Things are looking tricky in forecast land for the next few days as our weather pattern becomes spring-like. A series of frontal systems will move through the area over the next few days, and a bit, beastly, unseasonably strong upper level low sets up off the coast on Saturday. We’ll have some periods of rain mixed in, but the wind quality will be low until the upper level low exits the region on Sunday. Continued after the chart…
| Your favorite beach | Dawn Patrol |
9am- 11:30a |
11:30a- 3pm |
3pm- dusk |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster Rock | sandstorm | exfoliate | tan | backside | |
| Steven’s Locks | nada | 10-13 | 16-19 | 10-13 | |
| Hatchery/White Salmon Sandbar (minus a few for Hood River) | 16-19 | 16-19 | 20-23? | 20-23? | |
| Doug’s, Lyle, Rowena | 10-13 | 10-13 | 16-19 | 24-27 | |
| Rufus, etc. | 10-13 | 10-13 | 16-19 | 24-27 | |
| Roosevelt, etc. | 5-10 | 5-10 | 10-13 | 16-19 | |
|
|||||
Gorge wind forecast, continued…
For today, Thursday, we started with 4am gradients (not the cat – the cup of coffee I drank at noon yesterday) of .07 (pdx-dls) and .01 (dls-psc). That was enough for 16-19 near swell with lighter wind further east, including, strangely enough, light easterlies at the Event Site. For the rest of the morning, you can expect 16-19 from Swell to The Dalles. Stevenson will join in for a brief period before incoming rain shuts the wind down there. At some point, as a front approaches, we’ll likely see a short-lived period of 24-27 moving from Swell to Rowena to Rufus. That’ll probably happen mid to late afternoon, and will likely require you to drive before the wind arrives if you want to catch it.
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Friday looks showery and cloudy, especially in the western Gorge. The wind will start off in the W 0-10 range, and just pick up to 7-11 from Stevenson to The Dalles. It’s possible we’ll see a period of 15-18 east of Maryhill after 2pm.
Saturday sees a big ol’ upper level low pressure system off the coast. That’s going to dampen the gradients for yet another day. Expect W 8-12 early with a period of W 20-23 possible in the afternoon in the eastern Gorge. The upper level low goes away on Sunday, to be replaced by high pressure off the coast. Given the extensive cloud cover in western Cascadia, the wind will likely move east a bit. Expect 26-30 east of Mosier on Sunday.
Big Winds SUP Club
Show up and go paddling. No car racks. No hassle. Access 100-plus boards at the Event Site all summer long. With the Big Winds SUP Club, members get multi-use passes to the Big SUP Center, home to North America’s largest fleet of SUPs. A ten session pass starts at $149, includes a lesson, and use of a paddle, PFD and leash, as well as exclusive discounts at Big Winds.
Jones, Sauvie’s, Coast Beta Test Forecast
Jones: nothing Thursday-Saturday. Sauvie’s: just some southerlies on Friday. Coast: just some southerlies on Saturday afternoon.
Mt. Hood Snow Forecast
There will be snow on the ground at Mt. Hood today, and every day until the glaciers completely melt away.
Random Morning Thoughts
If I skip this section today, I can go to Portland without my laptop. A lot of things would make me happier than that, but it’s still a pretty happy thought. =)
Disclaimer required by my grad school program: I am not your therapist (but I could be in 700 days). I am your weather forecaster. Take everything I say with a grain of salt, and consult with your actual therapist about your mental health issues. One other thing: I plan to keep doing this forecast indefinitely, even when I am a therapist.
Gorge Weather Forecast
Today’s going to start off partly cloudy and become cloudy with sprinkles after 1pm or so. Temps will be in the low 60’s early and the mid 70’s (maybe!) in the afternoon. Moderate wind. 43% chance of rainbows. Friday looks sprinkly all day with lots of clouds early and partly cloudy sky in the afternoon. Temps will be in the upper 50’s early and the low 70’s in the afternoon. Light wind. 99.99% chance of rainbows. Saturday looks cloudy and sprinkly with heavier rain in the evening. Temps will be in the mid 50’s early and the mid 60’s in the afternoon. Light wind early, moderate wind late. 95% chance of rainbows.
For weather specifically directed at travel through the Gorge, please visit Temira’s Awesome Travel Advisory Service on Facebook.
White Sprinter Van of the Day
Road and Mountain Biking
Although the trails are dry right now, they won’t be dry by this weekend. The higher elevation trails, especially, will get a solid soaking. That means you’ll have an opportunity for tacky Fifteenmile, a very, very rare treat. The wettest period, in case you were wondering, will be Friday night, suggesting a full-on tack alert everywhere on Saturday afternoon. On the road, you’ll find lighter wind than we’ve had in a while. Keep in mind that the snow level will be down around 6500′ on Saturday, meaning the higher-elevation rides will be cold. Speaking of higher-elevation, TrailGate 2016 demos and food and music and such, is at Billy Bob snopark off the 44 Road on Saturday.
Upcoming Events
Tonight’s events include Community Sailing night in Cascade Locks with free sailboat rides starting at 5:30. The race-pace post n’ pint leaves Dirty Fingers Bike Shop at 5:30. There’s community yoga at Samadhi at 6, Tai Chi at Our Saviour Church in Bingen at 6:30, and Zumba at the Parkdale Community Center at 6:30.
Tomorow morning at 7am, it’s the run that feeds you: Meet at Kickstand Coffee, jog four miles, and receive a coffee and a donut for your efforts. Coming up this weekend, Skibowl has mountain bike races, there are mountain bike demos and a trail celebration at Billy Bob Snopark on Saturday, and Corbett has the Larch Mountain Uphill Time Trial on Sunday.
Have an awesome day today!
Temira
