PORTLAND – The air is damp and heavy this Halloween morning as low clouds hover over the Willamette Valley. The city’s early commuters will notice slick roads, misty headlights, and the unmistakable scent of rain on pavement — a familiar prelude to the storm rolling in from the coast.
The National Weather Service in Portland reports a series of fast-moving systems tracking inland through Saturday, bringing periods of moderate to heavy rain and gusty south winds. The steadiest rainfall arrives Friday evening into Saturday morning, with gusts reaching 25 mph and measurable totals between a quarter and half an inch. Rain will be widespread from Eugene to Longview, making for a soggy start to the weekend.
Saturday will be the wettest and windiest day of the stretch, with temperatures near 61°F before cooler, drier air filters in behind the front. A brief clearing Sunday will bring a welcome break — partly sunny skies and highs in the upper 50s — perfect for outdoor plans before showers return Monday.
Travelers should expect wet conditions along Interstate 5 and reduced visibility through the Coast Range and Cascade foothills. Fallen leaves could clog storm drains, leading to minor street flooding during the heaviest rain bursts.
Models hint at a gradual cool-down by midweek, with temperatures dipping toward the lower 40s — early signs of November’s first cold push. While snow remains confined to higher Cascades, this weekend marks a clear transition: the Pacific Northwest’s dry fall pattern is over, and the rhythm of winter storms is returning.
Five-Day Outlook for Portland, OR:
Fri: 59/57 – Rain late; breezy.
Sat: 61/45 – Rain likely; gusts 25 mph.
Sun: 57/47 – Partly sunny; drier.
Mon: 56/49 – Rain develops late.
Tue: 58/42 – Cooler; showers continue.
