Portland is waking up Wednesday to hazy, smoky skies and a morning temperature near 61°F, but the day is headed for a high around 96°F. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 11 p.m. Thursday as inland valleys endure another stretch of dangerous heat, with little rain in sight.
Smoke Clouds The Hottest Hours
Areas of smoke are expected to linger Wednesday, with otherwise sunny skies and north-northwest winds around 5 mph. Visibility at Portland International Airport was about 3 miles early Wednesday, and the National Weather Service says smoke may shave a few degrees off the afternoon high without removing the heat risk.
Thursday should be nearly as hot, with a high near 95°F and patchy smoke before 5 p.m. The bigger shift arrives late Thursday into Friday, when stronger westerly flow is expected to push lingering smoke east of the Cascades.
Cooler Weekend Finally Arrives
Friday will remain sunny and warm, with a high near 93°F, before temperatures ease to around 89°F Saturday and the low 80s Sunday through Tuesday. Overnight lows should also become more comfortable, falling from the low-to-mid 60s this week to around 59°F Saturday night and the upper 50s early next week.
Portland's late-July heat-and-smoke stretch was covered in an earlier Hoodline report, but the current advisory brings a fresh round of heat through Thursday and a clearer weekend pattern. No meaningful rain is expected through the middle of next week.
Plan Around The Afternoon Heat
Wednesday and Thursday are the days to move strenuous work, exercise and other outdoor plans to the morning or evening. The weather service recommends drinking plenty of fluids, staying in air-conditioned spaces when possible, avoiding direct sun and checking on relatives and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to heat illness.
If smoke worsens, limit time outdoors and check air-quality conditions before opening windows. Portland's official extreme-heat guidance lists cooling spaces and directs residents to local resources, including 211, for current locations and updates.
