The Gorge is my Gym

Good morning everyone. I have to say, the 27 reading at the Hatchery this morning caught me by surprise. I was expecting winds to be way off early. Good thing I got up to do the radio report instead of guessing last night.

We’re starting to put together onsite reporting via twitter. So, you tweeps, if you want to tweet from your favorite beach, please add #gorgewind to your message. Spread the word, and thanks!

If you want river time today, get it early. As of this morning, models were showing a gradual shift to northerly flow this afternoon. That will tune down windspeeds and turn direction northerly. Even so, we had dawn patrol this with a .14 gradient and mid twenties in the corridor. Watch for 26-30 this morning with a gradual fade towards afternoon

Light winds this evening should make for a good stand-up paddle session. All women are welcome to try out standup free on Tuesday nights. Just give Big Winds a call to sign up.

With upper flow more northerly, and even a bit offshore tomorrow, east winds will pick up. Highs near 90 in Portland over the next couple of days keep the easterlies blowing. We’ll have 22-26 at Stevenson and at Rooster tomorrow, Thursday, and possibly Friday as well.

Those easterly gradients will give you a great opportunity for windless gorge road biking. Get out early, because highs near ninety will make the pavement riding pretty hot the next few afternoons.

If you’re a woman looking for a mountain bike ride, join the Dirty Divas on Thursday for a lap around hospital hill. Meet at Discover bikes at 8:45 Thursday morning. Also on Thursday is the Post and Pint ride. Meet a Dirty Fingers at 5:30 Thursday evening. Maybe there should be a prize if you do both…

Whatever you do today, have an awesome day.

Good morning everyone, and happy Monday.

It was a low twenties start this morning as marine clouds were stymied in their eastward progress last night. That doesn’t mean we won’t see wind today. With high pressure off the coast – the North Pacific High, actually – and warm air in the desert, we’ll see solid 19-23 this morning, building to the 22-25 range from Mosier to Rowena this evening.

Ah North Pacific High. We love you North Pacific High. You make the wind blow in the Gorge. You make the wind blow at the coast. What’s not to like about you. You’re the best. Marry me? Wait… I’m getting a little carried away now…

As upper flow turns more northerly tomorrow, winds back off a bit. It’s going to be a light start to Tuesday, followed by 16-19 in the afternoon, just enough for some kiting or slalom sailing in the corridor and at Stevenson.

Wednesday is looking like easterlies at this point as temperatures warm near ninety across the state.

If you’re thinking of going coastal today, it’s still looking good. The forecast is 20-25 knots with higher gusts from Seaside down to Florence today and tomorrow. Combine that with a 9 foot swell today and a 7 foot swell tomorrow and you’re looking at a couple of epic days on the coast!

For something mellow tonight, there’s free tai chi at Wilson Park in Hood River at 6. Or you could meet up with all my friends from San Francisco and drink Scorpion Bowls for something less mellow.

On Thursday – I know, early warning – women windsurfers and standup paddlers get togheter for the Butterfly Effect, Hood River. Meet at Big Winds at 10am to register. There’s a downwinder, followed by a party at Double Mountain at 7pm. All waterwomen are welcome at the party!

Whatever you do today, have an awesome day!