Hottest temps of the year possible in Portland this week

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Gear up for the heat this week!

The hottest temperatures of the year so far are possible around the Portland & Vancouver metro areas as temperatures surge towards the upper 80s. A few spots in the Willamette Valley could even flirt with the 90s this week.

The culprit for the heat this week is a broad ridge of high pressure that will build over the Pacific Northwest, bringing hot temps, sunshine, and drier days to the region.

Temps look to bump into the lower 80s by Tuesday and may spike up to the upper 80s or 90° by Wednesday in the peak of the warm-up.

As the ridge subsides on Thursday, a briefly cooler day will set up with temperatures falling back into the mid-70s.

However, a second ridge of high pressure will rebuild, causing temperatures to bump back towards the 80s and even 90s this upcoming weekend.

While average highs for late May typically sit in the lower 70s, this week’s heat will push temps nearly 15 degrees above normal. The 90s are rare in May, but do occasionally happen in Portland. The average first 90° day in Portland is June 18th.

The forecast will likely adjust and shift as our models update throughout the week. Stay with the KOIN 6 Weather Team as we track these latest rounds of summer-like heat returning to the Pacific Northwest this week.