Here is my new weekly weather quiz question. What is a “Wall Cloud?” 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:

• AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY FOR THE GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA AND THE GREATER VANCOUVER METRO AREA.
•  AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM THURSDAY FOR THE CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY AND THE SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY.
• AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT  THROUGH 4 PM THURSDAY FOR CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTY, EASTERN CURRY COUNTY, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, THE EASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOTHILLS, JACKSON COUNTY, NORTHERN AND EASTERN KLAMATH COUNTY, THE KLAMATH BASIN, WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN LAKE COUNTY.
• A FREEZING FOG ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT  FROM 10 PM TONIGHT UNTIL 10 AM TUESDAY FOR EASTERN CURRY COUNTY, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, AND JACKSON COUNTY.
• A Blue-Green Algae warning has been cancelled for Lost Creek Lake, the warning remains in effect for 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 cya, notoxin 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. This will be the last time this bulletin will be published until other Blue-Green Algae warnings are issued.

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An upper level high pressure ridge ( Shaded “arch” shape) is strengthening again. It will weaken a bit today into Tuesday allowing a weak frontal system to slip through for possible sprinkles. The ridge will regain strength and continue the dry weather through New Year’s Day, then a frontal system will bring another chance of precipitation between Thursday and Friday.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Pollution Index is 28 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter at HWY 99, Eugene. Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

Oakridge: The Pollution Index is 68 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.

The use of Pellet stoves is always allowed.

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

• Mostly cloudy with areas of coastal fog and areas of fog late tonight while patchy inland fog late,
• Mostly cloudy with patchy AM fog, partly cloudy with patchy fog Tuesday afternoon and evening, mostly cloudy with areas of fog late Tuesday night (New Year’s Eve),
• Mostly cloudy with areas of AM fog Wednesday (New Year’s Day), patchy fog again Wednesday night,
• Patchy AM fog, mostly cloudy Thursday afternoon, cloudy with a (30%) chance of evening, rain late Thursday night.
• lows 36-44 highs 53-55.
• Cloudy with rain likely (60%) Friday, mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Friday night,
• Partly cloudy Saturday AM, becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon, mostly cloudy with patchy fog Saturday night and Sunday, then mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Sunday night and Monday.
• highs 54-50 warming to near 54 Saturday lows 36-33 warming to 38 Sunday night. (seasonal averages high 51 low 40)

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Forecast for the Cascades of Lane County:

• Mostly cloudy tonight,
• A mix of clouds and sun Tuesday, partly cloudy at night (New Year’s Eve) and Wednesday (New Year’s Day) and again Wednesday night,
• A mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of showers Thursday afternoon, then rain likely (60%) at night.
• free air freezing level 9,000 ft. tonight, 8,000 ft. Tuesday and Tuesday night, 9,000 ft. Wednesday and Wednesday night, then snow level 6,500 ft. Thursday and 7,000 ft. Thursday night.
• lows 25-30 highs 45-49.
• Mostly cloudy with rain and snow showers likely (70%) Friday, a slight (20%) chance of rain and snow showers Friday night,
• A mix of clouds and sun Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with partly cloudy skies at night.
• snow level 5,000 ft. Friday, 2,500 ft. Friday night, free air freezing level 3,500 ft. Saturday, 5,000 ft. Saturday night and Sunday, 6,000 ft. at night, then 5,000 ft. Monday.
• highs 36-39 lows 24-30 cooling to 26 Sunday night.