Season guide · Portland · United States
Portland in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Warm September harvests, autumn colour in October and steady rain by November. Expect highs up to 25°C (77°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 36 rainy days across September–November. September is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 5°C (41°F) to 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 36
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 25°C (77°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 6 | 12.5 h | 4/5 |
| October | 18°C (64°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 12 | 10.8 h | 3/5 |
| November | 12°C (54°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 18 | 9.4 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 18°C (64°F) against a yearly 18°C (64°F), and 36 of the year's roughly 147 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- November: Portland Book Festival (usually November)
Good choices for autumn
Garden · Downtown
Lan Su Chinese Garden
A walled Ming dynasty-style garden built by artisans from Suzhou, Portland's sister city, filling a city block in Old Town Chinatown with pavilions, a lake, rockeries and a teahouse.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Couples
- Nature
- Rainy day
Museum · Central Eastside and Lloyd
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
Book the submarine tour on arrival; times are limited.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Landmark · Pearl District
Powell's City of Books
Powell's occupies a full city block on West Burnside with new and used books shelved side by side in colour-coded rooms.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Day trips in autumn
- Cannon Beach (About 1.5 hours by car) — An artsy coastal town beside Haystack Rock, a 72-metre sea stack with tide pools at its base and puffins nesting in late spring and early summer.
- Willamette Valley wine country (About 45–60 minutes by car) — Rolling hills of vineyards around Dundee, Newberg and McMinnville produce Oregon's celebrated Pinot Noir.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Portland?
Yes: September is among the best months. Warm September harvests, autumn colour in October and steady rain by November.
+What is the weather like in Portland in autumn?
Highs of up to 25°C (77°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 36 rainy days over the season.