Thursday, July 2, 2026 — Portland rolled out of bed to a cool, partly cloudy start, with temperatures sitting at 54°F at Portland International Airport. The cloud cover is expected to thin through the afternoon as the metro warms into the mid 70s, setting up a mellow lead-in to a sunnier holiday weekend.
Afternoon Warm-Up And Holiday Outlook
Highs are forecast to reach around 75°F on Thursday, climb to about 80°F on Friday, and land near 81°F on Saturday, July 4, with inland valleys nudging into the low to mid 80s. Overnight lows should hang in the mid 50s, which means sleep-friendly nights even as afternoons trend warmer. These temperatures come from the National Weather Service's local forecast and discussion, according to NWS Portland.
Coast, Gorge And Boaters
Out at the coast, a persistent onshore flow will keep highs in the 60s while offshore seas sit around 3 to 5 feet through Friday morning. Northerly winds are expected to strengthen Friday afternoon and evening, with gusts of about 20 to 25 knots near Cape Foulweather and gusts up to roughly 25 mph in the Columbia Gorge. Even with the uptick in wind, conditions are projected to stay below Small Craft Advisory levels, according to NWS Portland.
Morning Clouds, Afternoon Sunshine
A stubborn marine layer will keep mornings gray and cool before clouds pull back for sunnier afternoons, so outdoor planners should think layers: sweatshirt early, T-shirt later. Rivers and lakes remain cold, and currents can be swift, so officials urge life jackets and extra caution for anyone boating or swimming over the holiday weekend.
Flights And The Commute
Some inland terminals and early flights could deal with low ceilings in the morning, but forecasters expect widespread VFR conditions by afternoon with light northwest winds. Evening commutes through July 2 look dry and mild, and the overall pattern is lining up nicely for pleasant Fourth of July outdoor plans.
