Unofficial start to summer to bring warmer, drier weather to Portland area this weekend

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The unofficial start to summer comes with Memorial Day weekend where temperatures are expected to warm and skies will dry around Portland.

The long holiday weekend isn't just for barbecues and summer fun, but to also honor those lost while protecting the country. Typically, Memorial Day is the catalyst to the summer season as warmer and drier weather begins to work its way back into the Pacific Northwest.

Last year, Memorial Day temperatures climbed close to 80 degrees in Portland. That's nearly 10-degrees warmer than the average high of 71. While temperatures aren't expected to warm that high this year, the mid- to upper-70s are possible in some locations by the end of the weekend.

A few scattered and light rain showers are likely for many in western Oregon and Washington Saturday. The start of the long holiday weekend will change dramatically from start to finish. More sunshine is expected by Sunday as the warming trend begins to take shape. Another round of sunny skies Monday will help warm temperatures into the mid-70s.

Memorial Day remains several days out and the forecast is subject to change, but the trend is warmer and drier than for Portland-Vancouver metro area.