Portland residents will see a mixed bag of precipitation over the coming days, as the National Weather Service in Portland, Oregon, forecasts a likelihood of sporadic showers followed by bouts of rain and possibly snow. As of this morning, there's a 50 percent chance of showers, primarily before 8 a.m. with the snow level starting at 2100 feet but expected to climb to 2800 feet as the day progresses. The temperature will hover around a chilly 46 degrees, accompanied by an east-southeast wind blowing at a moderate clip of 8 to 10 mph, according to NWS Portland Oregon.
Tonight, rain showers are on the calendar before 5 a.m., followed by a combination of rain and snow showers. Although the snow level is expected to rise to 2900 feet after midnight, with an associated low of around 36 degrees, the precipitation chance ramps up to 80%. The east wind will persist at 10 to 14 mph, with potential gusts hitting 21 mph, yet little to no snow buildup is anticipated. Friday should bring a continuation of this pattern with a chance of rain and snow showers before 10 a.m., and breezy conditions keeping the skies mostly cloudy, the high nearing 44 degrees.
❄️⚠️Snow UPDATE: Precipitation continues to stream into western OR/WA this evening with reports of an intermittent rain/snow mix down to ~500ft across the Portland/Van Metro. While confidence is high for spots 1000ft and above to see several inches of snowfall... 1/4 #wawx #orwx pic.twitter.com/Q40Adua6xz
— NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) February 15, 2024
As the weekend approaches, the situation remains unpredictable with the likelihood of rain increasing to 80% on Saturday amid breezy conditions. The NWS reports that the evening may bring more substantial precipitation, with a 90% chance of rain before 10 p.m. and showers likely after. Despite the constant shifts in weather, any accumulations are expected to be minimal.
Sunday offers a brief respite with a 40% chance of morning showers before a slight chance reemerges later in the afternoon. The mostly cloudy skies will provide shelter from an otherwise stark atmosphere, with highs expected near 53 degrees. Come Washington's Birthday, the pattern shifts once again as rain and showers take their respective turns dominating the day's weather. The temperature will hold steady, with a high near 52 degrees amid mostly cloudy conditions.
Looking ahead to the rest of next week, Portlanders should keep their umbrellas at hand with continued chances of showers stretching from Tuesday through to Wednesday. Each day promises partly sunny skies and highs in the mid-50s, offering a glimpse of relief from the otherwise damp conditions, as noted by the NWS.
