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Portland weather & best time to visit

Sun, sea & sand

Portland at a glance

Best time
Jan – Feb
Warmest month
Jan · 22°
Warmest sea
Feb · 18.0°
Sunshine a year
2,340 h
Rain a year
712 mm
Climate
Maritime
Time zone
UTC+11 / UTC+10
Elevation
16 m

Climate in Portland

Portland has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. January is the warmest month with average highs of 22 °C, while July is the coolest at 14 °C. With around 2,340 hours of sunshine a year, Portland is sunny; January is the sunniest month with 8.6 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Portland

The best time to visit Portland is from January to February. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in February it only reaches 18.0 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from October to May. Rain is frequent from June to September; the wettest month is July with 101 mm.

Portland through the seasons

How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.

Portland in spring

Sep – Nov

24

Poor

  • 16–19 °C by day
  • Sea 15 °C
  • 7.0 h of sun a day
  • 31 rainy days in all

Portland in summer

Dec – Feb

51

Fair

  • 20–22 °C by day
  • Sea 17 °C
  • 8.3 h of sun a day
  • 16 rainy days in all

Portland in autumn

Mar – May

27

Poor

  • 17–21 °C by day
  • Sea 17 °C
  • 5.6 h of sun a day
  • 25 rainy days in all

Portland in winter

Jun – Aug

12

Poor

  • 14–15 °C by day
  • Sea 15 °C
  • 4.8 h of sun a day
  • 43 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Beach & swimming

No month

Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry

Sightseeing & hiking

Oct – May

15–28 °C and not too much rain

Rainy months

Jun – Sep

Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days

Find your perfect month

Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Portland for you.

Swimming in the sea
Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: January – February

Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Weather in October

Weather in October

25

Holiday weather in October

Poor

Best time to visit: January – February

Good forSightseeing & walks

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 12°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 17°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 18°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 15°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 13°

06:4919:50

Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.

Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.

Light for photos in October

Golden hour
Morning 06:32–07:24 · evening 19:15–20:06
Blue hour
Morning 06:22–06:32 · evening 20:06–20:17

Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.

October in Portland compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs rise from about 17° at the start of the month to 19° at the end. The sea warms from 14° to 15°. The days get 1.2 h longer.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high17°19°
Night-time low10°12°
Sea14°15°
Daylight12.4 h13.6 h

What is the weather like in Portland in October?

In October, Portland is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 14.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.1 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 60 mm in total. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 28 km/h. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland.

More details for October

Daylight
13 h 1 min06:49 – 19:50
UV index
8 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
28 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
64 %on averageAll months
Hot days
0 days30 °C or moreAll months
Time zone
UTC+11offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
  • Seaweight 25 %0 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %68 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 20 %56 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.

What to pack in October

  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses & sun hat
  • A jumper for the evenings
  • Rain jacket or umbrella
  • Windproof jacket

Compare two months in Portland

Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.

vs

January has the better holiday weather in Portland: score 57 against 25. In January, days are 4 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 3 °C warmer in January. January has 5 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in January.

October vs January, Portland
MonthOctoberJanuary
Holiday weather score2557better
Daytime high18°22°
Night-time low11°15°
Sea14.3°17.7°
Sunshine7.1 h8.6 hbetter
Rainy days105better
Rainfall60 mm34 mmbetter

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Portland month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

57January22° · Sea 18° · 8.6 h

In January, Portland is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 17.7 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 34 mm. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Portland – and yet one of the best months here.

Portland in January
56February22° · Sea 18° · 8.0 h

In February, Portland is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 18.0 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8.0 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 26 mm in total. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Portland – and yet one of the best months here.

Portland in February
42March21° · Sea 18° · 6.7 h

In March, Portland is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 17.5 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 33 mm. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Portland.

Portland in March
23April19° · Sea 17° · 5.6 h

In April, Portland is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 16.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 40 mm. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland.

Portland in April
15May17° · Sea 16° · 4.5 h

In May, Portland is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 16.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 65 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland.

Portland in May
11June15° · Sea 16° · 4.2 h

In June, Portland is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 15.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 86 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland.

Portland in June
10July14° · Sea 15° · 4.5 h

In July, Portland is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 101 mm. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 29 km/h. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland.

Portland in July
14August15° · Sea 14° · 5.7 h

In August, Portland is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 96 mm. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 30 km/h. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland.

Portland in August
17September16° · Sea 14° · 6.1 h

In September, Portland is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 13.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 78 mm in total. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 30 km/h. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland.

Portland in September
25October18° · Sea 14° · 7.1 h

In October, Portland is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 14.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.1 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 60 mm in total. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 28 km/h. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland.

Portland in October
31November19° · Sea 15° · 7.7 h

In November, Portland is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 15.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 52 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland.

Portland in November
41December20° · Sea 16° · 8.2 h

In December, Portland is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 16.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8.2 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 42 mm. All in all, December is a so-so month for a holiday in Portland.

Portland in December

Climate in detail

Climate through the year

Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Portland

How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.

  • Cool 8–15°
  • Pleasant 15–20°

CoolOctober: nights around 11°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.

The coolest nights are in July (9°), the warmest in February (16°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from January to February.

Temperatures through the year

Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.

OctoberDay 18°Night 11°Sea 14°
DayNightSea
MonthScoreDayNightSeaSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan5722°15°17.7°8.6 h534
FebruaryFeb5622°16°18.0°8.0 h426
MarchMar4221°14°17.5°6.7 h633
AprilApr2319°13°16.6°5.6 h840
MayMay1517°11°16.1°4.5 h1165
JuneJun1115°9°15.6°4.2 h1386
JulyJul1014°9°14.8°4.5 h15101
AugustAug1415°9°14.2°5.7 h1596
SeptemberSep1716°10°13.9°6.1 h1378
OctoberOct2518°11°14.3°7.1 h1060
NovemberNov3119°13°15.2°7.7 h852
DecemberDec4120°14°16.4°8.2 h742

Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences

38.35° S, 141.60° E · 16 m · Australia/Melbourne

Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Portland

Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.

Sea in October14.3°Ccold

8 in 10 years: 13.8 – 15.0 °C

Swimming season: Always below 20 °C

  • cold
  • fresh
  • refreshing
  • pleasant
  • warm
  • very warm
OctoberMean sea temperature 14.3°8 in 10 years 13.8° – 15.0°
20°
Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Portland ranges from 13.9 °C in September to 18.0 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.

The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in February, while the air already peaks in January. From June to July the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 17.4 and 18.8 °C.

Sea temperature by month
MonthAverageCool yearWarm yearFeels
JanuaryJan17.7°16.8°18.6°fresh
FebruaryFeb18.0°17.4°18.8°fresh
MarchMar17.5°16.9°18.2°fresh
AprilApr16.6°15.9°17.4°cold
MayMay16.1°15.3°17.0°cold
JuneJun15.6°15.0°16.3°cold
JulyJul14.8°14.4°15.5°cold
AugustAug14.2°13.6°14.7°cold
SeptemberSep13.9°13.4°14.6°cold
OctoberOct14.3°13.8°15.0°cold
NovemberNov15.2°14.5°16.1°cold
DecemberDec16.4°15.5°17.2°cold
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Portland

Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
2,340 hours
Sunniest month
Jan · 8.6 h a day
Least sunshine
Jun · 4.2 h a day
OctoberSunshine 7.1 hDaylight 13.0 hShare of daylight 55 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 7.1 of 13.0 hours of daylight in Portland, 55 % of the daylight hours.

Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.

Rain

Rain in Portland: rainy days and rainfall

A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
712 mm on 115 days
Wettest month
Jul · 101 mm
Driest month
Feb · 26 mm
OctoberRainy days 10Rainfall 60 mm

In October, Portland has about 10 rainy days with 60 mm of rain in total.

Sun protection

UV index in Portland

How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.

Clear-sky UV in October
8 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.

The sun is strongest in December (UV 10).

Minutes until sunburn in October

Very fair skin
about 15 min
Fair skin
about 20 min
Light brown skin
about 30 min
Olive skin
about 40 min

Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.

Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.

Wind & clouds

Wind and clouds in Portland

How breezy and how cloudy Portland is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.

Wind

Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.

Year average
27 km/h · moderate breeze
Windiest month
Sep · 30 km/h
Calmest month
Apr · 24 km/h
OctoberWind 28 km/hBeaufort 4
20
WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Portland typically peaks at 28 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.

Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting

From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting, and here it is that strong all year.

Clouds

Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.

Year average
63 % · variable cloud
Clearest month
Jan · 56 %
Cloudiest month
Jun · 67 %
OctoberCloud cover 64 %Sunshine 7.1 h

In October, cloud covers on average 64 % of the sky over Portland: variable cloud, with about 7.1 hours of sunshine a day.

Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.

Heat & humidity

Heat and humidity in Portland

How often the day gets hot in Portland (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.

Hot days a year
6 days
Hottest month
Jan · 22 °C
Hot months
none

Heat calendar

  • pleasant
  • some hot or muggy days
  • often muggy
  • often hot
  • hot and muggy
OctoberHot days (30 °C+) 0Daytime high 18 °C

In October, Portland has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 18 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.

Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year

Planning a trip to Portland

Weather for your travel dates

Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.

Portland in the school holidays

How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.

Portland has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 49) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 13).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    29

    Poor

    • 19 °C by day
    • Sea 17 °C
    • 5.9 h of sun a day
    • 7 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    14

    Poor

    • 16 °C by day
    • Sea 16 °C
    • 4.4 h of sun a day
    • 12 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    13

    Poor

    • 15 °C by day
    • Sea 14 °C
    • 5.3 h of sun a day
    • 15 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

  • October half-term

    Oct

    25

    Poor

    • 18 °C by day
    • Sea 14 °C
    • 7.1 h of sun a day
    • 10 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    49

    FairBest holidays

    • 21 °C by day
    • Sea 17 °C
    • 8.4 h of sun a day
    • 6 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight
about 20 h 40 min
Distance
16,740 km
Time zone
UTC+11
Jet lag
About 10 days (10 h east)

Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.

Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.

Compare & alternatives

Compare

Portland compared

Put Portland side by side with another destination.

Nearby:
Compare with home:

Portland vs Port Fairy

In October the holiday weather in Portland and Port Fairy is about equally good (score 25 vs 21). During the day it is about as warm in Port Fairy as in Portland. The sea is about equally warm.

Portland vs Port Fairy, in October
in OctoberPortlandPort Fairy
Holiday weather score2521
Daytime high18°18°
Sea14°14°
Sunshine7 h7 h
Rainy days1012
Best timeJan – FebJan – Feb

Through the year

OctoberPortland 18°Port Fairy 18°
PortlandPort Fairy
Go to Port Fairy
Ranking

Australia in October: the best places

In October, Portland ranks 27 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.

  1. Mildura26°100
  2. 2Broken Hill26°100
  3. 3Griffith25°96
  4. 4Adelaide22°16°94
  5. 5Shepparton22°92
  6. 6Hahndorf21°92
  7. 7Horsham22°90
  8. 8Bendigo21°90
  9. 27PortlandThis page18°14°25
All destinations: Australia

Near Portland

Other destinations close by.

Places with a climate like Portland

Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Portland's – good alternatives.

  1. 80 % similar27BurnieAustralia17°13°Best time: Jan – Feb
  2. 79 % similar24Torquay, VictoriaAustralia18°14°Best time: Jan – Feb
  3. 78 % similar21Phillip IslandAustralia19°14°Best time: Jan – Feb
  4. 78 % similar15WhanganuiNew Zealand17°14°Best time: Feb

Frequently asked questions about Portland

When is the best time to visit Portland?

The best time to visit Portland is from January to February. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.

How warm is the sea in Portland?

The sea temperature in Portland ranges from 13.9 °C in September to 18.0 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.

Can you swim in Portland in October?

Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 14.3 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.

What is the warmest month in Portland?

January is the warmest month, with average highs of 22 °C and nights around 15 °C. July is the coolest month at 14 °C.

When does it rain most in Portland?

Rain is frequent from June to September; the wettest month is July with 101 mm. The driest month is February with 26 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Portland get?

Portland gets around 2,340 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 8.6 hours a day; in June there are 4.2 hours a day.

What time zone is Portland in?

Portland is on UTC+11 in January and UTC+10 in July.

How long is the flight from London to Portland?

A nonstop flight from London to Portland takes about 20 h 40 min, for a straight-line distance of about 16,740 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

Which school holidays are best for Portland?

Portland has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 49) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 13). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 29, May half-term 14, summer holidays 13, October half-term 25, Christmas holidays 49.