_______________

Here is my new weekly weather quiz question. What is a “storm surge?” 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.

________________

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, then added about another 0.25 inches of snow into the early evening for a grand total of 8.50 inches of snow for Friday. A brand new record low for Eugene Saturday was a frigid -7. Sunday morning’s low of -10 is just 2 degrees short of the all-time record low for Eugene set on the date in 1972.

________________

Advisories:

• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM TODAY UNTIL 1 PM TUESDAY FOR THE GREATER PORTLAND/VANCOUVER AREA AND THE CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY.
• A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM TODAY FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND THE CURRY COUNTY COAST.
• A FREEZE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESAY MORNING FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND THE CURRY COUNTY COAST.
• AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM THURSDAY FOR CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTY, EASTERN CURRY COUNTY, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, THE SOUTH OREGON CASCADES, THE SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS, THE KLAMATH BASIN, NORTHERN AND EASTERN KLAMATH COUNTY, AND WESTERN, CENTRAL  AND EASTERN LAKE COUNTY.
• 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.

________________

An upper level high pressure ridge (Shaded “Arch” shape) has moved just a touch to the east which will modify the cold northerly air that has been helping us set record lows and come to within two degrees of tying Eugene’s all-time record low of -12 set on December 8, 1972. The snow storm is over but snow will stay on the ground for a while yet due to the very cold temperatures. Please drive slower and don’t make any sudden moves as your vehicle could start to skid. A surface low will ride south along the coast an might help produce some precipitation mainly along the coast.

________________

Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Pollution Index is 152 in the Unhealthy category measuring Particulate Matter at Amazon Park, Eugene. Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

Oakridge: The Pollution Index is 100 in the Moderate category measuring Particulate Matter at Willamette Activity Center, Oakridge.  Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

___

Home Wood Heating Advisory:

Eugene/Springfield: (YELLOW) Burning Cautioned Against.

Oakridge: (YELLOW) Burning Cautioned Against.

Pellet stoves are always allowed.

________________

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

• Areas of AM freezing fog and mostly sunny, partly cloudy this afternoon, mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of snow at night,
• Mostly cloudy with areas of AM freezing fog, mostly cloudy Tuesday afternoon, patchy freezing fog again late Tuesday night,
• Mostly cloudy Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain, freezing rain, or sleet Wednesday night.
• highs 24-38 lows 18-28.
• Cloudy with rain, freezing rain, or sleet likely (60%) Thursday AM, rain likely (60%) in the afternoon and Thursday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Friday, a (40%) chance of rain Friday night,
• Then cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Saturday and Saturday night,
• Then rain likely (60%) Sunday.
• highs 40-47 lows 32-37. (seasonal averages high 46 low 34).

_________________

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

• Sunny today, partly cloudy tonight,
• Partly cloudy Tuesday AM, mostly cloudy in the afternoon and Tuesday night,
• Partly cloudy Wednesday AM, mostly cloudy in the afternoon and Wednesday night.
• highs 44-50 lows 32-38.
• A good (50%) chance of AM rain, rain likely (70%) Thursday afternoon, cloudy with  rain Thursday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Friday and Friday night,
• Then cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Saturday through Sunday.
• highs 50-53 lows 43-45. (seasonal averages high 51 low 40)

________________
Forecast for the Cascades of Lane County:

• Mostly sunny this AM, partly cloudy this afternoon, partly cloudy and not quite as cold with a slight (20%) chance of snow late tonight,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of snow Tuesday, just mostly cloudy Tuesday night, A mix of clouds and sun Wednesday, then mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain, freezing rain, snow or light sleet Wednesday night.
• free air freezing level at the surface today through this evening, snow level at the surface tonight, 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 through Wednesday night.
• highs 34-28 lows 19-33.
• Rain or snow likely (60%) with a a good (50%) chance of freezing rain or light sleet likely (70%) Thursday, rain and snow likely (60%) at night,
• Cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain and snow Friday, mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain and snow at night,
• Cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain and snow Saturday and Saturday night,
• Then rain and snow likely (60%) Sunday.
• snow level 4,500 ft. Thursday and Thursday night, 4,000 ft. Friday and Friday night, 5,000 ft. Saturday, then 5,500 ft. Saturday night and Sunday.
• highs near 35 lows 29-32.