Portland, US Stargazing Forecast

Portland, US (45.51°, -122.68°) · Updated 11:09 UTC
74
Good
high confidence
high · Forecast stability

Tonight's forecast has held steady across recent updates. We compare how much tonight's score has moved across our recent forecast updates, a score that's held steady is more trustworthy.

Confidence reflects how trustworthy the forecast is, it doesn't change the score.

Worth a look tonight
BEST 05:00–11:00 (6h)
Near-perfect skies but bright moonlight limits faint objects. Some haze, so transparency is slightly reduced.
Sunset
03:42
Sunrise
12:52
Usable Hours
6/6
Moon
100%
Visible Planets
♂ Mars13° E
♄ Saturn41° SE
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Stargazing in Portland, US

Portland shares Seattle's Pacific Northwest cloud cover, but also its rewards when clear. Summer months (July–September) offer the most reliable observing, with dry east-wind patterns bringing excellent transparency. The Oregon high desert (2–3 hours east) is outstanding for dark-sky observing, with the Oregon Star Party drawing enthusiasts from across the region. Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge provide dramatic observing backdrops. Winter storms are frequent, but breaks between systems can be very clear.

Portland, US Stargazing FAQ

Where is the best dark sky near Portland, Oregon?
The Oregon high desert, 2-3 hours east past the Cascades, is outstanding for dark-sky observing. The Indian Trail Spring area near Prineville hosts the annual Oregon Star Party. Mount Hood's flanks are a closer option.
When is the best time to stargaze in Portland?
Summer months (July-September) offer the most reliable clear skies, with dry east-wind patterns bringing excellent transparency. Winter is cloudy but breaks between storms can be very clear.
How many clear nights does Portland get?
Portland averages about 150 clear nights per year, heavily weighted toward summer. The east side of the Cascades gets significantly more clear nights than the wet west side.