Tuesday’s damp, dreary weather offers Portland clouds, drizzle; high 40

After getting a quick brush with winter last weekend, Portland will see some typical late fall weather early this week with seasonable temperatures and light rain, or drizzle.

The National Weather Service expects weak weather systems to bring occasional light rain into the metro area Tuesday and Wednesday.

Portland will have clouds skies Tuesday and occasional sprinkles. The high temperature will be around 40 degrees. The overnight lows were in the mid-30s, so don’t expect much warming from what you wake up to Tuesday morning.

The snow level will climb to about 3,000 feet later in the day. The morning snow level of 2,000 feet may push ground temperatures to near freezing early in the day in the higher elevations. Subfreezing temperatures are also fairly widespread in the Columbia River Gorge. Travelers in the foothills and through the gorge should be ready for possible slick spots on the roadways. Freezing drizzle is also possible at the higher elevations.

Damp skies return Wednesday. The day will be cloudy in Portland, and the high temperature will reach near 43 degrees.

A stronger weather system approaches later Wednesday evening. Rain rates will increase overnight. Higher elevations including Cascades mountain passes should begin to see another round of snow.

Portland will see a proper rainy day Thursday as the morning starts with a good shot of precipitation before the rain tapers to showers after about noon. The high temperature will be about 42 degrees and the snow level will be at about 2,000 feet to start the day, but lower to around 1,000 behind the front.

How much snow the mountains see will largely depend on how much moisture remains with this system by the time it arrives. Forecast models are currently expecting 1-3 inches in the gorge and from 4-7 inches at higher Cascade elevations. Freezing temperatures are likely throughout the gorge, even down near Interstate 84. Use extreme caution when traveling through the gorge early Thursday.

Extended forecasts are showing a cold and wet morning Friday and rain continuing into the weekend.