Here is my weekly weather quiz question. What is a “Fogbow?” 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 High Pressure Ridge (Shaded “Arch” shape formed by arrows) is leaving us as an Upper Level Low (Shaded “U” shape formed by arrows) moves west to east well north of us to keep a cooler air mass over us for a while. The graphics for days 1-3 show a frontal system that moves through cleaning out the haze and smoke, for a while anyway. The graphics for days 3-7  show no frontal systems trying to move into Oregon, but only surface low pressure sliding through.

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Air Quality Index:

Eugene/Springfield: The Air Quality Index is 48 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Oakridge: The Air Quality Index is 57 in the Moderate category measuring Particulate Matter.

Cottage Grove: The Air Quality Index is 54 in the Good category measuring Particulate Matter.

Data courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

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ADVISORIES:

• A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND VERY HOT DRY CONDITIONS FOR THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN, THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL OREGON CASCADES, THE DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST, THE MINUS SISTERS RANGER DISTRICT, THE EAST SLOPES OF THE NORTHERN CASCADES, THE CENTRAL MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, THE SOUTHERN BLUE AND STRAWBERRY MOUNTAINS, THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS, THE CENTRAL BLUE MOUNTAINS, THE WALLOWA DISTRICT, THE KLAMATH BASIN, THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST, THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN LAKE COUNTY AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTY.
• AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IS IN EFFECT THROUGH 8 PM THIS EVENING FOR THE EAST COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON, THE GRANDE RONDE VALLEY, WALLOWA COUNTY, THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, THE SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, THE JOHN DAY BASIN, THE FOOTHILLS OF THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, THE FOOTHILLS OF THE SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS, NORTH CENTRAL OREGON, CENTRAL OREGON, THE OCHOCO, THE JOHN DAY HIGHLANDS, AND THE EAST SLOPES OF THE OREGON CASCADES.
• A RED FLAG WARNING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FROM 2 PM UNTIL 11 PM TODAY FOR THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON,
• A HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM THIS EVENING FOR THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, THE SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, THE OCHOCO, THE JOHN DAY HIGHLANDS, AND THE NORTHWEST BLUE MOUNTAINS.
• AN AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM THIS EVENING FOR EASTERN CURRY COUNTY, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, JACKSON COUNTY, THE SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON CASCADES, THE SOUTHERN OREGON CASCADES, THE SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS, THE KLAMATH BASIN, NORTHERN AND EASTERN KLAMATH COUNTY, AND WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN LAKE  COUNTY. WILDFIRE SMOKE AND AND OZONE POLLUTION WILL COMBINE TO CAUSE AIR QUALITY TO FLUCTUATE AND COULD BE UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS. LIMIT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY DURING THE HOTTEST TIME OF THE DAY AND KEEP CHILDREN INDOORS IF IT IS SMOKY.

HEALTH ADVISORIES:

• A PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL LEVELS OF BACTERIA IN OCEAN WATERS AT SEAL ROCK STATE PARK BEACH, LOCATED IN LINCOLN COUNTY. WATER SAMPLES INDICATE HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL LEVELS OF FECAL BACTERIA, WHICH CAN CAUSE DIARRHEA, STOMACH CRAMPS, SKIN RASHES, UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS AND OTHER ILLNESSES. PEOPLE SHOULD AVOID DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE WATER IN THIS AREA UNTIL THE ADVISORY IS LIFTED. THIS APPLIES ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY, WHO MAY BE MORE VULNERABLE TO WATERBORN BACTERIA. WHILE THIS ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT AT SEAL ROCK STATE PARK BEACH, VISITORS SHOULD AVOID WADING IN NEARBY CREEKS, POOLS OF WATER ON THE BEACH, OR IN  DISCOLORED WATER, AND STAY CLEAR OF WATER RUNNOFF FLOWING INTO THE OCEAN. EVEN IF THERE IS NO ADVISORY IN EFFECT, OFFICIALS RECOMMEND AVOIDING SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN WITHIN 48 HOURS AFTER A RAINSTORM. OTHER BEACH ACTIVITIES ARE SAFE TO ENJOY.
• A RECREATIONAL USE HEALTH ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE WILLAMETTE RIVER’S ROSS ISLAND LAGOON LOCATED ABOUT 1 MILE SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN PORTLAND IN MULTNOMAH COUNTY. THE ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED DUE TO VISUAL CONFIRMATION OF A CYANOBACTERIA BLOOM (HARMFUL ALGAE) IN THE LAGOON. WATER SAMPLES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO CONFIRM THE TYPE OF CYANOBACTERIA AND THE LEVEL OF POTENTIAL TOXINS THAT MAY BE PRODUCED, BUT RESULTS FROM ANALYSIS OF THE SAMPLE WON’T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL NEXT WEEK. AT THAT TIME, DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF THE TOXINS FOUND IN THE SAMPLE, OHA PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION OFFICIALS WILL DETERMINE IF THE ADVISORY CAN BE LIFTED OR KEPT IN PLACE UNTIL THE BLOOM IS GONE. THE LAGOON. DRINKING WATER DIRECTLY FROM THE RIVER WHERE A BLOOM IS IDENTIFIED IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE ANY TOXINS PRODUCED CANNOT BE REMOVED BY ANBY BOILING, FILTERING OR TREATING THE WATER WITH CAMPING STYLE FILTERS. NO PUBLIC DRINKING OR POTABLE WATER SYSTEMS ARE AFFECTED.
• A RECREATIONAL USE HEALTH ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, LOCATED JUST EAST OF THE TOWN OF HEPNER IN MORROW COUNTY.   WATER MONITORING HAS CONFIRMED THE CYANOBACTERIA AND THE TOXINS THEY PRODUCE ARE ABOVE RECREATIONAL VALUES FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE. 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 CANNOT BE REMOVED BY ANY TECHNIQUE.
• A RECREATIONAL USE HEALTH ADVISORY HAS BEEN LIFTED FOR ODEL LAKE, LOCATED 75 MILES SOUTHEAST OF EUGENE OFF HIGHWAY 58 IN LANE COUNTY.   WATER MONITORING HAS CONFIRMED THE CYANOBACTERIA AND THE TOXINS THEY PRODUCE ARE BELOW RECREATIONAL VALUES FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE. THE CYNOTOXIN CONCENTRATIONS IN SUNSET COVE WHERE THE BLOOM WAS LOCATED AND THE SAMPLE TAKEN REMAINS ABOVE THE AHA GUIDELINE VALUE FOR DOGS SO HEALTH OFFICIALS RECOMMEND KEEPING PETS OUT OF THIS AREA
• A RECREATIONAL USE HEALTH ADVISORY HAS BEEN LIFTED FOR THE WILLAMETTE RIVER’S ROSS ISLAND LAGOON LOCATED ABOUT 1 MILE SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN PORTLAND IN MULTNOMAH COUNTY. WATER SAMPLES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO CONFIRM THE BLOOM IS GONE.
• A RECREATIONAL USE HEALTH ADVISORY CONTINUES FOR PART OF DETROIT LAKE, LOCATED 46 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SALEM.  THE ADVISORY CONTINUES FOR THE AREA AROUND THE LOG BOOM, AND EXTENDS THROUGH BIG CLIFF LAKE. BIG CLIFF LAKE IS LOCATED ALONG OREGON ROUTE 22 BELOW DETROIT DAM. WATER MONITORING HAS CONFIRMED THE CYANOBACTERIA AND THE TOXINS THEY PRODUCE ARE ABOVE RECREATIONAL VALUES FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE. 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 CANNOT BE REMOVED BY ANY TECHNIQUE.
• A RECREATIONAL HEALTH ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR UPPER KLAMATH LAKE, LOCATED OFF ROUTE 140, 15 MILES WEST OF KLAMATH FALLS IN KLAMATH COUNTY.  WATER MONITORING HAS CONFIRMED THE CYANOBACTERIA AND THE TOXINS THEY PRODUCE ARE ABOVE RECREATIONAL VALUES FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE. 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 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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