Gorge Wind Forecast
It’s a completely, totally, 100% glassy morning on the Columbia, and I can’t see anyone out there wakeboarding, wakesurfing, waterskiing, or rowing. I haven’t a clue why people aren’t, but maybe they’re just not where I’m looking! Anyway… some things will happen in weatherland today to give us some light westerlies late in the day. To be more specific, the ridge of high pressure that’s shut down the cross-Cascade gradient will move east, and a trough of low pressure will bring cooler air to the western side of the state in the evening. This probably won’t happen early enough to pump up the Gorge westerlies much – Jones Beach and Nuke Alley will be the real beneficiaries this afternoon.
That said, we’ll have calm wind through early afternoon. Around 2pm, Stevenson will see some westerlies start up at 10-13 or so. The wind will pick up a bit more before sunset, reaching the 13-16 range from Stevenson to Hood River, possibly out to Doug’s as well. Gradients and wind will continue to build overnight as marine clouds push in to the Portland area.
(continued after the chart)
| Your favorite beach | Dawn Patrol |
9am- 11:30a |
11:30a- 3pm |
3pm- dusk |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster Rock | bare | buns | funs | funs! | |
| Steven’s Locks | calm | calm | 10-13 | 13-16 | |
| Hatchery/Wunderbar | calm | calm | 10-13 | 13-16 | |
| Doug’s, Lyle, Rowena | calm | calm | calm | 10-13 | |
| Rufus, etc. | calm | calm | calm | calm | |
| Roosevelt, etc. | calm | calm | calm | calm | |
Gorge Wind Forecast, continued.
Saturday morning starts off with a deep marine layer in Portland and a trough of low pressure east of the Cascades. We’ll start the day with very strong gradients – the GFS suggests .18 (pdx-dls) at dawn under a stable atmosphere. If the marine clouds can stay to the west of Hood River, that’ll give us 28-32 right off the bat from Swell to Mosier. If the clouds push in further, we’ll have 28-32 from Mosier to Doug’s for dawn patrol. The second half of the day looks a little complicated offshore, and also contains some atmospheric instability in the desert. More than likely, this will increase gustiness and inconsistency in the afternoon, giving us a wider range of 23-30 with stronger periods possible. In other words, I’d suggest going for the morning session and considering any good afternoon wind a bonus. The wind in the Cascade Locks area will probably be gusty 13-16 under the clouds early with 21-24 if/when the clouds clear.
Sunday morning continues the complicated weather picture of Saturday afternoon, but things look to steady out late in the day Sunday. With just a bit less marine influence on Sunday, we’ll see the wind be focused in the Viento to Mosier corridor in the morning. We’ll have gusty 18-22 early Sunday morning from Viento to Mosier. We’ll have gusty 23-27 during the day from Viento to Doug’s, with Stevenson joining as the clouds burn back. By mid-afternoon, the wind should steady out, giving us 25-28 from Stevenson to Rufus. Looking at Monday, models suggest 24-27, possibly more – I’m thinking the wind might beat the models Monday.
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Jones, Sauvie’s, Coast Beta Test Forecast
Jones Friday: 25-29. Saturday: 16-19. Sunday: 22-25. Sauvie’s the next three days: 10-13. Coast (north/central/south). Friday: 5-10/5-10/20-25, NW 3′ @ 9. Saturday: 5-10/15-20/30-35, W 4′ @ 10. Sunday: 5-10/15-20/30-35, W 4′ @ 10.
Mt. Hood Snow Forecast
Nothing to see here.
Random Morning Thoughts
While I’d love to sit here staring at Mt. Adams, enjoying the cool air on my bare arms, I gotta get up to the Whoopdee to help with brushing. Have an awesome day!
Disclaimer required by my grad school program: I am not your therapist (but I could be 27 graduate school credits from now). I am your weather forecaster. Take everything I say with a grain of salt, and consult with your actual therapist about your mental health issues. One other thing: I plan to keep doing this forecast indefinitely, even when I am a therapist.
Gorge Weather Forecast
It’s a very sunny morning and should stay that way until afternoon, when we may see a few cumulus clouds. Temps will be in the mid 60’s early and near 90 this afternoon. Light wind early, moderate in the evening. No rainbows. Saturday will probably see a few marine clouds early with sunshine later. Temps will be in the upper 50’s early and the low 80’s in the afternoon. Strong westerlies. No rainbows. Sunday looks sunny. Temps will be in the upper 50’s early and the low 80’s later. Moderate westerlies. No rainbows.
For weather specifically directed at travel through the Gorge, please visit Temira’s Awesome Travel Advisory Service on Facebook.
White Sprinter Van of the Day
Road and Mountain Biking
Latest: a trustworthy report on the Forest Loop above Trout Lake appeared to be not-so-trustworthy. Careful Strava research by Viggers™ revealed that 10 or so people rode the loop over the weekend. It appears that there is a second washout on the 88 road, but that the loop is rideable. In other news, the Gifford Pinchot website reports that as of 6/20, solid snow began one mile from the Ape Canyon trailhead. Wow. It’s going to be a long time before Plains of Abraham is accessible from that side!
Upcoming Events
Today’s events start off with the weekly kickstand coffee run at 7am, getting you a coffee and donut for walking or jogging 4 miles. That’s all that’s on the calendar today, but tomorrow is the Ft. Dalles Fourth. The Rocket Run is on the riverfront trail in The Dalles at 7:30 tomorrow. If that’s too early, there’s a trail run in Post Canyon at 8. At 9 tomorrow, there’s a women’s bike ride at mountain view cycles, free outdoor yoga at Lewis and Clark Park, and free yoga at the Hood River Waterfront Park.
There are going to be happy sailors and windsurfers this weekend at the Gorge Cup races at the Event Site and the WIND Youth Regatta in Cascade locks. Both of those events happen both days. There’s a work party and tea party at Pacific Hermitage on Saturday (potluck at 10:30, work party at 1pm, and tea at 3pm) and a swap meet at Windance on Sunday. Sunday, not Saturday. Gosh… there are so many days in the weekend. I get confused sometimes.
Have an awesome day today!
Temira
