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 morning. An upper level ridge of high pressure (Shaded “Arch” shape with blue arrows) has taken over keeping the rain away from us, but not much sunshine.  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 53 in the Moderate category measuring Particulate Matter.

Oakridge: The Air Quality Index is 5 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Cottage Grove: The Air Quality Index is 16 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 with patchy fog late tonight,
• Areas of AM and late night fog, mostly cloudy and warmer Sunday and mostly cloudy Monday,
• Cloudy with areas of AM fog Tuesday, a mix of clouds and sun and a bit warmer in the afternoon, partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy with patchy fog Tuesday night.
• lows 40-37 warming back to 40 Tuesday night highs 57-54 warming to 58 Tuesday.
• Cloudy with patchy fog Wednesday AM, partly cloudy in the afternoon, mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Wednesday night,
• A mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of showers Thursday, mostly cloudy with a (30%) chance of rain Thursday night,
• Mostly cloudy with rain likely (70%) and a bit cooler Friday and Friday night,
• Then mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of showers Saturday.
• high 60-52 lows 44-40. (seasonal averages high 50 low 35)

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Home Wood Heating Advisory:

Eugene-Springfield: YELLOW – Caution is Advised.

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:

• Partly cloudy this evening, mostly cloudy with areas of fog late tonight and Sunday AM, partly cloudy and a bit warmer in the afternoon, clear in the evening, partly cloudy with patchy fog late Sunday night,
• Patchy AM fog, partly cloudy and a bit warmer Monday, clear in the evening, partly cloudy with patchy fog late at night,
• Patchy AM fog and late night fog, mostly sunny and cooler Tuesday, mostly clear and colder with patchy fog late at night.
• lows 40-44 highs 63-67 cooling back to 63 Tuesday.
• Partly cloudy with patchy AM fog, sunny with a slight (20%) chance of rain 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 mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Thursday night through Friday night,
• Then mostly cloudy and a bit cooler with a (40%) chance of showers Saturday.
• highs 62-55 lows 46-40. (seasonal averages high 52 low 37)

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

• Partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers this evening, becoming mostly cloudy late this evening with patchy fog late tonight and Sunday AM, sunny and warmer Sunday afternoon, clear at night,
• Then sunny Monday (warmer) and Tuesday (cooler), clear both nights.
• lows 46-52 cooling to 49 Monday night highs 64-67 cooling to 62 Tuesday.
• Partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Wednesday, then becoming mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Wednesday night through Thursday night, a good (50%) chance of rain Friday, a (30%) chance of rain Friday  night,
• Then mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of showers Saturday.
• highs 62-55 lows 48-44. (seasonal averages high 52 low 40).

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Forecast for the Cascades in Lane County:

• Partly cloudy with increasing clouds to mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain and snow showers tonight,
• A mix of clouds and sun Sunday AM, mostly sunny and a bit warmer in the afternoon, clear at night,
• Then sunny and a bit warmer Monday and Tuesday, clear both nights.
• snow level 6,000 ft. tonight, free air freezing level 10,000 ft. rising to 11,000 ft. Sunday afternoon, 12,000 ft. Sunday night, 13,000 ft. Monday through Tuesday, then 12,000 ft. falling to 11,000 ft. Tuesday night.
• lows 32-29 warming to 35 Tuesday night highs 46-50.
• Mostly sunny and a bit cooler Wednesday, becoming mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Wednesday night,
• A mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of showers and a bit cooler Thursday, mostly cloudy with a (30%) chance of rain at night,
• Rain likely (70%) and cooler Friday, rain and snow likely (70%) Friday night,
• Then mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance  of rain and snow showers Saturday.
• free air freezing level 10,000 ft. Wednesday, snow level 6,500 ft. Wednesday night, 7,000 ft. Thursday and Thursday night, 6,500 ft. Friday, 5,000 ft. Friday night, then 3,500 ft. Saturday.
• highs 47-40 lows 35-26.

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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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