Portland is starting the day on the soggy side, with Portland International Airport sitting around 52°F under a gray, damp sky. Showers are expected to fill in by mid- to late morning and linger on and off through the afternoon. The high should top out near 61°F before sliding back into the upper 50s later in the day.
Showers Likely Today
National Weather Service Portland forecasters say rain showers are likely after 7 a.m., with about a 70% chance of precipitation and new rainfall totals in the quarter- to half-inch range. Winds out of the west-southwest will stay on the lighter side, generally 2 to 8 mph. Sunday night looks mostly cloudy with just a chance of a few lingering light showers.
Stronger System Midweek
The relatively tame start to the week gives way to a stronger frontal system Tuesday into Wednesday. That setup is expected to tap colder air, bring in steadier and heavier rain across the Willamette Valley, and drag snow levels down toward the Cascades. The combination points to a window where mountain travel could turn wintry for a bit, especially over the higher passes.
Mountain Snow And Travel Impacts
According to the latest discussion from the NWS, the core of the midweek front could drop roughly 0.6 to 1.1 inches of rain across the Portland metro area at its peak, with higher totals along the coast and in the mountains. There is also an elevated 85 to 95% chance of at least 6 inches of snow at Cascade passes between Tuesday and Thursday. Forecasters are also flagging a growing frost risk for some interior valleys by mid- to late week as overnight temperatures dip.
Plan Ahead For Commutes
Drivers should be ready for wet roads and slower commutes Tuesday and Wednesday. Plan on extra travel time and use caution on slick surfaces. Transit riders can keep an eye on any delays or detours by checking TriMet service alerts. Anyone heading over the Cascades should travel prepared with chains or traction devices and verify mountain conditions before setting out.
Forecasters will issue updates if winter-weather highlights go up for the passes. In the meantime, expect a cooler, showery stretch that gradually moderates by the weekend. Cooler nights will bring a renewed chance of morning frost in some interior spots, so it is a good time to protect tender plants and pay attention to those overnight lows.
