Portland, OR – Arctic air is forecast to push into Oregon beginning Saturday, November 30, bringing freezing temperatures, strong winds, and icy travel conditions through the first week of December.
According to the National Weather Service, a strong Arctic front dropping from British Columbia will settle across the Pacific Northwest this weekend, driving temperatures well below seasonal averages. The Climate Prediction Center reports a 70–80% chance of below-normal temperatures across Oregon, with highs in the 20s and 30s east of the Cascades and freezing rain possible in western valleys.
Drivers along I-84 and I-5 should be prepared for slick highways, icy bridges, and periods of freezing drizzle, particularly between Portland, Salem, and The Dalles. The Oregon Department of Transportation advises motorists to reduce speeds, carry chains, and check travel alerts before heading out.
This Arctic blast will mark the coldest start to December in several years and could lead to dangerous wind chills in higher elevations and open areas along the Columbia River Gorge. The frigid air mass will expand across the northern U.S., reinforcing a coast-to-coast cold pattern into mid-December.
Residents are urged to protect outdoor pipes, bring pets indoors, and check heating systems as temperatures plunge below freezing statewide.
