Portland in March
Good time to visit
March gives you hope, then crushes it with a surprise downpour. But the Film Festival brings energy to the city, and you can almost smell spring coming around the corner.
Weather
March teases you with spring. One day brings sunshine and 15°C warmth, the next dumps rain and feels like winter again. Cherry trees start blooming downtown, but pack for all seasons because Portland weather has commitment issues.
13°C high5°C low17 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$135/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Portland International Film Festival
- •Shamrock Run
March Tips
- •Book accommodations early for Film Festival dates - cinephiles flood the city
- •Carry an umbrella even on sunny mornings - afternoon showers are sneaky
- •The food truck pods start getting busy again as people emerge from winter hibernation
All Months
June through October offers Portland's best weather, with July and August bringing actual sunshine and temperatures in the 80s. This is peak tourist season - hotel prices jump 30% and popular restaurants book weeks ahead.
September might be Portland's perfect month. Summer crowds thin out, but the weather stays warm and dry. The fall beer festival season kicks off, and you can still eat at food carts without standing in rain.
May and October work if you don't mind occasional showers. Spring brings cherry blossoms to Tom McCall Waterfront Park, while fall colors paint the Columbia River Gorge. Hotel rates drop significantly.
Winter in Portland means rain. Not dramatic storms, just steady drizzle from November through March. But this is when locals reclaim their city. Coffee shops stay cozy, breweries pour seasonal stouts, and you'll have Powell's Books mostly to yourself.
Avoid February unless you love gray skies and 45-degree days. Even locals get grumpy during the deepest part of Portland's rainy season.
Portland Scores
Solo
9/10
Couples
7/10
Families
8/10
Adventure
7/10
Budget
7/10
Luxury
6/10
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