The best time to visit Portland, Oregon, is in the summer, between June and August. These months offer the warmest weather, and we love how they let us make the most of the city’s plentiful outdoor activities.
Although the weather in Portland is at its finest in summer, we feel that Oregon’s biggest city is a beautiful place to visit any time of year. The temperatures are usually mild, allowing us to spend time outside enjoying the city’s vibrant culture and natural attractions.
In the winter months, however, temperatures drop. Winter brings more rainfall to the city, which can put a dampener on our plans.. Like Seattle to the north—another one of our favorite cities in the Pacific Northwest—Portland is well known as a rainy city, which leaves many travelers avoiding visiting outside the summer season.
Ready to plan your ultimate Portland getaway? Strap in and let us help you pick the perfect time of year to go with our complete Portland weather guide, including a detailed overview of each season and month, and our tips for what to expect and what to see & do…
Weather in Portland
By season
Spring
Looking for a city break without the crowds? If you don’t mind the risk of showers, we think spring could be the ideal time for you to visit Portland, OR.
Spring is the tourism shoulder season, giving you the chance to snap up some great deals on accommodation and avoid the queues at some of our favorite Portland tourist attractions.
As our spring travels to the Pacific Northwest often remind us, spring days in Portland often start rainy and clear up in the afternoon. If you plan your days well, though, you can avoid the rain and still tick off all the things you want to see in the city.
One big bonus: We love how Portland comes alive in spring with colorful azaleas and cherry trees blooming. We recommend wandering through the parks and gardens and spotting the famous roses that have given Portland its nickname, “City of Roses.”
From March to June, we see the average highs increase from 40°F to 68°F (4°C to 20°C). From our experience, wearing layers will help keep you comfortable in all weather. Make sure to pack a good waterproof jacket.
Oh, and another quick tip: If you plan on hiking, expect to get muddy. (We recommend waterproof hiking shoes!)
Summer
Oh, yes, Portland thrives in the summer, with dry days and warm temperatures. This is our favorite time of year to make the most of glorious hikes at comfortable temperatures.
With averages around 78°F (26°C) and low humidity, we think summer is the perfect time to embrace the city’s outdoor culture. The summer is brimming with festivals and events, so you’ll be doing plenty of socializing al fresco.
With so much to do, expect the tourists to swarm to Portland at this time of year. We recommend booking your accommodation in advance and expect increased rates at our favorite hotels in Portland. Big events and crowds may make it take a little longer to get around, too.
We love the long days with late sunsets; they’re perfect for long summer nights on the terrace. Wear your favorite summer outfits, but pack a light jacket, as the evenings can get a little chilly.
Fall
If you love the atmosphere of the fall, we think Portland might be the perfect autumn city break! With the 1.4 million trees in the city, we can’t get enough of the collage of autumnal tones and the crunch of leaves under our feet. The stunning fall foliage begins to change to vivid shades of red, orange, and purple.
We suggest wrapping up in your coziest hiking gear to make the most of the dry, sunny days while you can. (In our experience, these can go away in a flash!)
Temperatures stay mild until November as rain showers gradually become more frequent. In early fall, we’ll find temperatures of around 65°F to 70°F (18°C to 21°C). By the end of the season, we expect the averages to drop to around 58°F (14°C).
Summer may be over, but Portland is still in full swing in fall. We think it’s a fantastic time to explore the city’s arts & culture scene with booming theatres and art galleries. There are also plenty of unique seasonal events set against the backdrop of the golden trees.
Winter
Winter in Portland is wet, with around 6 inches of rain at the height of the season. If you want to visit Portland for outdoor adventures, we don’t think it’s an ideal time of the year.
Temperatures plunge to 35°F (2°C) in December, but it’s rarely cold enough to snow. (Or at least cold enough for it to stick on the ground long.)
Pack lots of warm clothes and anything you own that’s waterproof. You’d think that the bad weather would inspire hotels to drop their prices, but we’ve noticed that they remain high in the lead-up to the festive season in Portland.
While not a white winter wonderland like other US cities, we still bet you could have a lovely time exploring Portland during the colder months. In our opinion, this is a good season to make the most of the city’s cozy hospitality in craft breweries and social coffee shops.
There are lots of arts and light festivals in winter that’ll leave the whole city twinkling. Should the cold nights leave you craving comfort food, you’ll find plenty of it while exploring Portland’s renowned culinary scene. (A few of our favorite foodie neighborhoods in the city include the Pearl District and Nob Hill in Northwest Portland.)
By month
January
If you’re visiting Portland in January, prepare to get wet. In our experience, January is one of the coldest and rainiest months of the year. Plan to spend a lot of time indoors.
A bonus? We’ve found January is a cheaper time to visit, with many hotels dropping their prices for the post-festive slump. Some attractions have shorter opening hours; we’d recommend checking if they’re open before visiting.
January is Portland Music Month, which we think is a great opportunity to check out the local rising talent. Thanks to the large East Asian and Southeast Asian populations, Portland will also be full of colorful lanterns and traditional performances for the Lunar New Year.
February
We have a bit of bad news. Don’t expect any respite from the cold in February. Average temperatures range from 36°F to 47°F (2°C to 8°C). The rain reduces slightly to 4.6 inches per month; if you’re lucky, you might get a few hours outside.
There are signs that spring is coming, though, with the famous Portland roses coming out of hibernation in late February.
The Portland Winter Light Festival brings some joy to the winter drizzle. We love checking out the impressive light installations and glowing sculptures pop up throughout the city. Grab a hot chocolate and a raincoat—and see how many you can find!
March
Signs of spring start to appear in March. Temperatures rise from 40°F to 57°F (4°C to 14°C), but the rain continues to pour about 4.5 inches per month. We think this is the perfect time to take your first spring hike of the year and see the stunning Portland flowers start to bloom.
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with lots of parties and live music. Or join 35,000 people and take part in the Shamrock Run. (Hmm, I think we’ll stick to the pubs, thanks.)
If you want to escape the rain, we think March is also a great month to explore Portland’s culinary scene. Although the popular Portland Dining Month is now defunct, it’s been replaced by Ticket to Dine restaurant month. Over 80 restaurants around the city participate in the event. Each visit gives you a chance to win one of 52 weekly gift certificates.
April
Want to experience Portland’s spring blooms without the crowds? We still find April a little rainy, with an average rainfall of around 3.4 inches, but all the wet conditions help the flowers to thrive, making it a super colorful time to roam around the city!
In April, we see the city is warming up, with most days reaching the low 50s. Dress for unpredictable weather, including sunny days and sudden showers.
Although we haven’t been, we’ve heard good things about taking a day trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm for their annual tulip festival. With a short 45-minute drive outside the city, you’ll be treated to 40 acres of fields filled with tulips.
May
If you like exploring without the heat, we’d give a thumbs-up to visiting in May when Portland’s outdoor lifestyle is finally starting to set in. Clearer skies and temperatures of up to 68°F (20°F) create lots of opportunities for beautiful spring hikes.
One word of warning: It still gets cold at night in May so pack warm clothes for going out in the evening.
Okay, it’s not quite peak festival season yet. But we’ve still discovered a ton going on in May!
Join in the lively festivities for Cinco De Mayo, celebrating the city’s Mexican culture at 2025, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Downtown Portland.
May is also the start of the much-loved Portland Rose Festival. Running since 1907, it’s now the official festival of the city. Enjoy the parades, jump on a carnival ride, watch the fireworks—or just sit back and smell the roses!
June
In June, we start to see things really heat up in Portland. Average temperatures sit between 54°F and 74°F (12°C to 23°C), making June, in our opinion, the ideal time to get active and enjoy the city.
June also marks the start of Portland’s festival season, and alfresco life is in full swing. Browse farmers’ markets, take part in colorful carnivals, and drink craft beers at PDX Beer Week in the sunshine.
From our experience, the weather in Portland can still be unpredictable in June, and the temperature drops when you’re out of the sun. Make sure to pack for all weather and bring lots of layers. Nobody wants to miss out on the outdoor fun because they got too cold!
July
July is one of the warmest months of the year in Portland. And it’s one of our recommended months to visit! Whenever we visit Portland in July, we love enjoying long sunny days by the surrounding lakes and rivers.
With an average of only two days of rain, you can make plans knowing the weather is less likely to disrupt your adventures. Expect everywhere to be busier. (If summer crowds aren’t your thing, we’d recommend waiting until later in the season to visit.)
If you love beer like we do, check out the Oregon Brewers Festival. It’s the biggest beer festival of the year in Portland, taking place on the waterfront of the Willamette River. Sample some of the finest craft beers in the region while admiring the Portland skyline.
August
August is the hottest month of the year in Portland and is the peak month for tourism. And, of course, Portlanders and regular visitors know how to make the most of great weather!
In our opinion, the pleasant temperatures and low humidity make August a prime month for explorers. And we think most people agree, as the city gets flooded with hikers, bikers, and outdoor lovers.
Biggest downside? Expect to pay top rates for hotels in August. But with an electric atmosphere, stunning parks, and late dinners on the patio, we think the premium costs are worth it. A packed events schedule will give you something fun to do nearly every day of the week!
One of the biggest annual events in August is the Grand Prix of Portland. Racing fans will love watching Indy cars careen through 12 turns on the 1.967-mile track at the Portland International Raceway.
September
For good weather with fewer crowds, we think September is a fantastic month to visit Portland. Schools have gone back, taking away the peak of the tourism season.
From our experience, the weather in September is still great, with temperatures staying around 53°F to 75°F. And we’ll still find the city buzzing, with Portlanders out making the most of the last days of summer.
With some of Portland’s biggest events happening in September, expect to be busy; arts, food, and brew festivals are happening almost every day! Some of our favorites include the Portland Retro Gaming Expo and the Dragon Boat Festival.
October
If you want to come to Portland in October, we suggest being a little spontaneous. Your trip could be hours of sunshine—or it could be days of pouring rain!
In October, locals throw themselves into the fall. You won’t feel like you’re missing out if the weather forces you inside.
Seasonal events and the changing colors of the leaves give Portland a cozy feel. Get into the fall spirit with corn mazes and pumpkin patches, or wait out the rain in cute coffee shops.
October also marks the start of the NBA season. Sports fans should carve out time to watch the Portland Trail Blazers, the Pacific Northwest’s only remaining NBA team, in action at the Moda Center in the Lloyd District.
November
The temperature in Portland drops moving into November, bringing with it lots of wind and rain. Temperatures are in the low 50s (about 10°C to 12°C), and the leaves are still falling, so we’d say it’s a great time to wrap up and enjoy a crisp walk.
With only 9.5 hours of sunlight, Portlanders are getting ready for nights curled up with a good book. And since we love reading, we wouldn’t miss the opportunity to get in the mood at the Portland Book Festival!
You can pick up all your winter reads at the book fair or attend talks with your favorite authors. (Or if you miss it, just go browse the miles of shelves at Powell’s City of Books, dubbed as the largest indie bookstore in the world!)
December
For bad weather, December is a sure winner. It’s the coldest, wettest, and windiest month of the year—and our least favorite to visit, if we’re being honest!
If you can’t cope with the rain, December is one of the worst times to visit Portland. Still, looking past the gloom, it’s a magical time for the city. The historic districts are lit up with holiday lights, and the rivers are glowing from the Christmas ship parade.
The colder weather is a good excuse to take a trip to nearby Mount Hood and fit some skiing in, indulge in some tax-free holiday shopping, check out cool museums, or explore Portland’s foodie scene.
