Temperatures in Portland are expected to rise this weekend, with an extreme heat warning in effect from 11 am Sunday to 11 pm Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Saturday could bring highs of 92 degrees and 96 degrees on Sunday. On Monday, temperatures are forecasted to soar to 99 degrees. Local governments are offering some resources for people to stay cool. Here’s what to know:
Local responses
The city of Portland does not plan to flex up its overnight shelter capacity this weekend or into next week, according to city spokesperson Laura Rude.
“Right now, there are no plans for expanded hours or extra flex beds opening at City shelters during the upcoming hot weather,” Rude said. She added that regular overnight shelter beds are available on a walk-in basis, and the Oasis Day Center at Northwest 6th Avenue and Glisan, and the JOIN Dayspace at Northeast 81st and Clackamas are open. The city has a helpful tool on its website, at portland.gov/heat.
TriMet is monitoring conditions, and preparing for the heat. TriMet noted that if temperatures get to 100 degrees, train speeds get slower. The agency said whether it will offer free rides to cooling shelters depends on if Multnomah County declares a heat emergency, so you’ll have to check back later as the heat sets in. In that case, they don’t turn away anyone riding to or from a cooling center, but everyone else should pay as normal.
“We are coordinating with partners, including the National Weather Service, and monitoring conditions throughout our system,” Mark Miller, a TriMet spokesperson, said.
When temperatures reach a certain threshold, Multnomah County opens cooling centers for people who have lost power, people without air conditioning in their homes, homeless residents, and anyone else who needs to cool. Can we expect the county to open cooling centers when the heat hits this weekend?
“No decision to open Multnomah County cooling centers has been made yet,” Sarah Dean, a Multnomah County spokesperson, told the Mercury. “County offices and leadership will hold coordination calls each day it is hot, and a decision will be made in the morning on whether cooling centers will be activated later that day.”
Dean added that press releases will go out any day that cooling centers open.
What are the thresholds?
Multnomah County follows a standard guidance on when to open cooling centers, based on the National Weather Service heat risk index. Yellow is low-risk, orange is moderate-risk for people who are heat sensitive or without cooling, and red is high-risk for much of the population. The county will consider the daytime temperatures and the duration of the heat, nighttime temperatures, the time of year (early season is more dangerous because people generally aren’t acclimated to the heat yet), and if other factors are present, like wildfire smoke.
What else does the county do when the region gets hot?
Cooling centers are just part of the county’s response to extreme heat. The county publishes regular educational communications on how to recognize the signs of heat illness, who is most vulnerable, and strategies for staying safe.
Dean said libraries, community centers and malls are open, and recommends using those places to stay cool if needed. For help finding a cooling space, calling 3-1-1 is available from 7 am to 8 pm, or an interactive map is available at multco.us/hot.
For homeless residents, the Homeless Services Department has expanded its street outreach services to distribute lifesaving equipment like cooling gear, water, and other information to help people stay cool.
Heat safety recommendations
The county’s health department has been doing outreach and training throughout the year to help people prepare for hot weather. It also has additional staff and volunteers ready to go once the heat beats down. It has also helped older adults and families prepare their homes through the county’s weatherization program, which helps upgrade insulation, air sealing, ventilation, and more.
As rivers run high, the risk of shock and drowning increases, even for experienced swimmers. The county recommends caution for anyone going to the river to stay cool.
This is the first notable heat wave of 2026. Multnomah County Health notes that people are more impacted by heat in the early season, as they are not adjusted to the hot weather. As the season progresses, people get more used to it and are at a slightly lower risk. This weekend, it is recommended that people pay attention to hydration, and schedule outdoor work for the cooler hours (morning and night), and make a plan for a place to chill. That’s doubly important for anyone on medications—particularly new medications since last summer—or other changes in health status. The county notes that heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency, and to call 911 if you experience or see someone with these symptoms:
• Heavy sweating
• Dizziness or feeling faint
• Weakness or muscle cramps
• Clammy or pale skin
• Nausea, vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shallow or rapid breathing
TriMet reminds residents that not all stops have shade, and recommends sunscreen, hats, long-sleeved clothing, umbrellas (yes, even in Portland), and portable sun shades to help beat the heat. Drinks are allowed onboard, in closed containers. TriMet buses and trains have AC.
Who is at risk?
During extreme cold events, unhoused people are the most at risk. But in the hotter periods, vulnerable housed people run the risk of the impacts of hot weather. Additionally, these people are at a higher risk of issues due to heat:
• Men over 50
• Older adults who live alone
• People without access to air conditioning
• Pregnant people
• People on certain medications
• People who work in hot indoor or outdoor environments
• People engaging in strenuous or outdoor recreational activities (especially children on turf fields)
• People who have consumed alcohol
