East and West Gorge Weather and Mt Hood Forecast: Air Stagnation Warning in Effect
Pictured: View of the gorge, filled with low hanging clouds hanging at around 1600’ elevation in White Salmon, WA near Mosier OR at 9:00 AM December 8th, 2020.
An air stagnation warning is in effect in Oregon, Upper Hood River Valley and Central Columbia River Gorge until 7:00 PM today. Effected areas include the cities of Odell, Hood River, Carson, and Underwood
The Columbia Gorge's signature east, west weather divide is especially evident today. With bright sunshine peeking through the clouds in the east and low hanging clouds blanketing the western gorge. Clouds dissipate at about 1600’ ft elevation in the western gorge this morning so if you can get above the clouds you'll get to enjoy some sunshine and some melting frost this morning!
The Eastern Gorge will be partly cloudy, with some sunshine peeking through here and there and a high near 42. A Light east wind. There will be a 40 percent chance of rain after 10:00 PM. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph after midnight.
The Western Gorge will be cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain this afternoon. Highs will be around 45. East winds of 5 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph are expected. Rainfall amounts are expected to be less than a tenth of an inch.
Look out for the weekend as forecasts predict a chance of rain or snow on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Mt Hood has snow if you can’t wait and will have mostly clear skies with a chance of drizzle in the afternoon today. So if you can’t stand to be stuck inside or under the clouds today might be a good day to head to the mountain!
Mt Hood Meadows reports 42” snow at the base area 57” mid-mountain and 79” year to date snowfall. To check current Mt. Hood snow conditions here.
Today’s Mt Hood Surface Conditions: Groom: Groomt and carvable. Off piste: Variable is the word with spots of fresh and lots of skier packed snow. The warm temps should soften it up and allow for skiable snow, but ride with caution as early season conditions exist and unmarked obstacles will be found. If you're hiking for turns, please use routes outside the ski area boundary.
Today’s Mtn Road Conditions: Spots of ice.
Carry chains or use traction tires. Tripcheck.com
To learn more about the climatology of the Interior Columbia River Basin check out this PDF from the Forest Service.
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