The Gorge is my Gym

Say bye bye to the heat wave and hello to west winds as you drag yourself out of bed this morning . An upper level low sent marine clouds inland over the coast range this morning, and that’s going to cool off Portland today. As the desert heats up, the early morning 007 gradient increases this afternoon. I think we’ll see a slow build to 25-28 from the Corridor down to Doug’s this afternoon. There is a little chance we’ll see event stronger winds if we are lucky. By evening, winds push all the way out to Arlington.

A stronger marine push from a weak frontal boundary tonight sets up stronger winds tomorrow. I think dawn patrol in the mid twenties in the corridor is likely in the morning, and winds will hold all day long. By afternoon, we’ll have 27-30, maybe a bit better, from the Corridor down to The Dalles.

Sunday’s looking windy too, as marine clouds hold their ground in Portland. So, if you’re debating what to do this weekend, debate no more. It’s going to be a really good weekend for windsports on the river.

In other news, tonight’s the Gorge Grown market in Hood River, and there’s going to be an heirloom tomato tasting. Come up and try a bunch of tomatoes and figure out what you’re planting in your garden next summer.

Also tonight is the Hood River triathlon down at the event site, and the post and pint mountain bike ride out of Dirty Fingers bike repair. After all that’s over, head to Jackson Park for free music at Families in the Park.

And finally, mark your calendars for the Bigfoot Bash and Bounty, next Friday and Saturday (yes, there’s a beer garden, if you were wondering) down in Home Valley. http://bigfootbashandbounty.com

Whatever you do today, have an awesome day.

The heat wave sets its teeth into the Gorge today, with high temperatures climbing near 100 degrees. The thermal trough’s over Western Oregon, and that low pressure keeps Gorge winds pretty darn light today. At best, we’ll see easterlies in the 10-15ish range this morning before the afternoon heat crushes all traces of gorge wind.

By tomorrow, the heat low shifts into the desert and westerlies return. As an upper low drops down the coast, marine clouds push inland. Combine the two and you get west winds. Of course, timing is going to be really key with this. I’m thinking we’ll start off with light westerlies tomorrow. They’ll slowly build into the 23-27 range in the afternoon. If the timing is perfect, we’ll see more wind, and if it’s not, we’ll see less.

There’s no guessing going on for Friday. It’s going to be a windy day in the Gorge. With the heat low in the desert and solid marine clouds over Portland, it’s dawn patrol on Friday, followed by wind all day long. It depends where the cloud line sets up, but I think we’ll see good, solid, classic Gorge wind from Hood River to the Wall on Friday.

At this point, it looks like the weekend will be windy.

Coming up tomorrow is the Post and Pint ride, the Hood River triathlon led by the fabulous Paul Jones, Families in the Park, and my favorite, a Luau all day long at Hawks Ridge in Hood River. The Luau entertainment is free, and the food’s just $5.

Whatever you do today, have an awesome day!