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The Forecast
CoronaChat
Now, I know. You’re a bit annoyed with the mixed messaging you’ve gotten. Don’t wear a mask. Wear a mask. A mask won’t protect you. A mask will protect you. So let’s just clarify all that information, shall we?
First, N95 masks should be reserved for healthcare workers. They’re the only thing that can protect them. If you’ve got a stash of N95 masks, please hand them in to the hospitals. Will an N95 mask protect you if you’re out wandering around? Research doesn’t back that up, and I’m not going to speculate. If you decide you want to wear one, consider keeping one, just one, and giving the rest to the healthcare workers. You can decontaminate your personal N95 by baking it in the oven at 160F for 30 minutes.
Wearing a mask in public is meant to keep you, your asymptomatic, germy self, from spreading your viral particles to others. If you’re not wearing a mask, you’re endangering others, especially that granny over there or the person with asthma standing near you. So, pretty please, put something over your mouth and nose – a mask, a bandana, underwear (clean) or underwear (dirty).
If you’re having trouble breathing through a mask, consider using a lighter weight mask. N95 masks are hard to breathe through (incidentally, those N95’s with valves allow your dirty, germy air back into the world, so don’t wear those in public – they don’t achieve the goal of protecting others). So, again, give the N95s to the hospital and try a cloth mask. It’s easier to breath through, comes in any color your sewing friends can find, and will be 2020’s fashion trend. Hop on it before the Millennials leave you behind! Even if it’s the only thing you wear (nudity is legal in Oregon as long as you’re not doing it in a sexual way), please wear a mask. It’s the responsible, community-oriented thing to do.
| Your favorite beach | Dawn Patrol |
9am- 11:30a |
11:30a- 3pm |
3pm- dusk |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster Rock | beach | closed | no | buns | |
| Rooster Rock | E 10-15 | E 15-20 | E 10-15 | E 10-15 | |
| Steven’s Locks | E 5-10 | E 15-20 | E 10-15 | E 10-15 | |
| Swell-Hood River | E 5-10 | E 5-10 | E 10-15 | E 10-15 | |
| Doug’s, Lyle, Rowena | E 5-10 | E 5-10 | E 10-15 | E 10-15 | |
| Rufus, etc. | E 5-10 | E 5-10 | E 10-15 | E 10-15 | |
| Roosevelt & Arlington | E 5-10 | E 5-10 | E 10-15 | E 10-15 | |
Gorge Wind Forecast
First, a public service announcement. All Oregon (Viento, Rowena) and Washington (Doug’s, Hatchery) State Parks are closed at this time. All Port of Hood River waterfront access is closed at this time, although the walking path is open. The Army Corps has closed all parks (The Wall, Rufus, Roosevelt). They have also closed boat ramps. Swell City is closed. It’s best not to go – especially if you don’t live in the Gorge. Please follow legal guidance to stay home, save lives.. If you’re local and getting on the water somehow, follow Maui rules: rig quickly, get in the water, and leave as soon as you are done. No hanging out. Maintain at least six feet space on land and on the water. Do not place yourself directly upwind or downwind of anyone. Don’t go harder than 50%, and keep your focus at 100%. This is not the time to get injured.
Widespread easterlies make a rare appearance on Thursday. They confine to the western Gorge on Friday. Westerlies return for the weekend. For Thursday, expect E 10-15 at Stevenson and Rooster to start the day. The wind rises to 15-20 mid-morning and backs off to E 10-15 in the afternoon, filling in pretty much everywhere through the entire Gorge at all elevations. Friday starts with E 15-20 near Rooster and 5-10 near Stevenson. That won’t last long; by midday, the wind should be calm everywhere. Saturday starts with W 15-18 from Viento to Moiser with 7-10 everywhere else in the Gorge. Afternoon wind picks up to gusty 12-15 in the west and gusty 24-27 from Rowena to Threemile. Sunday’s forecast currently looks like W 12-15.
Jones, Sauvie’s, and Coast forecast are on break to discourage travel.
Mt. Hood Weather Forecast
All the mountains are closed, the forest is closed, and neither in-bounds nor out-of-bounds snowsports are available at this time. Some of you will be tempted to go out backcountry skiing. Take a look at this sobering article about a recent BC rescue and consider carefully if you want to put others at risk. Remember, Timberline, Skibowl, and Meadows are all closed to uphill traffic at this time. This is to comply with Kate Brown’s executive orders. It’s the law, folks. Obey it!
Clear sky continues for a couple more days… Thursday will be sunny. The free air freezing level will be 4000′ in the morning, 5500′ in the afternoon, and 8000′ overnight. There’s still a chance of significantly accelerated easterlies today as a stable layer of air sets up near the top of Mt. Hood. Not taking that into account, we have a forecast of NE 25-35 this morning, NE 20-25 this afternoon, and NE 5-10 overnight. Those speeds could double or more if the stable layer sets up just right, but any chance of a windstorm ends as that stable layer dissipates late afternoon.
Friday looks sunny with low humidity. High clouds move in after midnight. The FAF will be 8000′ to 9000′ all day. Wind: NE 5-10 in the morning, SW 5-10 in the afternoon, and WSW 15-20 overnight. Watch for a pretty sunrise on Saturday as high clouds start the day. More clouds move in during the day setting up a light snow/rain mix overnight. The snow level will be 8000′ early, 6000′ in the afternoon, and 3500′ overnight. Just a trace of mixed precip falls, most likely as wet snow. Wind: WSW 15-20 in the morning, W 15 in the afternoon, WNW 10 in the evening, and light/variable overnight. Dry, sunny weather returns on Sunday with the freezing level maxing out at 6000′ or so.
Hood River Weather Forecast
Thursday will be sunny all day. Temps will be in the upper 30’s early and mid 60’s later. Moderate easterlies. No rainbows. Friday looks sunny and dry. Temps will be in the mid to upper 30’s early and mid to upper 70’s later. Light east wind goes calm in the afternoon. No rainbows. Saturday looks cloudy with a slight chance of a bit of mist, drizzle, or raindrops overnight. Temps will be in the upper 40’s early and mid 60’s later. Moderate westerlies. No rainbows. Sunday and Monday looks partly cloudy and cooler. Next chance for rain: Wednesday. Looking for a complete Columbia Gorge forecast? Looking for more humor in your weather? Obscenities? You’re looking for my TATAS: Temira’s Awesome Travel Advisory Service on Facebook.Cycling
ALL trails in the Gorge are closed. Hood River County (Post Canyon, Pinemont, HRC forest roads), SDS (Underwood, Whoopdee), and Kreps (Hospital Hill) lands are closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus by incoming hoards of visitors. DNR land (Nestor) is closed per the DNR website and a little tiny sign at the bottom of the Nestor trail. USFS (44 Road trails, Syncline) are closed. State Parks (Columbia Hills, Twin Tunnels) are closed. There were two considerations: protecting medical professionals, and keeping crowds away when the weather is nice. Google Sun Valley’s Covid-19 rate if your are curious what crowds of recreation visitors can do to spread coronavirus.
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Temira