Right now, the mercury in Portland, Oregon, is sitting at 40°F.
It’s that classic Rose City winter morning—dark, damp, and lingering right around the freezing mark without actually committing to a frost. If you’re standing outside near Pioneer Courthouse Square or waiting for the MAX, it probably feels a bit sharper than the number on your phone. That’s the high humidity talking.
When the humidity hits 98%, like it has today, January 15, 2026, the air doesn't just sit around you; it clings. It's the kind of "bone-chilling" cold that Portlanders complain about while visitors from the Midwest laugh—until they’ve been outside for twenty minutes and realize their denim is literally absorbing the mist.
The Fog and the "Inversion" Weirdness
We are currently under a bit of a weather phenomenon. While the lowlands are shrouded in a dense fog advisory, the mountains are actually basking in sunshine.
📖 Related: What Does a Stoner Mean? Why the Answer Is Changing in 2026
Basically, there’s a low-level temperature inversion happening. A warm air mass is sitting on top of the cold, stagnant air trapped in the Willamette Valley. This is why if you drive up to Council Crest or head toward the Cascades, you might suddenly pop out of the "gray soup" into a bright, 55°F afternoon. But down here in the city? We’re stuck in the 40s.
- Current Wind: Nearly still (about 2 mph from the North).
- Visibility: Rough. It’s down to about a quarter-mile in some spots near the Columbia River.
- The Vibe: Peak "Portland Gray."
What to Expect for the Rest of the Day
Don't get too comfortable with the chill. The forecast for the rest of Thursday, January 15, suggests we’ll actually see some sun break through later this afternoon.
The high is projected to hit 55°F. That’s a massive jump from where we are right now. Once the sun manages to "burn off" this inversion layer, it’s going to feel like a completely different day. Honestly, it might even be "light jacket" weather by 2:00 PM, provided the breeze stays calm.
👉 See also: Am I Gay Buzzfeed Quizzes and the Quest for Identity Online
Portland weather is notoriously fickle in January. We’ve had years where it's 65°F and people are eating ice cream at Salt & Straw, and we’ve had years (like 1888) where it plummeted to -2°F. Today is firmly in the middle—boring, but manageable.
Historical Context: Is This Normal?
The average high for mid-January in Portland is usually around 47°F. So, hitting 55°F today makes us slightly warmer than the historical norm.
We aren't breaking any records today. The record high for this date was 62°F back in the early 1900s. We’re also nowhere near the record low of -2°F. It’s just... Oregon. Moist, cool, and gray.
✨ Don't miss: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
Actionable Advice for Your Thursday
If you’re heading out, the temperature right now in Portland Oregon means you need to think about layers, not just bulk.
- Ditch the heavy parka: You’ll be sweating by 3:00 PM when it hits 55°F.
- Waterproof is the priority: Even if it isn't "raining" hard, the mist is heavy enough to soak through a standard fleece in minutes.
- Head Upward: If the gloom is getting to you, drive up toward Government Camp or any elevation above 1,500 feet. You’ll likely find the sun that the rest of us are missing.
Check the air stagnation levels if you have asthma. These inversions tend to trap pollutants near the ground, so the air quality might get a little "meh" before the wind picks up tonight.
Next Steps for Your Day:
Watch for the fog to lift around noon. If the clouds don't break by 1:00 PM, that 55°F high probably won't happen, and we'll stay trapped in the mid-40s until sunset. Keep a shell jacket handy for the dampness, and maybe grab an extra shot in your coffee—you're going to need it to combat the lack of vitamin D until that sun peeks out.