How low will Portland’s temperatures fall on Wednesday?
PORTLAND, Oregon — After a stretch of early July heat, cooler air will make a brief appearance in Portland this Wednesday, as a weak cold front sweeps through the Pacific Northwest. Daytime temperatures in Portland are expected to dip to around 76°F (24°C) — a notable drop compared to earlier in the week, when highs climbed into the upper 80s.
Morning lows will feel more refreshing as well, settling near 58°F (14°C) under increasing cloud cover. The cooling trend will be short-lived, however, as skies begin to clear by Thursday, making way for a rapid warm-up heading into the weekend.
There’s a slight chance of drizzle from the Oregon Coast into the Willamette Valley, but no measurable rainfall is expected in the Portland/Vancouver metro area. Coastal spots might pick up a few hundredths of an inch, though the region remains largely dry.
Despite this midweek cool-down, wildfire risk stays high in eastern Oregon, especially east of the Cascades, where dry lightning and scattered thunderstorms could trigger new fire starts. The central and eastern portions of the state face a marginal risk of severe storms, with concerns for large hail, frequent lightning, and gusty winds.
Winds funneling through the Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday could become strong, increasing the threat of fire spread in already vulnerable areas.
By Friday, summer heat returns in full force with highs back in the 90s (32–35°C) for Portland and Southwest Washington, setting the stage for a hot and dry weekend.
