Mt. Hood Is Warmer Than Portland

This post is coming to you straight from our “strange but true” department.

If you want to warm up this week–you need to head up to Mt. Hood!

That’s right…it’s warmer at Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood Meadows and SkiBowl than it is in Portland this week. See why our “strange but true” department had to work on this one?

This picture tells the story. Natalie, a nurse up at OHSU took this shot from the top of the OHSU tram this week – showing Portland (and beyond) stuck in fog, while Mt. Hood soaked up the sun.

But what she also captured, was the inversion layer in action. This is when the inverse, or opposite, of what we expect to happen–is going on.

When an inversion layer settles over the Willamette Valley (like we’ve seen the last week or so) the coldest and heaviest air gets trapped at the lowest elevations while warmer air moves in above us. So, on Monday:

• Noon – Portland – elevation 50 feet – 34 degrees
• Noon- Timberline – elevation 6,000 feet – 41 degrees

Mt. Hood Even Warmer On Tuesday, Inversion Stronger

• 10am – Portland – elevation 50 feet – 34 degrees
• 10am – Mt. Hood Meadows – elevation 5,250 feet – 45 degrees (11 degrees warmer than PDX!)
• 10am – Timberline Lodge – elevation 6,000 feet – 48 degrees (14 degrees warmer than PDX!)
• 10am – Top of Timberline’s Magic Mile Chair – elevation 7,000 feet – 47 degrees (13 degrees warmer than PDX!)

Now that’s what I call an inversion. And until we get a good storm system in here to really stir some air around…the mountains will continues sparkling in the sun while the valleys below deal with fog, clouds and cold!

So, if you want to warm up–better head to the Cascades! Have fun….