Mt. Hood snow and Gorge wind forecast | The Gorge is my Gym

Good morning!

There hasn’t been much good to say about the weather lately, but as I’m sure you’ve heard, the picture is changing. Yesterday’s sunshine and warmth was nothing short of glorious, and we’ll see the same for another few days. Spring, if not actually here, is making a guest appearance in winter’s territory.

And so, in honor of the sunshine and 50+ degree temps, the wind forecast takes the top of the bill today. Winds start off calm to light west today (there’s your paragliding forecast, Mark), but by tomorrow, if you want to hit the water for some big easterlies, you can. 30ish averages in Stevenson, 35ish at Rooster, less towards Viento and Home Valley (for the kiters, of course… if someone could email me tomorrow about what size kite they were on at Viento, that would be great). The easterlies will hold for almost the entire day tomorrow, although, as you know, the steadiest easterlies will be from 9ish to 2ish.

Friday also looks windy, with 25-28 at Stevenson, a little more at Rooster and a little less east of Stevenson. Winds will back off earlier on Friday, as approaching systems mess with the pressure gradient.

Up on the mountain, it’s going to be all sun, all the time for the next few days. This is your first sane-style chance for a daily double, although it’s going to be reverse daily double since you’ll be on the water first. Actually, if you time it right, you could pull of a daily triple this week: mountain biking (HH was too muddy to ride yesterday, btw, but should be fine by tomorrow… other reports would be appreciated), windsurfing/kiting, skiing/snowboarding. Ah… if I didn’t have to work tomorrow and Friday, I’d make it happen for sure!

I got distracted from the skiing, didn’t I? Should be corn snow, or at least spring slushies and beers at the Mazot in a bikini top, by this afternoon.

Other than that… tonight is Girls’ Night Out in downtown HR. 21 businesses stay open late with specials for girls and groups of girls. Lots of wine samples, free chocolate and snacks, and awesome discounts on… SHOPPING!!!

Also tonight, there’s a free avalanche awareness clinic in Portland at one of the REI stores. I, of course, have forgotten which store.

Finally, thank you to everyone who headed to Meadows for the $10 Haiti ski night. The resort raised somewhere around $20k (the number isn’t for sure yet) for Mercy Corps. And if any of you ever have ideas about how to make our local ski area better for you or for the Gorge, please let me know.

Have a great day today, enjoy the sunshine, and I’ll see you out in the garden this week! Time to plant peas… =)

Temira

Good morning!

After another depressing start to the day, with rain, snow and freezing rain falling at Meadows, I wasn’t keen on writing a forecast. However, the extended forecast models look nice enough that I’m motivated now.

In ski land, things are wet and icy, at least on your jacket and goggles. The snow is in decent shape, at least on the groom. Somehow it has avoided becoming complete ice, at least for now. After today, the weather looks better, so the skiing should be decent this weekend (please, Mother Nature, please?)

Saturday we’ll likely see cloudy skies and snow/rain showers early, becoming less cloudy in the afternoon a ridge of high pressure builds in. Sunday brings a welcome few inches of new snow, maybe 2-5”… There’s also speed dating at Meadows on the Blue lift Sunday. At first I thought this was a cheesy idea, but I’m liking it more and more…

Monday looks warm and wet, but the weather picture brightens immensely after that. High pressure builds in the Pacific, setting up sunshine and 60 degree temperatures this week. Depending on how far the high pressure infiltrates Oregon, we may see a few days of westerlies in the Gorge. It’s a little early to make that call, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you can get your kite or your windsurfer out of storage for a few days… early season daily doubles rock!!!

Speaking of west winds, I think we’ll see some Sunday as well, maybe 17-21 or so, but it’s probably worth waiting for the warmer weather next week.

And back to the 60 degree temps… I checked my garden soil temp a few days ago, and it was at 46 degrees. That’s plenty warm to start planting winter veggies, so I’m throwing some peas in the soil this week. Yay! Gardening season is here!!!

Have a great day today!

Temira