Here is my weekly weather quiz question for the last time. What is the“Action Stage?” Here is the correct answer. Action Stage is the stage which, when reached by a rising stream, represents the level where the NWS or a partner/user needs to take some type of mitigation action in preparation for possible signif­icant hydrologic activity. The appropriate action is usually defined in a weather forecast office (WFO) hydrologic services manual. Action stage can be the same as forecast issuance stage (see / forecast issuance stage/). 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.

________________

An upper level trough of low pressure (Shaded “U” shape with blue arrows) returned the clouds and precipitation. The days 1-3 graphic shows the frontal system moving Southeast away from us. The graphic for days 3-7 shows a series of frontal systems that will be keeping us in precipitation Tuesday and again Friday. So far, the snow will stay in the mountains. For mountain snow conditions at the local ski areas check out their websites or give them a call.

Note: Many people always ask me if there is a chance of the Eugene-Springfield area having a “White Christmas.” I checked with  the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Portland to confirm a statistic I remember from back in the days when we had a local weather service office at the Eugene Airport. Clinton Rockey, their climatology expert, says that we have no more than a 2% chance of having a White Christmas. That is calculated from the historical climate data going back to when the local office first opened. Don’t worry Santa doesn’t need snow to deliver the presents.

________________

 

Air Quality Index:

Eugene-Springfield: The Air Quality Index is 18 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Oakridge: The Air Quality Index is 22 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)

________________

Home Wood Heating Advisory:

Eugene-Springfield: GREEN – Burning is Allowed.

Oakridge: YELLOW – Caution is Advised.

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

Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

________________

Advisories:

• A FROST ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM TONIGHT UNTIL 7 AM SUNDAY FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND THE CURRY COUNTY COAST.
• A Permanent Health Advisory remains in effect 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.

________________

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

• A slight (20%) chance of AM showers, a mix of clouds and sun and a bit cooler with a good (50%) chance of rain and snow showers this afternoon (under 0.10 in. of rain possible, snow level 1,500 ft.), partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of evening rain and snow showers, partly cloudy with patchy freezing fog late tonight and Sunday AM, mostly sunny and Sunday afternoon (Christmas Day), partly cloudy with patchy freezing fog late at night,
• Patchy AM freezing fog, a mix of clouds and sun and a bit cooler Monday, more clouds to mostly cloudy with rain likely (70%) Monday night.
• highs near 40 lows 28-37.
• Mostly cloudy and a bit warmer with rain likely (70%) Tuesday, a good (50%) chance of rain Tuesday night.
• Mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of showers Wednesday, a slight (20%) chance of rain at night,
• A mix of clouds and sun Thursday, partly cloudy at night,
• Then increasing clouds with a slight (20%) chance of rain Friday.
• highs near 44 lows 37-32. (seasonal averages high 45 low 33)

 

_____________________

Forecast for Roseburg:

• Mostly cloudy and a bit cooler with a (30%) chance of rain and snow showers today (under 0.10 in. of rain possible, snow level 2,000 ft. falling to 1,500 ft. ), a slight (20%) chance of evening rain and snow showers, just partly cloudy late tonight,
• Patchy AM freezing fog, partly cloudy Sunday afternoon (Christmas Day), patchy freezing fog Sunday night,
• Patchy AM freezing fog, mostly cloudy and a bit warmer Monday afternoon, evening rain and snow likely (70%), then rain likely (60%) late Monday night.
• highs 42-45 lows 28-38.
• Mostly cloudy with rain and a bit warmer Tuesday, evening rain likely (70%), mostly cloudy with rain and snow likely (70%) late Tuesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a (30%) chance of rain and snow showers Wednesday, a slight (20%) chance of showers with areas of fog late Wednesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with areas of AM fog, partly cloudy and a bit cooler Thursday afternoon, areas of fog and freezing fog late Thursday night and Friday (a bit warmer).
• highs 45-43 warming to 46 Friday lows 38-34. (seasonal averages high 47 low 36)

 

 

________________

 

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

• Mostly cloudy with AM coastal showers likely (70%) and a (40%) chance of coastal showers this afternoon while a (30%) chance of inland showers today (under 0.10 in. of rain possible, snow level 2,000 ft.), mostly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers this evening (snow level 2,000 ft.), just partly cloudy late tonight,
• Mostly cloudy with patchy AM coastal fog while patchy fog and freezing fog inland in the AM, just partly cloudy and a bit warmer Sunday afternoon (Christmas Day) and in the evening, partly cloudy with patchy inland freezing fog late Sunday night,
• Mostly cloudy with patchy freezing fog Monday AM, just  mostly cloudy in the afternoon, then rain Monday night.
• highs near 48 lows 33-42.
• Mostly cloudy with rain and a bit warmer Tuesday, rain likely (60%) Tuesday night,
• Mostly cloudy with a (30%) chance of showers Wednesday, a slight (20%) chance of showers with areas of fog at night,
• Mostly cloudy with areas of AM fog, partly cloudy Thursday afternoon, mostly clear in the evening, partly cloudy with areas of fog late Thursday night and Friday AM, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain and a bit warmer Friday.
• highs 50-53 lows 42-39. (seasonal averages high 51 low 40)

 

________________

 

Forecast for the Cascades in Lane County:

• Cloudy and a bit cooler with a good (50%) chance of snow showers this afternoon (1-2 in. of snow possible), partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of evening snow showers, snow flurries late tonight and Sunday AM, a mix of clouds and sun and a bit warmer Sunday afternoon (Christmas Day), just partly cloudy and cold Sunday night,
• A mix of clouds and sun and a bit warmer Monday, then becoming mostly cloudy with snow likely (70%) Monday night.
• snow level at the surface today through Saturday evening, free air freezing level at the surface Saturday night and Monday, then snow level at the surface Monday night.
• highs 26-30 lows 14-23.
• Mostly cloudy with rain and snow and a bit warmer Tuesday and at night,
• Mostly cloudy with a (40%) chance of snow showers and a bit cooler Wednesday, a slight (20%) chance of snow Wednesday night,
• A mix of clouds and sun and a bit warmer Thursday, partly cloudy at night,
• Partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of rain Friday.
• snow level 4,000 ft. Tuesday, 3,000 ft. Tuesday night, 2,500 ft. Wednesday and Wednesday night, free air freezing level 4,000 ft. Thursday, 7,000 ft. Thursday night, snow level 6,500 ft. Friday.
• highs 32-35 lows near 24.

________________

**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.

________________

Get your local Eugene-Springfield and Lane County news on-line at eugenedailynews.com.

__________