And this was no hot August night.
It happened just a couple of days before we change the calendar to October.
The 11PM temperature map you see here shows Portland was 17 degrees warmer than Corvallis and 8 degrees warmer than Salem. All cities were clear and dark. And that leaves just one possible explanation for the difference in temperature. The power of the east wind spilling down the Cascades and out of the Columbia River Gorge.
How Portland’s East Wind Changes Temperatures
- On calm and clear nights (like this one!) the air is still and normally cools very quickly at the surface, where we live. But on September 28, 2011, the east wind kept things stirred up or ‘mixed up’ so the natural cooling of the air at the surface was not really able to happen.
 - Some of the east wind was rolling off the Cascades down into the Portland-Vancouver metro area. This process of the air smashing onto the valley floor actually generates heat. So that’s another reason we stayed warm.
Portland’s Last 80 Degree Day Of 2011?
This dry, warm wind will decrease most areas on Thursday. But it will be just enough to help kick many Portland-Vancouver area cities into the 80s for afternoon highs. Records are unlikely. But celebrations are expected…
This very well could be Portland’s last 80 degree day of the year. We’ve had them later than this. But it seems weather trends shift back into fall ‘gear’ this weekend. So enjoy today’s heat!
Hello Bruce: That’s an intresting phenomena that we occasionally see up this way too; The east wind comes down from the Cascades into the Fraser Valley and sometimes warms up Abbotsford (about 45 miles east of Vancouver, BC) this time of year. Incidentally, my latest 80-plus degree temperature was on Oct.5, 1980. I don’t think I’ll see it this year.
Bruce,
It’s such a treat to receive your interesting teaching about special weather and crazy weather events. I don’t know who was responsible for moving in other weathercasters, but I really miss your work on a daily basis.
I’m pleased that you found a way to serve the Valley anyway.
You are obviously a man of great integrity! God bless you!!
Keep on keeping on!
Carol – thank you so much for your nice message, I really appreciate it! It certainly is fun to talk about this crazy thing we call weather. Have a great 2018!