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The Forecast
| 4a-8a | 8a-12p | 12p-4p | 4p-8p | 8p-4a | |
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| Wednesday 3500′->1500′ |
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| Thursday 1500′ |
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| Friday 1500′->3500′ |
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Mt. Hood Weather Forecast
Same as yesterday, the good news keeps on coming. Our long-range forecast is not only cold, it’s wet. Ski season is right around the corner! Our only possible hiccup is Saturday’s system when a period of mixed precip could mix in briefly mid-morning. Don’t mind that – heavy snowfall will surround whatever happens midday and render it moot other than some potential icing on lifts. Two week forecast (GFS/ECMWF): 12/24”: 100%; 36”: 55%/85%; 48”: 25%/45%.
Let’s look at Wednesday: light snowfall starts the day on the mountain and continues through Thursday morning with the potential for some sun breaks in the afternoon. The snow level will be 3500′ this morning and will drop to 1500′ in the afternoon. About 0.3” water equivalent (WE) is forecast during the day, for 3” new. Another 0.2” WE is forecast tonight, for 2-3” powder. Wind will be strong and properly oriented to potentially increase those totals by 30-50%. Expect W 50 this morning, NW 30-35 this afternoon, and W 25 overnight.
Thursday brings heavy snowfall all day long with orographic (terrain/wind) assistance. The snow level will be 1500′ all day long. Snowfall during the day will be very heavy. The intensity tapers off some overnight. As of this morning, we’re expecting 1.0” WE during the day for 11-15” powder. Another 0.5” WE is forecast overnight for 6-8” powder. W and NW wind could enhance those totals! Wind: W 25-30 in the morning becoming NW (super good for enhancing snowfall) 30-35 from mid-afternoon on.
Friday brings a break to the snowfall, which is good news for the resorts. Why? It gives them a chance to pack snow and move snow and de-ice lifts. Me, I’ve got my eyes on some soft-pack skate skiing that day. The weather starts high overcast with flurries with the snow level at 1500′. It’ll rise to 2000′ in the afternoon and 3500′ overnight. Snowfall could pick up a bit in the afternoon, but the weather should be dry or mostly so overnight. Total snow for that 24 hour period should be less than 1”. Wind: NW 30-35 in the morning becoming WSW 20-30 in the afternoon and SW 25-45 overnight.
Now, let’s look at Saturday. Approximately 2.0” WE is forecast that day. The snow level is going to be 3500′ early, 5000′ midday, 3000′ in the evening, and down to 1000′ overnight. Model are 75% sure that temps at the resorts will stay below freezing. Instinct says we’ll see a few-hour switch to wet snow, needles, or something dense and heavy. That’s really okay. We’re just trying to build the base. Strong SW wind will accompany this system. That’s just our general picture – we’ll get more details as we get closer. After Saturday, 850mb (5000′ ish) temps drop several degrees below freezing and stay there. Snow keeps piling up. Fantastic.
Gorge Wind Forecast
Today’s your best chance for stronger westerlies. It’s also the warmest day we’re going to have for a good long while, and it’ll be by no means “warm”. The day starts with gradients of W 0.15 (pdx-dls) and 0.05 (dls-psc). You’ll find gusty 23-27, steadiest from 10am to 1pm, from Stevenson to Boardman. Select locations (Viento, Maryhill, perhaps others) could have a period of stronger wind. In the afternoon, the wind drops to gusty 16-20 from Stevenson to Avery with 7-10 in the eastern Gorge. River flow is 70,900cfs, river temp is 48F, and high temp forecast is 46F.
Thursday starts with W 7-10 all through the Gorge. Midday westerlies bump to gusty 15-18+ from Stevenson to Arlington. Afternoon wind falls to 10-13 in the west and 15-18 out east. The western Gorge will be rainy all day. High temp: 41F. Friday maxes out midday with gusty westerlies at 15-18mph or so. High temp: 41F. Saturday just looks very, very wet with westerlies possible in the far west downpour and perhaps way, way, way out east.
Coast, Jones, Coast
Done until spring, unless there’s an obvious Coast or Sauvie’s or Jones day.
Hood River Weather Forecast
Wednesday looks drizzly in the morning, dry midday, then drizzly in the evening. Temps will be in the upper 40’s early and mid 40’s later. Moderate to strong westerlies. 99% chance of rainbows. Thursday will be drizzly through midday and then sprinkly or perhaps even dry. Temps will be in the low-mid 30’s early (with icy roads likely) and low 40’s later. Moderate westerlies. 99% chance of rainbows. Friday starts drizzly and turns dry after sunrise. Temps will be in the mid 30’s early and low 40’s later. Moderate westerlies. 91% 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
FREEZE-THAW ALERT: if you notice that temps were below freezing last night and will be above freezing today, don’t ride any trail that’s not under a tree canopy. If you do so, you WILL do significant damage. DON’T DO IT! Plentiful rain recently means most tree-covered trails are muddy. Please don’t ride them either. If you do, you’ll be doing significant and possibly permanent damage. No really, please don’t. There are lots of gravel roads and lots of pavement you can ride instead. Enjoy!
Local Events
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Have an awesome day!
