Portlanders woke up to clear, mild skies Friday with temperatures near 63°F at PDX, and the city is set for one last toasty afternoon before a cooldown slides in for the weekend. Expect plenty of sun and light northwest breezes, with inland highs topping out near 88°F Friday, July 24. Along the coast, Saturday, July 25, looks choppier, with morning low clouds and rougher conditions for anyone thinking about heading out on the water.
Afternoon Heat, Then A Quick Cool-Down
Friday will be the peak of this short warm spell. Most inland valleys should climb into the upper 80s, while the urban core hovers in the mid 80s by late afternoon. By Saturday, July 25, temperatures trend back toward normal, with highs around 78°F as onshore flow strengthens and cooler marine air moves in. Evenings turn comfortably mild, with lows generally in the upper 50s to low 60s across the metro area.
Coast And Small Craft Advisory
According to the National Weather Service Portland, stronger southerly winds and building seas on Saturday, July 25, have triggered a Small Craft Advisory for coastal waters and the Columbia River Bar. The advisory runs roughly 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the Bar specifically under the advisory from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Boaters should be ready for gusts up to 30 to 35 mph along the coast and 20 to 25 mph inland, with seas at times building to around 5 to 8 feet. River crossings and open-ocean recreation will be riskiest during that window, especially near the Gorge and exposed headlands.
Why This Matters Locally
Weekend farmers markets, patio happy hours and river runs may feel a little breezier than planned, and coastal or small-boat outings are the ones most likely to get disrupted on Saturday. For a refresher on what those small-craft flags actually mean for local boaters, check out our earlier primer on small-craft warnings.
Morning Clouds And Flight Impacts
A shallow marine layer may push low clouds into parts of the metro, bringing a modest chance of brief MVFR ceilings at PDX through mid morning before skies clear by midday. Northwest winds stay light early, pick up in the afternoon, then ease and shift southerly overnight. Early travelers might want to build in a little extra time at the airport, but most commute impacts should be minor.
For Friday, plan on water, sunscreen and shade breaks if you are outside during the hottest part of the day. If you are planning to launch a boat on Saturday, check the latest marine forecast, keep an eye on the advisory timing and consider holding off until after conditions improve later in the evening.
