Random Morning Thoughts
I know I reminded you to vote yesterday, but I’m reminding you again today. If you live in Washington, your ballot needs to be postmarked today. If you live in Oregon, a postmark isn’t good enough. Your ballot must be in the hands of election officials this evening, meaning you must drop it off at a ballot collection station. Please take the time to vote. I know many of us are frustrated by the behavior of our officials at times, but if we aren’t going to protest, votes are our voice. Use your voice.
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Thank you to everyone for using this forecast. Does it save you time, gas money, or help you find more wind, powder, or just plain fun stuff to do? Please consider making a donation to keep it going! Use it here for free or make a donation and get on the mailing list for wind for the summer and Mt. Hood snow in the winter. It’s not $99/year. Not $50/year. No, just $12.34 or more gets you on the list for 12 months. Do it via PayPal/CC by clicking on my happy photo below. Don’t PayPal? You can send a check to Temira @ PO Box 841 in Hood River. Thank you for your support, and thank you for trusting my forecast. You guys mean the world to me.
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Mt. Hood Snow
There’s not much snow in the forecast for Mt. Hood for the next few days. Sorry to say, but it’s true. The snow level today will be around 9000′ with .4-.9” rain between this morning and this afternoon. The rain will be heavy early, tapering to showers after noon. Wind will be W 35-40 all day.
Tomorrow looks partly cloudy for much of the day with a chance of a few showers overnight. The snow level will be 10,000 early and 12,000 in the afternoon and evening. Wind will be W 20 early and SW 20 in the afternoon.
Another weather system swings through on Thursday for rain in the morning and showers in the afternoon. The snow level will be 12,000′ early, 9000′ in the afternoon and then it will drop to 6000′ overnight after the moisture has passed. So, expect some ice on the roads due to radiational cooling on Friday morning, but no measurable new snow. Wind on Thursday will be SW 35-40 early, a little stronger midday, and W 35-45 in the evening after the weather system moves through.
Friday looks dry and cool. An inversion sets up on the weekend for sunshine and temps in the 50’s on the mountain. No snow in the extended forecast.
Gorge Wind
There was absolutely no wind on the river this morning as I was writing the forecast. As a weather system moves through this afternoon, expect gusty westerlies at 12-15 from Stevenson to The Dalles with up-and-down, gusty westerlies at 22-25 from Maryhill east to Arlington. It’s possible Doug’s/Rowena/Lyle will get in on the action this afternoon too. Tough call there.
Tomorrow starts with light wind in the Gorge. As an upper level low (ULL) approaches the coast midday, easterlies will pick up to 26-30 at Rooster and 21-24 at Steven’s Locks. Thursday starts with light wind as the upper low starts its journey eastward. Thursday’s wind all depends on timing. If the low moves east early enough, we’ll see west wind at 25-29 in the eastern Gorge and gusty 15-18 in the western Gorge. If it moves too late, the westerlies will happen after dark.
Gorge Weather
It’s foggy, wet, drippy and gray this morning as a cold front sits its butt right on top of Hood River, squishing out all views of sunlight. Don’t worry. The cold front will go away this afternoon, leaving us partly sunny. Expect rain this morning, tapering off to showers after noon. Temps will be in the low 50’s early and upper 50’s in the afternoon. Rainbow chances today are 94%.
Tomorrow looks like an inversion cloud morning as cool temps and light wind near Hood River combine to form low clouds. We should see sunshine in the afternoon, or maybe we’ll just see high clouds from the next (weak) weather system. Temps will be in the upper 40’s early and the low 60’s (maybe) in the afternoon. Rainbow chances are close to zero on Wednesday.
Thursday sees an upper level low (ULL) move across the state for rain in the morning and showers in the afternoon. Temps will be in the low 50’s early and the low 60’s in the afternoon. Rainbow chances are 98%. At this point, it looks like we’ll see dry weather on Friday, Saturday, and at least the morning on Sunday, although we’ll probably end up with inversion clouds for at least part of the day.
White Sprinter Van of the Day
Road and Mountain Biking
I learned something new yesterday due to a nice email from someone named Eric. Apparently “the single track between Tamanawanas trailhead and Robinhood Campground (East Fork Trail 650 I think?) is fun. It’s a mellow 4 miles out and back (8 total). The single track is surprisingly buff. Mellow cruise through dense forest kind of stuff.” So there. Go ride that. And while you’re at it, don’t forget about the Gorge 400 heading west out of Wyeth. That’s open too: 4 miles, 900′ of climbing.
Syncline was also nice yesterday, but man are there are a lot of people riding Moab. It was surprisingly loose. Peep, don’t skid on Moab. Practice mindful braking. And, just a reminder, there are lots of trees down on the 450 trail. Like 20 trees. So that’s done for the season, unless you like clambering better than biking.
The Clymb: free membership. Cheap gear.
Temira approves. Click to join.
Paul Blackburn for Mayor
First, a reminder: if you live in Oregon, it is TOO LATE to mail in your ballot. You must drop it off at a ballot collection station. If you live in Washington, you can mail your ballot. OK. This is a bit of a last-minute endorsement, as I had to do some careful reading to determine the differences between the candidates’ positions. They both are quite concerned with development on the waterfront (although they have different visions). They both mentioned workforce housing, an issue high on my list. Both have given time and energy to the community, and I am a huge believer in volunteerism. I am endorsing Paul Blackburn for the following reasons. 1) He mentioned balancing conservation and development and ecology, and that’s important to recreationalists. 2) He has served on the City Council, which gives him a solid understanding of the mayor’s role. 3) He is an active participant in local recreation, meaning he understands our concerns as watersport folks, skiers, and cyclists. In addition, I know Paul as a thoughtful, intelligent, considerate man who will listen carefully to both sides of an issue without allowing his personal biases to interfere with his final choice. And that, I believe, is the most important characteristic in a politician: the willingness to listen to others’ ideas. So. Workforce housing, balancing development and conservation, and open-mindedness. Paul Blackburn for mayor. Now, get out and vote, so your voice is heard on all the issues and candidates!
Events – email me if I’ve missed any outdoor-related events
It’s Tuesday, and that means you can play pickup touch rugby at 5:30 at the Hood River Marina. There’s a trail run with the Tri Club at 6:15pm in Post Canyon. Meet at the bottom of Post with a headlamp. You can then go and eat $12 Prime Rib at Cebu Lounge from 5pm to 9pm.
Coming up later this week: On Thursday, head to Double Mountain for a fundraising party in support of Cascadia Wildlands, working to give rural communities a voice when public lands are used for development and other projects. Friday is the annual Fashion Show, benefiting the Hood River Christmas Project. The Gorge Gear Swap is next weekend at HRVHS (drop off gear on Friday, shop on Saturday). The Mt. Hood Independent Film Festival is next Friday through Sunday, Mt. Hood Meadows employee orientation is next weekend, and so is the Oregon Mediation Association annual conference.
In interesting events not related to sports this weekend, someone is holding a Death Cafe in Hood River on Saturday at 2pm. Of course I have forgotten the location, but I’m pretty excited. I’ve always wanted to go to a death cafe. I will post more information tomorrow.
Have an awesome day today!
Temira
