Portland rolled out of bed to a soggy Wednesday, with light rain and temperatures hovering around 50°F as a cold front slides through. Steady rain is expected this morning before shifting to more scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Southwest gusts could briefly kick up, and mountain passes from Santiam southward are looking at snow that will affect travel.
When The Heaviest Rain Hits
Plan on steady rain across the metro between about 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., followed by showers and a few embedded thunderstorms through mid-afternoon, with highs near 53°F. Southwest winds should run around 10 mph with gusts to about 20 to 25 mph inland, stronger along the coast. According to the National Weather Service, thunder chances this afternoon sit around 15 to 25 percent, and any passing storm could bring brief heavy downpours, erratic gusts and small hail.
Mountain Travel And Snow
The Winter Weather Advisory for the Marion, Linn and Lane County Cascades stays in place until 4 a.m. Thursday as snow levels drop to roughly 3,500 to 4,000 feet. Santiam and Willamette Passes are likely to pick up moderate to heavy bursts of snow at times, cutting visibility and slowing travel. In the steadiest bands, localized 24-hour totals could top a foot. If you are planning a Cascade crossing, expect delays and make sure you have chains or other traction gear in the car.
Boats, Rivers And The Coast
Breezy southwest winds and a building swell are making for rough conditions offshore. Seas should rise to 6 to 8 feet today and may top 10 feet by Thursday, with the tallest waves beyond 10 nautical miles. A Small Craft Advisory is extended through 4 p.m. Thursday for local waters and the Columbia River Bar, so smaller vessels should steer clear of exposed areas and keep close tabs on local advisories. Ferry riders and recreational boaters should be ready for a choppy ride into Thursday afternoon.
What To Do Today
For most Portlanders, it is the usual wet-weather drill: grab an umbrella, build in extra time for the commute, and skip any heroic attempts to drive through standing water. Give crews room to clear drains, and report downed branches or flood hazards to city dispatch if you run across them. We previewed this system earlier in our coverage, so check out our soak alert forecast for background and preparedness tips.
