Here is my weekly weather quiz question for the last time. What is an “Algorithm?” Here is the correct answer. An Algorithm is a computer program (or set of programs) which is designed to systematically solve a certain kind of problem. WSR-88D radars (NEXRAD) employ algorithms to analyze radar data and automatically determine storm motion, probability of hail, VIL, accumulated rainfall, and several other parameters. I’ll have a new weekly weather quiz question for you starting Monday. Please remember to post your answer at the bottom of this page. An email will not suffice. The first person to post the correct answer will win a week of free personalized weather forecasts tailored to your needs.  Good luck.

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An upper level low pressure trough (Shaded “U” shape area with blue arrows) is sending more storms our way.  The Days 1,2 & 3 graphic shows the front that moved through and the next one coming on Monday. The graphic for days 3-7 shows the next series of fronts that we will see approaching Wednesday and for next weekend. There will be snow on the Cascade Passes for through the weekend into next week, BUT so far Willamette Pass and Hoodoo ski areas will not be open. I’d say they need two good snow storms to produce the approximately 30 inches of snow they need to open. Drive carefully! If you need to travel the passes remember this is the first real snow of the season and you will have to be prepared to chain-up if necessary.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Air Quality Index is 6 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Oakridge: The Air Quality Index is 31 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Cottage Grove: The Air Quality Index is 11 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

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

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Home Wood Heating Advisory:

Eugene-Springfield: Green – Burning is allowed.

Oakridge: Yellow – Green – Burning is allowed.

*Note: Pellet stoves may be used anytime if they produce no visible emissions.

Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

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Advisories:

• A FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE LUCKIAMUTE RIVER NEAR SUVER, THE S. YAMHIL RIVER AT MCMINNVILLE, THE COQUILLE RIVER AT COQUILLE AND THE SOUTH FORK OF THE COQUILLE RIVER AT MYRTLE POINT.
• A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES  AND THE CASCADES IN LANE COUNTY.
• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING UNTIL 10 AM SUNDAY FOR THE EASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOTHILLS , AND JACKSON COUNTY.
• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM MONDAY FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON CASCADES, THE SOUTH OREGON CASCADES AND THE SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS.
• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM SUNDAY FOR THE KLAMATH BASIN, NORTHERN AND EASTERN KLAMATH COUNTY, AND WESTERN LAKE COUNTY.
• A Permanent Health Advisory remains for the South Umpqua River and Lawson Bar. Pools in the bedrock along the rivers edge are known to develop Blue-green Algae (cyanobacterial) blooms that can be harmful to pets and people if accidental ingestion occurs. Signs have been posted along several access areas along the river.
• A Blue-Green Algae Health Advisory remains in effect for Agency Lake. Agency Lake is located just north of Upper Klamath Lake near Klamath Falls along Highway 97 in Klamath County. Water monitoring on the lake has confirmed the presence of high levels of blue-green algae and associated toxins that can be harmful to people and animals. Swallowing water while swimming or inhaling water droplets as a result of high-speed water activities, such as water skiing and power boating, should be avoided in areas where blooms are identified. Although toxins are not absorbed through the skin, contact with cells from a bloom can cause skin irritation and a red, puffy rash in individuals with skin sensitivities, or those who develop rashes easily.

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

• Cloudy with evening showers, a good (50%) chance of showers late tonight (0.25 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of showers and a bit cooler Sunday (0.10 in. of rain possible), evening rain, showers likely (70%) late Sunday night (0.50 in. of rain possible) and breezy (Wind: SW 15-25 mph gusts to 35 mph decreasing to SW 10-15 mph late at night),
• Cloudy with AM showers likely (70%), a good (50%) chance of showers  and a bit warmer Monday afternoon, mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of evening showers, a slight (20%) chance of showers with patchy fog late Monday night,
• Areas of AM fog, mostly cloudy Tuesday afternoon, then mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of rain at night.
• lows 42-44 cooling back to 42 Tuesday night highs near 52.
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of showers and a bit cooler Wednesday, cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Wednesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Thursday, just mostly cloudy at night,
• A mix of clouds and sun and a bit cooler Friday, then mostly cloudy Friday night and Saturday.
• highs 50-48 lows 38-34. (seasonal averages high 49 low 36)

 

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Forecast for Roseburg:

• Cloudy with showers tonight (0.25 in. of rain possible, snow level 3,500 ft. falling to 3,000 ft. late tonight),
• Mostly cloudy with a good (50%) chance of showers and a bit cooler Sunday (under 0.10 in. of rain possible, snow level 2,500 ft. rising to 3,500 ft.), rain Sunday night (0.25 in. of rain possible),
• Cloudy with AM showers likely (70%), a good (50%) chance of showers Monday afternoon (snow level 3,500 ft.), mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Monday night,
• Patchy AM fog, mostly cloudy Tuesday afternoon, then partly cloudy with a slight (20%) of showers at night.
• lows 40-43 cooling to 35 Tuesday night highs near 52.
• Mostly cloudy with showers likely (70%) and a bit cooler Wednesday, cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Wednesday night,
• Mostly cloudy and a bit warmer with a slight (20%) chance of showers Thursday, just mostly cloudy at night,
• Partly cloudy and a bit cooler Friday, then mostly cloudy with patchy fog Friday night and Saturday (a bit warmer).
• highs 50-48 warming to 52 Saturday lows 40-35. (seasonal averages high 50 low 39)

 

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

• Cloudy with coastal showers and a slight (20%) chance of thunderstorms this evening and coastal showers late tonight while showers tonight inland (0.50 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with showers likely (70%) in the AM, a slight (20%) chance of showers and a bit cooler Sunday afternoon (under 0.10 in. of rain possible), coastal rain at night while inland evening rain and rain likely (70%) late Sunday night (0.25 in. of rain possible),
• Mostly cloudy with coastal showers likely (70%) Monday while AM inland showers likely (70%) and a good (50%) chance of afternoon inland showers, a bit cooler, then a slight (20%) chance of showers late Monday night,
• Patchy AM fog, mostly cloudy Tuesday afternoon, then partly cloudy with a (%) chance of showers at night.
• lows 44-47 cooling to 42 Tuesday night highs near 55.
• Mostly cloudy with showers likely (70%) and a bit cooler Wednesday, a (30%) chance of showers at night,
• Mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers and a bit warmer Thursday, just mostly cloudy Thursday night,
• Partly cloudy and a bit cooler Friday, then mostly cloudy with patchy fog Friday night and Saturday (a bit warmer).
• highs 54-52 warming to 55 Saturday lows 44-40. (seasonal averages high 53 low 41)

 

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Forecast for the Cascades in Lane County:

• Cloudy with rain and snow showers and colder tonight (0.50 in. of rain possible, 3-7 in. of snow possible),
• Cloudy and a bit cooler with a good (50%) chance of rain and snow showers Sunday, snow and rain (1.00 in. of rain possible, 6-12 in. of snow possible) at night and windy (Wind: W 20-30 mph gusts to 60 mph on exposed ridges),
• Mostly cloudy with AM snow and rain, rain and snow showers and a bit cooler Monday afternoon and windy (Wind: W 15-25 mph gusts to 40 mph decreasing to W 10-15 mph gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon), evening rain and snow showers likely (70%), a good (50%) chance of rain and snow showers late Monday night,
• A slight (20%) chance of rain and snow showers and a bit warmer Tuesday, then a slight (20%) chance of rain and snow Tuesday night.
• snow level 5,500 ft. falling to 3,500 ft. late tonight, 3,000 ft. Sunday, 4,000 ft. Sunday night, 3,500 ft. Monday through Tuesday, then 5,000 ft. Tuesday night.
• lows 28-30 cooling back to 28 Tuesday night highs near 35.
• Mostly cloudy with rain and snow showers likely (70%) Wednesday, a good (50%) chance of rain and snow showers Wednesday night,
• A (30%) chance of snow showers Thursday, just mostly cloudy at night,
• Partly cloudy and a bit warmer Friday, mostly cloudy Friday  night,
• Then a mix of clouds and sun and a bit warmer Saturday.
• snow level 4,000 ft. Wednesday, 3,000 ft. Wednesday night and Thursday, free air freezing level 3,500 ft.  Thursday night, 4,500 ft Friday, 6,000 ft. Friday night, then 7,500 ft. Saturday.
• highs 35-42 lows 26-18 warming to 25Friday 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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