Portland is a big little city -- giving citified conveniences yet a rural feeling. The city is at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Among its many parks are Tryon Creek State Park, the only state park within a city's limits, and the 4,700 acre Forest Park, the largest urban wilderness within an American city. Elevations in the metropolitan area range between 20 feet at the airport to over 1,000 feet in the hills.

Wood products, high-tech electronics and tourism are a large part of the economic base. The Port of Portland is the largest volume export port on the West Coast and third in overall volume.

CLIMATE: Portland is situated 65 miles inland from the Pacific Coast midway between the low coast range on the west and the higher Cascade Range on the east. The Cascade Range provides a steep slope for orographic lift of moisture-laden westerly winds and consequent moderate rainfall. At all times, incursions of marine air are a frequent moderating influence.

Portland has a definite winter rainfall climate. About 88 percent of the annual rainfall occurs in the months of October through May, while only 3 percent comes in July and August. Snow, which is frequent in the mountains, falls infrequently in the city. Snow amounts of an inch or more occur only about 2 days each year at the airport but as much as 16 inches have been received in one day.

Outbreaks of continental high pressure east of the Cascade Mountains produce strong easterly flow through the Columbia Gorge into the Portland area, especially east Portland. Freezing rain sometimes results as marine air returns after the cold intrusions. Conversely, the same continental flow is hot and dry in summer, bringing heat spells which can reach above 100 degrees. Heat spells of 90 degrees or more are reached every year but seldom persist for more than two or three days.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES: A variety of public, private, and parochial schools are available in the area within various school districts. Quality higher education is available through many private universities, including the University of Portland and Portland State University. The three Portland area counties and Clark County, Washington offer community colleges and private trade and technical schools. State supported schools, Oregon State University and the University of Oregon, are about 80 and 110 miles south of Portland, respectively.

RECREATION: The city is in proximity to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. The scenic Columbia River Gorge has become one of the premier wind surfing areas in the world. The Cascades offer skiing, hiking and backpacking within reach of the city. Mt. Hood, located 60 miles east of Portland has the only year-round ski resort in the United States. Numerous rivers, streams and lakes in the area are used for fishing, with over 800,000 fishing licenses sold in the state each year.

Portland is home of the Portland Trailblazer NBA basketball team, the A league Portland Rockies Baseball team and Portland Winterhawks, a major junior hockey team in the Western Hockey League.

Many local theater companies operate in the area. The modern Portland Center for the Performing Arts brings many performances to the city and is the home of The Oregon Symphony Orchestra and Portland Opera. Other attractions, from chamber music to the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival are also in the community. A day's drive south brings the Ashland Oregon Shakespearean Festival, and Jacksonville's Peter Britt Music Festival into reach.

The Washington Park Zoo is a popular family attraction. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry provides hands-on learning for all ages. There are many museums with the popular World Forestry Center next to the zoo and Washington Park. Fort Vancouver, just north of Portland across the Columbia, is a year-round attraction which also hosts the largest Fourth of July firework display west of the Mississippi River.

HOUSING: Housing costs were steady during most of the 1980s, but have been steadily rising since 1987. The median price of a home in the Portland tri-county area was $181,000 in 1999. Home prices tend to be higher in areas west of downtown Portland and lower east of town. Clark County housing costs are comparable to those in Portland. Apartment rental costs also vary geographically. Two bedroom apartments in 1997 rented between $600 and $800 monthly.

TAXES: Oregon has no general sales tax and no direct levy on intangible property. Washington has a 7.6% sales tax, not assessed to food and medicine. Personal income is taxed by Oregon to all who work in Oregon (see table below). In 1998, Portland area property tax rate was $14-19 per $1000 assessed value; Vancouver was about $12.50 per $1000. Oregon Income Tax Rates on Taxable Balance - 1997

Oregon Income Tax - 1999
All income earned in Oregon is taxed at a 9% rate

Motor Vehicle Fees - 1999

Oregon: Standard License plates $3.00, registration for 2-years $30, Vehicle ID number inspection $4, new title fee $10, emission inspection (DEQ) $21.
Washington: Variable scale based on vehicle valuation. Yearly tax for passenger cars is typically $100-600, depending on the value of the vehicle..

TRANSPORTATION: Portland International Airport is 15 minutes from downtown Portland, with service from various carriers. Amtrak service, as well as Greyhound and Trailways bus service, is available from downtown. A modern light-rail system links suburbs east and west of Portland with downtown to supplement the TRI-MET bus service of the three-county area. A new light rail system will soon link the airport with downtown.

STATION LOCATION: The station is located about « mile south of the Columbia River on Northeast 122nd Avenue and about 10 miles east-northeast of downtown Portland. The Northwest River Forecast Center is co-located with the Weather Forecast Office. Staff members commute to the office from all areas of Portland and Clark County, Washington. Bus access serves the office at this time.

The NOAA Weather Radio transmitter for the area is located on Goat Mountain, about 25 miles southeast of the airport.

STATION PROGRAM: Public forecasts are issued for 13 Zones in Northwest Oregon and 7 zones in Southwest Washington. The Medford, Pendleton and Boise offices currently write preliminary forecasts for the remainder of Oregon.. Aviation forecasts are made for 6TAFs and 4 routes. Other forecast and warning programs at the Portland Forecast Office include fire weather, marine, and hydrology.

The Northwest River Forecast Center provides streamflow and flood guidance on controlled and uncontrolled rivers and streams in the Columbia River Basin along with coastal streams in Washington and Oregon. They also issue water supply forecasts and seasonal runoff volumes. They are a member of the Columbia River Water Management Group.