Portlanders who rolled out early Tuesday stepped into a cold, low‑lying soup, with fog clinging to parts of the metro area, especially near Portland International Airport and riverside neighborhoods. Visibility dropped fast in spots, and temperatures hovered near 37°F. The National Weather Service has a Dense Fog Advisory up for the I‑5 corridor and nearby lowlands through 9 a.m. PST Tuesday, February 10, so drivers should be ready for sudden changes in sight lines on sheltered roads and near waterways. Slow down, leave extra stopping distance, and kick on the headlights when the fog closes in.
Fog, Frost And The Morning Commute
On top of the fog, patchy frost is possible between about 7 and 8 a.m. in interior valleys, which means some side streets and bridges could turn slick. At the airport and other terminals, low ceilings and IFR conditions are likely early, with improvements to VFR expected after mid‑morning once the fog starts to break. If you are biking or walking to work or school, bright or reflective gear and a little extra travel time are your friends.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Once the fog burns off, the sun returns for the afternoon with a high near 54°F, before temperatures slip back into the upper 40s to around 50 later in the day. North‑northeast winds should run around 3 to 9 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. Through the Columbia River Gorge, east‑wind gusts could be stronger and more persistent. If you are trying to squeeze in outdoor errands or a quick walk, aim for the midday window to catch the warmest, brightest stretch.
Coastal And Marine Concerns
Out on the coast, conditions are set to get rougher for smaller boats later today. The outer coastal waters are expected to become hazardous to small craft, and the National Weather Service is urging caution for both boaters and beachgoers. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for portions of the outer waters from about 10 a.m. Tuesday into Wednesday, and a high sneaker‑wave threat is on tap for Friday through Sunday, February 13–15. Stay off jetties and logs in the surf zone, and keep children and pets well back from the water, according to the National Weather Service Portland.
Looking Ahead
Dry weather should hang on through Thursday before rain moves back in late Thursday night and spreads inland into Friday, dropping snow levels in the Cascades and bringing a chance for accumulating mountain snow. Overnight lows will sit in the mid‑30s, with more patchy frost possible inland, so plan on slower starts as the week winds down and conditions shift. For additional background on the recent wet stretch, see our Feb. 8 update on the recent soggy stretch.
