The summer-like heat that has blanketed the Portland area for the last several days will come to an abrupt end on Saturday with temperatures falling precipitously and showers predicted to periodic bouts of heavy rain to the region.
A low pressure system off the California coast was expected to bring chances for severe thunderstorms over the Cascades and coastal mountains, according to the National Weather Service, and up to an inch of rain in parts of the Willamette Valley. Thunder and lightning had already begun around Portland by the early morning.
Temperatures on Saturday were expected to top out around 60 degrees, a drop of roughly 20 degrees over Friday’s high temps.
Rain will likely taper off Saturday night, forecasters said, with early clouds on Sunday expected to clear by the afternoon.
The weather service said skies will clear as the new weeks starts with seasonal temperatures and few chances of rain.
-- Kale Williams; kwilliams@oregonian.com; 503-294-4048; @sfkale
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