The Gorge is my Gym

Good morning!

This week’s report is brought to you by Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association. It’s PSA week, so no prizes. You’re actually supposed to join CGWA this week. Why? Because they work hard to keep your beaches open for you, because they organize beach cleanups to keep the Hatchery and Doug’s pretty and clear of garbage for you, and because CGWA is working hard to get new people into windsurfing with Gorge Groms, a low-cost program to get kids into the sport. So, consider joining CGWA for $25 by clicking here. I’m a member. You should be too.

Yesterday’s wind didn’t quite pan out like I’d hoped, but it was windy enough to get on the water, and today’s going to be windy too. It didn’t blow 25-28 because I added a “rate the forecast” survey at the end of the forecast yesterday. At the end of the day, you can rate today’s forecast too.

The 5am gradient was already .13 from Portland to The Dalles, it’s was blowing 27 at the Hatch before sunrise (why am I up this early?), and Portland was buried in clouds early. I know this even though it was dark when I posted this forecast. How? Because I have superhero night vision!

An upper trough on the Oregon coast will deepen today, keeping areas west of the Cascades in the gloom. As the desert heats up, Gorge winds will build. We’ll see low twenties early from Hood River to Mosier, building to 25-28 by midday. However, if the low clouds push in past the Hatch (even little low clouds, not just the Wall of Clouds, but you can ignore the high clouds), you’ll need to make a move east. In the afternoon, it’ll get gusty at the Hatch and Sandbar, but the wind will fill in at Stevenson, Doug’s, Maryhill, and possibly Arlington in the 24-28 range.

The low pressure trough moves across the Cascades tomorrow, causing the wind to back off into the upper teens to low twenties. It’s going to be cloudy in Hood River tomorrow, so the wind will be quite gusty at the Sandbar and Hatch. For steadier wind, head east of the cloud line… you’re probably headed to Maryhill or Roosevelt tomorrow if you want sunshine.

Coming up Monday, a ridge builds over the Cascades, setting up a light west wind day. The next big day looks like Wednesday.

Boaters, the White Salmon’s a little under 2 feet and the Klickitat’s at 788 cfs. If you’d like to run the Middle today, the Kayak Shed’s shop paddle meets at 10am at the Husum put-in. You must have class III skills and a roll to join this paddle, or the river will give you a serious beating.

Coming up tonight, The Spy Who Loved Me plays on the big screen at Jackson Park in Hood River. Free outdoor movie. Bring warm clothes and a blanket!

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 Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association. It’s PSA week, so no prizes, but CGWA is putting on a CPR class on Saturday (two start times), so make plans to sail or kite half the day and get your CPR certification the other half. Call Katie at 386-9225 for more information. Why should you join CGWA? Because they worked hard to keep Doug’s open for you, and because they spent a lot of money to put in launch ramps at Jensen Beach and the Waterfront park, saving you the $50 Event Site pass fee. So, consider joining CGWA for $25 by clicking here.

Some people are blessed with good luck. Ken K. signed up for the email three days ago, and he’s the lucky winner of the Gath helmet of his choice. There’s no prize from CGWA (duh – you’re supposed to join!), but I am giving away fresh-baked brownies this week… If you’d like a chance to win, subscribe to the email (or just donate) by clicking at the bottom of this page. .

It’s going to be another windy day on the river today, but not quite as windy as yesterday’s epic session. The 5am gradient was at .09 from Portland to The Dalles and clouds were stacked up west of Hood River. We’ll see a steady build this morning into the 25-28 range from Viento to Mosier by midday. The wind should hold at the Hatchery until late afternoon before shifting out to Lyle and Doug’s. Wind further east will be in the mid to upper teens today.

If you’re beat up today, swing by Columbia Gorge Community Acupuncture at 208 4th in Hood River for a free acupuncture session between 10am and 3pm. Give a call to 399-3169 for more information or to schedule a time. You know how I love free stuff – it always makes it into the report!

Coming up this weekend, we’ll have more west wind. As an upper trough builds along the coast during the day Saturday, a deep marine push will keep Portland buried in clouds all day long. That should keep westerlies from Hood River to Maryhill, possibly even Arlington, in the upper twenties on Saturday.

On Sunday, that trough shifts east of the Cascades, for another big wind day on the river. It looks like it’s going to be cool and cloudy in the western Gorge Sunday, with a chance of rain, so the strongest, steadiest wind is going to be well east of Hood River.

Off the water on Saturday, there’s a CPR class through CGWA. Give them a call at 386-9225 for more information. Also on Saturday, late in the afternoon, it’s Northwave’s annual customer appreciation barbeque. Show up for a fun evening of food and music. And looking ahead to next weekend, it’s the Bigfoot Bash and Bounty in Home Valley.

Boaters, the White Salmon’s hovering just below 2 feet and the Klickitat’s at 788 cfs. Cross your fingers for some significant rain from the incoming storm. How cool would that be? Coming up on September 11th, there’s a rafting race on the White Salmon River. Details here: http://www.nwrafting.com/white-salmon. If you’d like to volunteer – and it should be quite fun to watch – drop a note to zach@nwrafting.com.

If you’d like to vote on the accuracy of the forecast at the end of today, click here.

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.