December 2023 Weather in the PNW

[Ken in Wood Village]

I'm feeling the pain in my legs for going up to Crown Point today. Those winds were a lot stronger than the anemometer was showing.

It did finally register a gust of wind at 2:30pm of 83 mph but you need to remember. Those post are every 5 minutes and it only will post that current speed at the time it is set to post it. So if the winds are 70 mph at say 12:30pm, it will post it. Then the next post at 12:35pm, it will post whatever the winds are at that time. There is probably a higher gust between those two times but it won't post it. 

It was fun even though some people didn't have fun. A lady was coming around the Vista House when she couldn't stop because the winds were to strong. She flew past me and hit the railing and flipped over it. I was shocked to see that. She was able to land on her feet on the other side and avoided getting hurt but if she didn't land the way she did, she would have been hurt really bad. 

It tells me that people need to be careful being up there especially with their children. 

[Gradient Keeper]

2 minutes ago, Ken in Wood Village said:

I'm feeling the pain in my legs for going up to Crown Point today. Those winds were a lot stronger than the anemometer was showing.

It did finally register a gust of wind at 2:30pm of 83 mph but you need to remember. Those post are every 5 minutes and it only will post that current speed at the time it is set to post it. So if the winds are 70 mph at say 12:30pm, it will post it. Then the next post at 12:35pm, it will post whatever the winds are at that time. There is probably a higher gust between those two times but it won't post it. 

It was fun even though some people didn't have fun. A lady was coming around the Vista House when she could stop because the winds were to strong. She flew past me and hit the railing and flipped over it. I was shocked to see that. She was able to land on her feet on the other side and avoided getting hurt but if she didn't land the way she did, she would have been hurt really bad. 

It tells me that people need to be careful being up there especially with their children. 

or if someone brought a dog up there. Could you imagine? Yeah during the peak gusts it was almost impossible to stand up even leaning into the wind. I might go back up there in a bit lol....

[MWG]

1 hour ago, Dave said:

It absolutely is not awful. I love it here. Great access to the coast with great fishing. Easy access to the mountains with great snowmobiling is just a bit over an hour away. Hiking and biking trails everywhere. It just sucks when the inversions don't break for days on end during the winter when it is sunny and warm if you just were a few hundred feet higher in the foothills. A bit more snow would be nice, but I won't complain about that because we aren't Roseburg.

Anything below Roseburg 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

6 minutes ago, Gradient Keeper said:

or if someone brought a dog up there. Could you imagine? Yeah during the peak gusts it was almost impossible to stand up even leaning into the wind. I might go back up there in a bit lol....

We should send up the smallest news reporter. 

[Meatyorologist]

57 minutes ago, Deweydog said:

"Sir, this is a Toyota dealership."

[Cold Snap]

14 minutes ago, Ken in Wood Village said:

I'm feeling the pain in my legs for going up to Crown Point today. Those winds were a lot stronger than the anemometer was showing.

It did finally register a gust of wind at 2:30pm of 83 mph but you need to remember. Those post are every 5 minutes and it only will post that current speed at the time it is set to post it. So if the winds are 70 mph at say 12:30pm, it will post it. Then the next post at 12:35pm, it will post whatever the winds are at that time. There is probably a higher gust between those two times but it won't post it. 

It was fun even though some people didn't have fun. A lady was coming around the Vista House when she could stop because the winds were to strong. She flew past me and hit the railing and flipped over it. I was shocked to see that. She was able to land on her feet on the other side and avoided getting hurt but if she didn't land the way she did, she would have been hurt really bad. 

It tells me that people need to be careful being up there especially with their children. 

It would be pretty cool to witness wind speeds that high but it seems like it can be dangerous as well. Still would like to see what it’s like.

[Gradient Keeper]

The Gorge/Gap gradients are stronger now than when we were up there earlier @Ken in Wood Village!

• 7 pm

[Gorge/Gap Gradients]
PDX-DLS: -9.4mb
TTD-DLS: -10.3mb

[Gradient Keeper]

With the TTD-DLS gradient over -10mb, so I'm going back UP to Crown Point! The winds should be absolutely crazy right now! Be back later!

[Cascadia_Wx]

30 minutes ago, BLI snowman said:

Wild. I did the exact same loop this evening. Probably saw you as I was starting my hike. Just getting in a quickie before the work week.

Very cool. What are the odds. Were you coming up the Multnomah side? I was wearing a green, oversized flannel and a brown carhart beanie.

[Ken in Wood Village]

19 minutes ago, Gradient Keeper said:

or if someone brought a dog up there. Could you imagine? Yeah during the peak gusts it was almost impossible to stand up even leaning into the wind. I might go back up there in a bit lol....

Someone did bring their dog up there. It was before you arrived. The dog was smart, it stayed out of the wind...lol

[Ken in Wood Village]

9 minutes ago, Cold Snap said:

It would be pretty cool to witness wind speeds that high but it seems like it can be dangerous as well. Still would like to see what it’s like.

It very exhilarating. With those types of winds, it takes your breath away. With it being that cold and dry, it dries out your lungs. @Gradient Keeper and I would start coughing because of it. You just need to be careful when you're up there. 

[Ken in Wood Village]

6 minutes ago, Gradient Keeper said:

With the TTD-DLS gradient over -10mb, so I'm going back UP to Crown Point! The winds should be absolutely crazy right now! Be back later!

Be careful, it's darker now and there really isn't much street lighting to be able to see all that well. 

[Phishy Wx]

49 minutes ago, Gradient Keeper said:

It was this windy or slightly windier up there, but we at least had much better footing with dry surfaces.

did you do any flips?

[Phishy Wx]

49 minutes ago, Gradient Keeper said:

or if someone brought a dog up there. Could you imagine? Yeah during the peak gusts it was almost impossible to stand up even leaning into the wind. I might go back up there in a bit lol....

I need to check this place out in January, driving thru.

[Ken in Wood Village]

Just now, Phishy Wx said:

did you do any flips?

He didn't but a woman did. I was standing (as good as you can in the wind) on the SE side of the Vista House when this lady came around the corner and she was being pushed by the wind (I'm guessing the winds we at least 100 mph at the time) and she couldn't stop. She flew by me and she hit the railing that's on the South side of the Vista House. She flipped over it (her legs were straight in the air) and luckily she landed on her feet. If she didn't land that way, she would have been hurt really bad. I have been up there many times before and I never saw that, ever. It was really scary  

[Phishy Wx]

2 minutes ago, Ken in Wood Village said:

He didn't but a woman did. I was standing (as good as you can in the wind) on the SE side of the Vista House when this lady came around the corner and she was being pushed by the wind (I'm guessing the winds we at least 100 mph at the time) and she couldn't stop. She flew by me and she hit the railing that's on the South side of the Vista House. She flipped over it (her legs were straight in the air) and luckily she landed on her feet. If she didn't land that way, she would have been hurt really bad. I have been up there many times before and I never saw that, ever. It was really scary  

yea triple digit wind is a different beast. wow

[Dave]

1 hour ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

What’s the best spot to float and fish on the McKenzie? I’ve only fished downstream from Armitage park to the Willamette. Have always done very well there, I am sure it’s better upstream. Floated from Hayden Bridge many times too, but my wife always wants to party on the float so I never fish on those trips… 

It really depends on what type of boat/craft you are floating from and what your goals are. The place that I caught that huge trout (char) was just a bit below the Paradise boat launch. There are even great spots for huge Dolly Varden above that. I was fishing from a drift boat with a very experienced guide.

If you want to fish for steelhead the most popular spot to launch is by crossing the Leaburg Dam and launch there. But there are really unlimited spots to fish and float. Your craft doesn't necessarily limit you. I just found that fishing off of a raft while floating is rather hard. lol

[Dave]

2 hours ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

What’s the best spot to float and fish on the McKenzie? I’ve only fished downstream from Armitage park to the Willamette. Have always done very well there, I am sure it’s better upstream. Floated from Hayden Bridge many times too, but my wife always wants to party on the float so I never fish on those trips… 

Also, I know you have kids. I'll give up a spot or two for bank fishing for trout. Drive right past Leaburg Lake and take the covered bridge. I think it is called the Goodpasture bridge. Drive to the end of the paved area and there is a great spot for catching trout. Put a life jacket on your children though. On the gravel road, go about 1/4 mile until you see a rough road/spur on the left. You'll probably need to walk down there. Great trouts are waiting for you.

[TigerWoodsLibido]

14 minutes ago, Dave said:

Also, I know you have kids. I'll give up a spot or two for bank fishing for trout. Drive right past Leaburg Lake and take the covered bridge. I think it is called the Goodpasture bridge. Drive to the end of the paved area and there is a great spot for catching trout. Put a life jacket on your children though. On the gravel road, go about 1/4 mile until you see a rough road/spur on the left. You'll probably need to walk down there. Great trouts are waiting for you.

Have y’all been all the way up to the primary runoff for the river? Is it near Clear Lake?

[Cascadia_Wx]

8 minutes ago, TigerWoodsLibido said:

Have y’all been all the way up to the primary runoff for the river? Is it near Clear Lake?

The McKenzie starts at Clear Lake. Or specifically Great Spring on the NE side of Clear Lake.

[Dave]

6 minutes ago, TigerWoodsLibido said:

Have y’all been all the way up to the primary runoff for the river? Is it near Clear Lake?

Yes. It isn't difficult to access. Clear Lake receives multiple underwater springs and is a toasty 38 degrees year round. The source of the McKenzie can be easily seen within an easy hike around there. It is the clearest water in the world according to me.

[Chewbacca Defense]

10 hours ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

Was just about to post the same thing. Using high beams in foggy condition just makes the backscatter worse.

I've always heard this, but more often than not, I actually don't have that issue, and actually benefit from having the high beams on. And my past few cars have had really good/really bright headlights.  I think my eyes are able to filter out the backscatter and focus on reflections of the signs, road markers, and the movement of other objects along the side of the road.  The only time it doesn't work for me is in the absolute worst pea soup stuff where you can't see past the hood.  I  think I've only encountered that a handful of times.

[TigerWoodsLibido]

I miss driving. I know I say it a lot. But it really sucks feeling so handcuffed by not being able to do so anymore.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

58 minutes ago, Dave said:

It really depends on what type of boat/craft you are floating from and what your goals are. The place that I caught that huge trout (char) was just a bit below the Paradise boat launch. There are even great spots for huge Dolly Varden above that. I was fishing from a drift boat with a very experienced guide.

If you want to fish for steelhead the most popular spot to launch is by crossing the Leaburg Dam and launch there. But there are really unlimited spots to fish and float. Your craft doesn't necessarily limit you. I just found that fishing off of a raft while floating is rather hard. lol

Thanks. I have a little raft but I don’t typically fish from it. Usually I’ll fish from the kayak. The times I’ve fished I launched and Armitage and went all the way to Harrisburg on the Willamette. I catch way bigger fish on the Willamette, but a lot more on the McKenzie. And it’s my understanding the fishing is better a bit further up river. 
 

I also read they had about 50 Coho go over Leaburg this fall which was a first, as for whatever reason the coho run is taking off in the willamette basin. They had 40,000 go over Willamette Falls and about 10,000 pass Stayton on the North Santiam. Which is good as we know the Steelhead and Chinook runs in the basin have pretty much collapsed in recent years. 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

17 minutes ago, Dave said:

Yes. It isn't difficult to access. Clear Lake receives multiple underwater springs and is a toasty 38 degrees year round. The source of the McKenzie can be easily seen within an easy hike around there. It is the clearest water in the world according to me.

I haven’t done the hike around Clear Lake in years, but it’s a nice easy hike. Took my kids there in early May, but there was still several feet of snow on the trail. At least at that time HWY 126 was in awful condition. 

[Chewbacca Defense]

Off Topic, but for those with a Bellingham connection (seems to be quite a few on here), Fairhaven took a big hit overnight with the Terminal Building getting gutted by fire overnight.  It was the big red brick building at Harris and 11th next to Dirty Dan's Steakhouse.  One of the oldest buildings in Bellingham (built in 1888).

Pulled these pics off Facebook

It also come out this afternoon that one employee for one of the businesses in the building is missing.

 

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/employee-missing-after-fire-gutted-historic-fairhaven-building/LGNULRJDARC35FH3QCLEOV3B54/

 

 

[Snownerd3000]

A ways out there but the GOA low gets pinched off like the turd it is. 

[Gradient Keeper]

48 minutes ago, TigerWoodsLibido said:

I miss driving. I know I say it a lot. But it really sucks feeling so handcuffed by not being able to do so anymore.

I am sorry you cannot. I understand why you say it a lot. I said it a lot for decades. It's the frustration, and it makes one feel depressed, despair, and hopeless. I know this. You feel like it helps or matters to talk about. Words of encouragement from others, people who give a damn, it does matter. It does. I lost 20+ years of my life essentially when I had to quit bowling/tournaments and working. I feel you so much on all of this, and I can relate as this is the first time in my life I've been able to drive due to vertigo. 30+ years I couldn't and had enough trouble just being a passenger. Now 51 and since June I've drove over 5,000 miles lol. I hope you can do that again soon! I really hope so.

[snow_wizard]

I ended up with 46/29 here today.  At least we are coming up with some chilly days during this regime.  That having been said it is getting super boring.

I'm pretty anxious to see the weeklies tomorrow.  We'll see if they continue to support the idea of a more favorable pattern by Jan 10 or so.  The GEFS extended has been pretty consistent in showing a pattern that is actually better than our January normal this century by that time.

[snow_wizard]

46 minutes ago, Snownerd3000 said:

A ways out there but the GOA low gets pinched off like the turd it is. 

Yeah...I think that's the first step toward the better pattern being hinted at a bit down the road.

[snow_wizard]

8 minutes ago, Gradient Keeper said:

I am sorry you cannot. I understand why you say it a lot. I said it a lot for decades. It's the frustration, and it makes one feel depressed, despair, and hopeless. I know this. You feel like it helps or matters to talk about. Words of encouragement from others, people who give a D**n, it does matter. It does. I lost 20+ years of my life essentially when I had to quit bowling/tournaments and working. I feel you so much on all of this, and I can relate as this is the first time in my life I've been able to drive due to vertigo. 30+ years I couldn't and had enough trouble just being a passenger. Now 51 and since June I've drove over 5,000 miles lol. I hope you can do that again soon! I really hope so.

Glad to hear things are going better for you.  I used to be quite the bowler as well.  I need to get into it again.

[snow_wizard]

It's kind of interesting to note the MJO forecasts are strongly indicating another venture into regions 2 and 3 which is pretty odd for a Nino.  A sudden collapse of the El Nino late this winter could easily happen.  The subsurface profile show considerable cold water in the Western Pacific now which is good.

[Phil]

Just now, snow_wizard said:

It's kind of interesting to note the MJO forecasts are strongly indicating another venture into regions 2 and 3 which is pretty odd for a Nino.  A sudden collapse of the El Nino late this winter could easily happen.  The subsurface profile show considerable cold water in the Western Pacific now which is good.

Phase 8-1-2 is canonical niño climo, actually.

Also be careful w/ unfiltered phase diagrams since both LP and MJO/CCKW project onto them.

[SnowySeeker50]

45/30 for today.

[Gradient Keeper]

3 minutes ago, snow_wizard said:

Glad to hear things are going better for you.  I used to be quite the bowler as well.  I need to get into it again.

Thanks! It has meant everything. Oh did you? Nice. Yeah if you can, do it. I practiced again Thursday night did pretty well 243-203--189-220-219-247 and the last two games I played two different lines one on the left lane, one on the right. I had to throw it much slower with more hand(hook) on the left lane playing 30-13 and on the right lane more firm, more ball speed something like 15-9. I feel like I'm maybe 80% now of what I used to be in terms of footwork and release. Muscle memory is coming back on my strike ball, but I need to work on some of my spares. Two of those games would have been in the 260s if I'd made my 10 pins.

[Gradient Keeper]

9 minutes ago, snow_wizard said:

Yeah...I think that's the first step toward the better pattern being hinted at a bit down the road.

Yep! It is. Patience!

[Gradient Keeper]

My re-cap from my second Crown Point trip. I thought it was windy earlier when I was up there with @Ken in Wood Village ! Yeah. About that. This time I could not even walk across the parking area to the railing. The gusts were insane. I think if anyone were to try to walk up the steps it would be too dangerous. The deafening roar and ferocity was something to truly behold. Just wow. It never ceases to amaze me that one can take a short drive from just gusty winds to an all-out severe wind storm like that. There were 4 other cars for the entire time I was up there, but no one was crazy enough to get out of their vehicles. Only me! LOL I know what Ken means about his legs hurting. I'm real sore now from being battered and thrown around by those gusts and standing to brace myself takes a good bit of leg muscle. Was it still worth it? Heck yeah it was. lol

[Gradient Keeper]

Do you guys, gals, and furry woodland creatures want me to post a 00z GFS re-cap? Yay, or nay?

[SilverFallsAndrew]

6 minutes ago, Gradient Keeper said:

Do you guys, gals, and furry woodland creatures want me to post a 00z GFS re-cap? Yay, or nay?

Maybe . The one focusing on January 10th should be telling… Hopefully, we can get some fishing in next summer. So glad things have turned for you. 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

If we actually pull off a solid January… Im not even letting myself believe.