Streetlights shimmer against wet pavement across Portland this morning as steady rain taps metal awnings and puddles deepen along curb lines. The crisp, damp air hints at yet another powerful surge of Pacific moisture. Commuters should prepare for slow traffic, sudden visibility drops, and water pooling under bridges and across low-lying stretches of I-5 and I-205.
According to the National Weather Service, a Flood Watch remains in effect through Thursday morning, with several inches of rain expected across northwest Oregon as an atmospheric river continues pumping subtropical moisture inland. A Wind Advisory also extends through 9 a.m. Tuesday, with south-southwest winds 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 40–55 mph, strongest along the West Hills and exposed river corridors. These gusts may snap small limbs, topple weakened trees, and trigger scattered power outages across Portland, Gresham, Tigard, and Vancouver, WA.
Rain is already falling and will intensify by afternoon. Totals between 1 and 2 inches today and Tuesday could push smaller creeks above bankfull and strain urban drainage systems, especially in neighborhoods with clogged leaves. Conditions may deteriorate quickly during the evening commute, with hydroplaning risk on major arterials.
Nationally, winter deepens. Meteorologists now track a robust clipper expected to generate bi-daily snow across the Great Lakes December 11–17, with lake-effect bands in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and western New York. An Arctic plunge will trail behind, sending the coldest air of the season into New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Ohio Valley next weekend—a setup primed for flash-freeze hazards and difficult holiday travel.
Five-Day Outlook (Portland, OR)
• Tuesday: Rain, high 58°.
• Wednesday: Rain, high 59°.
• Thursday: Rain likely, high 60°.
• Friday: Slight chance of rain, high 52°.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, high near 55°.
