Good morning sailors!
I know you're chomping at the bit, revving your engines, inching up on the starting line - you get the point - to drive to Arlington and sail 30ish winds under cloudy skies. If you've only got one day to blow this week, you may want to read the rest of the forecast before you head out.
Today looks just fine, with the exception of a massive bank of showers headed towards the central Gorge. With the back edge of the front lined up with the coast right now, wind will continue on the Columbia for hours and hours. I can't guarantee steady wind out there, but I can guarantee you'll be on the water on small gear for the entire day.
Remember, though, that today's winds are frontal, and might be a bit gusty, and might even be interspersed with a few showers.
Tomorrow and Thursday, however, are setting up as Gorge classics. Behind today's front lies a ridge of building high pressure off the coastal waters. High pressure off the coast and low pressure in the Great Basin means wind. This is wind that could overpower the legendary holding strength of Aquanet. Wind that could stop a Postal Service delivery person. Wind that could tear the new pavement from Oak Street.
Watch for Dawn Patrol on Wednesday morning (although, with snow levels at 4000 feet and cold air pooled in the Gorge, you're not going to see me Dawn Patrolling). Winds build all day, finishing up at Doug's with a 28-32+ blast. The best part about tomorrow's nuking winds will be the sailboat races in Hood River in the evening. Yippee!!! If you'd like to come on the boat as ballast - I'm thinking we'll need a lot - please let me know.
Thursday has the potential to be even windier than Wednesday, as the North Pacific High takes hold. Cross your fingers.
I thought I could sit outside at Doppio and write this forecast, but even though I'm wearing my ski shell, I'm freezing.
Have a fantastic day on the water!
Temira
p.s. I keep forgetting to mention that you can get $20 off a new iWindsurf subscription at http://www.iwindsurf.com/temira
Print | posted @ Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:10 AM