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Rule Storm Chaser

Columbia River Gorge - Storm Chaser - Pacific Northwest

Cascade Locks, 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
Visibility 85% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts0.8m/s
Precipitation Chance100%
Air Pressure948.3hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index4.1°C
Wind Gusts0.8m/s
Precipitation0.9mm

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
17:0015%63%0J/kg4.2°C24135m12m/s
18:0015%57%0J/kg5.1°C24134m12m/s
19:0022%0.1%0J/kg6.6°C24135m11m/s
20:000%3.7%0J/kg6.2°C24134m11m/s
21:000%9%0J/kg4.3°C24135m5.9m/s
22:0019%4.6%0J/kg4.9°C24134m5.3m/s
23:000%14%0J/kg3.7°C24134m5.8m/s
Sun, Feb 22
24:000%15%0J/kg4.5°C24134m4.7m/s
01:0020%15%0J/kg5.3°C24135m4.9m/s
02:000%14%0J/kg5°C24135m5.2m/s
03:000%12%0J/kg4.5°C17370m5.6m/s
04:0020%8%0J/kg5°C24134m5.3m/s
05:000%0.4%0J/kg4.4°C24135m5.4m/s
06:000%62%0J/kg4.4°C9465m5.5m/s
07:0046%59%0J/kg3.6°C498m5.2m/s
08:0031%64%1J/kg4.2°C933m4.9m/s
09:0027%33%1J/kg2.8°C4167m4.6m/s
10:0044%55%1J/kg2.8°C86m4.2m/s
11:0034%54%0J/kg3.2°C30m3.1m/s
12:0038%56%0J/kg4.5°C26m1.9m/s
13:0055%60%0J/kg4.7°C26m1.1m/s
14:0040%50%7J/kg4.4°C36m1.5m/s
15:0040%59%1J/kg4.3°C57m1.8m/s
16:0053%31%0J/kg4.4°C51m2.6m/s
17:0020%57%1J/kg4.6°C73m1.5m/s
18:0031%56%0J/kg4.1°C107m0.81m/s
19:0044%0.3%0J/kg4.4°C132m2m/s
20:0035%0%1J/kg4.5°C132m1.4m/s
21:0034%0%1J/kg4.3°C114m2m/s
22:0051%0.5%14J/kg3.8°C95m2m/s
23:0020%0%6J/kg3.9°C63m2m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:0020%0.2%13J/kg3.3°C61m1.9m/s
01:0041%0.1%11J/kg3.9°C65m1.4m/s
02:0032%0%21J/kg2.7°C55m1.2m/s
03:0034%0%6J/kg3.9°C61m2.4m/s
04:0047%0%1J/kg2.8°C70m2.1m/s
05:0032%0%2J/kg3°C71m2m/s
06:0035%55%20J/kg2.4°C92m1m/s
07:0049%64%17J/kg2.2°C112m1.1m/s
08:0038%64%2J/kg3.2°C73m3m/s
09:0043%61%1J/kg2.9°C111m1.1m/s
10:0055%51%1J/kg3.4°C119m1.1m/s
11:0038%51%1J/kg4.1°C101m1.2m/s
12:0038%51%1J/kg4.4°C90m2.7m/s
13:0055%51%1J/kg3.5°C64m1m/s
14:0040%51%1J/kg4.2°C65m0.8m/s
15:0041%60%1J/kg4.8°C84m1.4m/s
16:0053%60%2J/kg4.6°C82m1.2m/s
17:0020%64%2J/kg6°C105m1.4m/s
18:0022%64%2J/kg6.4°C100m1.2m/s
19:0044%0%2J/kg6.2°C127m1m/s
20:0036%0%1J/kg6.1°C129m1m/s
21:0036%0%1J/kg7.6°C124m1m/s
22:0047%0%1J/kg8.4°C103m0.82m/s
23:0032%0%1J/kg6.9°C114m1.1m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:0032%0%1J/kg6.4°C72m1m/s
01:0048%0%1J/kg7°C85m1m/s
02:0036%0%2J/kg6.7°C84m0.91m/s
03:0041%0%1J/kg5°C72m1.1m/s
04:0053%0%1J/kg4.5°C68m0.92m/s
05:0036%0%2J/kg5.1°C110m1m/s
06:0035%55%5J/kg3.8°C91m0.62m/s
07:0047%64%23J/kg5°C61m0.72m/s
08:0041%60%40J/kg3.3°C81m2.4m/s
09:0040%75%49J/kg4°C52m0.81m/s
10:0053%64%40J/kg4.7°C38m1.3m/s
11:0020%34%15J/kg5.7°C25m2m/s
12:0020%48%14J/kg5.6°C22m1.9m/s
13:0041%30%7J/kg5.7°C32m2.3m/s
14:0032%47%14J/kg6.2°C34m3.2m/s
15:0036%31%0J/kg7.1°C49m2.6m/s
16:0048%30%0J/kg7.1°C58m3.2m/s
17:0034%63%3J/kg7.8°C80m4.5m/s
18:0034%64%0J/kg9.4°C70m4.8m/s
19:0051%8.6%8J/kg12°C32m5.2m/s
20:0035%12%4J/kg13°C1161m4.8m/s
21:0018%13%2J/kg13°C20974m4.7m/s
22:0042%15%6J/kg13°C2700m5.6m/s
23:0031%0%9.7J/kg13°C1823m6.4m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:0032%0%13J/kg13°C946m7.1m/s
01:0043%0%17J/kg13°C69m7.8m/s
02:0022%0%13J/kg13°C79m7.9m/s
03:0021%0%8.3J/kg14°C88m7.9m/s
04:0043%0%4J/kg14°C98m7.9m/s
05:0022%0%12J/kg15°C905m7.7m/s
06:0020%25%19J/kg15°C1713m7.4m/s
07:0035%29%27J/kg15°C2520m7.1m/s
08:0018%30%26J/kg15°C2917m7m/s
09:0017%47%26J/kg15°C3313m6.9m/s
10:0033%45%25J/kg15°C3709m6.8m/s
11:000%40%21J/kg15°C10518m5.9m/s
12:000%23%18J/kg15°C17326m4.9m/s
13:0018%21%14J/kg15°C24135m4m/s
14:000%21%9.3J/kg14°C24135m3.2m/s
15:000%42%4.7J/kg14°C24135m2.5m/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 06:56 Sunset 17:44
18:00
948hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.1°C 100% 100% 100% 1.6mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ -3.3° 100% 0.94mm - - 0.85m/s
19:00
948hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.4°C 100% 100% 100% 1.3mm 100% 0mm 20dBZ -14° 100% 1.9mm 32m/s 38m/s 1.6m/s
20:00
948hPa 1J/kg 0% 4.5°C 100% 99% 100% 1.4mm 100% 0mm 15dBZ -24° 100% 3.2mm - - 1.6m/s
21:00
948hPa 1J/kg 0% 4.3°C 100% 100% 100% 1.2mm 100% 0mm 9.1dBZ -34° 100% 4.4mm - - 1.5m/s
22:00
949hPa 14J/kg 0% 3.8°C 100% 71% 100% 0.32mm 100% 0.04mm 3.7dBZ -43° 100% 5.1mm 32m/s 39m/s 1.6m/s
23:00
948hPa 6J/kg 0% 3.9°C 100% 87% 100% 0.24mm 100% 0mm 10dBZ -50° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.4m/s
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 06:56 Sunset 17:44
24:00
948hPa 13J/kg 6% 3.3°C 100% 100% 100% 0.39mm 100% 0.01mm 17dBZ -54° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.4m/s
01:00
949hPa 11J/kg 66% 3.9°C 100% 100% 100% 0.14mm 100% 0mm 24dBZ -53° 100% 0.94mm 26m/s 33m/s 1.6m/s
02:00
948hPa 21J/kg 100% 2.7°C 100% 100% 100% 0.32mm 100% 0.03mm 29dBZ -48° 100% 1.1mm - - 1.3m/s
03:00
948hPa 6J/kg 100% 3.9°C 100% 57% 100% 0.12mm 100% 0.02mm 34dBZ -41° 100% 1.5mm - - 1.7m/s
04:00
947hPa 1J/kg 100% 2.8°C 100% 100% 100% 1.4mm 100% 0.02mm 39dBZ -31° 100% 1.9mm 16m/s 31m/s 1.5m/s
05:00
947hPa 2J/kg 100% 3°C 100% 100% 100% 0.94mm 100% 0.01mm 37dBZ -21° 100% 0.88mm - - 1.5m/s
06:00
947hPa 20J/kg 100% 2.4°C 100% 100% 100% 0.87mm 100% 0.03mm 35dBZ -11° 100% 2.2mm - - 1.1m/s
07:00
946hPa 17J/kg 100% 2.2°C 100% 100% 100% 2.3mm 100% 0mm 34dBZ 0.33° 100% 3.6mm 14m/s 35m/s 1.2m/s
08:00
946hPa 2J/kg 100% 3.2°C 100% 100% 100% 0.85mm 100% 0mm 33dBZ 9.8° 100% 4.7mm - - 1.6m/s
09:00
946hPa 1J/kg 100% 2.9°C 100% 100% 100% 2.5mm 100% 0mm 32dBZ 19° 100% 6.9mm - - 1.3m/s
10:00
946hPa 1J/kg 100% 3.4°C 100% 100% 100% 3mm 100% 0mm 32dBZ 26° 100% 9.6mm 29m/s 38m/s 1.3m/s
11:00
946hPa 1J/kg 100% 4.1°C 100% 100% 100% 2.3mm 100% 0mm 32dBZ 32° 100% 2.6mm - - 1.5m/s
12:00
947hPa 1J/kg 100% 4.4°C 100% 100% 100% 2.6mm 100% 0mm 32dBZ 35° 100% 4.8mm - - 1.9m/s
13:00
946hPa 1J/kg 100% 3.5°C 100% 100% 100% 1.1mm 100% 0mm 32dBZ 34° 100% 6.4mm 27m/s 37m/s 1.1m/s
14:00
946hPa 1J/kg 100% 4.2°C 100% 100% 100% 1.2mm 100% 0mm 29dBZ 30° 100% 7.5mm - - 0.89m/s
15:00
945hPa 1J/kg 100% 4.8°C 100% 100% 100% 1.1mm 100% 0mm 26dBZ 24° 100% 8.7mm - - 1.5m/s
16:00
945hPa 2J/kg 100% 4.6°C 100% 100% 100% 0.69mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ 16° 100% 9.4mm 34m/s 34m/s 1.3m/s
17:00
944hPa 2J/kg 100% 6°C 100% 100% 100% 0.69mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ 100% 0.69mm - - 1.4m/s
18:00
944hPa 2J/kg 100% 6.4°C 100% 100% 100% 0.06mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ -3.1° 100% 1mm - - 1.3m/s
19:00
944hPa 2J/kg 100% 6.2°C 100% 100% 100% 0.97mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ -14° 100% 1.7mm 22m/s 29m/s 1.1m/s
20:00
943hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.1°C 100% 100% 100% 1.4mm 100% 0mm 24dBZ -24° 100% 2.5mm - - 1m/s
21:00
943hPa 1J/kg 100% 7.6°C 100% 100% 100% 1.1mm 100% 0mm 26dBZ -34° 100% 3.8mm - - 1.3m/s
22:00
942hPa 1J/kg 100% 8.4°C 100% 100% 100% 1.4mm 100% 0mm 27dBZ -43° 100% 4.7mm 20m/s 32m/s 0.9m/s
23:00
942hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.9°C 100% 100% 100% 1.4mm 100% 0mm 26dBZ -50° 100% 1.5mm - - 1.3m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 06:54 Sunset 17:45
24:00
941hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.4°C 100% 100% 99% 0.7mm 100% 0mm 24dBZ -53° 100% 2.2mm - - 1.3m/s
01:00
941hPa 1J/kg 100% 7°C 100% 100% 99% 1.2mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ -53° 100% 3.1mm 30m/s 40m/s 1.2m/s
02:00
940hPa 2J/kg 100% 6.7°C 100% 100% 99% 1mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ -48° 100% 4.4mm - - 1.2m/s
03:00
939hPa 1J/kg 100% 5°C 100% 100% 99% 0.65mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ -40° 100% 5.2mm - - 1.4m/s
04:00
939hPa 1J/kg 100% 4.5°C 100% 99% 99% 0.77mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ -31° 100% 5.8mm 31m/s 37m/s 1.1m/s
05:00
938hPa 2J/kg 100% 5.1°C 100% 100% 97% 3.1mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ -21° 100% 1.4mm - - 1.2m/s
06:00
938hPa 5J/kg 98% 3.8°C 100% 100% 95% 1.4mm 100% 0mm 23dBZ -10° 100% 3.2mm - - 0.73m/s
07:00
938hPa 23J/kg 100% 5°C 100% 100% 93% 0.47mm 100% 0.02mm 22dBZ 0.58° 100% 4mm 21m/s 38m/s 0.79m/s
08:00
939hPa 40J/kg 100% 3.3°C 100% 100% 95% 1.5mm 100% 0.01mm 24dBZ 10° 100% 5.3mm - - 1.9m/s
09:00
939hPa 49J/kg 42% 4°C 100% 100% 97% 0.22mm 100% 0.03mm 25dBZ 19° 100% 5.7mm - - 0.75m/s
10:00
939hPa 40J/kg 11% 4.7°C 100% 13% 99% 0.24mm 100% 0.05mm 26dBZ 27° 100% 6.1mm 18m/s 36m/s 1.5m/s
11:00
939hPa 15J/kg 100% 5.7°C 100% 0% 96% 0.08mm 100% 0.02mm 25dBZ 32° 100% 0.25mm - - 1.4m/s
12:00
939hPa 14J/kg 47% 5.6°C 100% 0% 93% 0.11mm 100% 0mm 25dBZ 35° 100% 0.31mm - - 1.3m/s
13:00
939hPa 7J/kg 5% 5.7°C 100% 0% 90% 0.51mm 100% 0mm 24dBZ 34° 100% 0.94mm 17m/s 38m/s 1.5m/s
14:00
939hPa 14J/kg 0% 6.2°C 100% 100% 91% 0.63mm 100% 0mm 26dBZ 31° 100% 1.8mm - - 1.9m/s
15:00
939hPa 0J/kg 4% 7.1°C 100% 1% 92% 1.1mm 100% 0mm 28dBZ 25° 100% 3mm - - 1.5m/s
16:00
940hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.1°C 100% 2% 93% 1.3mm 100% 0mm 30dBZ 17° 100% 4.4mm 21m/s 43m/s 1.8m/s
17:00
940hPa 3J/kg 0% 7.8°C 100% 100% 87% 1.6mm 100% 0.01mm 32dBZ 7.2° 100% 0.75mm - - 2.7m/s
18:00
941hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.4°C 100% 98% 81% 0.91mm 100% 0mm 34dBZ -2.8° 100% 2.2mm - - 2.5m/s
19:00
942hPa 8J/kg 0% 12°C 100% 14% 75% 0.08mm 100% 0.04mm 35dBZ -13° 100% 2.6mm 19m/s 46m/s 2.4m/s
20:00
943hPa 4J/kg 0% 13°C 100% 0% 76% 0.07mm 98% 0.01mm 32dBZ -24° 100% 2.6mm - - 2.6m/s
21:00
945hPa 2J/kg 0% 13°C 100% 0% 77% 0.02mm 99% 0.03mm 29dBZ -34° 100% 2.7mm - - 2.4m/s
22:00
946hPa 6J/kg 0% 13°C 88% 0% 78% 0.01mm 99% 0.04mm 26dBZ -43° 88% 2.8mm 15m/s 46m/s 2.7m/s
23:00
942hPa 9.7J/kg 0% 13°C 92% 0% 79% 0.03mm 99% 0.04mm 23dBZ -49° 92% 2.1mm - - 2.7m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 06:52 Sunset 17:47
24:00
938hPa 13J/kg 0% 13°C 96% 0% 81% 0.06mm 99% 0.05mm 20dBZ -53° 96% 1.4mm - - 2.7m/s
01:00
934hPa 17J/kg 0% 13°C 100% 0% 82% 0.08mm 100% 0.05mm 16dBZ -52° 100% 0.75mm 18m/s 39m/s 2.8m/s
02:00
935hPa 13J/kg 0% 13°C 100% 0% 85% 0.08mm 99% 0.04mm 17dBZ -48° 100% 0.85mm - - 2.9m/s
03:00
936hPa 8.3J/kg 0% 14°C 100% 0% 87% 0.09mm 99% 0.03mm 17dBZ -40° 100% 0.96mm - - 3m/s
04:00
937hPa 4J/kg 0% 14°C 100% 0% 90% 0.09mm 99% 0.02mm 17dBZ -31° 100% 1.1mm 15m/s 16m/s 3.1m/s
05:00
937hPa 12J/kg 0% 15°C 100% 0% 86% 0.06mm 98% 0.07mm 15dBZ -20° 100% 0.88mm - - 3.2m/s
06:00
938hPa 19J/kg 0% 15°C 99% 0% 81% 0.03mm 98% 0.13mm 12dBZ -9.9° 99% 0.69mm - - 3.3m/s
07:00
938hPa 27J/kg 0% 15°C 99% 0% 77% 0mm 97% 0.18mm 9.6dBZ 0.83° 99% 0.5mm 15m/s 15m/s 3.4m/s
08:00
938hPa 26J/kg 0% 15°C 86% 0% 80% 0.03mm 98% 0.14mm 8.9dBZ 10° 86% 0.67mm - - 3.2m/s
09:00
938hPa 26J/kg 0% 15°C 73% 0% 82% 0.05mm 98% 0.11mm 8.1dBZ 19° 73% 0.83mm - - 3m/s
10:00
938hPa 25J/kg 0% 15°C 60% 0% 85% 0.08mm 98% 0.07mm 7.4dBZ 27° 60% 1mm 15m/s 15m/s 2.8m/s
11:00
938hPa 21J/kg 0% 15°C 73% 0% 77% 0.06mm 98% 0.06mm 10dBZ 33° 73% 0.73mm - - 2.4m/s
12:00
939hPa 18J/kg 0% 15°C 86% 0% 69% 0.03mm 98% 0.05mm 13dBZ 35° 86% 0.46mm - - 1.9m/s
13:00
939hPa 14J/kg 0% 15°C 99% 0% 61% 0.01mm 97% 0.04mm 16dBZ 35° 99% 0.19mm 12m/s 15m/s 1.5m/s
14:00
939hPa 9.3J/kg 0% 14°C 87% 0% 59% 0.01mm 97% 0.03mm 15dBZ 31° 87% 0.21mm - - 1.3m/s
15:00
939hPa 4.7J/kg 0% 14°C 75% 0% 58% 0.01mm 96% 0.01mm 15dBZ 25° 75% 0.23mm - - 1.2m/s
16:00
939hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 63% 0% 56% 0.01mm 95% 0mm 14dBZ 17° 63% 0.25mm 13m/s 15m/s 1.1m/s
17:00
939hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 48% 0% 45% 0.007mm 96% 0mm 12dBZ 7.5° 48% 0.17mm - - 1.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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