The Gorge Is My Gym

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Gorge Wind Forecast

Models are still bouncing all over the place on wind speeds for each of the next four days. Generally, speaking, the best odds for stronger, steadier wind are Thursday, Saturday, and perhaps next Monday.

A heat low hangs around just west of the Cascades on Wednesday and brings us early westerlies. Best bet is Viento or Stevenson for a brief period of 20-25 this morning. Rooster will have 15-20 for a couple of hours. Models suggest an earlier-than-normal fade to 15-20 or less by late morning. Rooster and Cascade Locks drop below 10mph this afternoon, and Viento falls to 10mph or so. River flow readings are 61-86kcfs, river temp is 65F, and high temp forecast is 77F.

Thursday sees a cold front drop down from the NW. The GFS deterministic is pretty aggressive with the wind, but the ensembles are less enthusiastic. Let’s roll with the deterministic for now, as cool air arrives on the west side relatively early and the east side stays warm. Dawn Patrol: 14-17 from Stevenson or Viento to Swell or Hood River. Midday: 21-24 from Stevenson to Mosier. Afternoon: 25-29 with a chance of “+” from Stevenson to Doug’s or Avery. Rufus has a shot too – models often don’t include Rufus on this setup, and it often overperforms. High temp: 75F.

Friday sees a much stronger weather system headed our way. Models are all over the place on wind speeds. As of this morning, they’re calling for dawn patrol at 24-27 from Viento to Mosier with a quick fall to 20-23 midday between Stevenson and Arlington. Afternoon: 11-14 as rain nears and then arrives. High temp: 61F.

As of this morning, the timing of Saturday’s wind is questionable, as is the strength. You’ll remember that things were hopeful yesterday with an afternoon 30-40mph forecast. The current run of the GFS has backed way off, but the ensembles still call for strong early-morning wind with a quick fade in the afternoon. We’re going to have to wait til we get closer for clarity. Given the active weather pattern, trying to forecast Sunday, let alone any days deeper into the future, is futile at this point. That said, the current forecast for Sunday is “light and variable” and includes heavy rain in the afternoon. Plan for Thursday for now. See ya on the water!  

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Jones, Sauvie’s, Coast

Coast forecast (north/central/south, waves). Swell forecast provided by NWS. Wind direction northerly unless otherwise noted. Wednesday: 20-25/20-25/30-35, W swell 6′ @ 13 seconds. Thursday: 10-15/20-25/30-40, W 8′ @ 13. Friday: S15-20/LTV/N15-20, NW 7′ @ 11. Jones Wednesday: 13-16. Thursday: 17-20. Friday: LTV. Sauvie’s Wednesday: 12-15+. Thursday: 10-13. Friday: LTS.  

Mt. Hood Snow Forecast – Special Weather Statement

Snow is forecast at ski resort elevations this weekend. Details are not yet clear. On Friday, the snow level falls from 12,000′ in the morning to 5500′ in the afternoon and 4000′ after midnight. Most of the precip will fall as rain with just a trace at the resorts overnight. Wind: NW35 in the morning, W30 in the evening, and NW 25 after midnight.

Saturday sees the snow level around 4500′ in the morning and as low as 3000′ in the afternoon. A trace is forecast during the day and an inch overnight. Wind: NW 25 much of the cay and W 25 overnight. Sunday brings our best chance of significant snow at the resorts, but models are still sorting out the details. Generally speaking, the snow level will be between 3500′ early, 5500′ midday, and 4000′ overnight. As of this morning, about 0.5” water equivalent (WE) is forecast during the day, for 2-5” dense new snow. Up to 1.0” WE is forecast overnight, for 8-11”. Let’s hope that actually happens! It’s definitely subject to change at this point. Wind Sunday will be W 25 in the morning, SW 15 in the afternoon, and NW 20 overnight. Let’s see how the details shake out!  

Hood River Weather Forecast

Last day of summer! Clear sky all day. Temps will be in the low 40’s early and upper 70’s later. Record high: 76F. Light easterlies. No rainbows. Thursday will be partly high cloudy then overcast. Temps start near 50 and rise to the mid 70’s. Record high: 73. Moderate westerlies early. Strong westerlies later. No rainbows. Friday starts cloudy and ends rainy. Temps will be in the low 40’s early and near 60 later. Moderate westerlies. 2% 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.  

Local-ish Events

Please let me know of outdoor-related local-ish events. If you don’t tell me, I don’t know! Regular weekly events: Ferment’s Tuesday night 4-mile walk/run is at 6pm. The Columbia Gorge Tri Club has a weekly workout at Mayer Park in Rowena at 6pm Tuesdays. At 7:15am on Wednesdays, there’s a run from the White Salmon Bakery. At 7am on Friday morning, there’s a run from Pine Street Bakery. The Small Boat paddlers have a group paddle at 6pm on Thursday at the Hatchery. Post and Pint and Post n’ Pinot are done for the season due to darkness. There’s a free Zumba class at 6pm in the parking lot of One Community Health in The Dalles on Wednesday. Providence is sponsoring a walking program called Healthy Strides. Meets Weds at May Street 5:30pm, through Nov 16. All ages welcome, and there’s swag!  

Cycling

It’s dusty out there, but it won’t be dusty much longer! Hood River County has reopened all motorized trails to motorized use. Hospital Hill, Underwood, and Whoopdee have reopened. Rifle deer season is open in both Oregon and Washington, so consider wearing safety colors while you’re riding.

The road connecting Plains of Abraham to Smith Creek closes at noon Monday-Friday and will not be open to bikers during that time. In theory, the Courtney Road closure was to end October 15th. Lemme know if you know if it has reopened. 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!