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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 97% failing
Cloud Drama Score 78% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts1.7m/s
Precipitation Chance96%
Air Pressure990.4hPa
CAPE4
Lifted Index5.8°C
Wind Gusts1.7m/s
Precipitation0.0mm

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
Wed, Mar 11
18:0041%70%10J/kg6.4°C555m18m/s
19:0044%73%4J/kg6.6°C260m17m/s
20:0060%62%11J/kg5.8°C188m17m/s
21:0053%0%11J/kg4.9°C145m17m/s
22:0057%0%3J/kg5.1°C128m16m/s
23:0063%0%7J/kg5.8°C108m15m/s
Thu, Mar 12
24:0044%0%3J/kg6.1°C98m14m/s
01:0046%0%17J/kg6.7°C86m14m/s
02:0058%0%2J/kg8°C159m9.4m/s
03:0048%0%1J/kg8.8°C312m9.6m/s
04:0049%0%1J/kg10°C271m11m/s
05:0059%0%1J/kg12°C955m9.8m/s
06:0026%0%1J/kg12°C1577m8.5m/s
07:0032%60%1J/kg12°C1950m6.8m/s
08:0046%64%1J/kg13°C1781m2.7m/s
09:0031%60%1J/kg12°C2690m2m/s
10:0029%60%1J/kg13°C7267m1.3m/s
11:0045%51%1J/kg12°C8293m0.91m/s
12:0025%51%1J/kg10°C1895m1.3m/s
13:0027%41%1J/kg11°C2377m1.5m/s
14:0039%41%1J/kg9.6°C2761m1.4m/s
15:0030%51%1J/kg9.2°C3853m1.7m/s
16:0016%51%1J/kg7.1°C16141m0.91m/s
17:0035%60%1J/kg6.5°C24135m0.52m/s
18:000%60%4J/kg5.8°C24135m1.7m/s
19:000%64%3J/kg5.4°C21930m2.7m/s
20:0043%62%15J/kg6.6°C381m12m/s
21:0031%0%8J/kg6.8°C108m12m/s
22:0034%0%10J/kg7°C91m14m/s
23:0043%0%9J/kg5.9°C127m14m/s
Fri, Mar 13
24:0031%0%7J/kg7.7°C308m14m/s
01:0027%0%5J/kg8°C3389m15m/s
02:0042%0%4J/kg7.9°C4280m14m/s
03:0036%0%1J/kg7.6°C1715m14m/s
04:0042%0%1J/kg5.8°C3770m15m/s
05:0052%0%8J/kg3.2°C252m14m/s
06:0035%0%15J/kg3.9°C106m13m/s
07:0038%60%24J/kg3.9°C85m13m/s
08:0046%70%17J/kg4.6°C83m13m/s
09:0044%65%10J/kg5.1°C100m14m/s
10:0048%65%11J/kg5.5°C130m13m/s
11:0060%55%2J/kg6.1°C109m12m/s
12:0041%55%1J/kg5.8°C99m12m/s
13:0044%45%2J/kg5.3°C115m11m/s
14:0053%43%1J/kg6.2°C154m4.7m/s
15:0044%51%1J/kg6.3°C150m2.2m/s
16:0044%51%1J/kg7.1°C203m1.9m/s
17:0055%60%2J/kg6.9°C406m1.3m/s
18:0026%60%1J/kg7.9°C1626m1.5m/s
19:0013%62%1J/kg8.5°C21594m1.2m/s
20:0042%53%1J/kg8.5°C1813m1.5m/s
21:0032%0%1J/kg8.8°C624m1.9m/s
22:0028%0%1J/kg9.2°C3942m1.5m/s
23:0040%0%1J/kg10°C10566m2m/s
Sat, Mar 14
24:000%0%1J/kg11°C20616m2.2m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg13°C21009m1.8m/s
02:0029%0.6%0J/kg15°C24135m2.2m/s
03:0011%5.1%8J/kg18°C24134m1.4m/s
04:0011%11%6J/kg18°C24135m0.7m/s
05:0033%14%0J/kg17°C3511m0.22m/s
06:0015%10%7J/kg16°C406m0.22m/s
07:0015%30%19J/kg16°C146m0.4m/s
08:0027%30%22J/kg17°C2846m1m/s
09:000%63%15J/kg17°C24134m6.3m/s
10:000%89%19J/kg18°C24135m6.2m/s
11:0017%55%13J/kg18°C24134m6.2m/s
12:000%31%8J/kg19°C24134m6.2m/s
13:000%23%4J/kg19°C24135m6.1m/s
14:0015%24%4J/kg19°C24135m6m/s
15:000%31%2J/kg19°C24134m5.9m/s
16:000%34%2J/kg20°C24135m5.5m/s
17:0016%24%0J/kg21°C24134m4.8m/s
18:000%40%0J/kg21°C24135m4.3m/s
19:000%21%0J/kg22°C24135m0.9m/s
20:0014%28%0J/kg23°C24135m0.8m/s
21:000%11%0J/kg22°C24134m0.8m/s
22:000%10%0J/kg22°C24135m1.3m/s
23:0014%1.4%0J/kg22°C24135m1.4m/s
Sun, Mar 15
24:000%0%0J/kg22°C24135m1.9m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg21°C24135m2.4m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg21°C24135m2.9m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg22°C24135m2.5m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg22°C24135m2.2m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg23°C24135m1.8m/s
06:000%0%0J/kg21°C24135m2.5m/s
07:000%49%0J/kg19°C24135m3.1m/s
08:000%49%0J/kg17°C24135m3.7m/s
09:000%46%0J/kg18°C24135m3.4m/s
10:000%48%0J/kg20°C24135m3m/s
11:000%41%0J/kg21°C24135m2.6m/s
12:000%41%0J/kg19°C24135m2.9m/s
13:000%32%0J/kg16°C24135m3.1m/s
14:000%32%0J/kg14°C24135m3.3m/s
15:000%39%0J/kg14°C24135m3.7m/s
16:000%47%0J/kg14°C24135m4.1m/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
Thu, Mar 12 Sunrise 07:31 Sunset 19:17
18:00
990hPa 4J/kg 100% 5.8°C 100% 100% 96% 0.06mm 98% 0mm 17dBZ 13° 100% 0mm - - 1m/s
19:00
990hPa 3J/kg 100% 5.4°C 100% 100% 93% 0.02mm 98% 0mm 19dBZ 2.5° 100% 0.06mm - - 1m/s
20:00
989hPa 15J/kg 100% 6.6°C 100% 100% 89% 0.27mm 100% 0mm 20dBZ -8.2° 100% 0.19mm 13m/s 25m/s 1.5m/s
21:00
989hPa 8J/kg 100% 6.8°C 100% 100% 93% 0.38mm 100% 0mm 15dBZ -19° 100% 0.75mm - - 1.4m/s
22:00
988hPa 10J/kg 100% 7°C 100% 100% 96% 0.14mm 99% 0mm 10dBZ -28° 100% 1.1mm - - 3.7m/s
23:00
988hPa 9J/kg 100% 5.9°C 100% 100% 100% 0.15mm 99% 0.01mm 5dBZ -37° 100% 1.3mm 11m/s 22m/s 4.4m/s
Fri, Mar 13 Sunrise 07:31 Sunset 19:17
24:00
988hPa 7J/kg 100% 7.7°C 100% 100% 100% 0.1mm 99% 0.01mm 14dBZ -44° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.8m/s
01:00
987hPa 5J/kg 100% 8°C 100% 100% 100% 0.58mm 98% 0.01mm 22dBZ -47° 100% 0.38mm - - 5.4m/s
02:00
987hPa 4J/kg 100% 7.9°C 100% 100% 100% 1.9mm 98% 0.01mm 31dBZ -47° 100% 1.1mm 12m/s 23m/s 5.1m/s
03:00
987hPa 1J/kg 100% 7.6°C 100% 100% 100% 2.3mm 98% 0mm 28dBZ -43° 100% 3.8mm - - 5.2m/s
04:00
986hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.8°C 100% 100% 100% 2.1mm 98% 0mm 26dBZ -36° 100% 5.4mm - - 5.9m/s
05:00
986hPa 8J/kg 100% 3.2°C 100% 95% 100% 3mm 99% 0mm 23dBZ -27° 100% 7mm 8.3m/s 21m/s 5.4m/s
06:00
985hPa 15J/kg 100% 3.9°C 100% 99% 100% 2.3mm 99% 0mm 21dBZ -17° 100% 1.5mm - - 5.1m/s
07:00
985hPa 24J/kg 100% 3.9°C 100% 94% 100% 1mm 99% 0.07mm 19dBZ -6.3° 100% 2.8mm - - 4.7m/s
08:00
984hPa 17J/kg 100% 4.6°C 100% 100% 100% 2.3mm 99% 0.05mm 17dBZ 4.4° 100% 4.5mm 7.3m/s 24m/s 4.5m/s
09:00
984hPa 10J/kg 100% 5.1°C 100% 100% 100% 2.6mm 99% 0.02mm 23dBZ 14° 100% 7.1mm - - 5m/s
10:00
984hPa 11J/kg 100% 5.5°C 100% 100% 100% 4.7mm 99% 0mm 28dBZ 24° 100% 12mm - - 4.8m/s
11:00
985hPa 2J/kg 100% 6.1°C 100% 100% 100% 3.4mm 99% 0mm 33dBZ 32° 100% 17mm 8.3m/s 18m/s 4.5m/s
12:00
985hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.8°C 100% 100% 100% 4mm 99% 0mm 33dBZ 38° 100% 3.4mm - - 4m/s
13:00
985hPa 2J/kg 100% 5.3°C 100% 100% 100% 2.8mm 99% 0mm 33dBZ 42° 100% 6.8mm - - 2.8m/s
14:00
985hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.2°C 100% 100% 100% 1.6mm 99% 0mm 33dBZ 41° 100% 9mm 16m/s 25m/s 1.7m/s
15:00
985hPa 1J/kg 71% 6.3°C 100% 100% 100% 1.1mm 100% 0mm 32dBZ 37° 100% 11mm - - 1.5m/s
16:00
985hPa 1J/kg 92% 7.1°C 100% 100% 100% 1.8mm 100% 0mm 32dBZ 31° 100% 12mm - - 1.4m/s
17:00
984hPa 2J/kg 100% 6.9°C 100% 100% 100% 1.9mm 100% 0mm 32dBZ 22° 100% 14mm 21m/s 24m/s 1m/s
18:00
984hPa 1J/kg 100% 7.9°C 100% 100% 82% 1.3mm 100% 0mm 29dBZ 13° 100% 1.8mm - - 1.1m/s
19:00
984hPa 1J/kg 100% 8.5°C 100% 100% 65% 0.15mm 100% 0mm 27dBZ 2.7° 100% 2.4mm - - 0.91m/s
20:00
985hPa 1J/kg 100% 8.5°C 100% 100% 48% 0.94mm 100% 0mm 25dBZ -8° 100% 3.2mm 25m/s 28m/s 1.1m/s
21:00
985hPa 1J/kg 100% 8.8°C 100% 100% 52% 0.84mm 100% 0.01mm 23dBZ -18° 100% 4.1mm - - 1.3m/s
22:00
985hPa 1J/kg 100% 9.2°C 100% 100% 57% 0.79mm 99% 0.02mm 21dBZ -28° 100% 4.9mm - - 1.1m/s
23:00
985hPa 1J/kg 100% 10°C 100% 100% 62% 0.81mm 99% 0.04mm 19dBZ -37° 100% 5.9mm 23m/s 35m/s 1.3m/s
Sat, Mar 14 Sunrise 07:29 Sunset 19:18
24:00
986hPa 1J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 100% 54% 0.28mm 98% 0.06mm 15dBZ -43° 100% 0.5mm - - 1.3m/s
01:00
986hPa 0J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 100% 47% 0.3mm 97% 0.04mm 10dBZ -47° 100% 0.94mm - - 1.1m/s
02:00
986hPa 0J/kg 100% 15°C 70% 100% 39% 0.03mm 97% 0.05mm 6.3dBZ -46° 100% 1.2mm 19m/s 31m/s 1.1m/s
03:00
987hPa 8J/kg 94% 18°C 55% 100% 39% 0mm 96% 0.06mm 2.6dBZ -42° 100% 1.3mm - - 0.82m/s
04:00
988hPa 6J/kg 2% 18°C 72% 2% 39% 0mm 94% 0.03mm -0.96dBZ -35° 72% 1.3mm - - 0.61m/s
05:00
988hPa 0J/kg 0% 17°C 100% 0% 39% 0.02mm 95% 0mm -4.6dBZ -26° 100% 1.3mm 20m/s 29m/s 0.34m/s
06:00
989hPa 7J/kg 0% 16°C 100% 0% 26% 0.01mm 96% 0.01mm -9.1dBZ -16° 100% 0mm - - 0.39m/s
07:00
990hPa 19J/kg 0% 16°C 100% 0% 13% 0.01mm 97% 0.03mm -14dBZ -5.9° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.44m/s
08:00
991hPa 22J/kg 0% 17°C 97% 0% 0% 0mm 95% 0.04mm -18dBZ 4.7° 97% 0.13mm 17m/s 35m/s 0.08m/s
09:00
992hPa 15J/kg 0% 17°C 36% 0% 0% 0mm 86% 0.02mm -19dBZ 15° 36% 0.19mm - - 1.3m/s
10:00
993hPa 19J/kg 57% 18°C 79% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0.04mm -19dBZ 24° 79% 0.19mm - - 2.3m/s
11:00
993hPa 13J/kg 37% 18°C 86% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0.02mm -20dBZ 33° 86% 0.25mm 14m/s 37m/s 3.3m/s
12:00
994hPa 8J/kg 96% 19°C 46% 0% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 96% 0mm - - 4m/s
13:00
994hPa 4J/kg 100% 19°C 29% 0% 0% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 100% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
14:00
995hPa 4J/kg 100% 19°C 31% 0% 0% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 100% 0mm 14m/s 40m/s 4.4m/s
15:00
995hPa 2J/kg 100% 19°C 27% 0% 0% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 100% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
16:00
996hPa 2J/kg 98% 20°C 52% 0% 0% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 98% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
17:00
996hPa 0J/kg 93% 21°C 8% 5% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 93% 0mm 18m/s 38m/s 3.5m/s
18:00
996hPa 0J/kg 78% 21°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 78% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
19:00
996hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 100% 0mm - - 0.96m/s
20:00
997hPa 0J/kg 99% 23°C 4% 5% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -7.7° 99% 0mm 16m/s 32m/s 0.99m/s
21:00
998hPa 0J/kg 80% 22°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 80% 0mm - - 0.96m/s
22:00
998hPa 0J/kg 92% 22°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 92% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
23:00
998hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 4% 5% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -36° 100% 0mm 13m/s 35m/s 1.8m/s
Sun, Mar 15 Sunrise 07:27 Sunset 19:20
24:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 36% 37% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -43° 100% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
01:00
1017hPa 0J/kg 100% 21°C 68% 68% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -46° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
02:00
1026hPa 0J/kg 100% 21°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -46° 100% 0mm 15m/s 34m/s 2.6m/s
03:00
1026hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
04:00
1026hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
05:00
1025hPa 0J/kg 100% 23°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -26° 100% 0mm 28m/s 29m/s 1.4m/s
06:00
1025hPa 0J/kg 100% 21°C 95% 100% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -11dBZ -16° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
07:00
1025hPa 0J/kg 100% 19°C 89% 100% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -3dBZ -5.6° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
08:00
1024hPa 0J/kg 100% 17°C 84% 100% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm 5.5dBZ 100% 0mm 28m/s 31m/s 2.8m/s
09:00
1023hPa 0J/kg 100% 18°C 89% 100% 13% 0mm 58% 0mm 12dBZ 15° 100% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
10:00
1023hPa 0J/kg 100% 20°C 94% 100% 26% 0mm 58% 0mm 18dBZ 25° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
11:00
1022hPa 0J/kg 100% 21°C 99% 100% 39% 0mm 58% 0mm 25dBZ 33° 100% 0mm 26m/s 34m/s 2m/s
12:00
1022hPa 0J/kg 100% 19°C 91% 100% 26% 0mm 59% 0mm 24dBZ 39° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
13:00
1022hPa 0J/kg 100% 16°C 83% 100% 13% 0mm 61% 0mm 23dBZ 42° 100% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
14:00
1022hPa 0J/kg 100% 14°C 75% 100% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm 22dBZ 42° 100% 0mm 21m/s 34m/s 2.9m/s
15:00
1022hPa 0J/kg 79% 14°C 83% 100% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm 13dBZ 38° 100% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
16:00
1022hPa 0J/kg 59% 14°C 92% 100% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm 3.3dBZ 32° 100% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
17:00
1022hPa 0J/kg 39% 13°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -6dBZ 23° 100% 0mm 19m/s 34m/s 3.6m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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