Portlanders woke up early Friday, July 3, under a thick marine layer, with Portland International Airport (KPDX) reporting cloudy skies and roughly 636F around 5:35 a.m. Those low clouds are expected to burn off through the morning, giving way to clear, sunny afternoons and inland valley temperatures climbing near 806F by late day. Light north-northwest winds should stay mostly under 10 mph, so look for plenty of calm, warm, sun-soaked pockets by afternoon.
Sunny Afternoons, Cool Mornings
Forecasters say the warm-up will roll right into the holiday weekend: look for a high near 806F on Friday, about 816F on Independence Day Saturday, and low-to-mid 80s inland on Sunday, July 5. Monday, July 6 is expected to be the hottest day of the stretch, with highs near 896F and a 1035% chance of reaching 906F in a narrow corridor from Vancouver, WA, south toward Eugene.
The National Weather Service also notes that Small Craft Advisories will be in effect across much of the coastal waters late Saturday into Sunday, with gusts to 2530 kt (about 3035 mph) and seas building to around 58 feet, and urges people to take precautions around cold inland rivers and lakes, according to the National Weather Service Portland.
Boaters Should Watch The Weekend
Boat operators and beachgoers are advised to plan around choppy seas and strong ebb currents at the Columbia River Bar, where crossings may be hazardous Saturday and Sunday. Coastal areas will run cooler and may hang onto fog in the mornings, while inland spots clear out faster and turn sunnier by afternoon. For a refresher on how the gray pattern set up earlier this week, check out how gray skies grip Portland as a Fourth of July warmup looms.
Plan For The Holiday
If you're heading outside for July 4 plans, pack sunscreen, plenty of water, and a light layer for those cooler mornings; evenings are expected to be comfortable in the 50s. If your plans include swimming or boating, wear a life jacket and keep in mind that lakes and rivers can stay dangerously cold even when the air feels warm. Check updated forecasts and local advisories before you head out, especially if you're bound for the coast or the Columbia River.
