Rod's Weather Headlines

It is possible today will kick-off our longest stretch of 80 degree temperatures this summer.  One forecast chart shows the warmest temperatures of summer arriving this weekend.  To date, the warmest temperature at PDX this summer has been 87 degrees. 

As I am sure you know, Portland has not yet reached 90 degrees this year.  The city has warmed to 80 degrees 17 days.  Here are the numbers of 80 degree temperatures:

June:  2 days / July:  10 days /  August so far:  5 days (today would be day 6)

The record year for fewest 80 degree days was back in 1954 when 80 was reached only 10 times. 1954 also holds the record of zero 90 degree days.

The average annual # of 80 degree highs in Portland is 50 days.

Enjoy summer!

Then National Climate Prediction Center reports some forecast models are developing a weak La Nina this fall and into the winter months.  Historically, strong La Nina's, like last winter's are followed by a weak La Nina.  Last winter's strong La Nina has produced the wettest water year for Portland since 1998 - 1999.  To date, the current water year total is 43.94".  A normal water year (Oct. 1st - Sept. 30th), is 37.07 inches. 

Although La Nina winters are historically wet, keep in mind that forecast confidence is only high with a strong La Nina or El Nino.  Should this winter be neutral or a weak La Nina, forecast confidence of wet verses dry will be low.  Neutral winters can be all over the board.  Some of our strongest winter storm events have developed during neutral years.  Of course, many more forecast thoughts to come as fall and winter approach.  For now, enjoy the sunshine!

July 2011 at PDX goes into the record book as a little cool and a little wet.  

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Average high:  76.9 degrees / below normal by 2.4 degrees

Average low:  56.5 degrees / below normal by  0.4 degrees

Mean temperature: 66.7 degrees / below normal by 1.4 degrees

Total rainfall:  .96" /   above normal by .24"

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7 days had measurable rainfall.  Average is 4 days.

The sky condition report might surprise you:

Clear days:  12  /  average is 12!

Partly cloudy days:  9  /  average is 8

Cloudy days:  10  /  average is 11

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The above suggest that we have become spoiled by a number of sunny, dry July's prior to last year. 

The sky averages for August:  12 clear days, 9 partly cloudy, 10 cloudy days.  Normal rainfall:  .93"

At this time, forecast charts show mostly sunny, warm days with highs 80-84 degrees through the first 20 days of August.  Enjoy!

Vancouver, Washington 

(Friday, July 29th 2011) 9:05am PT -- "The Portland International Airport will close out the month of July without a single 90 degree high temperature. This is the first such occurrence in the month of July in nearly 20 years. One has to go back to July of 1993 in order to find another July without a single 90 degree high temperature in Portland. The average temperature at the airport is just 66.3 degrees (through 7/28) which is -1.7 degrees below normal for the month-to-date.  Cool onshore flow continues this summer with no heat waves on the horizon anytime soon. Portland's highest temperature so far this entire calendar year is 87 degrees, set on July 6th and again on July 24th. Historically speaking, the average first 90 degree temperature of the year in Portland occurs on June 30th. We are a solid 30 days behind schedule which continues the trend over the past few months. 

The above research is courtesy of Mr. Steve Pierce, president of the local chapter of the American Meteorological Society.

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Let's not forget how beautiful our weather has been.  Much of the country is dealing with extreme heat and high air-conditioning bills.  It is safe to say many people across the country would gladly trade places with the Northwest.  A reminder that the warmest normal high temperature for the year at PDX is 81 degrees.  Record highs go up to 107 degrees.  I would say 70-85 degrees (where we have mostly been), is just about perfect!

Rod Hill

Record rain at PDX of .67" through 7:00 pm.  The old record was .64" in 1993

Downtown Portland set a record with .82" of rainfall.   (old .53" 1974)

Hillsboro ties record with .53".  (record 1993)

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Portland has now received . 90" for the month of July.  Normal for the entire month is .72" of rain. 

The wettest July was back in 1983 when 2.68" of rain fell. 

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Rain reports through 7:00 pm:

Salem .40"/Troutdale . 45"/ Vancouver .66"/McMinnville .39"/Corvallis .36"/Scappoose .38"/Kelso .07"

Rain reports can be found on the Northwest Forecast page by clicking on the Climate Link.  You can also click on the metro currents page & individual cities.

At the half way point of July, here is a status check for the Rose City.  

So far, 8 pretty nice days with sunshine and warm afternoon highs 75 - 80 or better.  

So far, 8 cool days with lots of clouds and highs closer to 70 degrees.  We have had 3 days report measurable rainfall.  The average for the entire month is 4 days. 

If you average out the daily mean temperature, PDX is about one degree below normal.  Four days have gone in the record book as above normal temperature wise, 10 days below and two days have been exactly normal.

Forecast charts show a return to sunny warm days in the 80s or hotter not this coming week but next week - the final week of July.  Forecast charts have been all over the board -  so we will see.  

By the way, today, July 16th is the day Portland's normal high temperature becomes 80 degrees.  The normal high temperature will remain at 80 or 81 degrees through August 25th.  Our normal low of 57 is the warmest of the season and will remain until August 23rd.

Let's hope for a return to perfect sunny weather, although we have been much better than back east where it has been hotter than you....know....what!

So far this summer, the warmest day of the year for the Rose City was July 6th when Portland hit 87 degrees.  In fact, Portland has only hit 80 or better 6 days.  The average 1st 90 degree day is June 30th.  Last year the 1st 90 degree temperature came on July 7th when PDX topped at 95 degrees.  There have been years, including 1954 when 90 degrees was never reached!  On average, Portland has 11 days with 90 degree temperatures or hotter.  The record summer of 90 degree temperatures was 2009, when we hit 90 degrees 24 days!

If my forecast holds for a "normal summer,"  you would expect 90 degree temperatures about a dozen times, with the last hot day, in September.  As of today, no hot weather expected this coming week.  May be we are in for a hot August?  We'll see.

Assuming PDX does not reach 80 degrees through June 30th, we will tie the record for fewest number of 80 degree days through the month of June.  1964 and 1980 hit 80 or better only two days, which is the current record.  We are certain to add 2011 to the list!  The average number of 80 degrees days or warmer through June 30th is 9.  This month does average one 90 degree day, but clearly not unusual to stay shy of 90 degrees until July or August.  Hillsboro will also tie the same record with only two 80 degrees days so far this year.  

Here is a list of records for all cities:

Salem:  Record - Zero days / this year 3

Vancouver:  Record - 1 day / this year 2

McMinnville:  Record - 1 day / this year 2

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Don't worry, if you like warm weather, 80 degree temperatures are in the holiday weekend forecast!

Despite the complaints, Portland's June is on it's way to being the first below normal precipitation month since January.  In fact, this June as of today has received only 48% of normal rainfall.  To date, PDX has picked up .63", normal rainfall to date would be 1.31"  Six days have had measurable rainfall, nine is average for the entire month.  

The mean temperature average to date is just .3 degrees below normal.  If the forecast holds true through the 30th, PDX will likely finish the month within 1/2 degree of what is considered normal.  It is certainly true, we have not had much in the way of warm days.  June averages one 90 degree day, we likely will have zero.  We have had two 80 degree days, 86 and 83.   Even the cool, wet June of 2010 hit 80 4 times!  

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Here is the data on sunny and cloudy days that many have requested:

CLOUDY DAYS:  So far this June 13 / Normal for the entire month is 16

PARTLY CLOUDY:  So far 6 / Normal  8

SUNNY DAYS:  So far 4  /  Normal  6

As you can see, June 2011 is right there - pretty normal.

So, if you put it all together, this has been a pretty nice June in the eyes of climate.  Remember La Nina was declared dead back on June 1st.  Right on cue, our stretch of wet weather ended and temperatures, although not warm, have been close to normal.  I still expect a nice July & August with mostly dry weather and a nice stretch of comfortable days in the 70s and 80s with around ten 90 degree days sprinkled in.  

Remember this is the Northwest - it's not suppose to be sunny and warm every day, at least not until July 5h!