Portland is baking today, July 22, with highs near 99°F under mostly sunny skies, patchy smoke moving in after 11 a.m., and a Heat Advisory in effect through this evening for the Portland/Vancouver metro — so plan errands, workouts, and yard work for the early morning hours.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service says another night of poor overnight cooling set the stage for this heat, with heat index values running as high as 106°F once humidity is factored in. Winds stay light out of the north-northwest at 2 to 6 mph, offering little relief. Overnight lows only dropped to around 70°F, and tonight won’t be much better, with lows near 64°F.
Best Window To Be Outside
Get your outdoor time in before mid-morning. A walk along the Eastbank Esplanade or a lap through Laurelhurst Park works best before the smoke thickens and the afternoon heat peaks. Golfers should aim for tee times before 9 a.m. today — early morning is your window, and a golf ball gift set Titleist is a fun way to get ready for cooler, more comfortable rounds arriving Thursday.
Heat And Storm Chances Tonight
Monsoonal moisture is pushing north today, per the Area Forecast Discussion, raising the chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon into evening — though the greatest risk stays over the Cascades rather than the city itself. Portland’s own chance of showers sits near 40% overnight as skies turn partly cloudy. If the smoke thickens for sensitive groups, it’s worth keeping an eye on air quality.
Game Day, Concerts And What To Pack
Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat if you’re out today. The Portland Fire host the Dallas Wings at Moda Center tonight — an easy, air-conditioned escape from the heat — and Get tickets on SeatGeek if you want in. Maren Morris plays McMenamins Grand Lodge tonight too; grab tickets and expect the advisory-level heat to linger into early evening outdoors. Looking ahead, the Portland Timbers host FC Dallas at Providence Park Thursday, when highs ease to near 86°F — much friendlier tailgating weather. Find tickets on StubHub and grab a Portland Timbers jersey before kickoff. If the heat has you thinking water instead of sidelines, our outdoor gear deals page is featuring a 2-Person Intex Floating Lounge with Cooler this week, perfect for a Willamette River float.
With temperatures this high, skip the oven tonight — fire up the grill instead for burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob. An instant-read meat thermometer and grill brush and scraper set make it easy, and our smoke tri-tip like brisket guide is worth a look if you want to get fancy. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Relief arrives Thursday as onshore flow strengthens, dropping highs to near 86°F under partly sunny skies with a low around 61°F Thursday night — Portland’s best sleeping weather in days.
