Tuesday brings partly cloudy skies to Portland; high 78. Light rain expected along coast

Tuesday will feel a lot like Monday did with partly cloudy skies in Portland and temps in the mid 70s.

The National Weather Service says the inland valleys will stay dry Tuesday with no rain expected from Portland to Eugene, but areas near the northwest Oregon and southwest Washington coasts could see some light showers by late morning or early afternoon.

Portland will have clam winds and high temperatures should reach near 76 degrees.

Wednesday should be a mostly sunny day as a high pressure ridge begins to build in the region. Portland will see some clouds in the morning, then more clearing through the afternoon. The high will be about 77 degrees.

A warming trend begins in earnest Thursday with forecast models showing high pressure continuing to build. A light offshore flow will develop and keep warm air moving westward. Portland should see sunny skies and a 10-degree jump in the high temp to about 87 degrees. Winds will blow at about 10 mph by the afternoon.

Friday will be a hot day. Highs are expected to reach into the low 90s in much of the Willamette Valley. The good news is that with the shorter days, overnight cooling will sink temps into the 50s.

Current long range forecasts have temperatures remaining warm into the weekend. Highs on Saturday and Sunday will be in the mid 80s.