Portland residents are looking at a wet Christmas week, with the National Weather Service in Portland forecasting an unrelenting series of rain showers that are expected to begin today and persist through the weekend. As of this morning, showers are anticipated mainly before 1 pm with a 80% chance of precipitation and highs hovering near 51 degrees. Southerly winds will remain gentle around 7 mph, creating a modest backdrop to the day's drizzle. The National Weather Service report suggests that tonight's conditions will offer a slight reprieve with only a 20% chance of showers before 10 pm and lows at around 40 degrees.
Christmas Day, however, dampens the festive spirit as 100% chance of rain is forecasted, with new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half an inch are possible. Rains are expected to start after 10 am and the high is slated for a chilly 47 degrees; those venturing outdoors might do well to secure their Santa hats against south southeast gusts as high as 22 mph. The report from the National Weather Service warns of a "series of systems" that will stir an extended spell of this wet weather across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, persisting through the weekend.
Rivers and creeks are expected to start rising around Wednesday evening, December 25, and increases will likely continue past Sunday, December 29. According to the Hydrologic Outlook from the National Weather Service, there's a 15-30% chance rivers west of the Cascades could reach minor flood stages within the next ten days. Additional hazards may include ponding water in low-lying regions and increased potential for landslides and debris flows, especially in zones of poor drainage.
As Portland navigates through this extended downpour, the specific impact will largely hinge on the precise paths of the incoming storms. These paths can fluctuate, potentially altering the current flooding outlook. Residents and visitors are therefore encouraged to keep an eye on updates from the National Weather Service website, and to check any river forecasts on the NOAA's water website at water.noaa.gov/wfo/pqr.
