It’s still the middle of May, but the future looks very bright for Portland. This epic 10 day forecast shows pure sun with (almost) not a cloud in the sky. With a nightly low of 50 degrees and a daily high of 90, we are certainly in for a heatwave.

Whilst these conditions are hot, for most people this is a nice range of enjoyable sun as the city heats up for the summer.

However, those who have to work outside will remember back to June of 2021 in which the 26th-28th had temperatures of 108, 112 & 116 respectively. Many residents thought that this temperature was far too hot and simply couldn’t enjoy themselves due to heat exhaustion, sunburn and inability to sleep at night due to the extreme heat.

Not to mention the chance of wildfires is drastically increased, although it’s likely that authorities have learnt from past mistakes. But then again, there is only so much they can do to fight against nature.

Even though record temperatures have only been recently set, it could well be that Portland is in store for more historic highs.

It is predicted that due to El Niño that the seasonal temperaturue for Portland and the rest of the North West area will already be above average.

Here’s an overview of the impact of El Niño on temperatures:

1. Global Temperature Anomalies: El Niño events contribute to the temporary increase in global average temperatures. The warm waters in the central and eastern Pacific release heat into the atmosphere, leading to a rise in global surface temperatures. During strong El Niño years, global temperature anomalies can increase by 0.1 to 0.2 degrees Celsius.
2. Regional Temperature Changes: El Niño affects regional climates differently, resulting in temperature variations across different parts of the world. Some regions experience higher temperatures, while others may see cooler conditions. The specific impacts depend on factors such as geographical location, prevailing wind patterns, and local climate dynamics.
3. Increased Heatwaves: El Niño can exacerbate the intensity and frequency of heatwaves in certain regions. For example, during El Niño events, the southwestern United States and parts of South America have experienced more frequent and intense heatwaves. These conditions can have implications for human health, agriculture, and energy demand.