Windsurfers and kiters, hopefully you got some east winds in the sunshine yesterday! Today doesn’t look windy. At best, we’ll see intermittent low teen westerlies.
Tomorrow looks ;like a complicated kiteboarding and windsurfing picture. A cold front pushes into the Gorge. Models are mixed on the timing. Some suggest the front will stall, stalling winds. Others imply the front will keep moving. To further complicate the picture, the wind will have a strong southerly component tomorrow. Given this, my confidence in the forecast tomorrow is low. For now, I’ll say there’s a possiblity of 23-27 in the desert late tomorrow afternoon and 17-21 in the western Gorge by early afternoon. If it happens, the southerly cant will favor Arlington and Threemile and that’s about it.If you are desperate to windsurf or kite, you will be able to tomorrow. It just won't be the prettiest day ever.
Mountain biking is going to be muddy today. As of yesterday, Post Canyon was splendid, but it's pretty slick now. after the all-night rainstorm. We've actually only had .09" of rain so far (thanks to Larry at http://webpages.charter.net/hoodriverweather/weather.htm for that info) Dirty Fingers bike repair asked me to remind all mountain bikers that it is cow season on Hospital Hill. Be mindful of the bovines. And, please, please, please do not bring your dog until the cows are gone. Dogs scare cows. Cows trample dogs. This is bad for all involved.
For you skiers and snowboaders, Mother Nature dishes out 1/2” of precipitation today and another 1/3” tomorrow. Rain today, snow tomorrow. But hey, skiing groomers in the rain is fun! No, seriously. Snowboards and skis (well-waxed skis and snowboards, anyway) slide nicely over wet corduroy. Besides, lift-serve skiing is almost done for the year. I know you have good gore-tex (or a strong Hefty bag), so you might as well put it to use.
Boaters, this is a head’s up for a big rainstorm Tuesday. As of now, the Hood’s at 1160 cfs, The White Salmon’s at 3.08 feet and the Wind River’s at 488 cfs.
Whatever you do today, have an awesome day!