[willamette-fcst] Forecast - Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

[Willamette Valley Ag/Burning Forecast]

Daily Smoke Management Forecast




Oregon Department of Agriculture
Smoke Management Program
Weather Outlook and Field Burning Advisory for Willamette Valley Growers and Fire Districts.

Issued: 
     Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 4:45 pm.

Burn Advisory For Wednesday, April 9, 2008:
     Agricultural burning is allowed.  Suggested burn times are from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm.
     Straw stack burning is allowed from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm.

Weather Discussion:
     Satellite imagery continued to show mostly cloudy skies over
     the Pacific Northwest late this afternoon with an
     upper-level trough producing scattered rain and snow showers
     across the region.  The snow level was all the way down to
     about 1500 feet over Northern Oregon this morning and was
     estimated to be near 2000 feet this afternoon.

     It was a crisp afternoon across the valley with highs only
     climbing to near 50 degrees.  That is about 10 degrees below
     normal for early April.  Cold air aloft was combining with
     daytime heating to enhance some of the showers over
     Northwestern Oregon this afternoon.  Doppler radar was
     showing a small group of strong showers, which could produce
     hail, approaching the Hillsboro area late this afternoon.  
     Lighter shower activity dotted the remainder of the valley. 

     Mostly cloudy skies will hold valley temperatures above the
     freezing mark overnight, again, with lows genrally in the
     mid to upper 30s.  We may get a brief break from the rain
     early Wednesday with a warm front bringing back a chance of
     light rain Wednesday evening through early Thursday...mainly
     over the northern valley.  Snow levels will rise from 1500
     feet tonight to about 3500 feet by late Wednesday.  Valley
     temperatures will begin to rebound on Wednesday with highs
     climbing into the mid 50s.

Surface Winds:
     S 3-6 Wednesday morning, SW 5-12 Wednesday afternoon.
Transport Winds:
     SSW 10 Wednesday morning, WSW 10-15 Wednesday afternoon.
Atmospheric Ventilation Conditions:
     Maximum mixing height Wednesday will be near 5000 feet.  Ventilation index 50.
High Temperature:
     Salem\'s high temperature Wednesday will be near 55.
Humidities:
     Minimum relative humidity will be near 55%.
Sunrise/Sunset:
     Salem sunset tonight: 7:49 pm; sunrise Wednesday: 6:37 am; Sunset Wednesday: 7:51 pm.

Extended Outlook:
     A ridge of high pressure is forecast to begin a drying and
     warming process on Thursday that will likely bring produce our
     warmest temperatures so far this year Friday and Saturday.  Highs
     may punch into the low 70s by Saturday.

     The long-range models are still not consistent beyond Saturday, so
     my confidence in the forcast for Sunday through Tuesday is
     lower than average.  Some of the computer models are
     predicting a transition back to a cool and damp weather
     pattern as early as Satruday night, while others hold onto a
     warm ridge through early next week.  I am holding firm on my
     forecast of a return to cooler and damp conditions.

Wed (09 Apr):  Mostly Cloudy.  Increasing Chance of Light Rain Late...Mainly North.  35/55

Thu (10 Apr):  Chance of Sprinkles Early...Mainly North.  Afternoon Clearing.  38/60

Fri (11 Apr):  Mostly Sunny and Warmer.  37/68

Sat (12 Apr):  Mostly Sunny and Warm.  Increasing Clouds Late.  40/70

Sun (13 Apr):  Chance of Rain and Cooler.  Snow Level Dropping to 4000 Feet Late.  42/63

Mon (14 Apr):  Chance of Rain with Mountain Snow.  Snow Level 3000 Feet.  40/56

Tue (15 Apr):  Decreasing Showers.  Snow Level 2000 Feet...Rising to 4000 Feet Late.  38/56

Wed (16 Apr):  Partly Cloudy.  Slight Chance of Showers.  Snow Level 4000 Feet.  38/59

ODA Meteorologist
weather at oda.state.or.us