Portland residents can expect a stormy Wednesday with widespread rain, gusty winds and a chance of thunderstorms.
The National Weather Service warns that some thunderstorms could be marginally severe, with the main threats being strong winds and possibly funnel clouds. Small hail is also possible with any thunderstorms that develop. Residents should remain alert for rapidly changing conditions and potential power outages from gusty winds that could down tree limbs.
A cold front moved through the Portland area Wednesday morning, bringing moderate rainfall and increasing southerly winds. Wind gusts could reach 30-40 mph inland, with the potential for thunderstorms developing Wednesday afternoon and evening. The high temperature for Portland is expected to be 60 degrees.
Early Wednesday afternoon, the weather service issued a severe thunderstorm warning in effect until 1:30 p.m. for Clatsop and Tillamook counties. It said residents should expect wind gusts of up to 70 mph.
In eastern Oregon, a wind advisory was in effect until 4 p.m. for Wallowa County, with the weather service telling residents to expect south winds of 25-30 mph and gusts up to 58 mph.
The unsettled weather will continue into Thursday in the Portland area with another round of rain and wind before conditions begin to improve Friday.
A storm system expected to move into the region Thursday should bring rain and gusty winds similar to Wednesday’s system but with slightly lower rainfall amounts. Minor urban flooding is possible in low-lying areas with poor drainage, especially given the cumulative rainfall from both systems. Small creeks and streams may also experience minor flooding.
Weather conditions are expected to improve late Friday as a ridge of high pressure builds along the West Coast. The weekend looks drier, with rain chances diminishing Saturday and continuing to decrease through early next week.
— Generative AI was used to produce a draft of this story based on information from the National Weather Service. It was reviewed and edited by Oregonian/OregonLive staff.
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