textproduct: Portland

SYNOPSIS

Seasonable temperatures with mostly dry conditions through the weekend and into next week, although periods of light showers will be possible this evening and again Monday night into Tuesday. Breezy east winds this morning decrease by this afternoon. Near to below freezing temperatures likely early Monday with lows ranging from the upper 20s to mid 30s. Increasing chances for rain late next week.

LONG TERM...Tuesday through Friday

Light showers linger into Tuesday afternoon as the upper trough digs farther south into the Great Basin. Then, dry conditions expected on Wednesday as high pressure nudges back over the region. 500 mb cluster analysis shows fairly good agreement with this pattern. Later next week, models and their ensembles show the a flatter ridge, which would allow for systems to the north to push some precipitation down into NW Oregon later Thursday through Friday. Snow levels are expected to remain elevated. Low chances for any impactful weather through the next week. /DH

AVIATION

Increasing northwest flow aloft today with mid to high level clouds streaming across the area. Predominately VFR conditions are expected through at least 00z Sunday. As of 09z Saturday, satellite imagery does show a small area of low clouds just east of KEUG along the I-5 corridor. There is a small (10%) chance these clouds impact KEUG or KSLE early this morning as breaks remain in the high clouds over the southern Willamette Valley.

Offshore flow in the lower levels this morning will maintain dry conditions with strongest east winds near the Columbia Gorge with gusts up to 25-30 kt near KTTD. East winds will also impact KPDX and KHIO, albeit weaker with gusts up to 15-20 kt. Expect winds to gradually decrease through this afternoon.

A weak front then drops south across the area this evening, bringing light rain or sprinkles, and increasing chances for MVFR CIGs. Chances for MVFR increase at KAST after 00z Sunday to around 30-50%, and after 03z Sunday at most inland terminals.

KPDX AND APPROACHES...VFR expected through at least 00-03z Sunday with increasing mid to high level clouds today. Chances for MVFR CIGs below 3000 ft increase to around 30-40% after 03z Sunday. There is also a 20% chance for light rain between 00-06z Sunday. East winds around 8 to 12 kt with gusts up to 15-20 kt continue through this morning, weakening by this afternoon. /DH

MARINE

Fairly benign weather across the coastal waters as light offshore flow this morning turns back onshore later today. Winds generally remain 10 kt or less, although areas immediately downwind of gaps in the coastal terrain may see locally strong wind gusts up to 20 kt this morning. A very weak low drops south over the waters tonight, followed by high pressure building offshore through Sunday. Expect northerly flow late Sunday into early next week. Another weak front moves across the waters early Tuesday. Seas around 4 to 7 ft continue through the weekend. A long period westerly swell arrives late Monday into Tuesday, pushing seas toward 10 ft. Seas expected to subside again by Wednesday. /DH

BEACH HAZARDS

A long-period westerly swell is expected along the northwestern Oregon and southwestern Washington coasts from late Monday through Wednesday next week. Wave heights increasing to 8 to 10 ft on Tuesday may not appear to present a safety risk to those on area beaches, but these energetic waves will present a moderate to high risk for sneaker waves, waves which can run significantly farther up a beach than normal, including over rocks and jetties. In addition, a period of perigean spring or "king" tides means these waves will have an even easier time reaching high up onto beaches, limiting the areas which may be safe from wave action.

A Beach Hazards Statement has therefore been issued from 7 AM Tuesday to 10 PM Wednesday. Sneaker waves can create potentially life-threatening conditions in the surf zone when beachgoers can be unexpectedly knocked off their feet and pulled out into cold ocean waters. Caution should be used when in or near the water, and those with children should be especially watchful. Never turn your back on the ocean, and be sure to keep an eye on the waves. Those participating in razor clam digs should additionally exercise caution. -36

PQR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...None. WA...None. PZ...None.