Wet Wednesday Ahead: Heavy Rain & Thunderstorms Through Tonight

Hey neighbors—buckle up. We’ve got a significant rain event moving in, and it’s going to stick around through Wednesday night. If you’ve got outdoor plans, now’s the time to pivot.

What’s Happening Right Now

A strong frontal system is pushing in from the Gulf of Alaska, and it’s bringing widespread rainfall to the Willamette Valley and Portland metro. The National Weather Service is calling for 0.75 to 1.25 inches of rain across our area through Wednesday night—that’s substantial. Overnight (starting around 3 AM), we’re looking at an 86–90% chance of rain with gusts up to 21 mph. Temperatures will hover around 39–42°F, so it’ll be chilly and damp.

Wednesday is the main event: showers and thunderstorms are nearly certain (96–100% chance of precipitation). A few rumbles of thunder are possible, especially late morning through Wednesday afternoon. High near 52°F, but temperatures will actually fall as the day goes on. Wind gusts could reach 22 mph, so secure anything loose in your yard.

What to Do (and Not Do) This Week

Skip it: Golfing, grilling, and any outdoor projects. Mowing the lawn? Definitely wait—the ground will be saturated. If you were thinking of heading to the gorge for a hike, hold off; the trails will be muddy and slick through at least Thursday.

Embrace it: This is perfect slow-cooker weather. Throw together a hearty beef stew or chili this morning, set it on low, and come home to a warm, comforting meal. A programmable slow cooker takes the guesswork out of dinner timing on days like this.

If you’re commuting Wednesday, leave extra time and watch for standing water on roads. Gutters and storm drains will be working overtime, so clear any debris from your gutters if you haven’t already—gutter guards are worth considering if this happens often.

Gear Up

If you need to be outside, grab a packable rain jacket and a compact travel umbrella. They’re lifesavers when you’re ducking between errands. Waterproof hiking boots are smart too if you’re planning any outdoor work—your feet will thank you.

Looking Ahead

Thursday shapes up much better. Showers taper off by early morning, and we’ll see a slight chance of showers (only 24%) with temps reaching 56°F. It’s not perfect, but it’s workable. By Friday and into the weekend, we’ll dry out and warm up briefly before another system moves in early next week.

The Cascades and foothills are getting hammered with wet snow—pass levels could see significant accumulation. If you’re heading to Mt. Hood, check conditions carefully before you go.

Stay dry out there, and I’ll have another update Friday morning. This is classic Portland spring weather, and we’ll get through it just fine.