Gorge Wind Forecast
We have strong west wind west of Cascade Locks this morning as a cold front makes its way inland. That’s a sign for what’ll happen the rest of the day – a complicated weather picture. The front will swing inland and be followed by a low pressure system moving inland. That low will destabilize the atmosphere and possibly kick off a few thunderstorms. This, as I mentioned yesterday, makes for a difficult wind forecast. Basically, you can expect gusty and unreliable wind within the following ranges and locations.
The western Gorge, probably to Mosier, will remain under partly cloudy sky today with gusty 12-15 after 11am. Areas east of Mosier will see gusty 27-31, with periods of stronger wind. All bets are off if the thunderstorms fire up. River flow is very high, at 420kcfs, 1506 Chinook made it past Bonneville yesterday, and the river temp is 52 degrees. (continued below the chart)
| Your favorite beach | Dawn Patrol |
9am- 11:30a |
11:30a- 3pm |
3pm- dusk |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster Rock | clouds | above, | butts | below | |
| Steven’s Locks | 13-16 | 13-16 | 13-16 | 13-16 | |
| Hatchery/White Salmon Sandbar (minus a few for Hood River) | light | 10-13 | 13-16 | 13-16 | |
| Doug’s, Lyle, Rowena | light | 15-18 | 27-31 | 27-31 | |
| Rufus, etc. | light | 15-18 | 27-31 | 27-31 | |
| Roosevelt, etc. | light | 15-18 | 27-31 | 27-31 | |
Gorge Wind Forecast, continued.
Moving on to Wednesday, we’ll see the low move further inland and the ridge build offshore. This is a better setup for wind, although it doesn’t look perfect – there’s still enough dynamics going on that the western Gorge will see clouds and showers. That said, we’ll start off with Dawn Patrol at 23-26+ east of Hood River. The wind will quickly build to 29-33 east of the low clouds, fading at Arlington mid-afternoon and staying strong from Mosier to Rufus. It’s even possible Swell and Hood River will get in on the strong wind if the clouds burn back far enough (unlikely).
High pressure continues to build offshore on Thursday, setting up a sunny day for the Gorge. The wind will start at 12-15 everywhere, die off out east, and pick up to 19-22 from Stevenson to The Dalles in the afternoon. Friday currently looks like a lighter wind day with westerlies topping out at 10-13.
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Jones, Sauvie’s, Coast Beta Test Forecast
Not much happening out there the next three days, but keep an eye on the coast for the weekend.
Mt. Hood Snow Forecast
Timberline received an impressive 14” of new snow in the last 24 hours, and the heavy snowfall will continue with orographic enhancement today. The snow level will be 4000′ early, 3000′ in the afternoon, and 5500′ on Wednesday morning, meaning the snow quality will diminish after midnight. Models predict 1.4” water value during the day, which seems crazy high, but W wind at 40mph makes that seem possible. So, expect 12” of new during the day. Models predict another .9” WV tonight. With the snow level rising, that probably works out to 6-8” of additional snowfall. Wind will be W 35-40 during the day and NW 45 after midnight.
Sadly, the snow level will be on the rise on Wednesday: 5500′ early, 65000′ by 8am, and 8000′ in the afternoon. About 1/4” rain will fall in the morning. With very strong NW wind at 45mph during the day, showers may continue through early evening. The wind will start to drop off in the late afternoon: NNW 30 around 5pm and NW 15 after midnight. Tuesday looks clear and sunny with the free air freezing level at 8000′ early and 10,000′ after midnight. NW wind at 10-15. Friday looks a bit warmer, with the free air freezing level rising to 12,000′ with light wind.
Random Morning Thoughts
Lots to do today. Have an awesome day!
Disclaimer required by my grad school program: I am not your therapist (but I could be 40 graduate school credits from now). 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 partly to mostly cloudy in HR this morning, and shall remain that way with a chance of rain and thunder in the afternoon. Temps will be in the upper 40’s early and the mid 50’s later. Strong westerlie.s 98% chance of rainbows. Wednesday sees sprinkles and showers early and dry weather in the afternoon. Temps will be in the mid 40’s early and low 60’s later. Strong westerlies. 14% chance of rainbows. Thursday looks dry and sunny. Temps will be in the mid 40’s early and the low 70’s in the afternoon. Moderate west wind. No rainbows.
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
Road and Mountain Biking
Surveyor’s Ridge is apparently clear of downed trees but not clear of snow, at least the singletrack part of it. Dog River is open. In road bike news, Lost Lake Road is open, but I have no info on Lake Branch or Vista Ridge. Guessing they are still snowy… No dogs are allowed on Hospital Hill due to grazing cattle, and the Rowena Curves remain closed due to a rockslide. The Historic Columbia River Highway Trail is open all the way to Warrendale, with two trees down at a very obvious spot. Remember that Saturday is the Cascadia Dirt Cup in Post Canyon. There will be folks out practicing all week (it’s okay to remind them that ‘uphill has the right of way’), and you’ll want to avoid Post on Saturday.
Upcoming Events
Today’s community events include a dance exercise class at the White Salmon Grange at 11, pickup touch rugby at 5:45 at the Hood River Marina, and meditation at Yoga Samadhi at 6:30. Tomorrow brings the Post n’ Pint and Post n’ Pinot mountain bike rides at 5:30 at dirty fingers. Both rides get you a free pint of beer, and the second ride is just for women.
Speaking of Post, it’s hosting the Cascadia Dirt Cup enduro race this weekend, meaning there will be lots of riders out practicing this week. There are two equestrian events Saturday: a dressage show at the Hood river Saddle Club and the Mt. Adams Endurance Race. There’s also a two-day trail work party at Buck Creek this weekend.
Have an awesome day today!
Temira