766 FXUS66 KPQR 111058 AFDPQRArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Portland OR 358 AM PDT Sat Oct 11 2025
.SYNOPSIS...A broad upper-level trough and embedded coastal low continues to drive cool and unsettled weather across the Pacific Northwest through the weekend. Expect periodic rain, mountain snow, and below-normal temperatures. Conditions gradually moderate midweek as a ridge builds over the region, though model uncertainty grows toward late week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...Now through Friday...Satellite and radar imagery early this morning depict a compact upper-level low now centered near the Oregon coast, with widespread cloud cover and intermittent light to moderate rain inland. As of 4 AM, overnight temperatures have dipped into the low 50s to upper 40s across the interior valleys, and a Frost Advisory remains in effect for Hood River County until 8 AM this morning.
Uncertainty persists regarding additional frost or freeze headlines over the next few nights. For Saturday night into Sunday, frost formation hinges on whether clouds sufficiently clear - confidence remains low to moderate. The Sunday night into Monday period could see near-freezing conditions as cold air lingers, though thicker cloud cover may limit frost formation. Monday night into Tuesday currently appears to hold the highest potential for a Freezing Warning, given cloud cover is forecasted to clear through Monday.
As the coastal low drifts slowly inland today, expect another period of widespread rain, tapering to showers by late afternoon and evening. Rainfall totals through today are forecast to range from 0.10-0.20 inches in the interior valleys to 0.20-0.40 inches along the coast, Coast Range, and Cascades. Probabilities for 24 hour accumulation exceeding 0.50 inches sit around 15-30% for the Willamette Valley and 40-80% for the coast, Coast Range, and Cascades.
The upper low begins to move eastward late tonight into Sunday, allowing for a transition to more showery and convective precipitation. Model soundings and ensemble guidance suggest around a 15% chance for isolated thunderstorms through much of Sunday, primarily along the coast but still possible inland. By Sunday night, a colder post-frontal air mass settles into the region. Highs Sunday and Monday will remain in the mid 50s to low 60s for most lowland areas and upper 30s to upper 40s across higher terrain. Snow levels lower to around 3500-5000 ft, bringing the potential for 2 to 5 inches of wet snow near pass level, with up to 6 to 12 inches at higher elevations above 5000 ft.
For Saturday through Monday, ensemble 72 hour total precipitation probabilities indicate a 50-75% chance for 1 inch or more across the interior lowlands and 75-95% for coastal and mountainous areas. For 1.50 inches, probabilities drop to 20-40% for the valleys and 50-80% for higher terrain.
Tuesday into Wednesday, a transition toward higher pressure and drier weather is expected as ensemble cluster guidance favors a ridge building over the northeast Pacific. This will bring moderating temperatures, highs climbing into the 60s and PoPs dropping to 10-20%. Uncertainty increases toward Thursday and Friday. Several ensemble members rebuild the offshore low and push it back toward the coast. If that scenario materializes, weak onshore flow and increasing cloud cover could return, bringing PoPs back up into the 30-50% range. Confidence in this late week pattern remains low as ensemble spread continues to widen regarding the strength and placement of the reemerging trough. ~12
&&
.AVIATION...An upper level low pressure system pushes inland through today, absorbing into an upper level trough located to the north by the end of the TAF period. As a result, expect showers and a mix of MVFR/VFR conditions throughout the airspace through the period. Guidance suggests a 30-50% chance for MVFR CIGs at most terminals at any given hour after 12Z Saturday. Otherwise, expect southerly winds 5-10 kt overnight, shifting more southwesterly/westerly around 21-23Z Saturday. Afternoon wind gusts up to 20 kt possible for coastal terminals.
KPDX AND APPROACHES...Persistent showers with a mix of MVFR/VFR conditions through the TAF period. Guidance suggests a 20-40% chance for MVFR CIGs between 12Z Saturday and 06Z Sunday. Expect southerly winds 4-8 kt, shifting southwesterly by 01-03Z Sunday. ~12
&&
.MARINE...A low pressure system currently moving onshore will weaken further through today. Southwesterly winds this morning will turn westerly to northwesterly this afternoon into the evening, increasing winds to 15-25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt. Seas are expected to increase to 10-13 ft with dominant periods around 10 seconds late today into early Sunday bringing a period of hazardous seas.
Late Sunday into Monday, a low pressure system will drop southward along the coast, bringing another round of northerly winds. Seas decrease below 8 ft during the middle half of next week as high pressure builds back across the northeast Pacific. The end of next week has a fair amount of uncertainty as guidance suggests an 80% chance that significant wave heights will be between 7 and 14 ft across the waters on Friday. ~12
&&
.PQR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...Frost Advisory until 8 AM PDT this morning for ORZ121.
WA...None. PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 PM PDT this evening for PZZ210.
Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 11 PM PDT this evening for PZZ251>253-272-273.
Hazardous Seas Watch from this evening through Sunday afternoon for PZZ251>253-272-273.
Small Craft Advisory from noon today to 5 PM PDT this afternoon for PZZ271.
Hazardous Seas Watch from this afternoon through Sunday afternoon for PZZ271. &&
$$
www.weather.gov/portland
Interact with us via social media: www.facebook.com/NWSPortland x.com/NWSPortland
NWS PQR Office Area Forecast Discussion