Temira's Gorge Forecast

One quick PSA: Tonight is Tonya's going away party. This is an open invite to the community - you don't have to know Tonya to come! Not only is this an open invite, this is the place to be. All the cool cats will be there, dancing to Portland's KNRK DJ's, Area 54! The party's at The Compound, 1221 Eugene, and kicks off at 6:30pm. Here's the evite text:

"We're sending Tonya off to Dubai on a magic carpet ride!  Put on your burkah, sari or turban, henna tattoos, red forehead dot and come for Tonya's middle eastern send off! We'll have belly dancers, fantastic music, and all-night dancing! Special Dubai appetizers will be served; bring your favorite dish to share with the crowd. If you're not a cook, bring some drinks to fuel the party!

Be there, or you'll be placed on the no-fly list, and you won't be able to go visit Tonya in Dubai!"

And now, for my next trick, the windsurfing forecast:

We've moved into a fall pattern here in the Gorge. Hood River temps dropped into the "chilly" range of the scale last night, reducing gradients to nothing, nada, zilck. As the hour hand spins around the clock (any clock moving at normal speed) the desert warms, driving a weak thermal gradient. With Portland under clouds, but headed for 80, and the desert headed for 90, we're looking at afternoon thermals in the 15-18 range.

Sunday's start is a carbon copy of today: wakeboarding weather! Poor Cathy's boat is broken, so don't call and ask her for a ride, ok? Ripples show on the river a bit earlier, and winds blow a bit harder in the afternoon, as Portland stays in the 70's. Westerlies toe the 20mph line, letting sailors with big boards and 5.0's hit the water (is it still "5.0 no go" around here?).

Late Sunday night/Monday AM sees the passage of a weak frontal system. Given the expected significant cloud coverage in Portland, we'll see winds in the low twenties.

Tuesday, at this long view, looks promising. Portland temps take a dive from the high board, landing in the mid-sixties. Rain pummels western Oregon, while the desert basks in sun. Cross your fingers...

As for the coast, well, it's light south winds. If you're really motivated, you could head to San Carlos for the expected south swell.

That's it for today. Have a great day on the water!