Portlands starts Wednesday with cloudy skies, clearing by afternoon; high 88 [Video]

The metro area will begin Wednesday with cloudy skies and even a few possible thunderstorms over Mount Hood.

The National Weather Service says clouds should slowly clear by the afternoon.

Portland will see a high near 88 degrees. But areas where the clouds remain longer into the day may end up with cooler high temps in the low-to-mid 80s.

A more stable and dry southwest flow returns on Thursday offering clear skies and highs that will reach near 90 degrees.

Overnight lows may only dip to 60 under clear evening skies.

The ridge of high pressure will strengthen again on Friday leaving Portland with sunny skies and highs of about 89 degrees. Current chances of hitting 90 degrees sit a 50-70%.

The weekend starts off hot with sunny skies Saturday and a high of about 94. Some slight cooling is expected by Sunday due to upper level troughingthat is expected to nudge …