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 producing fog and a misty drizzle overnight through the day Saturday. 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 if any sunshine if the fog and clouds don’t clear.  Looks like dry weather through early next week. Wednesday a frontal system is poised to move in which could bring the rain back by Wednesday night. Here is another frontal system shown offshore Friday morning which means more showery weather.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Air Quality Index is 41 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Oakridge: The Air Quality Index is 13 in the Good  category measuring Particulate Matter.

Cottage Grove: The Air Quality Index is 17 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 areas of AM and late night fog ad possibly misty drizzle, a mix of clouds and sun breaks and warmer if and when the patchy lingering fog fades today and Monday,
• Cloudy with areas of AM fog Tuesday, partly cloudy and a bit warmer in the afternoon, partly cloudy with patchy fog Tuesday night.
• highs 57-54 warming to 58 Tuesday lows 40-37 warming back to 40 Tuesday night.
• Cloudy with patchy fog Wednesday AM, partly cloudy in the afternoon, mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Wednesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a (30%) chance of rain Thursday, mostly cloudy with a (40%) 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:

• Mostly cloudy with areas of fog this AM, partly cloudy and a bit warmer with patchy lingering fog this afternoon, clear this evening, partly cloudy with areas of fog late tonight,
• Patchy AM fog, partly cloudy and a bit warmer Monday, clear in the evening, partly cloudy with patchy fog late at night,
• Patchy AM and late night fog, mostly sunny and cooler Tuesday, mostly clear and colder with patchy fog late at night.
• highs 62-64 lows 44-42 warming to 44.
• Partly cloudy with areas of AM fog Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Wednesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain and a bit cooler Thursday, 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:

• Mostly cloudy with patchy fog this AM, sunny and warmer this afternoon, clear tonight,
• Then sunny Monday (warmer) and Tuesday (cooler), clear both nights.
• highs 64-67 cooling to 62 Tuesday lows near 46.
• Partly cloudy Wednesday, then becoming mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Wednesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Thursday through Friday night,
• Then mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of showers Saturday.
• highs 60-55 lows 46-50 cooling to 44 Friday night. (seasonal averages high 52 low 40).

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Forecast for the Cascades in Lane County:

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