It is a clear, cool start at about 52°F at Portland International Airport (PDX) this Tuesday morning, May 19, 2026, with low clouds still hugging the Columbia River. By late morning, those clouds should give way to sunshine across most of the city, pushing afternoon highs into the low 70s and setting up a solid “leave-the-jacket-at-home” kind of day.
Forecast Highlights
Out on the water, it is a different story. Small craft advisories are up this morning for the Columbia River Bar and parts of the central coast, where choppy seas and strong ebb currents could make bar crossings hazardous. Low stratus that rode inland along the river early today may drop ceilings to MVFR levels around the metro, with roughly a 30–40% chance of that at PDX, before skies lift to VFR by midafternoon.
On land, expect a mostly dry, gradually warming stretch. Today’s high should land near 71°F, with light north-northwest winds around 5–7 mph picking up a bit in the afternoon and turning breezier later in the week, when gusts could reach about 20 mph. Forecasters are eyeing Thursday, May 21, as the peak of this warm spell: inland locations may reach the low 80s, and there is roughly a 10–30% chance that parts of the metro area touch 85°F. That would amount to a Minor HeatRisk for people sensitive to heat, according to the National Weather Service Portland.
What This Means For You
Morning plans should account for cool, damp conditions, with clouds or patches of fog on early commutes before skies brighten by midday. Afternoons look tailor-made for patios, errands or short hikes without having to dodge showers.
If you are headed onto the water, today is a good one to double-check ferry schedules and the latest marine forecast before you pull away from the dock. Secure loose gear and steer clear of bar crossings during strong ebb currents while the small craft advisories are in effect.
We first flagged the warm-up on May 17, and today’s outlook largely sticks with that storyline, adding the Minor HeatRisk details and updated timing for the marine hazards.
