Where the wind blows (Pendleton, Hermiston: high school, college, living)

[lfpphw]

Because we are looking for a nice place in the southwest to retire, I have been looking up data on CitY Data. A Great service if the information is correct. To see how the weather differs in each location I have been doing comparisons with the area I live. Getting out of the wind is important to us. We noticed that the La Grande, Cove, Union Oregon area information does not indicate the amount or the speed of the wind correctly. It really bolws here. Nearly all the time. Our normal wind, day in and out, is 10 to 20 miles with gusts from 20 to 40 not uncommon. Just thought I would let those interested Know.

[icreate]

I went to college in LaGrande and was raised around Pendleton/Hermiston/Haines area.(Born in Pendleton). I moved to Southern Oregon in time to start my Freshman year of High School (25 miles in mountains above Cave Junction). I've also spent a lot of time both at the coast and the Harney county desert. I will be moving to a place 45 miles East of Christmas Valley by the end of the month.
What all this rambling comes down to is this; In a normal year, Southern Oregon is very mild, the coast is rainy and windy, Eastern Oregon is hot in summer and freezing in the winter, Central Oregon is mild with low temperatures at night.The wind and storms along the Columbia Gorge can be brutal. This year is not an average one. When you see weather posted for a town, it is usually an average or a past recording. Everywhere is windy this year with high snowfall.
Take a mini-vacation during March or the beginning of April. Go see some of the areas you think you are interested in living. If you really like the area, you can always form some kind of wind-break.
Hope this has been helpful.