Friday: lots of easterlies. maybe some spring skiing conditions?

The best snow forecast for Mt. Hood. The best wind forecast for the Gorge.

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The Forecast

	4a-8a	8a-12p	12p-4p	4p-8p	8p-4a
Mt. Hood Snow Forecast – 5000′
Friday 9500′->10,500′
Saturday 10,000′
Sunday 10,000′

Mt. Hood Snow Forecast

Good morning, mountain shredders! When we looked at the forecast yesterday, models were coalescing around snow and colder weather returning around the 24th. Now they’re backing off on that, or at least the Euro is… it’s thinking we’ll have to wait until the 29th for weather cold enough for snow on the slopes. Remember (because I sometimes forget!) that these long-term models aren’t super-duper accurate, nor are they precise. They just give us a general picture. So, let’s talk more about all this!

It’s Friday, and we have high clouds above the slopes today. Timberline and Meadows are open for you – Meadows has a plan for Vista (but not Cascade), and Timberline plans to have the Mile and Palmer open. Expect intermittent high clouds today with light wind – under 15mph all day. The free air freezing level (FAF) will be 9500′ this morning and 10,500′ this afternoon with temps at 5000′ riseing to the low 40’s. That’s darn warm for this time of year. It could even be warm enough to fire off some corn snow – hard to say with the sun angle as low as it is. Conditions also could remain frozen granular and/or icy.

Saturday looks mostly clear with intermittent high clouds. The FAF will be 10,000′ or so all day long with temps at 5000′ rising to the mid or even upper 40’s. Wind: W 15 in the morning, WSW 10 in the afternoon, and light westerly overnight. Sunday starts out clear and adds high clouds. The FAF will be 10,000′ all day with temps at 5000′ rising to nearly 50F. Think “spring skiing”. Wind will be light westerly in the morning, S 10-20 in the afternoon, and SSW 10-15 after midnight.

Rain moves in on Monday with the snow level at 10,000′ in the morning, 8000′ midday, and 6500′ after midnight. Models call for anywhere from 0.25” rain to 1.25” rain. Let’s all vote for the lower end of that. Wind should be 20mph or so out of the SW all day. Showers linger on Tuesday with the snow level no lower than 6000′. Dry weather is now forecast through Thursday with a 50/50 chance of some precip lat next week.

In a horrifying twist this morning, the ECMWF keeps temps at 5000′ above freezing through the 29th of this month. Sure, there’s a wide range of temps that are possible, but even the lowest of those is above 0C. The GFS remains more optimistic – it drops temps low enough for snow around the 24th. Wow. In the meantime, you’ll want to break out your carving skis and stick to your dryland training routine. And add in some snow dancing. Lots of it.

Gorge Wind Forecast

Hi friends! Easterlies look strong enough for river play time for the next five days, at least. River temp has been holding steady at 47F, several degrees above normal for this time of year. That’s a bonus, for sure! For Friday, it’s go time. Easterlies start the day at 45-50 at Iwash (Rooster) Rock, 30-35 at Stevenson, and 20-25 at Viento. Iwash holds, Stevenson picks up to 35-40 midday, and Viento rises to 25. Afternoon wind drops to 35-40 at Iwash, 30-35 at Stevenson, and 20 at Viento. River flow yesterday was 76-139kcfs, river temp is 47F, and high temp forecast is 43F under partly high overcast sky.

Saturday looks lighter. You’ll want to get it early if you want to get it. Iwash starts at 35-40. Stevenson: 25-30. Viento: 15-20. Iwash and Stevenson drop to 20-25 by late morning. You know what Viento will do: drop below the speed you need. High temp: 44F under mostly clear sky. Sunday looks like a ripper, especially in the afternoon. That’s nice, because it’s going to start mighty chilly. Morning wind will be 35-40 at Iwash and 30ish at Stevenson. Afternoon wind rises to 50+ at Iwash and 35-40 at Stevenson. High temp: low 40’s under increasing high clouds. Monday and Tuesday both look like 30+. Enjoy!

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Hood River Weather Forecast

Nothing this morning breaks up a little with some high clouds above it this afternoon. Temps start in the low 40’s and rise to the low-mid 40’s. Easterlies. No rainbows. Saturday will be Nothing and then partly Nothing. Temps start in the low 30’s and rise to the mid 40’s. Easterlies. No rainbows. Sunday looks just like Saturday.

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!

Teacup has an après ski fundraiser at the Ruins on January 27th. $25. Amayah’s Indian Cafe (Biggs) offers a free meal every first Thursday from 1-4pm.

Regular weekly events:. NK Studio’s by-donation Tuesday morning yoga class is back. Ferment’s Tuesday night 4-mile walk/run is at 6pm. There’s meditation with monks at 5:15pm (an hour) and 6:30pm (30 minutes plus a talk) at Yoga Samadhi in White Salmon. The Tri Club is done for the season. At 7:15am on Wednesdays, there’s a run from the White Salmon Bakery. At 7am on Friday morning, there’s a run from Pine Street Bakery. On Fridays at 2:30pm, there’s a free meditation and stretching class at Yoga Samadhi. On Saturday at 9am, there’s a by-donation outdoor group fitness on the 2rd floor deck about Ferment Brewing.

Cycling

Regarding the trails in general: don’t ride in the mud. You’ll damage the trails. Don’t ride trails if it was below freezing the previous night and is above freezing when you want to ride. Ride gravel. Ride your trainer. Build trails. There are trail builders seeking extra hands on seven additional miles of trail on Whoopdee. Contact HRATS for more information. If you’re parking at Post Canyon, you will need a parking pass. Those can be purchased at many local shops or online.