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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 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 are seeing the chance of precipitation increasing. 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 43 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter at Springfield City Hall. Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

Oakridge: The Pollution Index is 82 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:

• Cloudy with a good (50%) chance of showers today this AM, a slight (20%) chance of showers this afternoon (under 0.10 in of rain possible), partly cloudy this evening, mostly cloudy with areas of fog late tonight,
• Cloudy with patchy AM fog,  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.
• highs 45-40 warming to 47 Sunday lows 30-33.
• A mix of clouds and sun Monday and Tuesday, partly cloudy with patchy fog 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 a slight (20%) chance of isolated showers today, mostly cloudy with patchy fog late tonight,
• Patchy AM fog, mostly cloudy Saturday and Saturday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Sunday, mostly cloudy in the evening, then partly cloudy Sunday night.
• highs 50-54 lows near 39.
•  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 50-44 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 AM rain and snow showers likely (70%), a (40%) chance of rain and snow showers this afternoon (under 0.10 in. of rain possible, 1 in. of snow possible), just mostly cloudy tonight,
• Partly cloudy Saturday and Saturday evening, mostly cloudy at night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Sunday, then just mostly cloudy at night.
•  snow level 4,500 ft. today, free air freezing level 6,000 ft. falling to 5,500 ft. tonight, 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.
• highs 37-48 lows 28-35 cooling to near 30 Sunday night.
• Partly cloudy Monday  through 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 48-32 lows 35-22.