Heavy Rain Will Target Portland Starting Thursday

The National Weather Service anticipates significant rainfall for the city through early Saturday morning.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Current Conditions

Rainy street in Portland with wet asphalt, dark storm clouds overhead, and bare trees in an urban neighborhood. — The National Weather Service has issued a forecast for heavy rain in Portland beginning early Thursday, with wet conditions persisting through Saturday morning. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is now a good time to prepare your home for the upcoming wet weather season?

The National Weather Service has issued a forecast for heavy rain in Portland beginning at 5 a.m. Thursday, September 24, 2026. This wet weather pattern is expected to impact the region through early Saturday morning.

Why it matters

Residents should prepare for wet conditions as the storm brings a high probability of significant rainfall to the area. The forecast also indicates that temperatures will remain slightly cooler than average throughout the period.

There is a 70% chance of receiving more than 0.5 inches of rain during the system. Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-60s from Saturday through Monday.

The players

National Weather Service

This federal agency is responsible for providing weather forecasts, warnings, and data for the United States.

The details

Rain is expected to affect both Portland and parts of Southwest Washington as the system moves through the region. Conditions will briefly clear for dry weather on Saturday and Sunday before rain is likely to resume on Tuesday.

Rain is expected to begin at 5 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The heavy rain will end at 5 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Dry weather is expected to occur on September 26-27, 2026.
Rain is likely to resume on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

Seasonal Patterns

This forecast follows the standard reporting protocols established by the National Weather Service's precipitation probability thresholds. The shift toward cooler temperatures and increased moisture aligns with typical regional transitions occurring late in September.

Residents should prepare for slick roadways and potential travel delays starting Thursday morning. Ensure outdoor items are secured and consider adjusting plans for the wet weather expected through Saturday.

The takeaway

Plan your commutes with caution as the increased rain probability may impact local traffic flow. Monitoring the weather heading into Tuesday will be important as a new cycle of rain is expected to develop early next week.