Here is my weekly weather quiz question. What is a “Fire Wind?” The first person to post the correct answer as a comment on this page 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 with arrows) slides eastward to our northwest. Surface and upper level high pressure take over for  while. Toward the weekend we see increased Zonal Airflow (west to east) across Oregon. The graphics for days 1-3  show a frontal system approaching from the north today. The graphics for Days 3-7  show a frontal system trying to push in from the northeast Sunday and another front from the north Tuesday, and still another frontal system coming from the northwest Thursday moving through Friday.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene/Springfield: The Air Quality Index is 71 in the Moderate category measuring Ozone.

Oakridge: The Air Quality Index is 24 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Cottage Grove: The Air Quality Index is 77 in the Moderate category measuring Ozone.

Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

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ADVISORIES:

• A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM UNTIL 11 PM TODAY FOR THE CENTRAL MOUNTAINS OF OREGON AND THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON AND THE EAST SLOPES OF THE NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES.
• A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL OREGON CASCADES, THE EAST SLOPES OF THE NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES, THE CENTRAL MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, AND THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON.
• A HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT THROUGH 11 PM MONDAY FOR CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTY.
• A HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON UNTIL 10 PM TODAY FOR THE FOOTHILLS OF THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, THE FOOTHILLS OF THE SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, AND CENTRAL OREGON.
• AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IS IN EFFECT THROUGH 11 PM TUESDAY FOR EASTERN CURRY COUNTY, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, AND JACKSON COUNTY.

HEALTH ADVISORIES:

• A RECREATIONAL HEALTH ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF LAKE BILLY CHINOOK. THE LAKE IS LOCATED ABOUT 12 MILES WEST OF MADRAS, OREGON. WATER MONITORING HAS CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF CYANOBACTERIA AND THE TOXINS THEY PRODUCE IN THE METOLIUS, DDSCHUTES, AND CROCKED RIVER ARMS OF LAKE BILLY CHINOOK. THE CYNOTOXIN CONCENTRATIONS FOUND CAN BE HARMFUL TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS. PEOPLE SHOULD AVOID SWIMMING AND HIGH-SPEED WATER ACTIVITIES LIKE WATER SKIING OR POWER BOATING IN AREAS OF THE LAKE WHERE CYNOTOXINS ARE IDENTIFIED. ALTHOUGH TOXINS ARE NOT ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN, PEOPLE WHO HAVE SKIN  SENSITIVITIES MAY EXPERIENCE A PUFFY RED RASH AT THE AFFECTED AREA. DRINKING WATER DIRECTLY FROM THE LAKE IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. TOXINS V=CANNOT BE REMOVED BY ANY TECHNIQUE.
• A PERMANENT HEALTH ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTH UMPQUA RIVER 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.

 

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