I admit it. I've been slacking. It's damned hard writing a forecast when all I can think about is Spring Fever. Spring powder fever, that is. We've had a fantastic run of excellent skiing in the last few days, and hopefully all of you made it up to the hill (it sure felt like you did!) in the last few days!
We're not going to see powder for the next couple of days, but we are going to see beautiful conditions on the mountain. I'd really hoped the relative humidity would drop, allowing sublimation to dry out the snow a bit, but it doesn't look like that's happened, at least not yet. So, expect hidden bits of powder at Mt. Hood, with beautiful sunny skies over the groomers. You skiers and snowboarders and telemarkers have no excuse for not heading up! If I weren't completely demolished after yesterday (thanks to my ski buddy for talking me into all those extra runs!) I'd be heading to Meadows just for the sunshine!
Gardeners, I'm sure you'd like to know that Thursday and Friday both look sunny and relatively warm in the valleys. It may finally be time to dig or double-dig those garden beds. I'll let Larry over at Hood River Weather tell you if it's time to plant your snap peas yet. Last time Larry planted something, he made it snow.
Speaking of snow, it's looking like we're getting another shot of powder, maybe the real light-and-fluffy stuff, starting Friday night and continuing through Sunday, at least. Best snow looks to be for the weekend warriors on Saturday and Sunday, as the jet stream slams an Alaskan low pressure system directly into the Gorge. My hard rate jumped writing that... it's a really good setup for Mt. Hood (of course, it will be windy, but we expected that!)
Windsurfers and kiteboarders, you also have good news in this forecast. Very strong high pressure sets up in the desert today, driving Gorge east winds into the semi-nuclear range. Expect 25ish by this afternoon, and then 30+ (maybe 35+) for your small-sail windsurfing pleasure ... and small 2-line kite pleasure, if your name is Zach. Laura, come home, please. I think I'm ready for a little nuclear winter sailing, and you're my sailing partner!
Strangely enough, we'll also have the beloved North Pacific High for the next couple of days. Its purpose, this time of year, is to get Pistol River windsurfers and kiters on the water. Look for strong north winds on the central and south coast today, and side-offshore conditions tomorrow, for you surfers.
Print | posted @ Wednesday, March 11, 2009 5:39 AM