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The Forecast
Today’s Gorge Wind – these are ranges for the average speed, not a predicted wind range. =)
Your favorite beach
Dawn
Patrol
9am-
11:30a
11:30a-
3pm
3pm-
dusk
Rooster Rock
cooler
sunny
bun tan
time
Steven’s Locks
10-13
13-16
20-23
23-26
Swell-Hood River
23-26
23-26
23-26
23-26
Lyle to Doug’s
10-13
14-17
20-23+
23-26
Rufus, etc.
13-16
10-13
10-13
13-16
Roosevelt & Arlington
13-16
10-13
10-13
13-16
Patrol
11:30a
3pm
dusk
Gorge Wind Forecast
Today, Friday, looks like a solid setup for westerlies. Conditions deteriorate on Saturday and Sunday as instability triggers potential thunderstorms. That said, this is elevated instability, and the wind will often continue at low levels as long as the low-level stabilizing cap doesn’t break. So, strong westerlies are still possible, even likely, but they’re not guaranteed to stick around as long as models predict.
Let’s look at Friday. First, Happy Canada Day! You get wind for your celebration! Offshore high pressure at 1027mb or so joins with gradients of 0.12 (pdx-dls) and 0.03 (dls-psc) for plenty of cross-Cascade suction. The wind starts at 23-26 from Swell to Mosier with 18-22 at Viento, 10-13 in the eastern Gorge, and 5-10 at partly cloudy Stevenson. By early afternoon, the wind fills in elsewhere. You’ll find 23-26 from Stevenson to Doug’s with 10-13 near Rufus and 5-10 at Arlington. Rufus should pick up to 13-16 in the afternoon. River flow is 241-362kcfs. Note on that: in the past, I’ve only used the source currently giving us the lowest number. If that is reading similarly to previous years, conditions near Maryhill should be doable. No guarantees, as the other sources are reading much higher! River temp is currently 61F, and high temp forecast is 82F for Hood River and 89F for Arlington.
Surface conditions point to stronger west wind on Saturday. Elevated conditions tell another story. Best practice: enjoy the windy weather until thunderstorms make an appearance. Dawn Patrol brings 21-24 from Viento to Mosier with 5-10 at Stevenson and 10-13 east of Mosier. The wind enjoys a steady build. By early afternoon westerlies pick up to 25-29+ from Stevenson to Avery with 20-23 near Rufus and 10-13 east of there. If thunderstorms and a low-level capping inversion hold off long enough, 28-32 is possible from Hood River to Avery in the afternoon. High temp: 81F for Hood River, 90F for Arlington. Also of note: storm prediction center has areas east of The Dalles under a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms on Saturday.
Cooler air settles in west of the Cascades on Sunday, and high temps also fall to the east. Thunderstorm potential remains in the morning but lessens in the afternoon. We could also see rain on CGW2’s swap meet on Sunday morning! Models aren’t agreeing on wind speeds; the deterministic model calls for less wind than Saturday. The ensembles of the Euro call for more. Let’s take an initial stab at this with 24-27 from Mosier to Threemile with 11-14 west of Mosier where low clouds will persist. Current forecast for the Independence Day holiday: 11-14. Have a stellar holiday weekend!
Jones, Sauvie’s, Coast
Coast forecast (north/central/south, waves). Swell forecast provided by NWS. Wind direction northerly unless otherwise noted. Friday: NNW10-15/N15-20/30-35, SW swell 2′ at 15 seconds. Saturday: 10-15/10-15/15-20, SW 2′ @ 15. Sunday: W5-10/LTNW/LTN, SW 2′ @ 14. Jones Friday: 21-24. Saturday: 17-20. Sunday: LTW. Sauvie’s Friday: 12-15. Saturday: 14-17. Sunday: calm.
Mt. Hood Snow Forecast – Back on vacation until next fall
Hood River Weather Forecast
Sunshine sticks around all day Friday. Temps will be in the low 60’s early and low 80’s later. Strong westerlies. No rainbows. Saturday will be intermittently high overcast with convective showers possible in the morning and thunderstorms possible with rain in the evening and overnight. Temps will be in the mid 50’s early and low 80’s later. Strong westerlies. 43% chance of rainbows. Clouds stick around ll day Sunday, and rain is possible as are thunderstorms. Temps will be in the upper 50’s early and low 70’s later. Moderate westerlies. 67% chance of rainbows.
Looking for a complete Columbia Gorge forecast? Looking for more humor in your weather? Obscenities? You’re looking for my TATAS: Temira’s Awesome Travel Advisory Service on Facebook.
Local-ish Events
Please let me know of outdoor-related local-ish events. If you don’t tell me, I don’t know!
Coming up this weekend, it’s the CGW2 swap meet at Lot 1 on Sunday. On Saturday, Pacific Hermitage has a garden party and potluck.
Ferment’s Tuesday night 4-mile walk/run is at 6pm. At 7:15am on Wednesdays, there’s a run from the White Salmon Bakery. At 7am on Friday morning, you can get a donut and coffee for going for a run at Kickstand Coffee. The Small Boat paddlers have a group paddle at 6pm on Thursday at the Hatchery. Post and Pint happens Thursday evenings at 5:30 when Post is not too wet to ride. The women’s Post-and-Pinot ride is Wednesday evening at 5:30.
Cycling
Lots of perfect dirt out there right now! All the 44 Road trails are open. Lookout Mountain and Cooks Meadow still have some blowdown and a few patches of snow. Plains of Abraham is open, but Ape Canyon trail has received no maintenance this year. Also, the road connecting Plains of Abraham to Smith Creek closes at noon Monday-Friday and will not be open to bikers during that time. Courtney Road (the road that goes up above Syncline) is closed until October. Do not attempt to use it to access trails. Starting now, you will need a parking pass to park at Post Canyon. This money will support trails. Hospital Hill: cows are out – no dogs allowed. Underwood: do not enter areas that are closed due to logging operations.
Sprinter Van of the Week!
Click here for the Sprinter Van map of the world!!!
Have an awesome day!
