Here is my weekly weather quiz question. What are “Sastrugi?” 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 low (Shaded “U” shape with blue arrows) brings onshore airflow and increased chances of wet weather. A surface frontal system has returned cooler air and the chance of showers. A high pressure ridge takes over keeping the rain away for a while starting Friday. A frontal system will be sliding the Pacific Northwest  Sunday morning, but it looks dry and should only cool us a bit for Mother’s Day.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Air Quality Index is 31 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 29 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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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 the Southern and lower Mid Willamette Valley including Eugene-Springfield and Albany-Corvallis:

• Cloudy with evening showers likely (60%), a (30%) chance of showers late tonight (0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy and a bit warmer with a slight (20%) chance of showers Thursday (under 0.10 in. of rain possible), just mostly cloudy in the evening, mostly clear late at night,
• A mix of clouds and sun and a bit warmer Friday, mostly clear Friday night,
• Mostly sunny and a bit warmer Saturday, then mostly clear Saturday night.
• lows 48-50 highs 68-78.
• Partly cloudy and a bit cooler Sunday and in the evening, mostly cloudy late at night,
• AM clouds, a mix of clouds and sun and a bit cooler Monday afternoon, partly cloudy Monday night,
• Then mostly sunny and a bit warmer Tuesday and Wednesday, mostly clear Tuesday night.
• highs 69-66 warming to 75 Wednesday lows 48-46. (seasonal averages high 65 low 42).

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Eugene-Springfield Pollen Count:

Grass………. Moderate (8)

Trees………. Moderate (72)

Last Counted: 5/04/16

Data Courtesy of Oregon Allergy Associates.

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Forecast for Roseburg:

• Cloudy with a (30%) chance of showers and a slight (20%) chance of thunderstorms this evening, a (30%) chance of showers late tonight (under 0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Cloudy with a (30%) chance of showers and a bit warmer Thursday (under 0.10 in. of rain possible), mostly cloudy with a (30%) chance of showers at night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of AM showers, partly cloudy and warmer with a (30%) chance of showers and a slight (20%) chance of thunderstorms Friday afternoon, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of evening showers, mostly clear late Friday night,
• Mostly sunny and a bit warmer Saturday, then partly cloudy at night.
• lows 48-52 highs 66-80.
• Partly cloudy and a bit cooler Sunday (Mother’s Day) and Sunday night,
• Then sunny and a bit warmer Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, clear each night.
• highs 74-78 lows 48-50. (seasonal averages high 68 low 45).

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

• Cloudy with a (40%) chance of coastal showers tonight (under 0.10 in. of rain possible),
• Cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers and a bit warmer Thursday, mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Thursday night,
• Mostly cloudy Friday AM, partly cloudy and a bit warmer in the afternoon, a slight (20%) chance of evening inland showers and mostly clear late while partly cloudy in the evening at the shore and mostly clear late Friday night,
• Mostly sunny Saturday, then mostly clear at night.
• lows 52-50 warming back to 52 Friday night highs 60-66.
• Partly cloudy and a bit cooler Sunday (Mother’s Day) and Sunday night,
• Then sunny and a bit warmer Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, clear each night,
• highs 62-67 lows 49-52. (seasonal averages high 58 low 45)

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Forecast for the Cascades in Lane County:

• Cloudy with showers tonight and isolated thunderstorms this evening (0.25 in. of rain possible, more in storms),
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of AM showers, showers likely (60%) and a bit cooler Thursday afternoon (0.10 in. of rain possible), a (30%) chance of evening showers, just mostly cloudy late Thursday night,
• A mix of clouds and sun and a bit warmer with a slight (20%) chance of afternoon showers Friday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers in the evening, then just partly cloudy late at night.
• snow level above 8,000 ft. today and tonight, 8,000 ft. Thursday and Thursday night, then above 8,000 ft. Friday and Friday night,
• Partly cloudy in the AM, mostly sunny and a bit warmer Saturday afternoon, partly cloudy Saturday night.
• lows 38-42 highs 54-67.
• Mostly sunny and a bit cooler Sunday (Mother’s Day), partly cloudy Sunday night through Monday night,
• Then mostly sunny and a bit warmer Tuesday and Wednesday, mostly clear Tuesday night.
• free air freezing level 12,000 ft. Sunday and Sunday night, 11,000 ft. Monday, then 12,000 ft. Monday night through Wednesday.
• highs 57-65 lows 42-38 warming back to 42 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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