Spring-like weather Thursday around Portland metro area

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Warmer and drier conditions will return to the Portland-Vancouver area Thursday afternoon.

Cloudy skies will remain across western Oregon and Washington for the start of the day, but clearing will take place during the afternoon. Those clearing skies and more sunshine will help warm temperatures into the mid to upper 50s. That's several degrees warmer than the average high of 53°F for February 22.

This mild trend of weather will continue around Portland through the end of the week. It's not until Saturday that the cloud coverage really starts to increase again. Temperatures will begin to cool Saturday, but will fall nearly 15 degrees from Friday to Monday.

A dip in the jet stream will allow colder air to move south Sunday and remain over the Pacific Northwest through Tuesday. The cooler temperatures will help lower snow elevation levels around the region by the start of next week.

The chance for valley snow is still unclear as the event remains days out. A better idea of who will see snow and who will see rain will come together by this weekend.

Stay with the KOIN 6 Weather Team as the threat of winter remains.