8/25 forecast

I was quite surprised when I woke up this morning and the predicted overnight frontal passage didn’t follow the predictions. We’re still waiting on it, and that’s why the wind is only in the low twenties this morning.

So, a weak front is headed our way, pulling in clouds and setting up a windy day. The early morning cloud line was somewhere west of Hood River (but the sunrise was lovely), the gradient was a respectable .08, and winds were blowing in the low 20’s at the Hatch at Dawn. Best wind today will be at the Hatchery and Spit early, in the 22-26 range, filling in at Stevenson, Mosier and Doug’s, oh, and Rick’s favorite, Avery, this afternoon with 24-27 as the front slides overhead. I do think there’s an outside chance of stronger wind… just depends what the front does.

Tomorrow looks glassy in the Gorge as high pressure settles in. As high pressure strengthens on Thursday, and low pressure settles in at the coast, east winds pick up into the low to mid twenties.

Speaking of the coast, there’s a killer west swell headed our way. It’s going to be 8 feet or better at 11 seconds or more for the next five days at least, so surf surfari time is now. Winds will be 10 to 15 knots or less , so protected surf spots are going to be epic. It’s hard to tell if there’s going to be enough wind for kiting out there, so if you’re headed out, just throw everything in the car. You lucky kiters with your tiny gear@

If you’re staying here, remember the Wild and Scenic Environmental film festival at Springhouse cellars starting tomorrow, the Bigfoot Bash and Bounty in Home Valley on Friday and Saturday, Pacific Crest trail days in Cascade Locks on Saturday.

Wahtever you do today, have an awesome day!