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Check out my latest Eugene Daily News Weather Or Not Column Their Motto “The Need Is Real; The Time Is Now.”

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And don’t forget my latest feature story in the continuing series on service club organizations called This Moose Isn’t Named Bullwinkle.

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Here is my new weekly weather quiz question. What is “the Bermuda High?” 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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A weak upper level low (Shaded “U” shape with blue arrows) is sliding eastward and has returned the chance of precipitation for a couple of days. A frontal system passes through today for more showers and maybe a thunderstorm, then drying behind it. An upper air ridge of high pressure (Shaded “Arch” shape with blue arrows on the west side of the trough) will take over by Saturday returning the dry weather for the rest of the weekend.  Note: Mt. Ashland is open Thursdays through Mondays. Willamette Pass and Hoodoo are all still closed for now. They say they will be opening again when enough snow falls. Check their websites for conditions and specific schedules.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Air Quality Index is 9 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter at HWY 99, Eugene. Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA).

Oakridge: The Air Quality Index is 22 in the Good 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: GREEN – Burning is Allowed.

Oakridge: GREEN – Burning is Allowed.

(The use of Pellet stoves is always allowed.)

Advisory Courtesy of Lane Regional Protection Agency (LRAPA).

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Advisories:

• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM TODAY ABOVE 5,000 FT. FOR THE NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES AND THE CASCADES IN LANE COUNTY.
• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM SATURDAY FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON CASCADES, THE SOUTHERN OREGON CASCADES,  AND THE SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS.
• A HEALTH ADVISORY HAS BEEN LIFTED FOR THE PRESENCE OF BLUE-GREEN ALGAE AT LOST CREEK LAKE, LOCATED 30 MILES NORTHEAST OF MEDFORD ON THE ROGUE RIVER IN JACKSON COUNTY. THE TOXIC ALGAE BLOOM MEANS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT DRINK OR HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE AFFECTED WATER AND THAT ALSO GOES FOR ANY PETS.

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

• Mostly cloudy with showers and a slight (20%) chance of thunderstorms today, small hail possible, this afternoon (0.25 in. of rain possible, more in storms), showers likely (70%) this evening, a good (50%) chance of showers and colder late tonight (0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with patchy fog and a slight (20%) chance of showers Saturday AM, becoming sunny in the afternoon (under 0.10 in. of rain possible), just clear at night,
• Partly cloudy in the AM, mostly sunny Sunday afternoon, then partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Sunday night.
• highs 52-54 lows 38-28 warming back to 38 Sunday night.
• Cloudy with a good (50%) chance of showers Monday, mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Monday night,
• A mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of showers Tuesday, then partly cloudy Tuesday night through Thursday.
• highs 52-54 lows 33-28. (seasonal averages high 53 low 36)

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Forecast for the Umpqua Basin including Roseburg:

• Cloudy with showers this AM (AM snow level 3,000 ft.) , showers with a slight (20%) chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, a good (50%) chance of showers late tonight (0.20 in. of rain possible, snow level 3,500 ft. late at night)
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Saturday (AM snow level 3,000 ft.), becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon, clear at night,
• Sunny Sunday, then partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain late Sunday night.
• highs 52-54 lows 40-28 warming to 38 Sunday night.
• Mostly cloudy with showers Monday AM, a good (50%) chance of rain and snow showers Monday afternoon and at night,
• Mostly cloudy Tuesday, mostly clear at night,
• Mostly sunny Wednesday, then partly cloudy with patchy fog Wednesday night and Thursday.
• highs 48-57 lows 38-32. (seasonal averages high 56 low 38)

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

• Mostly cloudy with showers this AM, showers with a slight (20%) chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms (0.30 in. of rain possible), cloudy with showers likely (70%) late tonight (under 0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Saturday AM, sunny in the afternoon, clear and colder Saturday night,
• Sunny Sunday, partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain at night.
• highs 50-56 lows 44-35 warming to 43 Sunday night.
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of showers Monday, a (40%) chance of showers Monday night,
• Partly cloudy Tuesday, clear at night,
• Sunny Wednesday, then partly cloudy with patchy fog Wednesday night and Thursday.
• highs 52-57 lows 42-38 warming back to 42 Wednesday night. (seasonal averages high 53 low 41)

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Forecast for the Cascades in Lane County:

• Cloudy with rain and snow showers and a slight (20%) chance of  thunderstorms this afternoon (0.25 in. of rain possible, 2-4 in. of snow possible), cloudy with rain and snow showers and colder late tonight (0.25 in. of rain possible, 1-2 in. of snow possible),
• Mostly cloudy with a (30%) chance of AM rain and snow Saturday, partly cloudy in the afternoon, mostly clear and breezy (Wind: NE 10-15 mph increasing to E 15-25 mph) and colder Saturday night,
• Mostly sunny Sunday, then partly cloudy Sunday night with a slight (20%) chance of rain and snow late.
• snow level 3,500 ft. today and tonight, free air freezing level at the surface Saturday afternoon through Sunday, then 4,000 ft. Sunday night.
• highs 33-30 warming to 40 Sunday lows 25-15 warming to 24 Sunday night.
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain and snow showers Monday, a (40%) chance of rain and snow showers at night,
• A mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of rain and snow showers Tuesday, becoming mostly clear Tuesday night,
• Mostly sunny Wednesday, then partly cloudy Wednesday night and Thursday.
• snow level 3,000 ft. Monday, 3,500 ft. Monday night, 2,500 ft. Tuesday, then free air freezing level at the surface Tuesday night and Wednesday, 5,000 ft. Wednesday night, then 7,000 ft. Thursday.
• highs 34-43 lows 20-16.

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**Because weather forecasting is a combination of science, intuition, and timing there can be no absolute guarantees that individual forecasts will be 100% accurate. Nature is in a constant state of flux and sudden unexpected weather events can happen.

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Get your local Eugene-Springfield and Lane County news on-line at eugenedailynews.com

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