Portland, OR Weather Forecast & Climate Guide
Portland has an oceanic climate with wet winters and warm, dry summers. The city sits at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers.
Climate type: Oceanic / marine west coast (Köppen Cfb)
Portland Climate Overview
Summers are warm and dry with highs in the 80s°F (27-29°C). Winters are mild and wet with highs in the 40s°F (4-7°C). Annual rainfall is about 43 inches.
Portland experiences persistent rain from October through June, with dry summers. Occasional ice storms occur in winter. Summer heat waves have become more common.
Portland Weather by Season
spring
Spring is long and gradual — cool, damp, with highs climbing from the 50s°F in March to the 60s-70s°F by May. Rose Festival in early June marks the unofficial start of dry season.
summer
Summers are glorious — warm, dry, sunny, and with low humidity. Highs in the upper 70s to low 80s°F. Heat waves have become more frequent in recent years, occasionally pushing past 100°F.
fall
Fall starts sunny in September and turns wet by mid-October. Foliage is solid in the Willamette Valley and nearby Columbia River Gorge.
winter
Winters are mild but persistently wet and gray. Highs in the 40s°F, lows in the upper 30s°F, and frequent light rain from October through May. Snow is rare but ice storms occasionally paralyze the city.
Portland Average Monthly Temperatures
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 48° | 52° | 57° | 61° | 68° | 74° | 82° | 82° | 76° | 64° | 54° | 46° |
| Low °F | 36° | 37° | 40° | 43° | 48° | 54° | 58° | 58° | 53° | 46° | 41° | 35° |
Best Time to Visit Portland
Mid-July through early September — warm, dry, sunny, long daylight hours, and perfect hiking weather in the Gorge and Mount Hood area. June is also good but not yet fully dry.
Severe Weather Risks
- Atmospheric rivers
- Ice storms
- Heat waves
- Wildfire smoke
- Windstorms
Weather Facts About Portland
- >Portland's reputation for rain is misleading — the city receives less annual precipitation than NYC or Atlanta.
- >The June 2021 heat dome pushed Portland to 116°F, shattering records and killing hundreds in the Pacific Northwest.
- >Portland averages only 3 inches of snow per year, but rare ice storms can cripple the hilly city.
Portland Weather FAQ
Does it rain all the time in Portland?
Not really. Portland averages 43 inches per year, comparable to NYC. But rain falls in frequent small amounts from October through May, with 150+ cloudy days per year — creating the reputation.
When is the best time to visit Portland?
July through early September. Warm, dry, sunny weather with highs in the 80s°F and long daylight hours. Ideal for hiking, beer gardens, and the Oregon coast.
Does Portland get snow?
Only occasionally. The city averages about 3 inches per year, typically in one or two brief events. When it does snow, Portland's hills become dangerous and the city largely shuts down.
How bad are Portland heat waves?
Historically mild, but increasingly extreme. The June 2021 heat dome reached 116°F, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Portland. Most homes lack air conditioning, which makes heat events dangerous.