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000
FXUS66 KPQR 191004
AFDPQR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Portland OR
303 AM PDT Fri Apr 19 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
High pressure holding steady over the region through tonight, with
another mild day on tap, along with breezy east to northeast winds on
the west slopes of the Cascades and to some degree, the Coast Range.
Cooler for Saturday, as a front moves across the region. May see
spotty light rain as well on Sat into Sat night. Dry and mild again
to start next week, but cooler showery weather returns by Wed.
&&

.SHORT TERM...(TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY)...Quite a difference this am as
compared to 24 hours ago. This due to the offshore flow over the
region. Where winds have stayed up, temperatures are still in the
upper 40s to mid 50s, such as Portland/Vancouver metro with
temperatures still in 50 to 55 as of 2 am. Not a lot of wind, but
enough considering most of this warm is due to the downslope of the
air mass down the west slopes of the Cascades. Where winds have gone
calm, temperatures are in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Similar
conditions along the coast, where light east wind is keeping it mild,
with much cooler conditions in the windless valleys.

Overall, not much change today as compared to Thursday. Most areas
will again rise into the 60s, with lower to middle 70s for many
areas. Have boosted todays highs over what NBM (National Blend of
Models guidance) has, as NBM is often behind the 8-ball with such
offshore patterns. Gradients will pick up again, mostly in response
to daytime heating on the west side. Generally, east to northeast
winds gusting 15-30 mph in the usual spots (those exposed to east
winds) such as along the coast into the Coast Range. Bit stronger
with gusts up to 40 mph in the Cascades foothills and perhaps parts
of the east Portland/Vancouver metro into the western Columbia Gorge
for the afternoon/evening. Winds more north to northeast as move
south of Portland towards Salem and Eugene and not as strong with
gusts maxing at near 15 mph.

Still expecting a mild wind-reversal along the coast in the
afternoon, with east to northeast winds becoming southerly to south
of Florence in the afternoon, and as far north as Newport by sunset
as the thermal trough shifts inland to sit over the Coast Range. This
will allow for cooler ocean air to spread back across the coastal
zones at that time. But, offshore flow persists on to the north
overnight, such as at Astoria. Likely be one of those afternoons
where Newport cools to 59 with light south wind, whileAstoria is
around 70 with an east wind in the late afternoon.

Changes gradually arrive tonight into Sat, as a front well offshore
approaches. Will see offshore flow gradually weaken tonight. Mid and
high clouds increasing later tonight into Sat. Models have been
slowing the front, and like that trend. Few sprinkles along the coast
Sat am, but think main rain arrives along the coast towards noon,
with spotty rain or showers spreading further inland in the
afternoon. With the bulk the lift with the front staying farther
north over Washington, rainfall amounts will vary across the region,
with 0.10 to 0.25 inch along the coast/coastal mountains, and 0.02 to
0.10 for the inland areas. With the onshore flow and clouds, will be
cooler on Sat, with the 50s along the coast, and upper 50s to lower
60s inland.

High pressure offshore will being building inland on Sunday. This
will end the shower potential, with morning clouds giving way to mix
of sunshine and clouds. Overall, fairly pleasant day, with
temperatures near that expected for mid-April.       /Rockey

.LONG TERM...(MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY)....Ensemble guidance points
towards another transitory ridge shifting across the region Monday
into Tuesday, with dry and mild weather. Will trend temperatures back
to the 60s along the coast, and 70s for interior lowlands. But,
models area back to bringing another upper trough to the region by
mid-week. As such, would see a bit cooler temperatures again, along
with increasing potential of showers.      /Rockey
&&

.AVIATION...VFR but breezy as offshore flow strengthens through
this morning. Easterly/northeasterly winds continue today with east
winds will strengthen after 15Z Fri as KTTD-KDLS pressure
gradients tighten slightly. The strongest winds will be through
the Columbia River Gorge and into the Portland Metro Area, where
east winds could gust up to 25-30 kt through 00-02Z Sat.  Winds
ease this evening as the offshore pressure gradient eases.

PDX AND APPROACHES...VFR expected through the TAF period. East
winds strengthening after 15-17z Fri to around 18-22 kt with
gusts up to 25-30 kt through 00-02z Sat. East winds begin to
weaken in the evening to near 10 kt.  /mh/Alviz
&&

.MARINE...East to northeast winds today as high pressure resides
east of the Cascades and a thermal trough over western WA/OR. This
pattern breaks down tonight as a Pacific front approaches. Southerly
winds increase through the day Saturday as the front moves
through the waters, with Small Craft winds and choppy seas likely
into Sunday. Seas building to 8 to 12 ft Saturday with the front,
then settle to around 8 ft Sunday. /mh
&&

.PQR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

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

&&

$$

www.weather.gov/portland

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