Portland is squeezing in one last dose of blue sky before the rain machine flips back on. Early Friday, February 6, the metro woke up to clear skies and a chilly 36°F, but abundant sunshine is expected to boost afternoon highs to around 59°F. It is likely the Portland area’s last dry, mostly sunny day before a wetter system moves in. Morning commuters in the Willamette Valley should watch for patchy fog and pockets of frost in sheltered low spots.
Sunny Friday, Last Dry Day
Friday will stay mostly sunny with light south-southeast winds and temperatures easing into the mid-50s by late afternoon, capping off an unusually mild stretch for early February across the metro. We covered the warm, breezy pattern in our Feb. 5 update.
Rain Returns Saturday Into Sunday
A cold front and a moderate atmospheric river are set to move onshore Saturday, February 7, bringing rain to the coast in the morning and spreading inland through Saturday afternoon into Sunday, February 8. The National Weather Service is calling for about 0.75 to 1.25 inches of rain along the I-5 corridor and 1 to 2 inches along the coast, with isolated 2 to 3 inch totals possible if the front stalls. After a dry January, the NWS notes that widespread river flooding is unlikely, but short-duration urban or poor-drainage flooding could still pop up in heavier showers, according to the National Weather Service.
Coastal And Marine Hazards
On the water, Small Craft Advisories have been extended. The Columbia River Bar advisory runs through 4 p.m. Saturday, and other coastal waters remain under advisories through 4 a.m. Sunday. Mariners can expect sustained southerly winds of 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots and seas building to 10 to 12 feet, with the strongest gusts most likely offshore on Saturday morning. We outlined what weekend boating and beachgoers should watch for in our earlier post.
Commuter Tips And What To Bring
Drivers should be ready for patchy valley fog and reduced visibility on low-lying routes Friday morning, and sheltered spots may see temperatures slip into the mid-30s again tonight. An Air Stagnation Advisory remains in effect through 10 p.m. Friday, so people with respiratory issues may want to dial back strenuous outdoor activity where air is trapped. For Saturday and Sunday, plan on rain, pack a waterproof layer, build in extra travel time, and expect slower, slicker drives on wet roads.
