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Rule Storm Chaser

Astoria - Storm Chaser - Pacific Northwest

Tillamook, Oregon, United States

Dramatic storm conditions — from atmospheric builds to active thunderstorms

No opportunities right now
Here’s what usually blocks matches

No Storm Chaser opportunities in the next 14 days

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Rule requirements (key thresholds)
Storm Intensity · ≥ 55.0% Cloud Drama Score · ≥ 55.0% CAPE · ≥ 1200.0J/kg Lifted Index · ≤ -2.0°C

Tip: Scroll down to the 72-hour table to see exactly which condition fails hour by hour.

Most common blockers (next 72 hours)
CAPE 100% failing
Storm Intensity 99% failing
Cloud Drama Score 81% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts7.1m/s
Precipitation Chance96%
Air Pressure985.1hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index5.6°C
Wind Gusts7.1m/s
Precipitation0.7mm

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in America/Los_Angeles

No opportunities in the next 10 days

See the blocker timeline below to understand which conditions are preventing matches.

What this forecast looks for

Plain-language explanation from the rule

This forecast tracks Pacific storm systems hitting the Northwest coast, identifying when conditions create dramatic photography opportunities while balancing safety considerations. We monitor storm intensity, wave height, wind patterns, and King Tide timing to predict optimal storm photography windows.

The Pacific Northwest receives powerful storm systems throughout fall and winter, creating spectacular wave action along its rugged coastline. These storms combine with the region's dramatic sea stacks, headlands, and coastal forests to produce compelling images. Winter "King Tides"—exceptionally high tides—amplify storm impacts.

What makes the Pacific Northwest special for storm photography:

  • Pacific storm power - Powerful winter systems bring dramatic wave action to exposed coastlines
  • King Tides - December-February extreme high tides create exceptional wave drama
  • Haystack Rock storms - Cannon Beach's iconic sea stack withstanding storm waves
  • Cape Disappointment - One of the most dangerous bar crossings offers dramatic lighthouse storm scenes

Cannon Beach becomes a premier storm photography destination during winter storm events, particularly during King Tides when waves can reach spectacular heights around Haystack Rock and the surrounding sea stacks. The combination of accessible beach, dramatic rock formations, and powerful Pacific swells creates world-class opportunities. Cape Disappointment at the mouth of the Columbia River offers lighthouse drama during storms—waves crash against the rocky headland while the historic lighthouse stands sentinel. Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay features a protected viewing platform where photographers can safely capture massive storm waves exploding against the cliff face. The Olympic coast provides wilderness storm photography with sea stacks and rugged shoreline. Safety is essential—our forecast helps identify conditions that are dramatic but manageable, tracking when peak storm intensity has passed but seas remain photogenic. Never turn your back on the ocean, watch for sneaker waves, and maintain safe distances from surf.

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72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 95 hours
OR logic: one branch per group is enough
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
America/Los_Angeles
Storm Intensity
≥ 55.0%
Cloud Drama Score
≥ 55.0%
CAPE
OR1·B1
≥ 1200.0J/kg
Lifted Index
OR1·B2
≤ -2.0°C
Visibility
≥ 2500.0m
Wind Gusts
≤ 22.0m/s
Sat, Feb 21
11:000%53%1J/kg4°C23458m6.9m/s
12:000%51%0J/kg4.5°C24134m7.3m/s
13:0022%48%0J/kg5.2°C24135m8.5m/s
14:000%49%0J/kg5.5°C24135m8.4m/s
15:000%55%0J/kg6.1°C24135m5.9m/s
16:000%49%0J/kg5.6°C24135m7.4m/s
17:000%67%0J/kg5.7°C24135m9.2m/s
18:000%53%0J/kg5.7°C24134m7.7m/s
19:0018%0.9%0J/kg5.5°C24135m11m/s
20:000%0.9%0J/kg6.3°C24134m9.4m/s
21:0014%5.2%0J/kg5.3°C24135m15m/s
22:0016%8.6%0J/kg6.5°C24134m8.5m/s
23:000%8.8%0J/kg6°C24134m7.5m/s
Sun, Feb 22
24:000%7.5%0J/kg5.4°C24134m8.1m/s
01:0017%0%0J/kg6.1°C24135m7.3m/s
02:000%0.3%0J/kg5.7°C24134m6.2m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg5°C24135m6.3m/s
04:0035%0%1J/kg3.4°C10344m12m/s
05:0028%0%1J/kg4.2°C12028m14m/s
06:0027%0%0J/kg4.3°C23925m14m/s
07:0038%59%0J/kg5.8°C7759m7m/s
08:0022%61%0J/kg4.8°C6154m3.9m/s
09:0020%60%16J/kg4.6°C17897m4m/s
10:0041%52%1J/kg6.5°C21782m6.9m/s
11:000%47%0J/kg5.6°C16172m7.1m/s
12:0015%55%1J/kg5.5°C19192m9m/s
13:0040%46%2J/kg3.5°C6256m4.8m/s
14:0028%45%5J/kg4.5°C8551m3.8m/s
15:0033%46%2J/kg4°C5299m5m/s
16:0045%52%1J/kg5.3°C6954m3.7m/s
17:0018%56%1J/kg4.2°C5190m3.5m/s
18:0018%56%0J/kg5°C8086m3.4m/s
19:0043%0%18J/kg5°C5938m3.6m/s
20:0020%0%6J/kg5.4°C11379m3.3m/s
21:0020%0.2%14J/kg3.9°C21033m2.8m/s
22:0039%0%8J/kg4.1°C14825m2.6m/s
23:0013%1%25J/kg3.2°C12788m2.2m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:0016%0%28J/kg3°C10411m1.9m/s
01:0030%0%16J/kg2.3°C7233m2.9m/s
02:0022%0%39J/kg1.2°C7552m3.3m/s
03:0035%0%45J/kg0.1°C2610m4.3m/s
04:0053%0%67J/kg-0.1°C535m12m/s
05:0043%0%66J/kg0.1°C1989m15m/s
06:0034%60%40J/kg0.6°C5013m13m/s
07:0053%70%44J/kg0.9°C1752m13m/s
08:0043%70%19J/kg1.7°C653m13m/s
09:0047%68%19J/kg1.5°C1152m18m/s
10:0062%57%11J/kg0.1°C232m18m/s
11:0037%55%19J/kg1.4°C213m15m/s
12:0039%55%9J/kg2.6°C126m9.8m/s
13:0051%55%1J/kg3.9°C381m8.8m/s
14:0035%51%1J/kg5.5°C235m1.9m/s
15:0040%51%1J/kg4.6°C205m2.2m/s
16:0049%60%1J/kg5.6°C242m0.91m/s
17:0028%64%1J/kg6.5°C300m0.9m/s
18:0028%64%1J/kg6.4°C404m0.9m/s
19:0041%0%1J/kg8°C1228m0.3m/s
20:0031%0%1J/kg7.8°C873m0.31m/s
21:0028%0%7J/kg7.9°C2388m1.2m/s
22:0044%0%10J/kg8°C4633m0.71m/s
23:0015%0%7J/kg7.2°C8114m1.5m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:0018%0%3J/kg9.5°C9730m1.5m/s
01:0036%0%0J/kg7.5°C10877m2.4m/s
02:0026%0%1J/kg7.3°C12320m2.6m/s
03:0031%0%1J/kg7.5°C14739m2.5m/s
04:0042%0%0J/kg7.6°C16877m2.7m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg6.3°C22410m2.1m/s
06:0012%50%1J/kg6°C20207m1.8m/s
07:0029%38%6J/kg5°C24008m1.5m/s
08:0011%38%5J/kg5.4°C24134m0.92m/s
09:0011%38%1J/kg6.3°C24135m0.51m/s
10:0029%48%2J/kg7.7°C24135m1m/s
11:000%38%1J/kg8.1°C13242m1.8m/s
12:0015%33%0J/kg8°C603m2.6m/s
13:0033%23%0J/kg8.7°C646m3m/s
14:0015%26%0J/kg10°C1016m3m/s
15:000%34%7J/kg13°C7978m4m/s
16:0020%48%22J/kg12°C24135m5.5m/s
17:000%55%23J/kg12°C23573m6m/s
18:000%55%24J/kg11°C23012m6.6m/s
19:000%29%25J/kg10°C22450m7.1m/s
20:000%0%25J/kg11°C19862m6.8m/s
21:000%0%25J/kg11°C17274m6.6m/s
22:0013%0%25J/kg12°C14686m6.3m/s
23:000%0%19J/kg12°C17836m5.9m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:000%0%13J/kg13°C20986m5.5m/s
01:000%0%7J/kg13°C24135m5m/s
02:000%0%6.7J/kg14°C24135m4.6m/s
03:000%0%6.3J/kg14°C24135m4.1m/s
04:000%0%6J/kg15°C24135m3.7m/s
05:000%0%5.7J/kg15°C24135m3.6m/s
06:000%6%5.3J/kg15°C24135m3.6m/s
07:000%21%5J/kg14°C24135m3.6m/s
08:000%9.8%7J/kg15°C24135m3.2m/s
09:000%6.5%9J/kg15°C24135m2.9m/s
How to read: colored cells show whether each predicate requirement is met; highlighted rows mean the full rule matched (an opportunity). For OR groups, only one branch is required, so some OR-branch predicates can be ✕ even in a matching hour.

What does Cloud Drama Score mean?

Inputs that drive the score

This derived score summarizes multiple raw weather signals. The table below shows the supporting inputs hour by hour, so you can see what's pushing the score up or down.

Time
America/Los_Angeles
Air Pressure
hPa
CAPE
J/kg
High Clouds
%
Lifted Index
°C
Low Clouds
%
Mid-Level Clouds
%
Precipitation Chance
%
Rainfall
mm
Relative Humidity
%
Showers
mm
Simulated Reflectivity
dBZ
Solar Elevation
°
Total Cloud Coverage
%
Total Precipitation
mm
Wind Shear 0-3 km
m/s
Wind Shear 0-6 km
m/s
Wind Speed
m/s
Sun, Feb 22 Sunrise 07:05 Sunset 17:51
11:00
985hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.6°C 100% 100% 96% 0.58mm 96% 0mm 22dBZ 31° 100% 0.69mm - - 2.9m/s
12:00
986hPa 1J/kg 0% 5.5°C 100% 97% 93% 0.5mm 95% 0mm 28dBZ 34° 100% 1.1mm - - 2.7m/s
13:00
986hPa 2J/kg 0% 3.5°C 100% 100% 89% 2.4mm 97% 0mm 34dBZ 34° 100% 3.1mm 16m/s 31m/s 2.3m/s
14:00
985hPa 5J/kg 0% 4.5°C 100% 74% 92% 1.5mm 98% 0mm 33dBZ 31° 100% 4.3mm - - 2.4m/s
15:00
986hPa 2J/kg 0% 4°C 100% 100% 95% 3.2mm 98% 0mm 32dBZ 25° 100% 7.1mm - - 2.5m/s
16:00
986hPa 1J/kg 0% 5.3°C 100% 74% 98% 2mm 98% 0mm 30dBZ 17° 100% 8.9mm 16m/s 32m/s 2.3m/s
17:00
986hPa 1J/kg 0% 4.2°C 100% 100% 95% 3.1mm 98% 0mm 30dBZ 8.1° 100% 1.8mm - - 2.2m/s
18:00
986hPa 0J/kg 0% 5°C 100% 100% 91% 1.7mm 99% 0mm 29dBZ -1.9° 100% 4mm - - 2.2m/s
19:00
986hPa 18J/kg 0% 5°C 100% 100% 88% 2.6mm 99% 0mm 28dBZ -12° 100% 5.9mm 27m/s 33m/s 2.3m/s
20:00
986hPa 6J/kg 0% 5.4°C 100% 34% 92% 0.99mm 99% 0mm 24dBZ -23° 100% 7.3mm - - 2.2m/s
21:00
986hPa 14J/kg 0% 3.9°C 100% 11% 96% 0.43mm 98% 0mm 20dBZ -33° 100% 7.8mm - - 2.1m/s
22:00
987hPa 8J/kg 0% 4.1°C 100% 100% 100% 0.87mm 98% 0mm 17dBZ -42° 100% 8.4mm 13m/s 30m/s 1.9m/s
23:00
987hPa 25J/kg 0% 3.2°C 100% 54% 100% 1.2mm 99% 0mm 16dBZ -50° 100% 1.8mm - - 1.6m/s
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 17:52
24:00
987hPa 28J/kg 0% 3°C 100% 88% 100% 1.4mm 99% 0.02mm 16dBZ -54° 100% 3.4mm - - 1.7m/s
01:00
987hPa 16J/kg 0% 2.3°C 100% 100% 100% 1.8mm 99% 0mm 16dBZ -54° 100% 3.9mm 5.1m/s 20m/s 1.9m/s
02:00
987hPa 39J/kg 100% 1.2°C 100% 100% 100% 1.1mm 99% 0.24mm 23dBZ -49° 100% 5.4mm - - 1.6m/s
03:00
986hPa 45J/kg 100% 0.1°C 100% 100% 100% 4.8mm 100% 0.14mm 30dBZ -42° 100% 7.8mm - - 1.7m/s
04:00
986hPa 67J/kg 100% -0.1°C 100% 100% 100% 1.5mm 100% 0.3mm 37dBZ -33° 100% 10mm 3.5m/s 15m/s 3m/s
05:00
985hPa 66J/kg 81% 0.1°C 100% 100% 99% 0.39mm 98% 0.68mm 34dBZ -22° 100% 1.9mm - - 4.7m/s
06:00
985hPa 40J/kg 100% 0.6°C 100% 100% 97% 1.5mm 98% 0.18mm 31dBZ -12° 100% 3mm - - 4.1m/s
07:00
985hPa 44J/kg 100% 0.9°C 100% 100% 96% 3mm 98% 0.19mm 27dBZ -1.2° 100% 5.1mm 25m/s 38m/s 4.7m/s
08:00
985hPa 19J/kg 100% 1.7°C 100% 100% 97% 3.7mm 99% 0.12mm 28dBZ 8.7° 100% 8.1mm - - 4.4m/s
09:00
984hPa 19J/kg 100% 1.5°C 100% 100% 98% 1.4mm 99% 0.13mm 28dBZ 18° 100% 10mm - - 5.4m/s
10:00
985hPa 11J/kg 100% 0.1°C 100% 100% 100% 2.1mm 98% 0.07mm 29dBZ 26° 100% 13mm 30m/s 41m/s 5.3m/s
11:00
984hPa 19J/kg 100% 1.4°C 100% 100% 99% 0.53mm 98% 0.06mm 31dBZ 31° 100% 1.9mm - - 5.1m/s
12:00
985hPa 9J/kg 100% 2.6°C 100% 100% 97% 1.5mm 99% 0.03mm 33dBZ 35° 100% 2.5mm - - 2.3m/s
13:00
984hPa 1J/kg 97% 3.9°C 100% 100% 96% 0.67mm 99% 0.02mm 36dBZ 35° 100% 3.1mm 26m/s 35m/s 2.3m/s
14:00
984hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.5°C 100% 100% 97% 0.95mm 100% 0.01mm 33dBZ 31° 100% 4.8mm - - 1.6m/s
15:00
984hPa 1J/kg 100% 4.6°C 100% 100% 97% 1.6mm 100% 0.01mm 31dBZ 25° 100% 6mm - - 1.6m/s
16:00
984hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.6°C 100% 100% 97% 1.2mm 100% 0mm 29dBZ 17° 100% 7.8mm 35m/s 37m/s 0.74m/s
17:00
984hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.5°C 100% 100% 96% 1.2mm 100% 0mm 29dBZ 8.3° 100% 1.1mm - - 0.7m/s
18:00
983hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.4°C 100% 100% 95% 0.71mm 99% 0mm 28dBZ -1.6° 100% 2.3mm - - 0.75m/s
19:00
983hPa 1J/kg 100% 8°C 100% 100% 94% 0.84mm 99% 0mm 28dBZ -12° 100% 2.9mm 23m/s 38m/s 0.32m/s
20:00
983hPa 1J/kg 100% 7.8°C 100% 100% 95% 1.1mm 100% 0mm 28dBZ -23° 100% 3.9mm - - 0.26m/s
21:00
982hPa 7J/kg 100% 7.9°C 100% 100% 95% 0.68mm 99% 0mm 29dBZ -33° 100% 4.6mm - - 1m/s
22:00
981hPa 10J/kg 100% 8°C 100% 100% 96% 1.4mm 99% 0mm 29dBZ -42° 100% 5.6mm 25m/s 35m/s 0.83m/s
23:00
980hPa 7J/kg 100% 7.2°C 100% 100% 80% 1.6mm 99% 0mm 30dBZ -49° 100% 1.5mm - - 1.3m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 07:02 Sunset 17:54
24:00
980hPa 3J/kg 100% 9.5°C 100% 83% 64% 1.1mm 99% 0mm 30dBZ -53° 100% 2.8mm - - 1.2m/s
01:00
979hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.5°C 100% 100% 48% 1.1mm 99% 0mm 30dBZ -53° 100% 3.9mm 26m/s 39m/s 1.6m/s
02:00
979hPa 1J/kg 100% 7.3°C 100% 100% 49% 0.88mm 98% 0mm 31dBZ -49° 100% 4.8mm - - 1.7m/s
03:00
978hPa 1J/kg 87% 7.5°C 100% 99% 50% 0.63mm 98% 0mm 32dBZ -41° 100% 5.6mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
977hPa 0J/kg 89% 7.6°C 100% 98% 51% 0.48mm 98% 0mm 33dBZ -32° 100% 6.2mm 18m/s 42m/s 1.7m/s
05:00
977hPa 0J/kg 97% 6.3°C 100% 100% 45% 0.39mm 98% 0mm 21dBZ -22° 100% 0.75mm - - 1.5m/s
06:00
977hPa 1J/kg 100% 6°C 100% 56% 40% 0.48mm 98% 0mm 9.4dBZ -12° 100% 1.1mm - - 1.3m/s
07:00
977hPa 6J/kg 100% 5°C 100% 0% 34% 0.21mm 98% 0mm -2.2dBZ -0.9° 100% 1.5mm 20m/s 39m/s 1.3m/s
08:00
977hPa 5J/kg 100% 5.4°C 100% 0% 38% 0.01mm 97% 0mm 2.7dBZ 100% 1.6mm - - 0.98m/s
09:00
978hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.3°C 100% 0% 42% 0mm 97% 0mm 7.7dBZ 18° 100% 1.6mm - - 0.43m/s
10:00
978hPa 2J/kg 11% 7.7°C 100% 0% 46% 0mm 97% 0mm 13dBZ 26° 100% 1.6mm 17m/s 39m/s 0.7m/s
11:00
979hPa 1J/kg 100% 8.1°C 100% 0% 36% 0mm 96% 0.01mm 6.3dBZ 32° 100% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
12:00
979hPa 0J/kg 5% 8°C 100% 0% 27% 0mm 97% 0.02mm 0dBZ 35° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
13:00
980hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.7°C 100% 0% 17% 0.01mm 97% 0.04mm -6.3dBZ 35° 100% 0.06mm 29m/s 47m/s 2m/s
14:00
980hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 0% 19% 0.01mm 98% 0.04mm -9.7dBZ 32° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.9m/s
15:00
981hPa 7J/kg 0% 13°C 86% 0% 21% 0mm 97% 0.1mm -13dBZ 26° 86% 0.19mm - - 2m/s
16:00
982hPa 22J/kg 0% 12°C 71% 0% 24% 0mm 94% 0.11mm -16dBZ 18° 71% 0.31mm 18m/s 44m/s 2.4m/s
17:00
995hPa 23J/kg 0% 12°C 54% 0% 49% 0.01mm 87% 0.12mm -8.3dBZ 8.6° 54% 0.42mm - - 3.5m/s
18:00
1008hPa 24J/kg 0% 11°C 37% 0% 75% 0.02mm 80% 0.12mm -0.04dBZ -1.4° 37% 0.52mm - - 4.5m/s
19:00
1021hPa 25J/kg 0% 10°C 19% 0% 100% 0.03mm 74% 0.13mm 8.2dBZ -12° 19% 0.63mm 9.8m/s 42m/s 5.5m/s
20:00
1021hPa 25J/kg 0% 11°C 15% 0% 74% 0.05mm 74% 0.12mm 8.3dBZ -22° 15% 0.83mm - - 5.2m/s
21:00
1022hPa 25J/kg 0% 11°C 11% 0% 47% 0.08mm 74% 0.11mm 8.5dBZ -33° 11% 1mm - - 4.9m/s
22:00
1022hPa 25J/kg 0% 12°C 6% 0% 21% 0.1mm 74% 0.1mm 8.7dBZ -42° 6% 1.3mm 4.3m/s 29m/s 4.6m/s
23:00
1023hPa 19J/kg 0% 12°C 12% 0% 20% 0.07mm 72% 0.07mm 8.3dBZ -49° 12% 0.92mm - - 4.4m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 07:00 Sunset 17:55
24:00
1023hPa 13J/kg 0% 13°C 17% 0% 19% 0.04mm 70% 0.03mm 8dBZ -53° 17% 0.58mm - - 4.2m/s
01:00
1024hPa 7J/kg 0% 13°C 23% 0% 18% 0.01mm 68% 0mm 7.7dBZ -53° 23% 0.25mm 5.7m/s 3.9m/s 4m/s
02:00
1024hPa 6.7J/kg 0% 14°C 18% 0% 18% 0.01mm 67% 0mm 12dBZ -49° 18% 0.27mm - - 3.8m/s
03:00
1025hPa 6.3J/kg 0% 14°C 13% 0% 17% 0.01mm 65% 0mm 16dBZ -41° 13% 0.29mm - - 3.6m/s
04:00
1026hPa 6J/kg 0% 15°C 8% 0% 17% 0.01mm 63% 0mm 20dBZ -32° 8% 0.31mm 7m/s 5.7m/s 3.3m/s
05:00
1026hPa 5.7J/kg 0% 15°C 9% 0% 28% 0.007mm 63% 0.003mm 10dBZ -22° 9% 0.23mm - - 3.3m/s
06:00
1026hPa 5.3J/kg 0% 15°C 10% 0% 39% 0.003mm 64% 0.007mm 1.2dBZ -11° 10% 0.15mm - - 3.2m/s
07:00
1026hPa 5J/kg 0% 14°C 10% 0% 50% 0mm 64% 0.01mm -8.1dBZ -0.51° 10% 0.06mm 5.8m/s 6.2m/s 3.1m/s
08:00
1026hPa 7J/kg 0% 15°C 9% 0% 42% 0.003mm 64% 0.01mm -6.7dBZ 9.3° 9% 0.08mm - - 2.8m/s
09:00
1026hPa 9J/kg 0% 15°C 8% 0% 34% 0.007mm 64% 0.01mm -5.4dBZ 18° 8% 0.1mm - - 2.5m/s
10:00
1026hPa 11J/kg 0% 15°C 6% 0% 26% 0.01mm 65% 0.01mm -4dBZ 26° 6% 0.13mm 7.7m/s 6.2m/s 2.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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