Will it rain in Portland? And what do you do about the rain? These are some of the first questions our guests ask us!
The first answer is — probably yes. In December, January and February, it will probably rain. While every single day will not rain, we have certainly all experienced a month where precipitation fell every day (a friend named his company after the daily rain he experienced the January he moved here many years ago). As we get toward spring the answer is, some days, yes. In summer we have many many glorious sunny days, far more than drizzly ones.
Will it rain? What you should know if you’re looking at the weather forecast is that (1) very few days of rainy weather are constant. Most days of rain include some sprinkles, some beautiful sun breaks, and very occasionally a brief hail storm! (2) Portlanders do everything in the rain, from hiking to biking to having coffee or lunch at an outside table. And that leads us to (3) we never cancel tours for rain.
Occasionally we will see a forecast so drenching that we will call ahead to ask — have you seen it? And offer options for rescheduling if you prefer. But we will only cancel for dangerous weather, such as icy sidewalks and pathways, very high winds, or similar treacherous conditions.
The rain gives us many good things, not least among them the gorgeous colors we appreciate year-round and the ability to truly savor a perfectly-made cappuccino. However, it’s a great idea to bring warm layers to visit the city if the low temp is below 60F/16C. Dressing for happiness in the winter in Portland should include (1) warm socks (wool is best) and boots or comfortable hiking shoes that can handle mud and puddles; (2) a raincoat or water-resistant outer layer with a hood; (3) a hat, mittens or gloves, and scarf. You’ll be much happier! Portlanders don’t use umbrellas much, as they like to stay active; but if you are an umbrella person and it’s not a windy day, bring one along.
We are happy to share our beautiful collection of ponchos with you if you need an extra layer when you come out with us. The rain brightens up all the colors in the city; you might find Portland rain is your new favorite weather.