Honestly, if you’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for more than five minutes, you know the "Rose City" doesn't just do one type of winter. We’re currently staring down a Portland Oregon weather forecast 14 day stretch that looks suspiciously like a classic January tug-of-war.
Right now, it’s all about the high pressure. It’s sitting over us like a heavy blanket, keeping things dry but surprisingly chilly. If you’re waking up in the Willamette Valley this week, you’re probably scraping frost off the windshield.
The Gorge Wind Factor
The real story isn't just "rain or shine." It’s the wind. Specifically, that biting easterly wind howling through the Columbia River Gorge. As of January 18, 2026, we’re seeing gusts hitting 35 to 40 knots near Troutdale.
Why does this matter?
Because it’s keeping the cold air trapped. While the higher elevations—think 1,500 feet and up—are actually soaking in some weirdly warm sun, the rest of us in the lowlands are stuck in a "subsidence inversion."
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Basically, the cold air is heavier and stays at the bottom. The National Weather Service even has an Air Stagnation Advisory in effect because the air just isn't moving. It’s great for sunny afternoon walks, but kinda crummy for air quality.
Breaking Down the Next Two Weeks
Don't get used to the dry pavement. The high-pressure ridge is going to start crumbling by Wednesday or Thursday.
The Immediate Outlook:
- Sunday & Monday: Expect highs near 46°F to 49°F. Sunny skies, but don't let the light fool you. The lows are dipping to 31°F. It’s "big coat" weather.
- Tuesday & Wednesday: Clouds start creeping back in. Highs stay in the mid-40s. Overnight lows will hover right around freezing (29°F to 30°F).
The Shift (Late Week):
Thursday is the pivot point. The onshore flow—that’s the moist air from the Pacific—returns. There’s a 40% to 60% chance of rain for the interior lowlands by Thursday night.
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Here is the tricky part: If those east winds from the Gorge don't give up, that moisture is going to hit the cold air. That’s the recipe for the "S-word" (snow) or, more likely, freezing rain in the eastern metro areas.
Looking Toward February
By the time we hit the tail end of this 14-day window—roughly January 25 through January 31—the temperatures take a noticeable dive. We’re looking at daytime highs struggling to reach 39°F and lows consistently in the high 20s.
Is it a La Niña year? Yeah, the data from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center suggests a weak La Niña is still hanging on. Historically, that means we should prepare for "cooler and wetter."
But "wetter" doesn't always mean a deluge. In fact, the local analog years (1968, 1982, and 2018) show that while we might get a valley snow event, the overall precipitation might actually end up near or slightly below average. It’s a roll of the dice.
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What Most People Get Wrong
Everyone assumes Portland in January is just a 31-day grey drizzle.
Not true.
The biggest misconception is that the "feels like" temperature is just about the humidity. In Portland, it’s about the wind chill. Right now, even when it’s 40°F out, it feels like 33°F because of those 10 mph northeast winds.
Survival Steps for the Next 14 Days
Since we’re dealing with a mix of stagnant air, freezing fog, and an incoming rain front, here’s how to handle it:
- Watch the Fog: Freezing fog is a sneaky hazard. If you're driving the I-5 or the 205 early in the morning, those "slick spots" are real, even if the road looks just wet.
- Check Your Air Filters: With the stagnation advisory, maybe skip the backyard fire pit for a few nights. The air quality in the valley is currently a bit compromised.
- Pipe Protection: We’re hitting 29°F several nights in a row. It’s not "Texas-level" deep freeze, but if you have exposed outdoor pipes, wrap 'em.
- The Thursday Transition: If you have outdoor plans for next weekend, have a Plan B. The rain probability jumps to 75% on the coast and will likely wash out any dry hikes in the valley by Saturday.
Things are shifting fast. One day it's clear skies and frost, the next it’s a sloppy Pacific system. Stay tuned to the local METs, because in Portland, a two-degree difference is the gap between a rainy commute and a city-wide shutdown.
Actionable Insight: Check the pressure gradient reports for KPDX to KDLS. If that number stays high (around -8 to -9 mb), the cold east wind isn't going anywhere, and you should prepare for a much colder week than the standard "45 and rainy" forecast suggests.