939
FXUS66 KPQR 080922
AFDPQR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Portland OR
222 AM PDT Sat Aug 8 2026

.SYNOPSIS...Warm and dry conditions continue today, but temperatures
are expected to gradually moderate toward August norms by Sunday,
continuing into early next week. Renewed onshore flow will keep
smoke east of the Cascades, while precipitation chances remain very
low through at least the middle of next week. Temperatures are
likely to trend warmer again late next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Today through Friday...Broad high pressure over the
region today will maintain warm and dry conditions with highs
reaching the mid to upper 80s inland. A weak shortwave trough will
bring a few high clouds across the area this morning while marine
stratus likely remains at the coast, with afternoon sun expected.
Another round of onshore flow will bring breezy northwest winds
later this afternoon and evening.

While winds from the west/northwest generally remain around 15 mph
or weaker across most areas, the breeziest locations will be along
the Central Columbia River Gorge and portions of the Upper Hood
River Valley where gap winds are forecast to gust up to 30-35 mph,
with a 20-30% chance for gusts exceeding 40 mph. Combined with low
relative humidity and dry fuels, these conditions would be favorable
for rapid fire spread. NWS Pendleton has issued a Red Flag Warning
for the Central Gorge and portions of Eastern Hood River County, in
effect through 11 PM Saturday. Elsewhere across northwest Oregon and
southwest Washington, higher relative humidity and weaker winds will
not be favorable for rapid fire spread.

There is high confidence temperatures trend a few degrees cooler
into the low to mid 80s Sunday through early next week as a more
zonal flow pattern emerges. Majority of ensemble members show a weak
trough approaching the Pacific Northwest middle of next week,
however, it appears to be a dry trough with no precipitation chances
expected. Ensemble clusters indicate increasing probabilities for a
steeper ridge developing offshore late next week, which would allow
for temperatures to warm again into the upper 80s to lower 90s
potentially. DH/10


&&

.AVIATION...Through 12Z Sun...Southwest flow aloft becomes
westerly today as high pressure weakens over the region. Marine
stratus continues to develop along portions of the coast this
morning with MVFR to LIFR CIGs. Guidance indicates stratus is
likely to scatter out by 17-19z Saturday, with widespread VFR
conditions expected through 06z Sunday. Inland terminals may see a
few high clouds across the area today with VFR conditions
persisting through the period. A stronger marine push this morning
could allow stratus to push east through the Columbia River to
around KKLS. Northwesterly winds increase again to 6-12 kt this
afternoon. KONP may see gusts up to 20 kt after 18Z Sat as winds
over the waters strengthen, decreasing by 04-06z Sun.

KPDX AND APPROACHES...VFR conditions through period. Mid to high
level clouds likely after 12z Sat. Light northwest winds increase
to around 9-12 kt after 21z Sat. /DH

&&

.MARINE...High pressure offshore will maintain northerly winds
through the weekend and into next week. Winds will remain 20 kt
or less through this morning. Surface pressure gradients will
then tighten this afternoon, bringing increased chances for wind
gusts up to 25 kt south of Cape Foulweather through the weekend
and into early next week. Specifically, there is a 40% chance for
small craft wind gusts today south of Cape Foulweather, then
increased chances of 50-70% on Sunday. Wind driven seas are
expected to remain around 4 to 6 ft through the next week. /DH

&&

.PQR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

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

&&

$$

www.weather.gov/portland

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