20-degree temperature drop Thursday as rain, wind returns to the PNW
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Record-breaking heat Tuesday and Wednesday comes to an end as Portland falls from the 80s to the upper 50s and 60s Thursday.
A large low pressure system sitting offshore was the culprit of potentially severe weather on Wednesday that ended up never forming. However, this strong low will still bring about unsettled conditions to the region alongside rain and much cool weather.
Temperatures are expected to sit closer to average today with highs on either side of 60 degrees. That's a 20+ degree drop in temps today compared to the summery weather felt across the PNW over the last few days.
Rain is expected to intensify through the afternoon hours as winds gust close to 20 to 25 mph. There may be a pop-up thunderstorm or two as well. These storms are not expected to turn severe, but could still bring downpours and small hail. Rain amounts will accumulate to nearly a half inch by the end of the day Thursday. More wind and rain is expected Friday.
Snow elevations are expected to fall to close to 3,000' by the weekend. That's where Mt. Hood could see over a foot of new snow by the start of next week. Lower elevations will continue to see rain through the weekend and into the start of next week.
Temperatures are expected to sit closer to average through the middle of next week. Highs in the upper 50s will make it feel more like spring in the Pacific Northwest.