Portland, OR – The hum of steady rain returns to the Northwest this morning as a line of Pacific moisture pushes across western Oregon. Streetlights glisten on slick pavement, gutters rush, and umbrellas turn inside out along downtown crosswalks — the classic November pattern has arrived.
The National Weather Service in Portland says several storm systems will roll through the region between now and Thursday, bringing periods of heavy rain and gusty south winds. Expect rainfall totals of 1–2 inches in the valley and up to 3 inches along the coast and Cascade foothills. Winds may gust between 25–30 mph, strongest Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
With soils already damp, ponding and slick roads are likely during peak commute times. Travelers on I-5 and Highway 26 should plan for slower travel and poor visibility through midweek.
Highs will stay in the upper 50s, with mild, moist air giving way to a cooler airmass by Friday. Snow levels, currently near 5,000 feet, may drop to around 3,500 feet late week, hinting at the first light snow chances for the higher Cascade passes before Veterans Day weekend.
The weekend trend looks calmer and partly sunny, but colder mornings will follow. After all, early November in Oregon often signals the shift from soggy fall to emerging winter, and this week’s pattern is no exception. Keep rain gear handy — and maybe, just maybe, your snow brush too.
