Pressure Gradients and wind speeds in the Gorge

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

I am sure it is probably more complicated than this but when there is a .10 gradient from PDX to the Dalles, at ES it is blowing, what 9m? But it needs to be like .20 from North Bend to Pasco to be on a 9m at Roosevelt. I am mostly interested in the gradients at Rufus and Roosevelt right now so which report do you look at and is there a general guideline from any locals on wind speeds as they pertain to the gradients?

soona · Since 27 Sep 2009 72 Posts

It's all voodoo - you have to look at everything. Certainly W-E and N-S gradients (whether for ES or the far east); also cloudlines, temps, dow jones . . . plus anticipating what's changing.

I've seen huge gradients and minimal winds and vice-versa . . .

Follow current wind speeds and webcams and compare them to other beta and you'll see what I mean.

Keep the car loaded and head on down!

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

if you want a pay for forecast service - use ikitesurf.com ($10 per month).
if you want a free forecast - use thegorgeismygym.com.
a small donation will get you a daily email every day with the forecast.
http://thegorgeismygym.com/forecast/

also -this topic was discussed here before:
http://nwkite.com/forums/t-30184.html&highlight=

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

speaking of ikite, when do they start forecasting the NW?

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

soona · Since 27 Sep 2009 72 Posts

Temira (thegorgeismygym) is "free" but send her $15 . . . or more. There's a paypal button.

Inflictor · Since 17 Aug 2013 151 Posts Stoked

Be your own forecaster. Ikitesurf/windsurf forecasts from an office somewhere and seems to not even look at their own windmeters. Temira is a bikey/ skier/ whatever, and you'll miss alot of good wind following her, although she tries hard, but is a rookie drama queen.
Follow the forecast models yourself using the UofWa MM5, which gives you the GFS and NAM models 3 and 7 day colored graphical maps. Compare the morning and evening runs(5am&5pm) when they look in agreement, it's probably gonna happen.
Consistency of wind is totally dependent on direction at the surface for each corridor
SW favors Swell/Hatch,Avery,Maryhill/Rufus, 3 mile. NW favors Mosier, rowena/Doug's, Roosevelt. Roosevelt gets it both and is usually fueled by the north-south gradient. .20 NB-Pasco start driving. Also numbers don't lie, no gradient nowind period. The Windance rule of thumb posted above is a decent starting point. If there's gradient and it's no good where you are,YOUR IN THE WRONG PLACE! Look at webcams, tripcheck cams, get actual windspeeds from I Kitesurf as they have the only meters on the water at swell, ES,Dougs, the Wall, Arlington, and 3mile and are accurate. Anyway, keep your eye on the sky and good luck!