The Gorge is my Gym

Good morning Gorge sports fanatics!

There’s some wind on the Columbia this morning with a solid pressure gradient. Portland to The Dalles is .07, and The Dalles to Pasco is at .11. Strongest, steadiest wind today will be at Arlington early, and from Doug’s to Arlington in the afternoon, where westerlies will blow in the 23-27 range. In the western Gorge under the clouds, we’ll have gusty 14-17. Rain showers through the gorge will limit wind quality today.

Tomorrow starts off light, but some easterlies might pick up as a system rotates off the coast. If you’re a speedsailor or a port-tack wavesailor, head to the coast for gale-force south winds.

West winds return to the Gorge on Thursday. Also on Thursday, snow levels drop to 3500 feet or so, with about 4-6 inches of snow falling.

Out on the biking trails today, the dirt is in excellent shape. The rain sprinkles we’ve been getting along with the thunderstorms have been keeping the dust down. If you’re a Post Canyon fan, you want to ride it today, as we’re going to see a lot of rain on Wednesday and Thursday, and that will likely shut down post for a couple of days. If you want to ride Surveyor’s (or at least what’s open), ride it today or tomorrow, as that’s going to see a few inches of snow on Thursday and Friday.

If you’re a dirt biker, tonight is the Columbia Gorge Off-Road Association’s spring meeting at the Hood River Library at 6pm. Speaking of the Library, don’t forget to drop off your ballot today (it’s too late to mail it). CGORA also has a work party up at Kingsley this Sunday at 9am. Check their website, cgora.com for more details. Many thanks to Rick for the heads up.

Speaking of Rick, Mr. Rick Strahl returns from Maui on Thursday… look out Gorge! Ad speaking of “look out Gorge,” 2nd Wind’s kite season opener party is this Saturday evening at the Horse & Hound, aka the English Pub. I am not sure if shot-skis are involved in kite parties, but I’m sure there will plenty of chaos, ‘cuz 2nd Wind throws a killer party (and they’re a great shop too)!!!

Boaters, the rivers came up a little bit yesterday. This morning, the Hood’s at 4.7 feet, the White Salmon’s at 4.3 feet, the Little White’s at 527 cfs, and the Wind River is at 606 cfs. I’m really hoping all this rain gets me a trip on the Wind River this weekend…

That’s it for today. Whatever you do today, have an awesome day!

Temira

Good morning!

We’ve pretty much come to the end of the ski season, unless you’re one of the lucky few with a Timberline pass. However, I can still issue powder alerts, and I’m issuing one for Thursday and Friday, when snow levels are forecast to fall back to 3000 feet or so (which means you’ll have to say bye-bye to Surveyor’s Ridge until it melts out again.

Since Meadows is done, it’s officially summer, even though the Columbia’s at 55 degrees. The wind starts off light today, but a trough moving into California this afternoon bumps up the wind. We’ll see 16-19 by midday in the corridor, followed by 22-25 in the evening from Doug’s eastward. It’s kind of a funny setup, so it’s going to be gusty today. Also, there’s a good chance of thunderstorms this afternoon, and if they develop, all bets are off on the wind speeds.

Things steady out tomorrow, with 23-27 from Doug’s east late in the day, with the best wind at Arlington. In the western Gorge, under the clouds, we’ll have 15-18 tomorrow. Thursday looks like the next big day.

If the weather is dry this evening, it’s alternative bike ride night at Mountain View Cycles. Grab a headlamp and a helmet and leave the clips and spandex at home, cuz this is a just-for-fun trip to Mosier for dinner at the Thirsty Woman. Meet at Mountain View at 6:30.

Boaters, we’re looking at a total of an inch of precipitation over the next few days in the mountains, so that should help your rivers out a little. For now, the Hood’s at 4.1 feet, the White Salmon’s at 3.8 feet, and the Little White’s at 584 cfs.

Have a great day today!

Temira