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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 Gusts13.2m/s
Precipitation Chance99%
Air Pressure985.6hPa
CAPE7
Lifted Index3.8°C
Wind Gusts13.2m/s
Precipitation1.4mm

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 79 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
Thu, Mar 12
22:0033%0%7J/kg7.2°C337m15m/s
23:0042%0%7J/kg6.2°C574m14m/s
Fri, Mar 13
24:0029%0%7J/kg8°C945m14m/s
01:0026%0%8J/kg7.7°C3855m14m/s
02:0037%0%3J/kg7.4°C3639m14m/s
03:0027%0%1J/kg6.7°C5717m14m/s
04:0036%0%1J/kg5.8°C4589m15m/s
05:0053%0%2J/kg3.9°C349m14m/s
06:0033%0%7J/kg3.8°C153m13m/s
07:0037%60%39J/kg3.7°C87m13m/s
08:0046%70%38J/kg4.5°C69m13m/s
09:0037%65%31J/kg5°C66m13m/s
10:0042%65%29J/kg5.2°C74m13m/s
11:0052%55%26J/kg4.9°C116m13m/s
12:0037%55%19J/kg4.5°C128m13m/s
13:0042%45%10J/kg5°C151m14m/s
14:0054%45%16J/kg5.5°C155m13m/s
15:0046%55%3J/kg6.6°C135m12m/s
16:0050%55%1J/kg6.8°C113m12m/s
17:0059%65%1J/kg5.9°C128m10m/s
18:0033%62%1J/kg6.7°C131m4.9m/s
19:0036%64%1J/kg6.6°C130m2.4m/s
20:0049%55%1J/kg7.5°C160m2.2m/s
21:0036%0%1J/kg8.8°C224m2.5m/s
22:0036%0%1J/kg9.6°C288m2.5m/s
23:0056%0%1J/kg10°C372m2.7m/s
Sat, Mar 14
24:0015%0%1J/kg11°C1698m3.7m/s
01:0012%0%0J/kg14°C24134m3.6m/s
02:0033%0.9%0J/kg16°C24135m6.9m/s
03:0014%0.4%9J/kg17°C24134m8m/s
04:0014%1.6%15J/kg15°C24135m8.1m/s
05:0032%5.6%9J/kg16°C24135m7.8m/s
06:000%3.4%30J/kg16°C24135m7.1m/s
07:000%39%20J/kg17°C24134m1.6m/s
08:0018%57%13J/kg17°C24135m1.4m/s
09:000%41%19J/kg16°C24134m7.1m/s
10:000%59%32J/kg16°C24135m6.5m/s
11:0018%36%25J/kg17°C24135m6.8m/s
12:000%50%24J/kg17°C24134m7.1m/s
13:000%28%19J/kg17°C24134m7.2m/s
14:0017%23%16J/kg18°C24135m6.8m/s
15:000%28%11J/kg18°C24135m6.7m/s
16:000%30%11J/kg19°C24135m6.4m/s
17:0018%35%10J/kg20°C24134m5.9m/s
18:000%21%10J/kg20°C24134m5.1m/s
19:000%23%2J/kg21°C24135m2.2m/s
20:0014%27%0J/kg22°C24134m0.4m/s
21:000%12%0J/kg22°C24134m0.7m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg22°C24135m1m/s
23:0014%8.8%0J/kg22°C24135m1.5m/s
Sun, Mar 15
24:000%15%0J/kg22°C24134m1.3m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg22°C24135m1.4m/s
02:0015%0.2%0J/kg22°C24134m1.5m/s
03:000%11%0J/kg22°C24134m1.5m/s
04:000%15%0J/kg22°C24135m1.4m/s
05:0015%14%0J/kg21°C24135m1.5m/s
06:000%3.2%0J/kg21°C24135m1.5m/s
07:000%47%0J/kg20°C24135m2m/s
08:0015%74%0J/kg19°C24135m2.3m/s
09:000%52%0J/kg20°C24135m2.2m/s
10:000%55%0J/kg20°C24134m2.6m/s
11:0015%44%0J/kg19°C24135m2.9m/s
12:000%42%0J/kg19°C24135m3.1m/s
13:000%32%0J/kg18°C24135m3.2m/s
14:000%32%0J/kg18°C24135m3.4m/s
15:000%52%0J/kg17°C24135m3.4m/s
16:000%55%0J/kg15°C24135m3.3m/s
17:000%48%0J/kg14°C24135m3.2m/s
18:000%48%0J/kg15°C24135m3.9m/s
19:000%52%0J/kg16°C24135m4.6m/s
20:000%44%0J/kg16°C24135m5.3m/s
21:000%0%0J/kg15°C24135m5.3m/s
22:000%0%0J/kg15°C24135m5.4m/s
23:000%0%0J/kg14°C24135m5.4m/s
Mon, Mar 16
24:000%0%0J/kg12°C21898m6.4m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg11°C19661m7.4m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg9.7°C17424m8.4m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg12°C19661m7m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg13°C21898m5.7m/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
Fri, Mar 13 Sunrise 07:31 Sunset 19:17
06:00
986hPa 7J/kg 100% 3.8°C 100% 90% 99% 0.79mm 99% 0.05mm 18dBZ -17° 100% 1.4mm - - 5.2m/s
07:00
985hPa 39J/kg 87% 3.7°C 100% 91% 99% 0.8mm 99% 0.27mm 20dBZ -6.3° 100% 2.5mm - - 4.7m/s
08:00
985hPa 38J/kg 100% 4.5°C 100% 92% 98% 0.77mm 99% 0.29mm 23dBZ 4.4° 100% 3.5mm 5.7m/s 22m/s 4.6m/s
09:00
985hPa 31J/kg 100% 5°C 100% 78% 99% 0.52mm 99% 0.17mm 23dBZ 14° 100% 4.4mm - - 4.7m/s
10:00
985hPa 29J/kg 99% 5.2°C 100% 88% 99% 0.21mm 99% 0.12mm 24dBZ 24° 100% 5mm - - 4.6m/s
11:00
985hPa 26J/kg 100% 4.9°C 100% 100% 100% 2.8mm 99% 0.14mm 25dBZ 32° 100% 6.3mm 14m/s 20m/s 4.5m/s
12:00
984hPa 19J/kg 100% 4.5°C 100% 100% 100% 3.1mm 99% 0.06mm 26dBZ 38° 100% 3.5mm - - 4.6m/s
13:00
984hPa 10J/kg 100% 5°C 100% 100% 100% 2mm 99% 0.02mm 28dBZ 42° 100% 5.8mm - - 5m/s
14:00
983hPa 16J/kg 100% 5.5°C 100% 100% 100% 4.4mm 99% 0.06mm 29dBZ 41° 100% 8.6mm 11m/s 20m/s 4.8m/s
15:00
983hPa 3J/kg 100% 6.6°C 100% 100% 100% 5.8mm 99% 0mm 31dBZ 37° 100% 13mm - - 4.9m/s
16:00
983hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.8°C 100% 100% 100% 5.7mm 99% 0mm 34dBZ 31° 100% 19mm - - 4.3m/s
17:00
982hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.9°C 100% 100% 100% 3.7mm 99% 0mm 36dBZ 22° 100% 24mm 7.4m/s 15m/s 2.7m/s
18:00
982hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.7°C 100% 100% 95% 2.9mm 100% 0mm 36dBZ 13° 100% 3.3mm - - 1.9m/s
19:00
982hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.6°C 100% 100% 89% 1.2mm 100% 0mm 35dBZ 2.7° 100% 5.2mm - - 1.6m/s
20:00
982hPa 1J/kg 100% 7.5°C 100% 100% 84% 0.71mm 100% 0.01mm 35dBZ -8° 100% 6.3mm 15m/s 19m/s 1.5m/s
21:00
983hPa 1J/kg 100% 8.8°C 100% 100% 85% 1.4mm 100% 0mm 34dBZ -18° 100% 7.3mm - - 1.7m/s
22:00
983hPa 1J/kg 74% 9.6°C 100% 100% 86% 1.5mm 100% 0.01mm 33dBZ -28° 100% 8.7mm - - 1.6m/s
23:00
984hPa 1J/kg 100% 10°C 100% 100% 87% 0.96mm 100% 0.04mm 32dBZ -37° 100% 10mm 20m/s 32m/s 1.7m/s
Sat, Mar 14 Sunrise 07:29 Sunset 19:18
24:00
984hPa 1J/kg 86% 11°C 100% 100% 71% 0.75mm 99% 0.06mm 26dBZ -43° 100% 0.88mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
985hPa 0J/kg 100% 14°C 82% 100% 55% 0mm 98% 0.1mm 19dBZ -47° 100% 1.3mm - - 1.5m/s
02:00
985hPa 0J/kg 100% 16°C 100% 100% 39% 0.01mm 96% 0.1mm 12dBZ -46° 100% 1.4mm 23m/s 34m/s 1.7m/s
03:00
986hPa 9J/kg 88% 17°C 100% 5% 45% 0.01mm 92% 0.06mm 7.6dBZ -42° 100% 1.4mm - - 2.7m/s
04:00
987hPa 15J/kg 0% 15°C 100% 0% 50% 0mm 91% 0.09mm 3.4dBZ -35° 100% 1.6mm - - 2.4m/s
05:00
988hPa 9J/kg 0% 16°C 100% 0% 56% 0.01mm 88% 0.04mm -0.73dBZ -26° 100% 1.6mm 20m/s 32m/s 1.8m/s
06:00
989hPa 30J/kg 0% 16°C 99% 0% 50% 0.02mm 90% 0.11mm -1.3dBZ -16° 99% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
07:00
989hPa 20J/kg 0% 17°C 92% 0% 45% 0mm 90% 0.08mm -1.9dBZ -5.9° 92% 0.19mm - - 0.69m/s
08:00
990hPa 13J/kg 0% 17°C 74% 0% 39% 0mm 89% 0.03mm -2.6dBZ 4.7° 74% 0.19mm 16m/s 35m/s 0.66m/s
09:00
991hPa 19J/kg 0% 16°C 100% 0% 45% 0mm 86% 0.08mm -1.1dBZ 15° 100% 0.31mm - - 1.6m/s
10:00
992hPa 32J/kg 0% 16°C 75% 0% 50% 0mm 78% 0.09mm 0.39dBZ 24° 75% 0.38mm - - 2.1m/s
11:00
993hPa 25J/kg 5% 17°C 97% 0% 56% 0mm 66% 0.06mm 1.9dBZ 33° 97% 0.44mm 13m/s 39m/s 3.4m/s
12:00
994hPa 24J/kg 26% 17°C 100% 0% 37% 0mm 59% 0.04mm -5.4dBZ 39° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.2m/s
13:00
994hPa 19J/kg 100% 17°C 98% 0% 19% 0mm 54% 0.03mm -13dBZ 42° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.7m/s
14:00
995hPa 16J/kg 100% 18°C 96% 0% 0% 0mm 51% 0.01mm -20dBZ 42° 100% 0.13mm 14m/s 41m/s 4.9m/s
15:00
995hPa 11J/kg 100% 18°C 89% 0% 0% 0mm 51% 0.01mm -15dBZ 38° 100% 0.13mm - - 4.8m/s
16:00
996hPa 11J/kg 100% 19°C 40% 0% 0% 0mm 53% 0.01mm -10dBZ 31° 100% 0.13mm - - 4.5m/s
17:00
996hPa 10J/kg 100% 20°C 37% 0% 0% 0mm 54% 0.01mm -5dBZ 23° 100% 0.13mm 17m/s 38m/s 3.9m/s
18:00
996hPa 10J/kg 100% 20°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0.01mm -10dBZ 13° 100% 0mm - - 3m/s
19:00
996hPa 2J/kg 100% 21°C 7% 5% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -15dBZ 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
20:00
997hPa 0J/kg 87% 22°C 7% 5% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -7.7° 87% 0mm 17m/s 34m/s 0.35m/s
21:00
997hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 8% 2% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 100% 0mm - - 0.83m/s
22:00
997hPa 0J/kg 58% 22°C 6% 4% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 58% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
23:00
997hPa 0J/kg 48% 22°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -36° 48% 0mm 14m/s 34m/s 1.8m/s
Sun, Mar 15 Sunrise 07:27 Sunset 19:20
24:00
997hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 4% 5% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -43° 100% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
997hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 2% 5% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -46° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
02:00
998hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 5% 42% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -46° 100% 0mm 15m/s 34m/s 1.8m/s
03:00
997hPa 0J/kg 79% 22°C 17% 60% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 79% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
04:00
997hPa 0J/kg 9% 22°C 5% 9% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 9% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
05:00
997hPa 0J/kg 41% 21°C 5% 7% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -26° 41% 0mm 28m/s 33m/s 1.9m/s
06:00
997hPa 0J/kg 100% 21°C 5% 100% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 100% 0mm - - 2m/s
07:00
997hPa 0J/kg 100% 20°C 5% 82% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -5.6° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
08:00
996hPa 0J/kg 14% 19°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 100% 0mm 28m/s 26m/s 1.9m/s
09:00
996hPa 0J/kg 99% 20°C 100% 100% 0% 0.05mm 67% 0mm -7.6dBZ 15° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
10:00
996hPa 0J/kg 84% 20°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm 4.7dBZ 25° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.7m/s
11:00
995hPa 0J/kg 100% 19°C 100% 100% 0% 0.02mm 62% 0mm 17dBZ 33° 100% 0.06mm 24m/s 33m/s 1.9m/s
12:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 87% 19°C 83% 100% 0% 0.01mm 62% 0mm 12dBZ 39° 100% 0.04mm - - 2.3m/s
13:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 75% 18°C 65% 99% 0% 0.007mm 62% 0mm 6.8dBZ 42° 100% 0.02mm - - 2.6m/s
14:00
1021hPa 0J/kg 62% 18°C 48% 99% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm 1.6dBZ 42° 99% 0mm 16m/s 39m/s 3m/s
15:00
1021hPa 0J/kg 43% 17°C 65% 99% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm 7.5dBZ 38° 100% 0mm - - 3m/s
16:00
1021hPa 0J/kg 25% 15°C 83% 100% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm 13dBZ 32° 100% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
17:00
1022hPa 0J/kg 6% 14°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm 19dBZ 23° 100% 0mm 17m/s 33m/s 2.9m/s
18:00
1021hPa 0J/kg 7% 15°C 96% 100% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm 11dBZ 13° 100% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
19:00
1021hPa 0J/kg 8% 16°C 92% 100% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm 1.9dBZ 3.2° 100% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
20:00
1020hPa 0J/kg 8% 16°C 89% 99% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -6.9dBZ -7.5° 100% 0mm 21m/s 30m/s 3.7m/s
21:00
1020hPa 0J/kg 39% 15°C 75% 82% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -0.38dBZ -18° 100% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
22:00
1020hPa 0J/kg 69% 15°C 62% 65% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm 6.1dBZ -28° 100% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
23:00
1020hPa 0J/kg 100% 14°C 49% 47% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm 13dBZ -36° 100% 0mm 19m/s 27m/s 3.7m/s
Mon, Mar 16 Sunrise 07:25 Sunset 19:21
24:00
1020hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 66% 65% 0% 0.14mm 61% 0mm 1.8dBZ -43° 100% 0.1mm - - 4m/s
01:00
1021hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 83% 82% 0% 0.27mm 64% 0mm -9dBZ -46° 100% 0.21mm - - 4.2m/s
02:00
1021hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.7°C 100% 100% 0% 0.41mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -46° 100% 0.31mm 22m/s 24m/s 4.5m/s
03:00
1020hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 83% 100% 17% 0.27mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -41° 100% 0.38mm - - 4m/s
04:00
1020hPa 0J/kg 99% 13°C 67% 100% 33% 0.14mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 100% 0.44mm - - 3.6m/s
05:00
1020hPa 0J/kg 99% 15°C 50% 100% 50% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -26° 100% 0.5mm 13m/s 15m/s 3.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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