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 returned cooler air and the chance of showers. A high pressure ridge takes over now keeping the rain away for a while starting this afternoon. 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:

• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of AM showers, a mix of clouds and sun and a bit warmer this afternoon with a slight (20%) chance of showers, just partly cloudy tonight,
• A mix of clouds and sun and warmer Friday, partly cloudy Friday night,
• Mostly sunny and a bit warmer Saturday, then partly cloudy Saturday night.
• highs 68-78 lows 48-50.
• Partly cloudy and a bit cooler Sunday and in the evening, becoming 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 80 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 isolated showers this AM, a bit warmer with a slight (20%) chance of isolated thunderstorms this afternoon (under 0.10 in. of rain possible), mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of scattered showers tonight,
• 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 showers Friday night,
• Partly cloudy in the AM, mostly sunny and a bit warmer Saturday, mostly clear in the evening, then partly cloudy at night.
• highs 66-82 lows 48-52.
• Partly cloudy and a bit cooler Sunday (Mother’s Day) and Sunday night,
• Partly cloudy and a bit warmer Monday, mostly clear at night,
• Mostly sunny Tuesday, clear at night,
• Then sunny and a bit warmer Wednesday.
• highs 74-72 warming to 80 Wednesday lows 46-50. (seasonal averages high 68 low 45).

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

• Cloudy with isolated showers and a bit warmer today, mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of isolated inland showers tonight,
• Mostly cloudy Friday AM, partly cloudy and a bit warmer in the afternoon, a slight (20%) chance of evening inland showers otherwise partly cloudy Friday night through Saturday night.
• highs 62-66 lows 50-52.
• Partly cloudy and a bit cooler Sunday (Mother’s Day) and Sunday night,
• Partly cloudy and a bit warmer Monday, mostly cleat at night,
• Mostly sunny Tuesday, mostly clear at night,
• Then sunny and a bit warmer Wednesday.
• highs 64-62 warming to 69 Wednesday lows 48-52. (seasonal averages high 58 low 45)

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Forecast for the Cascades in Lane County:

• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of AM showers, showers likely (60%) with a slight (20%) chance of thunderstorms and a bit cooler this afternoon (0.25 in. of rain possible, more in storms), a (30%) chance of evening showers and thunderstorms, a slight (20%) chance of showers late tonight (0.10 in. of rain possible, more in storms),
• A mix of clouds and sun and warmer with a slight (20%) chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms Friday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then just partly cloudy late at night,
• Partly cloudy in the AM, mostly sunny and a bit warmer Saturday afternoon, partly cloudy Saturday night.
• snow level above 8,000 ft. today through Friday night, then free air freezing level 12,000 ft. Saturday and Saturday night.
• highs 54-67 lows 38-44 cooling to 42 Saturday.
• Partly cloudy 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 11,000 ft. Sunday, 12,000 ft. falling to 11,000 ft. Sunday night, then 12,000 ft. Monday 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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