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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 WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM FRIDAY FOR THE THE CENTRAL COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE AND THE UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY.
• A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM FRIDAY FOR EASTERN CURRY COUNTY, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, AND JACKSON 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 trough of low pressure is helping to change our weather. Along with a frontal system we will see the chance of precipitation. The temperatures actually rose with the passage of the warm front which started melting the snow and ice, but without the freezing rain that was possible (That’s just regular rain that freezes when it lands on a surface that is at or below freezing.).

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Pollution Index is 106 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 53 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 rain this evening, showers likely (70%) late tonight (0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Cloudy with a good (50%) chance of showers Friday (under 0.10 in of rain possible), mostly cloudy with areas of fog late Friday night,
• A mix of clouds and sun Saturday, mostly cloudy at night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Sunday, then mostly cloudy with patchy fog at night.
• lows 33-30 warming to 33 Saturday night and Sunday night highs 45-47.
• A mix of clouds and sun Monday and Tuesday, partly cloudy Monday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Tuesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Wednesday, then a (40%) chance of showers Wednesday night and Thursday.
• highs 44-46 cooling to 42 Thursday lows 32-36 cooling to near 32 Wednesday night. (seasonal averages high 45 low 34).

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

• Mostly cloudy with rain this evening, coastal showers likely (60%) late tonight while inland showers likely (60%) very late tonight (0.15 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of showers Friday, mostly cloudy with patchy fog late at night,
• Patchy AM fog, mostly cloudy Saturday, a slight (20%) chance of evening coastal rain,  just mostly cloudy Saturday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Sunday, then partly cloudy Sunday night.
• lows 42-39 highs 50-53.
•  Partly cloudy Monday through Tuesday, mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Tuesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Wednesday, then mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of showers Wednesday night and Thursday.
• highs 50-54 cooling to 48 Thursday lows near 39. (seasonal averages high 51 low 40)

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Forecast for the Cascades of Lane County:

• Mostly cloudy with rain and snow this evening, rain and snow showers late tonight (0.10 in. of rain possible, 2 in. of snow possible),
• Mostly cloudy with AM rain and snow showers likely (70%), a (40%) chance of rain and snow showers Friday afternoon (under 0.10 in. of rain possible, 1 in. of snow possible), just mostly cloudy Friday night,
• Partly cloudy Saturday and Saturday night, A mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of showers Sunday, then partly cloudy at night.
•  snow level 4,000 ft. tonight, 4,500 ft. Friday, free air freezing level 6,000 ft. falling to 5,500 ft. Friday night, 5,500 ft. rising to 6,500 ft. Saturday and Saturday night, snow level 5,500 ft. Saturday night, snow level 6,500 ft. Sunday, then free air freezing level 6,500 ft. at night.
• lows 30-27 warming to 35 Saturday night cooling to near 30 Sunday night highs 37-45.
• A mix of clouds and sun Monday, partly cloudy at night and Tuesday, a slight (20%) chance of rain Tuesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with rain and snow likely (70%) Wednesday, a good (50%) chance of rain and snow showers at night,
• Then mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain and snow showers Thursday.
• free air freezing level 8,000 ft. Monday, 9,000 ft. Monday night and Tuesday, snow level 6,500 ft. Tuesday night, 5,000 ft. Wednesday, 3,500 ft. Wednesday night, 2,500 ft. Thursday.
• highs 46 cooling to 38 Wednesday lows 35-22.