From Blue Skies to Sweatshirt Weather: Cooler Weekend Blows into Portland

Portland is starting Friday, August 21, with clear skies and temperatures around 64 degrees at PDX, but the blue-sky opening will not last all day. Clouds are expected to fill in as the city climbs to a high near 82, with only a small chance of rain.

Clouds Roll In, But Rain Is Mostly A Maybe

The National Weather Service Portland forecast calls for cloudy skies through Friday afternoon, with light south to southwest winds around 2 mph. Rain chances remain low in Portland, though isolated showers could develop Friday evening into Saturday, especially closer to the Cascades.

Friday night will stay mostly cloudy, with temperatures settling near 59 degrees before rising slightly overnight. Any thunderstorms are expected to be most likely in the Cascades, while most city residents should make it through the evening without needing an umbrella.

Saturday Brings A Cooler Breeze

Saturday looks mostly sunny and cooler, with a high near 78 degrees and southwest winds around 6 mph. Gustier conditions are more likely through the Columbia River Gorge and other mountain gaps, where afternoon gusts could approach 30 mph.

Comfortable Sunday Before A Warm-Up

Sunday will bring partly sunny skies and another high near 78, followed by a mostly sunny Monday topping out around 86 degrees. Tuesday should remain sunny near 84, then temperatures ease back to the upper 70s Wednesday and Thursday.

For Portland, the best outdoor window Friday is likely before the cloud cover thickens, while Saturday and Sunday offer cooler conditions for walks, errands, and patio plans. Anyone heading to the coast should expect a much cooler day, with highs only in the low to mid-60s.