Portland residents can expect a wet Thanksgiving this year, according to a recent update from the National Weather Service. The forecast indicates a 100% chance of rain overnight with lows around 44 degrees and a light east southeast wind. As people wake up to prepare their turkey feasts, they should not be surprised by the persistent downpour; the NWS predicts an 80% chance of rain throughout Thanksgiving Day with highs near 55 degrees.
The southeastern winds, delighting no one planning to toss the football around, may gust as high as 28 miles per hour. Commuters should prepare for slick roads and possible travel delays. "New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible," as reported by the NWS weather update. The rainy conditions are expected to continue into Thursday night, with steady temperatures around 52 and gusts potentially reaching 31 mph.
On Friday, those hoping for a break from the rain might see some luck, as the chance of precipitation drops to 70% mainly before 10 am. Temperatures will hover around 55 degrees. The coming weekend presents a patchwork of weather patterns, with a slight chance of rain Saturday afternoon and highs dipping to a more crisp 49 degrees.
Looking ahead, Portland's weather aims to be consistently cloudy with intermittent chances of rain into next week. "Partly sunny," is the brief respite promised for Sunday with a high near 49, only to be followed by more chances of rain heading into Tuesday and beyond. Prospects for outdoor activities seem grim, so residents might do well to plan indoor alternatives. As stated by the detailed forecast on NWS website, nighttime temperatures will stay chillingly steady, floating in the low 40s.
Pacific Northwesterners are no strangers to the autumn rains, but the uninterrupted stretch forecasted by the National Weather Service serves as a reminder of Portland’s reputation for being one of the rainiest cities in the U.S. Whether it's mitigating holiday travel disruptions or planning indoor family activities, Portlanders will undoubtedly adjust their Thanksgiving traditions to the unforgiving whims of nature.
