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First thing today, I’d like to say thank you to all of you who donated during August pledge drive month. There was never a day where I didn’t post a forecast, because every day someone donated. Thank you to all of you both for using this forecast and for supporting it! Remember that although it’s free for you to use, it’s not free for me. I put a lot of time into giving you an accurate forecast, and I pay for the hosting on this website. If you find it valuable, please take the time to make a donation to support what I do. Your generosity helps keep this going for everyone. I also send an email version of this forecast. Make a $12 or larger donation, and you’re on the email list for a year. No more dealing with the twice-yearly pledge drive, and you’ll also have a chance to win prizes from the sponsors. Thank you again for your support!
This week’s sponsor is Dirt Hugger, offering curbside food waste collection service for your business, school, office, store, restaurant or hospital in Hood River and The Dalles. All that food waste becomes awesome compost for your garden, yard, farm or vineyard. You can pick up that compost or have it delivered. If we as a society can’t make composting happen through our cities and counties, at least we can make it happen through a cool local business. This is one of my favorite businesses in the Gorge. Support them, please
Light east wind this morning isn’t going to last long, as the thermal through shifts east, shutting down the Gorge pressure gradient. Expect easterlies at 15-18 early, swinging to west wind at 5-10 by 2pm, and then picking up to gusty 15-18 from Stevenson to Hood River late, as a dry cold front approaches the area. For you firefighters and road bikers, expect those west winds to escape the Gorge and be felt on the ridgetops and in the upper valleys too.
Tomorrow brings stronger west wind at 17-21 early, picking up to 21-23 in the afternoon. The strongest wind tomorrow will be near Hood River midday and Rowena in the afternoon, with 14-17 in Stevenson. At this point, it looks like we’ll see very light west wind Sunday morning, possibly fading to nothing, or switching to very light east wind in the afternoon. I think they just call that “light and variable” to keep it short, but I’m a little more OCD about my forecasting. Stronger east wind returns on Monday.
It’s mid-September, and that means it’s time for Pendleton Roundup. Yeehaw! If cowboy boots weren’t so uncomfortable, I’d wear them today. And if I owned a cowboy hat, I’d wear that too. And a pretty cowgirl dress… Anyway, I know lots of you are headed there, so have a great time. This weekend is also part of the Tieton River dam release, with 17 miles of class III wave trains for your whitewater rafting and kayaking fun. Wet Planet sent an email yesterday offering half off morning trips this weekend, so if you’re interested in a discounted Tieton trip, call them and mention the email.
If you’re sticking around, try next year’s Kona bikes for free courtesy of Dirty Fingers tomorrow from 10-4, probably at Family Man, followed by bbq and drinks. I put 25 miles on the Satori a few days ago, and it was a pretty sweet ride. Also tomorrow, swing by Cascade Locks to cheer on the Doublecross cyclocross racers. And of course, have a milkshake at the East Wind while you’re there. Why, oh why can’t we hurry up and finish the bike trail to Cascade Locks? I’m calling it the “East Wind Highway”, because that’s what I’m using it for: Time trial to East Wind, drink milkshake, spin home.
Finally, thank you to all of you who voted for me as “Most Selfless Windsurfer”. I’m touched and honored that you guys see me that way. The award is easily my most valued possession, and will brighten up every day of my life. Thank you.
Have an awesome day today!
Temira