Multnomah County officials issued a cold weather advisory Friday as overnight temperatures are expected to be at or below 32 degrees this weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, daytime temperatures are expected to be in the upper 30s to low 40s for the Portland and Vancouver metro area. NWS forecasters said lows could possibly dip into the mid-20s Saturday through Monday nights.

Despite colder than normal temperatures, the county said Friday the weather forecast does not meet its severe weather criteria for opening warming shelters.

“Officials will continue to monitor forecasts through the holiday weekend in the event that conditions suddenly turn worse than currently forecast, requiring severe weather warming shelters to open,” reads a statement on the county’s website.

Denis Theriault, a spokesperson for Multnomah County, told OPB Tuesday that members from the Joint Office of Homeless Services began distributing cold weather supplies, including warm clothing and blankets, to unhoused community members, in preparation for the cold weather.

Officials are asking people to keep a watchful eye out for people sleeping outside who may need help. People are encouraged to call the county’s non-emergency response line at 503-823-3333 and request a welfare check to report concerns.

Anyone who needs information on finding year-round shelters or resources in Multnomah County can call 211.

On Tuesday, the Council for the Homeless issued a severe weather alert for Clark County in preparation for the cold. This allowed the county and its community partners to activate their emergency shelter system and open additional warming shelters.

Officials also reminded people that hydration is important throughout the dry stretch of weather.

“Particularly in the dry cold, people with limited access to water can become dehydrated because thirst cues decrease, but the body uses a lot of moisture to warm the air; people have fewer thirst cues in the dry cold,” read a statement from Marlow Macht, Clark County EMS Medical Program Director. “No need to hyper-hydrate; just have water or warm drinks available when possible.”

People needing shelter or housing assistance should call the Council for the Homeless Hotline at 360-695-9677. The hotline is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Officials suggest checking online for up-to-date information on shelters. The Clark County alert has been extended through Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Here’s a list of winter shelters in both counties:

Multnomah County

• Winter Shelter at Central Church of Nazarene by Union Gospel Mission, 9715 SE Powell Blvd., Portland. Please call 503-274-4483 to confirm availability as they may be full.
• Salvation Army Moore Street Corps & Community Center, 5325 N Williams Ave., Portland.
• Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES), 30 SW 2nd Ave., Portland.

Clark County

• St. Paul Vancouver, 1309 Franklin Avenue, Vancouver WA. Open Friday, January 17 from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Living Hope Church, 2711 N.E. Andresen Rd, Vancouver, WA. Open Friday, Jan. 17 to Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 7 p.m.- 7 a.m.

More resources inside and outside of the Portland metro area are available here.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/01/17/sub-freezing-temperatures-portland-vancouver-weather/