Final dry day around Portland area before rain comes

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The dry stretch of weather seen around the Pacific Northwest nears its end as the area prepares for rain.

Patchy morning fog will continue to clear as sunny skies return to the Willamette Valley on Thursday morning. The mostly sunny skies are expected to take the Pacific Northwest through much of the day as clouds begin to increase near sunset.

Temperatures are expected to warm above average on Thursday with highs in the upper 40s to low 50s along the Willamette Valley. The late-day clouds will continue to increase overnight as Portland prepares for the return of rain early Friday morning.

Rain will start to fall across the region well before sunrise on Friday. That's where rain accumulation will near almost a quarter of an inch around Portland to a half inch for the coastal communities.

Snow elevations will fall to nearly 2,500' by the end of the week. The lower-elevation snow comes as skies begin to dry this weekend. Additional Mt. Hood ski areas will see a fresh layer of snow by the end of the day on Friday.

A few light rain showers are expected to take Portland into the weekend. Rain will not be as accumulative or persistent as last weekend. Slightly drier, sunnier, and mild temperatures are expected to take the Pacific Northwest into next week.