Thursday offers reasonable temps before Portland soars into 90s this weekend

Thursday is the transition day from fairly normal spring temperatures to those more likely to be seen in mid summer.

The National Weather Service says the region will be sandwiched between low pressure moving east and a large system dropping south from Alaska. The two lows will squeeze warmer air northward in the form of a high pressure ridge.

Portland will see mostly sunny skies Thursday and a high of about 78 degrees. This is a bit above average for this time of year, but “average” gets thrown out the window beginning Friday.

The strong high pressure will allow temperatures to jump about 10 degrees Friday under mostly sunny skies. Portland could see a high of about 88 degrees.

Much of western Oregon will be under an excessive heat watch beginning Saturday afternoon. Dangerously hot conditions build in over the weekend with highs close to 95 degrees possible. Overnight lows won’t offer much relief. Minimum temperatures of as high as 65 are expected.

The heat watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Monday evening. The warning comes as most of us haven’t even put away our winter coats yet. Extreme heat coming along this early in the year can increase the likelihood of heat-related illnesses, especially for those who live or work outdoors.

Saturday will be sunny and hot, with a high temp of about 93 degrees. Some locations through the Willamette Valley could see temps closer to 95. Remember that although cool rivers and lakes sound like a good idea, water temperatures are very cold and area rivers are running high and fast with new snow melt. Wear a floatation device and keep a close eye on children.

Sunday will likely be the hottest day of the weekend. Models are showing an eastward air flow reaching all the way to the coast. On Sunday, the beaches may see temps in the 80s. Extended forecasts are showing Portland likely to reach near 95 degrees.

The heat watch extends to Monday when temps will still be in the 90s, but some cloud cover is possible as another system attempts to break through the ridge of high pressure.

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