Portland, OR – Trees sway under gusty winds and steady rain this morning as Oregon braces for one more round of turbulent December weather. Streets glisten with runoff, power lines hum in the breeze, and the National Weather Service in Portland has extended a Wind Advisory through 10 p.m. tonight for much of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington.
Southwest winds between 20 and 30 mph are expected, with gusts reaching 45 mph along the Willamette Valley and up to 50 mph near the Coast Range. Combined with saturated ground from recent rainfall, those gusts heighten the risk for fallen limbs and scattered power outages through the evening commute.
Drivers should use caution on I-5, U.S. 26, and I-205, where strong crosswinds could impact high-profile vehicles. Outdoor holiday decorations, trash bins, and loose items should be secured to prevent damage. Meteorologists warn that even moderate gusts can uproot trees in soggy soil after days of persistent rain.
The stormy stretch will ease by Thursday, though scattered showers may linger into the weekend. Friday looks calmer, with clouds breaking briefly before another weak system pushes in late Sunday.
Five-Day Outlook (Portland, OR):
- Thursday: Showers taper, high 58°F. Winds easing.
- Friday: Partly cloudy, high 57°F. Drier and calmer.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high 56°F. Slight rain chance late.
- Sunday: Cloudy with light rain, high 55°F.
- Monday: Steady rain returns, high 54°F.
