Portland will get one more mild, sunny day before heat arrives, bringing fire concerns and hot weather watches.
Thursday’s expected high of 76 is several degrees below average for this time of year and results from a cool, upper-level system now shifting eastward. The coast could see some low clouds, but the valleys will have sunny skies and pleasantly warm temperatures.
Dry, warm and windy conditions begin Friday. That, in combination with low relative humidity, has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a fire weather watch in effect all day Friday for the Willamette Valley. Winds will be strong at times, gusting to as high as 30 mph.
Temperatures in Portland will reach near 85 degrees under sunny skies. Residents are asked to watch ignition sources near dry grasses and vegetation. Also, outdoor burning is discouraged.
Saturday turns hotter, as the weather service has issued an excessive heat watch for the weekend. Temperatures in Portland and along the Willamette Valley could reach into the 100s both days. Overnight lows will remain in the upper 60s to 70 in urban areas.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for Saturday and Sunday in the metro area and for most of the Willamette Valley.NOAA
If you’re hoping to escape the heat at the coast, there’s some relief there. But the weather service expects coastal towns on Saturday to see high temperatures into the 80s at least.
Most metro locations are expected to approach 100 degrees Sunday. Remember to keep pets indoors when possible, check on neighbors who don’t have air conditioning and limit outdoor work to early mornings or late evenings during heat events.