. (seasonal averages high 51 low 40)

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Forecast for the Cascades of Lane County:

• Mostly sunny this AM, partly cloudy and a bit warmer this afternoon, partly cloudy tonight,
• Mostly sunny and a bit warmer Monday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of snow late Monday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of snow Tuesday, then just mostly cloudy Tuesday night.
• free air freezing level at the surface today through Monday evening, snow level at the surface at night, free air freezing level at the surface Tuesday AM, snow level at the surface in the afternoon, then free air freezing level at the surface Tuesday night.
• highs 21-30 lows 4-28.
• A mix of clouds and sun Wednesday, cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain and snow Wednesday night,
• Rain and snow likely (70%) Thursday and at night,
• Then cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain and snow Friday through Saturday.
• free air freezing level 4,000 ft. Wednesday, snow level 4,000 ft. Wednesday night, 4,500 ft. Thursday, 4,000 ft. at night, 3,500 ft. Friday, 4,000 ft. at night, then 5,000 ft. Saturday.
• highs near 35 lows 33-27.