Staying informed about Portland weather is essential for planning your outdoor activities, gardening, and travel. In 2025, Portland is facing unique climate trends, prompting many residents to ask just how hot and dry the region will get. This article explores the current patterns and expert predictions for Portland’s weather this season.
Recent patterns show that Portland weather is growing increasingly warm, especially during the summer months. According to meteorologist Rod Hill’s detailed summer weather outlook on KGW, experts expect Portland to experience between 22 and 31 days with temperatures reaching 90 degrees or above. There's also a strong chance the city will see one to five days hitting the 100-degree mark.
This warming trend isn’t new. Over the past two decades, the annual average of 90-degree days in Portland has increased, signaling a clear shift toward hotter summers.
Unusually warm and dry weather has already marked the spring of 2025. In fact, recent coverage from KPTV notes that Portland received about a quarter inch of rain in a three-week stretch—a remarkably dry period. Experts attribute this to the polar jet stream shifting north, a phenomenon often seen in late spring or early summer.
Residents should be prepared for continued dryness. Lawns and gardens will likely need extra watering, as the soil dries out faster with the warmer temperatures. Traditionally, such dry spells were rare, but now they're becoming a consistent part of Portland weather.
Climate experts like Rod Hill point to the effects of El Niño, La Niña, and overall climate change, but local conditions now often outweigh these global trends. Since 2000, Portland’s summers have become notably hotter, with frequent stretches of several days over 90 degrees. The record of 31 days above 90 degrees, set in 2018, may soon be broken.
Looking ahead, forecasts predict a continuation of warmer and drier than normal conditions into the first half of May and potentially the entire summer. While a few chances for light rain may pop up, most long-range models suggest that below-normal rainfall will persist for Portland and the broader Pacific Northwest.
On a positive note, regional reservoirs remain full thanks to earlier winter snow, supporting both the water supply and summer recreation.
With high temperatures and low rainfall likely, Portland residents should:
For further details on the 2025 summer outlook, check the in-depth report from KGW and KPTV’s analysis of this record-dry spring.
Portland weather in 2025 is on track to be warmer and drier than usual. Staying informed and prepared can help you make the most of this changing climate. Be sure to consult local news outlets and weather experts regularly to stay ahead of the forecast.