Here is my weekly weather quiz question for the last time. What is a “Nor\’easter?” Here is the correct answer. A Nor\’easter is a strong low pressure system that affects the Mid Atlantic and New England States. It can form over land or over the coastal waters. These winter weather events are notorious for producing heavy snow, rain, and tremendous waves that crash onto Atlantic beaches, often causing beach erosion and structural damage. Wind gusts associated with these storms can exceed hurricane force in intensity. A nor’easter gets its name from the continuously strong northeasterly winds blowing in from the ocean ahead of the storm and over the coastal areas. I’ll have a new weekly weather quiz question for you starting Monday. 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 frontal system slowed down allowing for some sunshine and temperatures warmer than I expected on Friday, but it finally moved in at night ending with fog this mmorning. An upper level ridge of high pressure (Shaded “Arch” shape with blue arrows) has taken over keeping the rain away from us.  Looks like dry weather through early next week. Here is another frontal system sitting well offshore Sunday morning. Next Tuesday a frontal system is poised to move in.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Air Quality Index is 33 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Oakridge: The Air Quality Index is 20 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Cottage Grove: The Air Quality Index is 15 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA).

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Advisories: None At This Time.

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

• Mostly cloudy and cooler today, mostly cloudy with areas of fog late tonight through Monday night.
• highs 55-50 warming to 52 Monday lows 33-40.
• Patchy fog and cloudy Tuesday AM, sunny in the afternoon, mostly cloudy with patchy fog late Tuesday night,
• Cloudy with patchy fog Wednesday AM, mostly sunny in the afternoon, mostly cloudy with patchy fog and a (40%) chance of rain late Wednesday night,
• Mostly cloudy and cooler Thursday with a slight (20%) chance of rain, cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Thursday night,
• Then rain likely (60%) and a bit cooler Friday.
• high 60-52 lows 42-45. (seasonal averages high 50 low 35)

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Home Wood Heating Advisory:

Eugene-Springfield: GREEN – Burning is allowed.

Oakridge: YELLOW – Caution is Advised.

*Note: Pellet stoves may be used anytime if they produce no visible emissions.

Advisory Courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA).

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Forecast for Roseburg:

• Mostly cloudy and cooler today, partly cloudy this evening, mostly cloudy with areas of fog late tonight,
• Partly cloudy with areas of fog Sunday AM, partly cloudy and a bit warmer with patchy lingering afternoon fog, clear in the evening, partly cloudy with patchy fog late Sunday night,
• Patchy AM fog, mostly sunny and a bit warmer Monday, then mostly clear with patchy fog late at night.
• highs 60-67 lows 39-42.
• Patchy AM fog, mostly sunny and cooler Tuesday, clear in the evening, partly cloudy and colder with patchy fog late at night,
• Partly cloudy with patchy AM fog, sunny Wednesday afternoon, mostly cloudy with a (30%) chance of rain Wednesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain and a bit cooler Thursday, then rain likely (60%) Thursday night and Friday.
• highs 63-57 lows 43-47 cooling to 45 Thursday night. (seasonal averages high 52 low 37)

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Forecast for The South Oregon Coast Including Coos Bay and North Bend:

• Just mostly cloudy and a bit cooler today, partly cloudy this evening, mostly cloudy with patchy fog late tonight and Sunday AM, sunny and warmer Sunday afternoon, clear at night,
• Then sunny and warmer Monday and clear at night.
• highs 58-70 lows 46-52 cooling to 49 Monday night.
• Sunny and cooler Tuesday, clear Tuesday night,
• Sunny Wednesday AM, partly cloudy in the afternoon, then becoming mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Wednesday night and Thursday, then rain likely (70%) and a bit cooler Thursday night and Friday.
• highs 62-56 lows near 48. (seasonal averages high 52 low 40).

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Forecast for the Cascades in Lane County:

• Partly cloudy with a (30%) chance of rain and snow showers today (under 0.10 in. of rain possible), a bit cooler this afternoon, partly cloudy tonight,
• A mix of clouds and sun Sunday AM, mostly sunny and a bit warmer in the afternoon, clear at night,
• Sunny and a bit warmer Monday, then clear Monday night.
• snow level 6,000 ft. today and tonight, level free air freezing 10,000 ft. rising to 11,000 ft. Sunday, 12,000 ft. Sunday night, 13,000 ft. Monday, then 12,000 ft. Monday night.
• highs 40-47 lows 30-36.
• Sunny and a bit warmer Tuesday, mostly clear at night,
• Mostly sunny and a bit cooler Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a (30%) chance of rain Wednesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain and a bit cooler Thursday, cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain at night,
• Then rain likely (70%) and cooler Friday.
• free air freezing level 12,000 ft. Tuesday, 11,000 ft. Tuesday night, 9,000 ft. Wednesday, snow level 7,500 ft. Wednesday night, 7,000 ft. Thursday, 7,500 ft. Thursday night, then 6,000 ft. Friday.
• highs 50-40 lows 34-36 cooling to near 30 Thursday night.

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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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