Here is my weekly weather quiz question. What is an “Observation Well?”  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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An upper level ridge of high pressure (Shaded “Arch” shape with blue arrows) is starting to move away from us to be followed by and upper level trough of low pressure (Shaded “U” shape with blue arrows on previous graphic). A warm front (shown in red) is sending warmer moist air to us, but the cold front behind it will move in tonight and Saturday. Yet another frontal system will be moving through Oregon Sunday. The parade continues Tuesday as a storm pushes into the Pacific Northwest.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Air Quality Index is 76 in the Moderate category measuring Particulate Matter.

Oakridge: The Air Quality Index is 92 in the Moderate category measuring Particulate Matter.

Cottage Grove: The Air Quality Index is 57 in the Moderate category measuring Particulate Matter.

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

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Advisories:

• A BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND THE CURRY COUNTY COAST. (BREAKER HEIGHTS OF 17 TO 20 FT. EXPECTED ALONG THE SURF ZONE. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR LARGE WAVES AND SNEAKER WAVES)

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

• Mostly cloudy with afternoon showers likely (70%) and a bit cooler (0.10 in. of rain possible), a good (50%) chance of showers and colder tonight (under 0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of AM showers, a good (50%) chance of rain and a bit cooler Saturday afternoon (0.10 in. of rain possible), rain Saturday night 0.10 in. of rain possible) and Sunday, then cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Sunday night.
• highs 56-53 warming to 56 Sunday lows 42-47.
• A mix of clouds and sun and a bit warmer Monday (Washington’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day) with a slight (20%) chance of AM rain , a (30%) chance of rain Monday night,
• Mostly cloudy and cooler with a slight (20%) chance of rain Tuesday, cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain and a bit cooler Tuesday night and Wednesday, then rain likely (70%) Wednesday night and Thursday.
• high 62-55 lows near 45. (seasonal averages high 51 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 rain today (0.20 in of rain possible), a slight (20%) chance of showers tonight (under 0.10 in of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Saturday AM, a slight (20%) chance of rain and a bit cooler Saturday afternoon, a (40%) chance of evening rain, rain late Saturday night (0.20 in. of rain possible) and Sunday, then cloudy with a (30%) chance of rain Sunday night.
• highs 58 lows 42-45.
• Mostly cloudy and a bit warmer Monday (Washington’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day) and at night,
• Partly cloudy and a bit cooler Tuesday, mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Tuesday night,
• Then rain likely (70%) and a bit cooler Wednesday through Thursday.
• highs 63-56 lows 45-48 cooling to 42 Wednesday night. (seasonal averages high 53 low 37).

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

• Mostly cloudy with rain today inland while coastal rain likely (70) this afternoon (0.20 in. of rain possible), a (30%) chance of showers tonight (under 0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers in the AM,  a slight (20%) chance of coastal rain Saturday afternoon (under 0.10 in. of rain possible), coastal rain Saturday night while a (30%) chance of inland evening rain and rain late at night (0.40 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with rain Sunday, a slight (20%) chance of rain Sunday night.
• highs 59-56 lows 44-50.
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain and a bit warmer Monday (Washington’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day), partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain at night,
• Partly cloudy and a bit cooler with a slight (20%) chance of rain Tuesday, cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Tuesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with rain and a bit cooler Wednesday, then rain likely (60%) and a bit cooler Wednesday night and Thursday.
• highs 65-56 lows 50-46. (seasonal averages high 53 low 40).

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Forecast for the Cascades in Lane County:

• Mostly cloudy with showers this afternoon (0.25 in. of rain possible), cloudy with rain and snow showers likely (70%) and colder late tonight (0.10 in. of rain possible, 1 in. of snow possible),
• A mix of clouds and sun Saturday with a good (50%) chance of AM rain and snow showers, a slight (20%) chance of rain and snow and a bit cooler Saturday afternoon, rain and snow in the evening, rain late at night,
• Mostly cloudy and a bit warmer with rain Sunday, then cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain Sunday night.
• snow level 6,500 ft. this afternoon, 4,000 ft. late tonight and Saturday, 5,000 ft. rising to 6,500 ft. Saturday night, then 6,500 ft. rising to 8,000 ft. Sunday afternoon and Sunday night.
• highs 44-42 lows 27-36.
• A mix of clouds and sun Monday (Washington’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day) with a slight (20%) chance of AM rain and warmer, partly cloudy at night,
• A mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of rain Tuesday, mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain Tuesday night,
• Cloudy with a good (50%) chance of rain and cooler Wednesday, then rain and snow likely (60%) Wednesday night Thursday.
• snow level 8,000 ft. Monday, free air freezing level 9,000 ft. Monday night, snow level 7,000 ft. Tuesday through Wednesday, then 5,500 ft. Wednesday night and Thursday.
• highs 50-39 lows 37-32.

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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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