Temira's Gorge Forecast

Better late than never!

It's another cloudy morning in Portland, and you know what that means for the Gorge - more wind! Low pressure adjacent to the coast sent another push of marine clouds into western Oregon last night. It's a thin marine deck (unlike the heavy winter blanket of yesterday and the day before), but it's enough to keep temperatures down around 70 in Portland. With eastern Oregon mercuries headed for 80, the Gorge performs, yet again! A .10 gradient starts the day, and with desert heating support, that will climb. Watch for 23-26 in the Corridor by midday, with wind moving out to Doug's/Rowena in the evening.

Tomorrow still looks quite nice. Low pressure makes its move across the region, ushering in a deep, dark, drizzly marine layer. As a front approaches from Alaska, high clouds join the mix, and temperatures drop behind the front; Portland will only hit 65 tomorrow. As with all frontal passages, timing is an issue. Think "early" rather than "late," and maybe we can give the front a nudge. Best wind tomorrow depends on where the marine layer parks  (I suspect it may push past HR). If marine clouds stay west of us, look for dawn patrol at the Hatchery (unlikely, but possible). More likely scenario is dawn patrol at Doug's. As the day goes on, wind spreads east, sending The Wall and Arlington into the 28-32 range. As this is a frontal-driven system, winds will gradually move east. Doug's first, The Wall next, and Arlington last. Upper level flow is predicted to be southerly, which isn't great for The Wall. However, after the front passes, flow switches to NWerly. This will happen overnight. I do have a little concern that the front won't crawl far enough east to send Arlington and Threemile into the 30+ range before dark, but I'm going optimistic and calling it anyway.

The frontal passage and associated switch in upper flow bodes well for The Wall early Monday morning, assuming gradient is left over from the frontal passage. With cold air trapped in Portland and warmer air in the desert, as well as a possibility of showers in Hood River, desert winds bump up into the 24-28 range in the afternoon.

Anyone stoked? I am!

You guys and gals have a great time on the water today!