The Gorge Is My Gym

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Gorge Wind Forecast

Looking out the window in Hood River this morning, we have a glassy river and high clouds from convection to the south. If you looked at this, you’d guess it wasn’t going to be the windiest day ever, and you’d be right. But… it’s complicated. We’ll have better chances for stronger wind from Friday through Monday.

Looking at Thursday, we start with gradients of 29.89/29.87/29.90, west .02 in the west and east .03 in the desert. Write off the desert today, okay? You’ll have calm wind all through the Gorge through early afternoon. This cloud cover and associated instability (thunder potential) makes the afternoon forecast tricky. But… Pasco’s forecast is 106F today, which should be enough to drive some evening thermals near Hood River. If we’re lucky, if the instability stays away, after 3pm we’ll see gusty 17-20 from Stevenson to Mosier with 12-15 between Lyle and The Dalles. River flow readings are 151-171kcfs, river temp is 70F, and high temp forecast is somewhere between 89 and 98 depending on the cloud coverage. It will be exceedingly muggy, so plan to swim even if it’s not windy enough to play!

Instability sticks around on Friday, but marine air should help keep the lower levels stable. Why is that important? Because low-level stability is key for strong westerlies, and that’s what’s on tap. Models suggest Dawn Patrol at 22-26 from Stevenson to Mosier with 19-23 from Lyle to Arlington. By later morning, westerlies pick up to 27-31 from Viento to Avery with 23-26 from Celilo to Arlington. Stevenson: 22-26.

Saturday’s ensembles (lots of different possible outcomes based on various starting points), are hinting at less wind than Friday. We see a similar situation with the faithful GFS 12k: morning wind at 22-26 from Viento to Arlington with 22-28 from Stevenson to Doug’s through the afternoon. The eastern Gorge should pick up to 22-26. One thing to note: marine clouds are forecast to make it to Hood River in the morning, and that could 1) delay the start and 2) shift the wind a bit east early in the day.

Sunday and Monday also look windy, but of course, they are a long way out and subject to change. The current forecast is 21-24 for Sunday and 26-30 Monday. Enjoy!  

Jones, Sauvie’s, Coast

Coast forecast (north/central/south, waves). Swell forecast provided by NWS. Wind direction northerly unless otherwise noted. Thursday: LTW/LTW/LTN, W swell 4′ at 9 seconds. Friday: LTW/LTN/N20-25, W 4′ @ 9. Saturday: LTW/N10/N20-25+, W 3′ @ 9. Jones Thursday: 14-17. Friday: 8-12. Saturday: 11-14. Sauvie’s Thursday: 8-11. Friday: 11-14 late. Saturday: LTV.  

Mt. Hood Snow Forecast – On vacation until next fall

Hood River Weather Forecast

High clouds stick around all day with a chance of thunder. Temps will be in the low 70’s early and 90-98 later. Light wind most of the day. Moderate westerlies in the evening. 0.5% chance of rainbows. Friday will be High overcast and then partly high overcast. Temps will be in the upper 60’s early and mid 80’s later. Moderate westerlies to start. Strong later. Slight chance of thunder. 0.5% chance of rainbows. Saturday starts partly cloudy and turns clear. Temps will be near 60 early and in the mid to upper 80’s later. Strong westerlies. 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.  

Local-ish Events

Please let me know of outdoor-related local-ish events. If you don’t tell me, I don’t know! The Wasco County Fair is this week. So is the Skamania County Fair. There’s a 5k race at the Skamania County Fair if you want to get your race on! The Post Canyon 50k Ultra-marathon is Saturday. 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. The women’s Post-and-Pinot ride is Wednesday evening at 5:30.  

Cycling

As of Monday, 8/17, the following trails are closed due to fire danger: Hospital Hill, Underwood, Whoopdee, and andy lands Owned or Managed by American Forest Management, Broughton Lumber Company, DGS Timber, Green Diamond, Kreps Ranch, Kreps Family LLC, Lupine Forest, Manulife Forest Management, Twin Creeks Timber, and Western Pacific Timber, LLC in Klickitat, Skamania, Stevens, Yakima, Hood River and Wasco counties.

Other news: some nice Hood River folks went and cleared the Smith Creek trail by St. Helens. That loop is now open. As a matter of fact, I’m not sure of anything being closed. No report yet on Boulder Lakes or Gunsight, but I’m sure someone will email me after changing this. Caveats: 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. If you’re riding Post Canyon, you will need a parking pass. Those can be purchased at many local shops or online.  

Sprinter Van of the Week!

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

Have an awesome day!