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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.

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Advisories:

• A DENSE FOG ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY FOR THE GREATER PORTLAND/VANCOUVER AREA AND THE SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY INCLUDING EUGENE AND SPRINGFIELD.
• A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM TODAY FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST.
• A FROST ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM TODAY FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST.
• A DENSE FOG ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM TODAY FOR CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTY.
• AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON 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.

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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 helped 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. Another frontal system will be pushing through Oregon on Sunday.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Pollution Index is 127 in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category measuring Particulate Matter at HWY 99, Eugene. Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

Oakridge: The Pollution Index is 56 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 cloudy with areas of freezing fog this AM, a mix of clouds and sun with patchy fog and freezing fog this afternoon and evening, areas of fog and freezing fog continue late tonight,
• Cloudy with rain likely (60%) and a slight (20%) chance of freezing rain Thursday afternoon, rain Thursday night,
• Cloudy with AM showers likely (60%), a good (50%) chance of showers Friday afternoon, then a slight (20%) chance of rain Friday night.
• highs 34-44 lows 26-35 cooling to near 30 Friday night.
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Saturday, a (40%) chance of rain Saturday night and Sunday, a (30%) chance of rain Sunday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Monday, partly cloudy Monday night,
• Then just mostly cloudy Tuesday.
• highs 44-48 cooling to near 44 Monday lows 34-32. (seasonal averages high 46 low 34).

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

• Areas of AM fog, partly cloudy with patchy fog this afternoon, partly cloudy this evening, mostly cloudy with patchy fog late tonight.
• Patchy fog and cloudy with AM coastal rain likely (60%) while a good (50%) chance of inland AM rain, rain Thursday afternoon, mostly cloudy with rain in the evening, rain likely (60%) Thursday night.
• Mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of showers Friday, mostly cloudy in the evening, then partly cloudy with patchy fog late at night.
• highs near 50 lows 37-45 cooling to near 40 Friday night.
• Mostly cloudy with patchy AM fog and a slight (20%) chance of rain Saturday and Saturday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Sunday, partly cloudy Sunday night,
• Partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Monday, then just partly cloudy Monday night and Tuesday.
• highs near 52 lows near 40. (seasonal averages high 51 low 40)

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Forecast for the Cascades of Lane County:

• Partly cloudy just a bit warmer today and tonight,
• Cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain and snow Thursday afternoon, rain or light sleet likely (70%) Thursday, rain and snow at night,
• Cloudy with AM rain and snow showers likely (60%), a (40%) chance of rain and snow showers Friday afternoon, then a slight (20%) chance of rain and snow at night.
•  free air freezing level 6,000 ft. rising to 9,000 ft. this afternoon, 10,000 ft. falling to 8,000 ft. tonight, snow level 4,500 ft. Thursday through Friday, then 5,000 ft. Friday night.
• highs 37-40 cooling to 35 Friday lows 28-25.
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain and snow Saturday, a (40%) chance of rain and snow Saturday night and Sunday, a slight (20%) chance of rain at night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Monday, just mostly cloudy at night,
• Then a mix of clouds and sun Tuesday.
• snow level 4,500 ft. Saturday, 6,000 ft. Saturday night,  6,500 ft. Sunday, 6,000 ft. Sunday and Sunday night,
• Then a mix of clouds and sun Tuesday.
• highs 38-43 lows 33-30.