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The Forecast
| 4a-8a | 8a-12p | 12p-4p | 4p-8p | 8p-4a | |
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| Tuesday 2000′->1000′ |
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| Wednesday 1000′->3000′ |
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| Thursday 3000′->2000′ |
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Mt. Hood Forecast
It’s another messy morning on Mt. Hood as the ski resort employees struggle to beat the ice off the lifts. On top of that frozen rain crust: fresh powder. Moderate snowfall continues today, and then sunshine appears all day Wednesday. We’re back to piles of powder and serious storm skiing for Thursday and Friday before a calmer weekend.
Tuesday brings light to moderate snowfall all day, thanks to moderate to strong WNW wind. The snow level will be 2000′-2500′ all day and will fall to about 500-1000′ under clear sky overnight. About 0.3” water equivalent (WE) is forecast today, for about 3” of fresh powder. Another 0.3-0.4” is forecast tonight, for 2-4” more. Wind today: WNW 35-40 in the morning, W 35 in the afternoon, and NW 15-20 overnight.
Wednesday will be sunny all day. High clouds move in and thicken after sunset. The free air freezing level will be about 500′ early, 2000′ in the afternoon, and 3500′ in the evening. No precip. Wind: NW 15-20 early, light and variable in the afternoon, SW 10-20 in the evening, and WSW 30-45 after midnight.
The next storm cycle accelerates into Mt. Hood on Thursday, and it’s going to be a doozy. Very strong offshore high pressure combines with fronts coming in from the NW for very heavy snowfall and, more importantly, very, very strong wind. Will the lifts keep running? It’s going to be right on the edge of what’s possible. The snow level Thursday will be 3000′ in the morning, 2000′ in the afternoon, and 1500′ overnight. 1.3” WE is forecast during the day, for 12-15” new snow. Another 0.7” WE is forecast overnight, but could be enhanced by orographics. Call it 7-10” powder. Expect wind drifts, and expect your car to be buried in the parking lot. Wind will be WSW 30-45 before dawn, W 50-60 all day (potentially stopping lifts), and WNW 55-60 overnight.
This exact pattern continues on Friday. The snow level will be 1500′ early, 2000′ in the afternoon, and 500-1000′ after midnight. About 0.9” WE is predicted during the day. That’s 10-13” powder. Another 1.2” WE is predicted in the evening: 12-15” powder. Wind: WNW 55-60 early (lifts?) bouncing around a bit during the day and settling at W 55 in the afternoon (lifts?) and falling to NW 25-35 after midnight. It currently looks like we’re back to dry weather for the weekend. Dry, warmer, with periods of sun. Wow. That’s a lot of new snow. Enjoy!
Note on wind speeds. Different wind directions are experienced in different ways on Mt. Hood. For example, west wind at 50mph will hit the slopes and exposed ridges at W 50. SW 50 may hit the ridges at SW 50, but will likely only be SW 20 below tree line. Hence the ranges for wind. Depends where you are on the mountain. Hopefully that helps clarify.
Gorge Wind Forecast
While it may be winter, there’s a modified classic summer setup happening across the Northwest. Very strong offshore high pressure persists on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and combines with frontal passages for strong westerlies. Tuesday max wind happens late morning through the afternoon. Expect gusty, showery 14-17 in the western Gorge with gusty 24-28 from The Dalles to Threemile. River flow is 114kcfs, river temp is 37F, and predicted high temp is 45F. Wednesday’s the lightest day, but it’ll also be sunny. Expect westerlies at 7-10 all through the Gorge in the morning. The wind turns calm midday and goes to E 10-15, just near Stevenson, in the afternoon.
Very strong offshore high pressure (1040mb!) persists Thursday and Friday. While Thursday morning may be light and variable, afternoon wind is currently forecast to be 30-40 east of The Dalles all the way to Boardman. Model runs for Friday suggest even stronger westerlies with averages of 35-45. If you go out, make sure you’ve got a partner, and keep them in sight. Consider wearing a PFD, just in case you and your gear become separated or you are injured.
Coast, Jones, Sauvie’s
As needed until next spring and summer.
Hood River Weather Forecast
Showery, drizzly weather continues all day today with steadier rain in the afternoon. Temps will be in the low 40’s early and mid 40’s later. Moderate westerlies. 99% chance of rainbows. Wednesday looks partly cloudy and frosty to start with sunshine in the afternoon. Temps will be in the low 30’s early and upper 40’s later. Light and variable wind. No rainbows. Thursday brings steady light to moderate rain. Temps will be in the mid 30’s early and mid 40’s later. Light and variable wind early. Moderate, gusty westerlies later. 99% chance of 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
We are in winter riding season, and the trails are apt to be fragile. If it was below freezing last night and is above freezing now, don’t ride. If it was below freezing last night and it is sunny now, don’t ride unless you are under a tree canopy for the entire ride. Freeze-thaw conditions, when ridden upon, result in permanent trail damage. Please consider doing something else, perhaps riding a gravel road in the trees or going to the mountain. Thank you!
Sprinter Van of the Week!
Click here for the Sprinter Van map of the world!!!
Local Events
Weekly events: The Kainos Coffee run happens in The Dalles every Tuesday morning at 6am. There are sailboat races at the Hood River Marina every Wednesday evening. Dirty Fingers has a group mountain bike ride (bring lights) Wednesday nights at 5:30pm. Cheno has an outdoor HIIT workout at Griffin House in Hood River at 6pm on Wednesday nights. 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 Thursday at noon at 12th and May in Hood River. Have an awesome day!
