Saturday: still too smoky

September 12, 2020

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Meet your forecaster: Temira

For almost 30 years, Temira (they/them) has been making the most of the Gorge: riding river swell, shredding powder, and cycling all the gravel and pavement and trails. This is Temira’s playground, their gym… their life’s work.

This passion led Temira to take a vow: In 2006, Temira decided to provide the most accurate, hyper-local weather forecasts possible. Today, Temira’s forecasts have become an essential resource for thousands of skiers, snowboarders, wind sports enthusiasts and Gorge commuters. With Temira’s guidance, you can plan ahead, time your sessions perfectly, and just plain have more fun! But the story doesn’t end there.

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The Forecast

Gorge Wind Forecast

West wind continues through the Gorge today, stirring the smoke around like a warlock brewing a potion. No, you can’t get on the water, because you’ll ruin your lungs and you won’t be able to see anything anyway. Westerlies start in the 20’s near Viento, the teens near swell, and the 5-10 range other locations. Offshore pressure drops in the afternoon. Also lacking: assistance from heating due to lack of clear sky. Westerlies settle in at gusty 19-23 from Stevenson to The Dalles and hold there. Expect 10-13 farther east. River flow is an even 100,000cfs. Temp is 67 degrees. High temp today: 76.

Stronger west flow at the surface and stronger SW flow up above starts to wash away the smoke on Sunday. Will we see blue sky on Sunday here in the Gorge? Probably not, except for the far western reaches in the afternoon. Still, it’ll be better than today by the end of tomorrow! Westerlies start at 20-23 from Viento to Swell with 10-13 east and west of there. Afternoon wind, after 1pm or so: 25-29 from Stevenson to Rufus with light and variable wind (and smokier air) to the east. High temp: 79?

Monday sees a weather system approaching. That leaves the Gorge with light and variable wind all day. Upper flow will be SW, which should, hopefully, keep the worst of the smoke east of The Dalles. Sorry, desert folk. High temp: 77.

The Port of Hood River is offering up the Event Site, Lot 1, and the Marina parking for wildfire evacuees. I’m not sure how many people are taking advantage of that, but perhaps you can take them food and n95 masks. Kiting is no longer allowed at the Marina – it has become unsafe for other user groups. Lyle is now off limits unless you can get to the sandbar without crossing the RR tracks. If you cross the tracks, you will be ticketed. Lyle: loved to death. Roosevelt: still closed due to wind damage from earlier this year. Mosier is only available to residents of 97040 (Mosier).

Coast, Jones, Sauvie’st

Coast (north/central/south, waves. Swell forecast provided by NWS.) Saturday: LTW/LTW/N5-10, W swell 1′ at 9 seconds. Sunday: SW 5-10/LTW/LTV, SW 2′ @ 16. Monday: LTV/S10-15/S10-20, SW 2′ @ 15. Jones Saturday-Monday: LTV. Sauvie’s Saturday-Monday: LTV.

Hood River Weather Forecast

Very smoky weather continues on Saturday with no respite. Don’t go outside without some serious lung protection. Temps will be in the upper 50’s early and low to mid 70’s later. Moderate westerlies. No rainbows. Duh. Sunday will be quite smoky early and will be less smoky later. You might even be able to get outside! Temps will be in the mid 50’s early and mid to upper 70’s later. Moderate to strong westerlies. No rainbows. Monday starts with marine clouds and ends with high clouds. Much less smoke. Temps will be in the mid 50’s early and mid to upper 70’s later. Light and variable wind. No 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.

Cycling

9/5: Hood River County lands are closed due to extreme fire danger. Mt. Hood National Forest is closed to all uses. Syncline/Coyote Wall: closed due to fire danger. Whoopdee, Hospital Hill, and Underwood are closed due to fire danger. Respect the closures. Other Post news: Eldorado has reopened, as have other trails associated with that particular timber harvest closure. Complete list of open/closed: http://readysetgorge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/Outdoor-Rec-Status-for-Ready-Set-Gorge-Sept-11.pdf

Sprinter Van of the Week!

Click here for the Sprinter Van map of the world!!!

Local Events

Weekly events: there are sailboat races at the Hood River Marina every Wednesday evening. Dirty Fingers has a group mountain bike ride Thursday nights at 5:30pm. The small boat group has a friendly and distanced paddle on, I believe, Thursday nights. Cheno has an outdoor HIIT workout at Columbia High School in White Salmon at 6pm on Wednesday nights. That’s pretty much it for outdoor sports. There is a BLM rally every Tuesday evening at 5:30 at the Salmon Fountain in Hood River, and there’s a White Coats for BLM rally every Wednesday evening at 6pm at 12th and May.

Current Closures (may not be complete)

Mt. Hood National Forest (all closed). Gifford Pinchot NF west of Indian Heaven and south of the 90/30 Roads. Syncline/Coyote Wall. Hood River County Land. Kreps, SDS, and other private timberlands. DNR and ODF lands. Many places in the scenic area. Completeish list here.

Have an awesome day!

Temira

The Gorge Is My Gym