Smith Rock Weather Forecast

I’m curious what other Oregon locals use to predict Smith Rock weather conditions. I live in Portland and would rather be confident it’ll be dry/sunny before I make the drive down there.

I’ve looked at lots of different weather sites, including climbing-specific ones, but everyone’s forecast seems to be different. For example, for this Sunday, the forecasts range from rainy all day and in the 40s to sunny all day and in the 50s. 

I tend to use Terrebonne as the location for checking, but some sites list Smith Rock specifically. Is one better than the other or is there a different recommended location to use?

Haven't used it for Smith Rock specifically, but I've used spotwx.com for various locations throughout the PNW and really like it. It doesn't fully solve your problem of different forecasts not agreeing with each other, but I like that it presents several different forecasts for the location. Checking them all and going with the consensus between them has usually been very accurate.

(Also, there's no adds on it, which is a nice change of pace from most of the ad-plastered commercial sites out there)

The only times I've been shut out at Smith were during massive storms across the state where the forecast was clearly unremitting gloom and doom, and/or temps below 35. If the forecast is scattered showers, you can expect sun breaks and generally dry enough rock if you commit to spending the whole day in the park. You can usually find dry rock under overhangs or where the wind blows any rain away from the wall. in short, I'd go for it this weekend and not parse the forecast further. Especially since mixed forecasts usually keep the crowds away and you can get on the classics more easily.

It was a little too hot out there this morning, probably best to stay in Portland.  

To answer your question though there's no magical weather forecast, the NOAA point forecast is generally all I use, combined with the park web cam.  As others have stated it's generally good to go unless whatever forecast you use is predicting significant rain/snow.

Saturday looks soggy, Sunday looks sunny and warm. If you take the trip down i bet you could climb Saturday too. It’s always better than what the forecast predicts.

If any of you are planning to climb on Sunday I would love to join!

Chris Hatzai wrote: Saturday looks soggy, Sunday looks sunny and warm. If you take the trip down i bet you could climb Saturday too. It’s always better than what the forecast predicts.

Yikes, looking at Weatherunderground it’s saying 60% for Saturday. That’s where i honestly draw the line for making climbing plans on rain forecasted days. Sunday looks great though.. 

Chris Hatzai wrote:

Yikes, looking at Weatherunderground it’s saying 60% for Saturday. That’s where i honestly draw the line for making climbing plans on rain forecasted days. Sunday looks great though.. 

friends went Sat and said they got sun until mid afternoon, so you gotta gamble

Chris Stocking wrote: Haven't used it for Smith Rock specifically, but I've used spotwx.com for various locations throughout the PNW and really like it. It doesn't fully solve your problem of different forecasts not agreeing with each other, but I like that it presents several different forecasts for the location. Checking them all and going with the consensus between them has usually been very accurate.

(Also, there's no adds on it, which is a nice change of pace from most of the ad-plastered commercial sites out there)

+1 for SpotWX.com 

weather.gov is another good one to cross reference as well.  

It always smart to look at a few to get a general idea on what is going on.  Rarely is one place going to be spot on.  Check a couple and average is out ha.