Portlanders woke up Tuesday, May 26, 2026, to a gray and cool start, with low clouds parked over the city and temperatures hovering near 52°F at Portland International Airport. Skies may peel back a bit for partial clearing this afternoon, but it will still feel on the chilly side for late May.
Afternoon Showers And Gusts
A slight chance of rain showers hangs around from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the high topping out near 68°F. West-northwest winds will run about 2 to 9 mph, but could gust up to 18 to 20 mph, just enough to make crossing the bridges a little interesting.
Scattered thunderstorms remain a low-probability threat, roughly 10 to 20%, mainly for inland spots. Any storm that does bubble up could bring brief heavy downpours, small hail and erratic wind gusts that are bad news for umbrellas and anyone trying to bike in a straight line, according to the National Weather Service Portland.
Marine Hazards For Boaters
Out on the water, a long-period westerly swell is driving seas into the mid-teens of feet this morning. A Hazardous Seas Warning for the outer waters is in effect until 11 a.m., with a Small Craft Advisory expected from late morning into tonight. Winds over the outer waters could gust in the 20 to 25 kt range, and seas are expected to ease back to around 10 to 12 ft by evening.
In practical terms, that means small boats should stay tied up, and beachgoers should give the surf some extra room. Full marine details are available from the National Weather Service Portland.
Midweek Warm-Up
By Wednesday and Thursday, high pressure rebuilds and flips the switch to something more like classic late May. Inland highs climb into the upper 70s and near 80°F on Wednesday, then to around 81°F on Thursday. The Cascades hang on to a better shot at wrap-around showers late in the week, but confidence is increasing in a generally drier, warmer stretch through the end of the week and into early next week. For more on how this pattern set up, see our May 13 forecast.
Quick Tips For The Day
Grab a light rain layer if you will be out this afternoon, and secure any loose patio gear before the gusts pick up. Cyclists and bridge commuters should be ready for brisk, shifty winds during the afternoon rush. Recreational boaters are better off planning land-based activities until the seas calm later tonight.
