The Gorge is my Gym

Good morning!

This week’s report is brought to you by 2nd Wind Sports at 210 Oak Street in Hood River. It’s Labor Day Weekend, and that means it’s sale time at 2nd Wind. Let’s help them get rid of the kite and windsurfing gear so they’ll have lots of room for the newest, raddest skis for winter! Basically, I’m saying you should come pick up some new gear at a great price. 2nd Wind has awesome, cheerful, intelligent employees who will help you spend your money wisely. It’s going to be a windy long weekend, so throw all your gear in the car, get down here, and swing by 2nd Wind to say hello!

First off, if anyone found a small Sony digital camera on Syncline on Friday or over the weekend, please contact me or leave a comment below this report. It’s not mine, but the nice owner (a gal named Lisa) would really like to have it back.

The wind is starting off lighter this morning as clouds and low pressure bridge the Cascades, knocking gradients down from yesterday. The gradients were .06 from PDX-DLS and .05 out east this morning. Even so, we’ll see a slow build into the 15-18 range this afternoon from Stevenson down to Maryhill as a cold front approaches the coast. With all the clouds this morning and the unstable air, I’m not expecting high quality wind today. It’s going to be gusty out there on the river.

If the forecast holds for tomorrow, an upper level low will set up off the Oregon Coast, effectively killing the pressure gradient across the Cascades and shutting off the Gorge wind for the day. I’m going to take the optimistic view of Tuesday, and say we’ll see 13-16 in the afternoon in the Western Gorge.

That upper low moves east of the Cascades on Wednesday morning, allowing the North Pacific High to send stronger westerlies through the Gorge. If the models hold, Wednesday should be windy, with windspeeds in the mid 20’s likely.

Coming up this evening, there’s the alternative ride out of mountain view cycles, leaving the shop around 6:30 and heading to Mosier. Everyone is welcome on this ride, but please leave your spandex at home! If you show up for the ride today, you’re in the running for a free … from Mountain View. And if you’re coming, don’t forget warm clothes and a light for the ride home!

Have a great day today!

Temira

p.s. If you find this report useful, entertaining, or just want to recognize all the hard work that goes into it, please take the time to make a donation by clicking on the button at the bottom of the page. For a suggested donation of $10, I’ll add you to the email version of this list ‘til May 2011, putting you in the running for cool prizes donated by the weekly sponsors.

Good morning!

This week’s report is brought to you by 2nd Wind Sports at 210 Oak Street in Hood River. It’s Labor Day Weekend (well, almost), and that means it’s sale time at 2nd Wind. Come pick up some new gear at a great price. 2nd Wind has awesome, cheerful, intelligent employees who will help you spend your money wisely. It’s going to be a windy long weekend, so throw all your gear in the car, get down here, and swing by 2nd Wind to say hello!

It’s going to be windy on the Columbia today for you windsurfers and kiters, but before you head to the beach, head to the Hood River Expo Center parking lot from 7 to 11 for the last swap meet of the season. This is a great chance to clear out your garage before ski season arrives!

On the wind scene, the North Pacific High is in place and a trough of low pressure is along the coast, setting up a solid day on the river. It’s going to be windy on the Columbia, but before you head to the beach, head to the Hood River Expo Center parking lot from 7 to 11 for the last swap meet of the season.

The 5am gradient was .09 from Portland to The Dalles with another .08 out east. The low clouds are past Hood River this morning, so the strongest, steadiest wind early will be from Mosier out to Maryhill. Before 11am, we’ll see 20-24 east of Hood River and gusty 14-18 under the clouds. As the clouds burn back, the wind will fill in from Stevenson to Hood River in the gusty 23-26 range. The wind should hold out east today too, with mid twenties at Maryhill and low twenties at Roosevelt this afternoon.

Weak high pressure bridges the Cascades tonight for a light wind start tomorrow. It’s going to be perfect swimming weather for the Roy Webster cross-channel swim tomorrow. By late afternoon Monday, the wind picks up into the 15-18 range near Hood River.

Out on the mountain bike trails, things are in good shape, especially at higher elevations where more rain fell last week. There are still areas of dust up there, but for the most part, the riding is excellent!

Finally, coming up tonight it’s the Sailworks annual party. Head to the loft for food and music, autographs by Bruce Peterson (just kidding, Bruce), and a sneak peak at next year’s sails, tonight from 5 to 11.

Have a great day today!

Temira

p.s. If you find this report useful, entertaining, or just want to recognize all the hard work that goes into it, please take the time to make a donation by clicking on the button at the bottom of the page. For a suggested donation of $10, I’ll add you to the email version of this list ‘til May 2011, putting you in the running for cool prizes donated by the weekly sponsors.