EUGENE – The sound of rain tapping rooftops mixes with distant thunder this early Sunday morning as fall’s storm track rolls through western Oregon. Pavement glistens across Eugene’s quiet streets, the air cool and damp — the kind of classic Pacific Northwest start that defines late October.
The National Weather Service in Portland warns that passing thunderstorms could develop between late morning and mid-afternoon, with gusts near 25 mph and localized downpours. Commuters should expect slick roads and brief visibility drops on I-5 from Springfield to Albany. By late afternoon, rain begins to taper west of the Cascades as drier air starts building in from the south.
Monday looks far calmer, with partial sunshine and highs in the upper 50s. A light breeze will linger, but the trend turns warmer and much more stable heading into Tuesday. That’s when the Willamette Valley shifts into a mild, dry stretch — highs climbing into the low 80s by midweek — a perfect setup for outdoor chores, leaf cleanup, or early Halloween decorating.
Rain returns by Thursday night or Friday, but until then, Oregon enjoys a rare late-October reprieve from the drizzle. Trick-or-Treaters can expect mild, mostly dry conditions Friday evening, though patchy fog could drift through low valleys after sunset.
After all, the Pacific Northwest never stays dry for long. A chilly November looks ready to follow, with early signs of a wetter, cooler storm pattern returning by next weekend.
Five-Day Outlook for Eugene, OR:
Sun: 53/41 – Thunderstorms, gusty at times.
Mon: 57/40 – Mostly sunny, calm.
Tue: 64/40 – Sunny, warmer.
Wed: 80/40 – Clear, mild.
Thu: 60/44 – Clouds increase; rain late.
