If you’re planning for St. Patrick’s Day in Oregon, you’ll want to know what the weather’s up to before heading out. Mid-March usually brings cool temps, plenty of clouds, and a decent chance of rain. Sunshine isn’t impossible, but honestly, most mornings start damp, and evenings stay crisp, which definitely shapes your plans.
Weather changes a lot depending on where you are. The Willamette Valley—think Portland and Eugene—often sits in the 50s with light rain, while places like Bend in central Oregon still hang onto winter, with colder nights and the occasional light snow. That mix makes outdoor plans a little unpredictable, but maybe that’s part of the fun.
Knowing these patterns helps you dress in layers and keep your plans flexible. Whether you’re catching a parade downtown or heading outdoors in the high desert, understanding Oregon’s March weather helps you avoid any big surprises.
Typical Weather Patterns on St. Patrick’s Day in Oregon
St. Patrick’s Day in Oregon usually means cooler temps, frequent rain, and a lot of cloud cover. Weather shifts depending on whether you’re on the coast, in the Willamette Valley, or out in the high desert, but mid-March generally feels damp and a bit brisk across most of the state.
Common Temperature Ranges
Mid-March brings mild daytime highs and cooler nights. In places like Portland and Eugene, average highs land in the mid-50s °F (about 12–14°C). Lows usually drop into the upper 30s °F (3–4°C).
Bend and other central Oregon towns stay a bit colder. Highs there hover near the low 50s °F (10–11°C), and nights can fall close to freezing.
Expect a noticeable chill in the mornings and evenings—even if the afternoons feel alright. A light jacket or some layers are your best bet for wandering around or catching outdoor events.
| Location | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | 56°F | 41°F |
| Eugene | 57°F | 39°F |
| Bend | 51°F | 30°F |
Precipitation and Rainfall Trends
Rain hits most of western Oregon on St. Patrick’s Day. Portland and Eugene average about 15 rainy days in March, so showers are pretty likely. Rain totals for the month usually reach 5–6 inches in the valley, with less falling east of the Cascades.
Bend gets less precipitation—under 2 inches for March. Still, snow can fall at higher elevations, and light flurries sometimes show up in town.
Showers often come and go, so you might see dry breaks between them. Carrying a rain jacket or umbrella keeps you ready for anything.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Levels
March in Oregon is mostly about the clouds. In Portland and Eugene, skies clear up or go partly clear only about 30% of the time. So, odds are you’ll see more gray than sun during St. Patrick’s Day events.
Bend does a little better, with clearer skies about 40% of the time. Still, clouds are the norm.
Daylight lasts around 12 hours by mid-March, so there’s enough time for outdoor plans, even with the clouds. When the sun does break through, it feels like a treat and takes the edge off the chill.
Temperature Details and Variability
Mid-March in Oregon often flips between mild spring afternoons and chilly mornings. Some days feel warmer than you’d expect, but cold snaps can still bring frost or even snow, depending on where you are.
High Temperatures and Record Warm Days
The Willamette Valley—think Portland and Eugene—usually sees average highs on March 17 in the mid-50s°F. Bend, being higher up, stays cooler, averaging in the low 50s°F.
Warm spells do happen. Sometimes, western Oregon jumps into the 70s°F or even low 80s°F around St. Patrick’s Day, especially if high pressure pushes the clouds away.
Those days feel more like early summer than late winter. If you’re planning to be outside, you might get away with just a light jacket or even short sleeves.
Typical high temperatures (March 17):
- Portland: ~56°F
- Eugene: ~57°F
- Bend: ~51°F
Cooler Temperatures and Cold Spells
Cooler temps happen a lot, especially in the early mornings. Portland and Eugene see average lows near 39–41°F. Bend drops to the upper 20s°F.
Cold spells can push temps even lower. Historical records show some St. Patrick’s Day mornings dropping into the teens and 20s°F east of the Cascades. In the western valleys, frost is common, and snow can happen, though it’s less likely.
These colder spells usually follow Pacific cold fronts. You’ll probably notice brisk winds, gray skies, and daytime highs that barely make it to the mid-40s°F.
Typical low temperatures (March 17):
- Portland: ~41°F
- Eugene: ~39°F
- Bend: ~30°F
Knowing these ranges helps you get ready for anything from crisp mornings to that last gasp of winter.
Clear Skies and Cloud Cover Trends
Oregon’s mid-March weather likes to bounce between quick bursts of sunshine and longer stretches of clouds. Some days you’ll catch clear skies, but overcast conditions usually win out.
Frequency of Clear Skies
March just isn’t known for clear skies in Oregon. Western cities—Portland, Salem, Eugene—average only about 6 to 9 clear days in March. Most of the time, clouds stick around.
Eastern Oregon, like Burns or Pendleton, gets more sun. Those spots average 10 to 12 clear days in March, thanks to drier air and fewer Pacific storms.
If you’re planning to be outside, expect partly sunny days more than totally clear ones. Blue skies do show up, but usually just between passing weather systems.
Typical Cloud Cover During March
Clouds are just part of March in Oregon. In the western valleys, skies stay overcast 60–70% of the time, with thick low clouds and regular rain. Near the coast, the marine air keeps things especially cloudy.
Central and eastern Oregon get less of that persistent cloud cover. These areas see more partly sunny days, with 40–60% cloud cover during daylight.
Expect the sky to change throughout the day. Mornings might start off gray, then clear up a bit by afternoon. That’s pretty typical as weather fronts move through quickly in early spring.
Regional Differences Across Oregon
Weather in mid-March really depends on where you are in Oregon. Lowland valleys stay mild and wet, the coast is damp but steady, and the inland high desert usually feels colder with more clear skies. These differences matter if you’re planning to get outdoors or traveling around.
Willamette Valley and Portland Metro
You’ll get cooler temps in the mid-40s to mid-50s °F (7–13 °C). Rain shows up often, and cloud cover tends to hang around most of the day. Light jackets and something waterproof are smart choices here.
Snow rarely shows up on the valley floor by March, but expect wet ground and muddy trails. If you’re hiking or hitting parks, get ready for slick conditions.
Portland and nearby towns usually pick up about 3–4 inches of rain in March. Sunshine happens, but you should expect damp weather most of the time.
Oregon Coast and Coastal Ranges
On the coast, temps usually stay steady, from the mid-40s to low 50s °F (7–11 °C). The Pacific Ocean keeps things milder, so you don’t get big swings.
Cloud cover rules most days, and light to moderate rain is pretty standard. Gusty winds can kick up, especially on open beaches and headlands. The damp air makes it feel colder than the thermometer says.
The Coastal Ranges just inland get even more rain than the shoreline. Trails and backroads can turn muddy or slick, so waterproof boots and layers are a good call.
Central and Eastern Oregon
Central and eastern Oregon see a different March. Daytime highs often reach the mid-40s °F (7 °C), but nights can dip below freezing. The air’s drier and there’s less cloud cover, so you’ll probably see more sun than in the west.
Snow sometimes hangs on at higher elevations, especially around Bend or the Blue Mountains. Rural roads may still have icy spots in the morning.
Rain totals are low compared to the west, usually less than an inch for the whole month. If you’re after clearer skies and don’t mind chilly nights, this side of the state is your best bet.
Weather Impact on St. Patrick’s Day Activities
Oregon’s mid-March weather flips between cool rain and those brief, glorious breaks of sun. These changes definitely affect your plans for celebrations and how you get around.
Outdoor Celebrations and Parades
Outdoor events like parades and festivals really depend on the weather. St. Patrick’s Day in Oregon often brings light to moderate rain, with highs in the 50s. Clear skies show up, but not all that often, so it pays to prepare for damp conditions.
Crowds thin out when it rains, but as soon as the sun appears, people pour back outside. If you’re catching a parade, waterproof clothes and an umbrella make things a lot more pleasant. Many towns set up tents or covered spots, so activities can keep rolling even when it’s wet.
Even with rain, you’ll usually find music, food, and cultural displays going strong. Organizers plan for Oregon’s unpredictable March climate, but checking the forecast that morning helps you decide how many layers or rain gear you’ll need.
Travel Considerations
Weather affects how you get to and from St. Patrick’s Day events, too. Rain is the main issue, making roads slick and slowing down traffic. In higher elevations, late-season snow can still mess with mountain passes.
If you’re driving, give yourself extra time and keep an eye on road updates. Public transit is a solid option in bigger cities like Portland or Eugene, especially since parking near parade routes fills up fast.
Flights don’t usually face major March delays, but sometimes big Pacific storms cause issues. Checking airline updates before heading to the airport helps you dodge any last-minute surprises.
For short trips within Oregon, the biggest thing is often just rain showers. Keeping your plans flexible and having a backup indoor option means you can still enjoy the holiday, even if the sky stays gray.
Comparing St. Patrick’s Day Weather to March Averages
In Oregon, mid-March weather usually falls between the lingering chill of early March and the milder days that show up closer to April. Expect cooler temps, plenty of clouds, and a decent shot at rain, though it all depends on where you are in the state.
How St. Patrick’s Day Compares to Early and Late March
In western Oregon, people usually see highs on St. Patrick’s Day in the low to mid-50s °F. Lows often drop into the upper 30s.
That’s a bit warmer than what you get in the first week of March, when highs tend to hang out in the upper 40s. Late March, though, feels a bit milder, with temps edging toward the upper 50s.
Rain seems to stick around all month. On March 17, you’ll probably still need an umbrella, just like most days in March.
Portland gets rain showers on nearly half the days this time of year. Snow almost never shows up at lower elevations, but the mountains often pick up fresh snow.
The coast usually stays a few degrees cooler than the inland valleys. Central and eastern Oregon start off with colder mornings, sometimes dipping into the 20s °F.
Daytime highs there usually reach the 40s. These parts of Oregon warm up a bit slower as March goes on.
Year-to-Year Weather Variability
Weather on St. Patrick’s Day in Oregon really swings from year to year. Some years, you’ll get mild afternoons in the 60s with a bit of sunshine.
Other times, it just stays damp and chilly, with highs barely scraping the 40s. Oregon’s transitional climate in mid-March definitely keeps things interesting.
Rainfall? That’s probably the biggest wild card. One year, you might get steady rain, but the next could be mostly dry.
In the valleys, breezy conditions sometimes make it feel colder than what the thermometer says.
Mountain conditions? Even less predictable, honestly. Fresh snowstorms can still show up, and ski areas often count on these late-season dumps.
If you’re planning anything outdoors, it’s smart to prep for both wet and dry weather. Oregon’s mid-March rarely sticks to just one pattern.