At least three more days will be added to Portland’s already lengthy run of unusually dry weather this week.
Over the weekend, Portland meteorologist Rod Hill said that the city is on course to at least match the 1948 record of 17 straight dry days in January. On Wednesday, Portland will reach 17 days, and it is almost a given that there won’t be any rain on Thursday, breaking the previous record.
According to the National Weather Service, Portland International Airport has only seen 2.17 inches of precipitation in January. With just a few days remaining in the month, that is far below the monthly average of 5.03.
Monday will see widespread frost and temperatures in most places at or below freezing in Portland. The high temperature of the day is predicted to be around 50 degrees, and the skies will be sunny. Most metro regions will experience moderate winds, however the eastern parts of the city may occasionally experience gusts of 20 to 30 mph due to strong winds in the Columbia River Gorge.
Monday night and Tuesday morning will see cool overnight lows once more. Forecasts indicate that by Tuesday afternoon, warming air will be entering the area, meaning that this could be the last night with temperatures in the 20s.
Tuesday will see frost in Portland until around nine in the morning, after which the city will see sunshine. Around 50 degrees will be the high temperature.
Through the weekend and into the following week, Wednesday is probably the last day that will be totally clear. A high of almost fifty degrees is possible under sunny skies.
Thursday is predicted by the meteorological service to be a transition day, with more clouds and a drop in temperature to roughly 46 degrees.
According to extended projections, precipitation will be brought to the area Thursday afternoon as two meteorological systems converge in the Pacific Ocean close to the Oregon coast. By Friday morning, rain is expected in the valleys, and precipitation is expected throughout the weekend in the Cascades, with snow levels on Friday ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 feet.
A winter storm system whirling over the West Coast this morning is better visible thanks to enhanced color imagery provided by @NOAA’s #GOESWest. With #WinterStormWarnings in place for higher altitudes throughout Southernpic, the system is bringing rain and cold temperatures.The Twitter account PABfav6T7X
