What April feels like in Portland
For Portland, April is the heart of spring. Days are on the cool side, the kind of weather that suits brisk sightseeing. After dark the temperature drops clearly: nights are cold. Moisture in the air gives the cold a damp edge.
Rain in Portland in April
April is persistently wet here: some rain falls on about every other day. Each rainy day adds about 7.4 mm (0.3 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. That is close to Portland's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 8.9 mm).
Daylight and sunshine in April
In mid-April, sunrise is at about 6:27 am and sunset at about 7:55 pm (local time) — 13 h 28 min of daylight. Since mid-March the day has gained 1 h 38 min. The sun is out for roughly 69% of those daylight hours, so there are plenty of bright spells.
How April compares to the rest of the year
April is the 6th coolest month of the year in Portland. Compared with March, afternoons are 2.9°C (5.2°F) warmer, with 42 mm less rain. The warm-up continues into May. By May, typical highs are 19°C (66.2°F).
Who April suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — comfortable enough to explore on foot all day.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
Tips for visiting Portland in April
Versatile Layers
Days are noticeably warmer than nights — layers you can add or remove.
Rain Protection
Keep a small umbrella in your bag and wear shoes that cope with puddles.
Light Jacket
Cool days — a light jacket or sweater for walking around.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Portland in April?
Afternoons average 14.7°C (58.5°F) and nights about 5.2°C (41.4°F) — cool by most people's standards. It is the 6th coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Portland in April?
Yes, fairly — rain falls about every other day and totals about 111 mm, so an umbrella is worth carrying.
What should I wear in Portland in April?
The numbers point to versatile layers, rain protection, a light jacket and sunglasses. Add a layer for after dark.
Is April or May better for visiting Portland?
May scores better on our climate ranking (#5 of 12 vs #7), rated Good against Good. May is warmer and has fewer rainy days.