Weather in March Portland (Bend: 2015, gated, to move)

[NewlyNatural]

Hi,

Is it usually pretty wet and chilly in March? Seeking a quick solo trip some place.

[ProtoStrata]

Originally Posted by NewlyNatural

Hi,

Is it usually pretty wet and chilly in March? Seeking a quick solo trip some place.

Yes, but it isn't as bad as the preceding four months. March rain typically comes as passing showers with dry periods and sunbreaks in between. Not many days of solid, pouring rain, unlike January. Snow is very unlikely. Normal temperatures are in the 50s F, but there's usually a handful of drier, warmer days in the 60s and 70s.

[Yankeemama]

March is not my favorite month in Portland area and the coast can be really brutal. Bend is beautiful but cold. Southern OR may be a lot nicer in March but I am not familiar with that part of the state.

[USDefault]

I find that by mid-February, winter is rapidly ending. In recent years, we've had a number of February days in the 60s (but not the most recent winter). Second poster has it about right concerning March. You'll have some passing rains, usually light (like most Portland rain), and the temperatures are warming up, the days are getting longer too.

Snow would be exceedingly rare in March. From 1981 through 2010, the average snow totals for Portland in March are 0.0 inches. Snow is rare west of the Cascades, period. In the greater Portland-metro area, January snowfall average is a measly 2.3 inches, and February average also is 0.0 inches. In recent years, it's been much less, with several years of zero snow. This last winter was a major deviation to historical patterns; it was much colder and a lot more precipitation than average. This also is why the area is paralyzed when just a couple inches of snow fall; people aren't prepared and can't drive in it.

Also note our average temperatures are in an upward climb, just like the rest of the planet. If you do some business research, you'll see Oregon wine production is skyrocketing. The vintners are on record as saying they can now grow more types of grapes at higher elevations in Oregon today than they could fifty years ago, primarily because average temps are up. You can find multiple media sources for these interviews and reports.

[NewlyNatural]

Originally Posted by USDefault

I find that by mid-February, winter is rapidly ending. In recent years, we've had a number of February days in the 60s (but not the most recent winter). Second poster has it about right concerning March. You'll have some passing rains, usually light (like most Portland rain), and the temperatures are warming up, the days are getting longer too.

Snow would be exceedingly rare in March. From 1981 through 2010, the average snow totals for Portland in March are 0.0 inches. Snow is rare west of the Cascades, period. In the greater Portland-metro area, January snowfall average is a measly 2.3 inches, and February average also is 0.0 inches. In recent years, it's been much less, with several years of zero snow. This last winter was a major deviation to historical patterns; it was much colder and a lot more precipitation than average. This also is why the area is paralyzed when just a couple inches of snow fall; people aren't prepared and can't drive in it.

Also note our average temperatures are in an upward climb, just like the rest of the planet. If you do some business research, you'll see Oregon wine production is skyrocketing. The vintners are on record as saying they can now grow more types of grapes at higher elevations in Oregon today than they could fifty years ago, primarily because average temps are up. You can find multiple media sources for these interviews and reports.

Thanks!

[NewlyNatural]

Originally Posted by ProtoStrata

Yes, but it isn't as bad as the preceding four months. March rain typically comes as passing showers with dry periods and sunbreaks in between. Not many days of solid, pouring rain, unlike January. Snow is very unlikely. Normal temperatures are in the 50s F, but there's usually a handful of drier, warmer days in the 60s and 70s.

I think I could manage a little drizzle! Thanks

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Usually we get a "Spring Teaser" in February for a week or so, everybody gets spring fever, and then it's right back to 40°F and drizzling/raining.

February and March are when I notice a lot of NW Oregon people are starting to get a little weirder than normal.

March sucks.

[fruityfred11]

March has actually been really wet this decade in Portland. It's turning into one of the more reliably rainy months of the year.

Here are the numbers from the downtown weather station, to give you an idea

2010: 5.62"
2011: 7.59"
2012: 9.95"
2013: 2.37"
2014: 7.58"
2015: 5.12"
2016: 5.71"
2017: 8.40"

All that generally spread out over ~20 days.

In other words, expect a lot of light rainy days with highs usually in the 47-57 range. Sun is fleeting, as is frost/snow potential. Snow is relegated to maybe a mix or dusting in the hills by March.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by pdxMIKEpdx

Usually we get a "Spring Teaser" in February for a week or so, everybody gets spring fever, and then it's right back to 40°F and drizzling/raining.

February and March are when I notice a lot of NW Oregon people are starting to get a little weirder than normal.

March sucks.

I think I tend to fall into this category of PAC NW residents in March and sometimes April. I notice even the most friendly people get a little annoyed by things so I hope tourists who visit during this time realize that we get very happy by May! I do, at least.

[portlandproud]

If you don't like it, leave! There are enough people trying to move here that will take your place. We don't need more intolerant whiners.