Thursday. Open windows. Close windows. Go swimming.

August 18, 2016

Thursday. Open windows. Close windows. Go swimming.

Meet your forecaster: Temira

For almost 30 years, Temira (they/them) has been making the most of the Gorge: riding river swell, shredding powder, and cycling all the gravel and pavement and trails. This is Temira’s playground, their gym… their life’s work.

This passion led Temira to take a vow: In 2006, Temira decided to provide the most accurate, hyper-local weather forecasts possible. Today, Temira’s forecasts have become an essential resource for thousands of skiers, snowboarders, wind sports enthusiasts and Gorge commuters. With Temira’s guidance, you can plan ahead, time your sessions perfectly, and just plain have more fun! But the story doesn’t end there.

There’s “Temira’s Awesome Travel Advisory Service” and “Valuable Advice for Gardeners Inhabiting Neighboring Areas” – the Gorge’s premier microclimate forecast and gardening information. When winter storms, extreme heat, hail, or avalanches on SR-14 and I-84 threaten, TATAS keeps everyone and their tomatoes and giant pumpkins and cash crops safe.

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I almost didn’t write a forecast this morning, but then I woke up really early. Since I was awake and wanted to cool down my house, I got up and enjoyed the fresh air, rising sun and a cup of coffee while I looked at weather models. Although it’s going to be hot this weekend, things are starting to come together for a big day on Sunday, despite the models’ earlier vacillations. Continued after the chart…

Your favorite beach	Dawn Patrol	9am- 11:30a	11:30a- 3pm	3pm- dusk
Today’s Gorge Wind – these are ranges for the average speed, not a predicted wind range. =)
Rooster Rock	LTV	E 5-10	E 10-15	LTE
Steven’s Locks	LTV	E 5-10	E 10-15	LTE
Hatchery/White Salmon Sandbar (minus a few for Hood River)	LTV	LTV	LTV	LTV
Doug’s, Lyle, Rowena	LTV	LTV	LTV	LTV
Rufus, etc.	LTV	LTV	LTV	LTV
Roosevelt, etc.	LTV	LTV	LTV	LTV

Gorge wind forecast, continued…

Today, however, will not be very windy at all. Expect light and variable wind for the morning. We may see some easterlies at 10-15 midday from Iwash (Rooster) Rock to Home Valley. Elsewhere you will be best served by wakeboarding or SUPing or swimming or joining the Dirty Fingers crew at 5:30 for Post n’ Pint goes swimming.

Friday brings mid-morning east wind at 25-30 at Iwash Rock and 20-25 at Steven’s Locks. The wind will fade to 15-20 at Iwash and 10-15 at Steven’s Locks in the afternoon.

Are you coming to the Gorge this weekend because of this forecast?
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Saturday brings the Gorge Paddle Challenge to town. They were planning on a downwinder that day, but I suspect they’ll switch the event days. Why? Because Saturday looks like light and variable wind with just a midday pop of E 10-15 from Iwash to Home Valley. So, join the Paddle Challenge for fun stuff at Hood River’s Waterfront Park.

Sunday’s getting my heartrate up. A trough of low pressure sidles on down into the western half of Cascadia while the heat low shifts to the desert. Although these dynamics may diminish wind quality, we are looking at strong afternoon westerlies at this point. The forecast currently suggests W 15-18 from Viento to Swell to start the day, building to 28-32 from Steven’s Locks to Arlington in the afternoon. Monday looks like 21-24 at this point, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see reality beat that.

Jones, Sauvie’s, Coast Beta Test Forecast

Jones Thursday: no. Jones Friday: no. Jones Saturday: 5-10. Sauvie’s Thursday: 13-16. Friday: no. Saturday: no. Coast (north/central/south). Thursday: 15-20/15-20/20-25, NW swell 8′ @ 9 seconds. Friday: 15-20/15-20/light S, NW 7′ @ 9. Saturday: 10-15/LT S/LT S, NW 6′ @ 9.

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

Rather than reflecting this morning, I’m going to go to work. Stay cool, and have an awesome day!

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

It’s an absolutely stunning morning out there, other than just a bit of smoke in the air. Expect a hot and sunny day today, so open up those doors and windows this morning and lock the house down tight when you leave for the day. Temps will be in the upper 50’s early (open windows and doors) and upper 90’s this afternoon. Windless. Rainbowless. Tomorrow looks equally hot. Temps will be in the mid 60’s early (open everything) and the upper 90’s later (close everything). Light easterlies. Rainbows in sprinklers only. Saturday looks just like Friday.

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

Florence

Road and Mountain Biking

There are multiple trail work parties happening over the next few days: PCT at Cascade Locks on Friday (meet at 10am at PCT Days), Cooks Meadow on Saturday (meet at Little John Sno-Park at 9am), MTB trails near St. Helens Friday through Sunday – check NWTA’s website for that one. All trails on Kreps and SDS lands are now closed. That means Whoopdee and Hospital Hill. The ban is actually wider than that – all access is closed to all users. Yes, even you and your puppy. Everyone is banned from Kreps and SDS lands until fire season is over. Also, moto season is over in Post Canyon until fire season is over.

Upcoming Events

There’s community sailing and a potluck in Cascade locks this evening. The weekly race-pace Post n’ Pint goes swimming instead of riding tonight – meet at Dirty Fingers at 5:30 with a bike and a floating object. There’s by donation yoga at Samadhi at 6, Tai Chi at Our Savior Church in Bingen at 6:30, and Zumba at St. Francis House in Odell.

Starting tomorrow, it’s PCT Days in Cascade Locks with a trail work party on the PCT at 10. St. Helens has a trail fest too, with a campout at Marble Mountain, rides, and trail work parties, all starting tomorrow. The 44 Trails Association has a work party meeting at Little John sno-park Saturday at 9.

Also happening this weekend – the Goldendale Festival of Wheels and the Gorge Paddle Challenge, likely having races at Hood River’s Waterfront Park Saturday and a downwind paddle race from Viento on Sunday. They haven’t made that announcement, but given the forecast, I think that’s the most likely scenario.

Have an awesome day today!

Temira

The Gorge Is My Gym