False signs of fall come with cool, wet weather Friday

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- October-like weather ends the week around Portland as August heat returns next week.

Soaking rains will continue to fill western Oregon and southwest Washington rain gauges throughout the day. Nearly a quarter to almost a half-inch of moisture is possible Friday as temperatures suffer to warm greater than the mid-60s. August temperatures should sit in the low- to mid-80s on average for the end of the month.

This cooler and wetter weather pattern could bring some of the first few snowflakes back to the highest Cascade peaks. Snow elevations have the potential to drop as low as 6,500' Friday into Saturday. Snow accumulation is unlikely with this early onset of autumn.

The false sense of fall will quickly slip away through the weekend. That's where drier and sunnier skies will help to warm conditions around the Pacific Northwest. A ridge of high pressure will swing through the western half of the country by the middle of next week. Summer-like heat and sunshine is expected to gain momentum by the end of the month.

A nearly 20-degree temperature jump is expected from Friday to Thursday of next week. Recent rain and cooler temperatures will help build a safety net for fire crews as hot and dry conditions return to the region next week.