Here is my weekly weather quiz question. What is a “Ribbon Lightning?” 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 high pressure ridge (Shaded “Arch” shape with blue arrows) will slowly weaken, tilt to the northwest and move eastward allowing an upper level low (Shaded “U” shape with blue arrows) to move toward the Pacific Northwest. A parade of frontal systems push through increasing rain chances and possibly producing thunderstorms.  Another frontal system heads our way Saturday. By Monday we’ll have yet another frontal system pushing through the Pacific Northwest. Continuing the trend yet another frontal system approaches from the Southwest by Tuesday.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Air Quality Index is 9 in the Good 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 10 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

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

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Advisories:

• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING ABOVE 3,500 FT. FOR THE CASCADES IN LANE COUNTY.
• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM TONIGHT ABOVE 5,500 FT. FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON CASCADES, THE SOUTH OREGON CASCADES AND THE SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS.
• A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM TODAY FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST, THE CURRY COUNTY COAST, CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTY, EASTERN CURRY COUNTY, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, THE EASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOTHILLS, AND JACKSON COUNTY.
• A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM TODAY FOR THE KLAMATH BASIN, NORTHERN AND EASTERN KLAMATH COUNTY, WESTERN LAKE COUNTY, CENTRAL LAKE COUNTY AND EASTERN LAKE COUNTY.
• A HIGH SURF ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM TODAY FOR THE CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND THE CURRY COUNTY COAST.
• A HIGH SURF ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM TODAY FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND THE CURRY COUNTY COAST.

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Eugene-Springfield Pollen Count:

Grass………. Moderate (4)

Trees………. Very High (365)

Last Counted: 4/13/16

Data Courtesy of Oregon Allergy Associates.

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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 and a bit cooler this afternoon and evening (0.50 in. of rain possible, more in storms) and breezy (Wind: SW 15-25 mph gusts to 40 mph), a slight (20%) chance of showers late tonight (0.10 in. of rain possible, more possible in storms),
• Just partly cloudy and a bit warmer Friday through Saturday AM, mostly sunny and warmer Saturday afternoon, then partly cloudy at night.
• highs 56-72 lows 42-39 warming to 46 Saturday night.
• Mostly sunny and a bit warmer Sunday, partly cloudy Sunday night through Tuesday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Tuesday night,
• Then a mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of showers Wednesday.
• highs 82-65 lows 48-46. (seasonal averages high 60 low 39).

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Home Wood Heating Advisory:

Eugene-Springfield: GREEN – Burning is Allowed.

Oakridge: GREEN – Burning is Allowed.

*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 showers and a slight (20%) chance of thunderstorms and cooler today (0.50 in. of rain possible, snow level 3,500 ft.), evening showers likely (60%), a good (50%) chance of showers late tonight (snow level 3,500 ft. late at night),
• Just mostly cloudy and a bit warmer Friday and Friday night,
• Then partly cloudy and a bit warmer Saturday and Saturday night.
• highs 55-78 lows 43-47.
• Partly cloudy Sunday through Monday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Tuesday, then a (30%) chance of showers Tuesday night and Wednesday.
• highs 88-72 lows near 49. (seasonal averages high 62 low 42).

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

• Mostly cloudy and a bit cooler with showers and a slight (20%) chance of thunderstorms this afternoon (0.50 in. of rain possible) and windy (Wind: SW 20-30 mph gusts to 45 mph decreasing and shifting to W 15-20 mph), a good (50%) chance of showers tonight (0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy Friday and Friday night,
• Then partly cloudy and a bit warmer Saturday and Saturday night.
• highs 54-67 lows 45-50.
• Partly cloudy and warmer Sunday, mostly cloudy Sunday night and Monday (cooler), a slight (20%) chance of showers Monday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers a bit cooler Tuesday, then mostly cloudy with a (30%) chance of showers Tuesday night and Wednesday.
• highs 76-62 lows 52-48. (seasonal averages high 55 low 43).

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Forecast for the Cascades in Lane County:

• Mostly cloudy with rain and snow showers and a slight (20%) chance of thunderstorms, a bit cooler this afternoon and evening (0.75 in. of rain possible, 3-8 in. of snow possible), rain and snow showers likely (60%) late tonight (0.25 in. of rain possible, 2-4 in. of snow possible,
• Partly cloudy and a bit warmer with a slight (20%) chance of AM rain and snow showers Friday AM, just partly cloudy in the afternoon through Saturday AM, mostly sunny in the afternoon, then mostly clear Saturday night.
• snow level 4,000 ft. today and tonight, 3,000 ft. Friday AM, free air freezing level 7,500 ft. Friday night, 10,000 ft. Saturday, then 11,000 ft. Saturday night.
• highs 36-56 lows 29-37.
• Mostly sunny Sunday and Monday, partly cloudy Sunday night, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Monday night.
• Partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers and cooler Tuesday and at night,
• Then a mix of clouds and sun with a (30%) chance of showers Wednesday.
• free air freezing level 11,000 ft. Sunday, 12,000 ft. Sunday night and Monday, snow level above 8,000 ft. Monday night through Tuesday night, then 7,500 ft. Wednesday.
• highs 68-55 lows 38-42 cooling back to 38 Tuesday 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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