Hey everyone, and happy Thursday! I know you're getting tired of the spring sprinkles (I've heard lots of grumbling around town), but tomorrow's going to be a beautiful day. Hang in there today while the rain falls out of the sky, and you'll be rewarded with sunshine and warmer weather tomorrow. Backcountry skiing, anyone? Please? I need a partner tomorrow! If not, you'll have plenty of windsurf, kiting, mountain biking and hey, skiing this weekend!
One of these days the wind forecast will move to the top of the report, but for now, snow on Mt. Hood tops the news. Timberline had 6 inches yesterday and 6 the day before. They had a few more last night (don't you love it when I post s*&t like that the night before), and they’re expecting another 2 to 4 inches of snow today. That’s winter-like accumulations. I can’t say it’s powder, but I can say there’s plenty of fresh tracks! Go up to Mt. Hood and get some turns!
And speaking of skiing, there’s Free skiing at Skibowl on Sunday! That’s right: it’s Customer appreciation day! Show up and ski for free from 9 ‘til 4. If you haven’t tried Skibowl, and I know many of you haven’t, this is your chance to try it for free! While you’re there, get an order of Skibowl nachos. They are the best in the world. They, unfortunately, are not free.
If you want windsurfing or kiting in the next four days, you’ll have it. Rain showers continue this morning, (and once again... guessing the night before!) and so does westerly flow. Winds pick up this afternoon as the clouds break up and high pressure builds at the coast. We’ll get 15-18 in the central gorge, 19-22 at Doug’s and Rowena, and 24-28 from Maryhill eastward.
Gorge winds are light tomorrow - so no windsurfing or kiteboarding here - but the north coast sees 15-20, the central coast gets 23-27 and Pistol gets 30 plus. Add in a 6 foot swell and you’re looking at a fine wavesailing day!
At this point, we’re looking at sailable west winds for the weekend as weak fronts keep onshore flow ripping through the Gorge. Windsurfers and kiters, come on down! I don't really have a handle on wind strength yet, but so far it's looking like more than gusty light wind. And... it's not looking like rain, at least not in the central Gorge.
Whatever you do today, have an awesome day!