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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 99% failing
Cloud Drama Score 82% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts2.6m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure938.6hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index2.7°C
Wind Gusts2.6m/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 74 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
Sun, Apr 19
21:000%61%0J/kg3.5°C24135m1.2m/s
22:000%3.2%0J/kg3.3°C24135m1.4m/s
23:0015%1.1%0J/kg2.9°C24134m2.5m/s
Mon, Apr 20
24:000%0%0J/kg3.4°C24135m2.7m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg2.7°C24134m2.6m/s
02:0015%0.2%0J/kg2.3°C24135m1.7m/s
03:000%1%0J/kg2.1°C24135m1.7m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg1.6°C24134m1.4m/s
05:0015%0%0J/kg1.8°C24135m1.4m/s
06:000%46%0J/kg1.9°C24134m1.4m/s
07:000%46%0J/kg2.8°C24135m2m/s
08:0015%43%0J/kg3.5°C24134m3.1m/s
09:000%36%0J/kg3.5°C24134m3.3m/s
10:000%37%0J/kg4°C24135m3.4m/s
11:0017%37%0J/kg3.8°C24134m3.7m/s
12:000%39%0J/kg3.4°C24135m3.8m/s
13:000%45%0J/kg1.6°C24134m2.2m/s
14:0017%39%0J/kg0.5°C24135m0.72m/s
15:000%50%21J/kg-0.6°C24135m2.9m/s
16:000%74%15J/kg0.7°C24134m4.2m/s
17:0016%56%1J/kg0.5°C24134m3.7m/s
18:000%30%0J/kg1.2°C24135m3.7m/s
19:000%43%0J/kg1°C24134m4.5m/s
20:0015%39%0J/kg1.7°C24135m2.9m/s
21:000%30%0J/kg0.3°C24135m1.2m/s
22:000%15%36J/kg0.4°C24134m1.5m/s
23:0018%15%29J/kg0.6°C24134m2.7m/s
Tue, Apr 21
24:0014%7.7%10J/kg0.6°C2597m1.9m/s
01:0017%8%18J/kg0.8°C987m1.9m/s
02:0038%6.9%0J/kg0.9°C981m1.4m/s
03:0019%2.3%2J/kg1°C698m2.4m/s
04:0020%5.3%9J/kg0.7°C244m3.3m/s
05:0035%5.2%0J/kg0.8°C131m2.5m/s
06:0018%33%0J/kg1°C100m2.5m/s
07:0018%66%0J/kg0.8°C88m3.7m/s
08:0037%58%0J/kg1.1°C73m3.2m/s
09:0020%63%0J/kg1.8°C102m3.8m/s
10:0018%52%0J/kg2.6°C554m1.8m/s
11:0035%46%1J/kg3.6°C764m4.4m/s
12:0019%42%1J/kg4.9°C799m4.2m/s
13:0019%42%0J/kg4.5°C917m3.4m/s
14:0032%40%2J/kg5.2°C2604m4m/s
15:0030%44%2J/kg5.7°C254m4.1m/s
16:0030%39%1J/kg5.3°C144m3.6m/s
17:0036%47%1J/kg5.7°C807m4m/s
18:0015%55%0J/kg5.5°C3310m4m/s
19:0015%59%0J/kg6.5°C3977m4.1m/s
20:0027%59%0J/kg6.7°C3094m4.1m/s
21:0017%53%0J/kg7.3°C969m5.1m/s
22:0018%0%0J/kg7.1°C587m4.3m/s
23:0031%0%1J/kg8.2°C254m5.4m/s
Wed, Apr 22
24:0020%0%1J/kg8.8°C143m6.9m/s
01:0023%0%0J/kg9.1°C200m9m/s
02:0036%0%0J/kg9.5°C1704m9.2m/s
03:0038%0%1J/kg9.3°C620m10m/s
04:0044%0%1J/kg9.9°C582m11m/s
05:0048%60%2J/kg9.7°C311m11m/s
06:0045%70%8.7J/kg10°C278m11m/s
07:0040%70%15J/kg10°C246m11m/s
08:0048%65%22J/kg10°C213m11m/s
09:0041%55%20J/kg10°C258m11m/s
10:0040%55%17J/kg9.7°C303m11m/s
11:0055%45%15J/kg9.3°C348m10m/s
12:0041%45%15J/kg9°C277m10m/s
13:0041%45%16J/kg8.8°C206m9.7m/s
14:0044%32%16J/kg8.5°C134m9.4m/s
15:0039%42%24J/kg8.5°C154m8.9m/s
16:0036%43%32J/kg8.5°C174m8.4m/s
17:0044%23%40J/kg8.6°C193m7.9m/s
18:0035%27%36J/kg8.5°C581m7.7m/s
19:0034%27%31J/kg8.4°C970m7.5m/s
20:0033%29%27J/kg8.3°C1358m7.3m/s
21:0019%25%19J/kg7.8°C1481m6.7m/s
22:0030%0%10J/kg7.3°C1605m6.1m/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
Mon, Apr 20 Sunrise 06:13 Sunset 20:00
01:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.7°C 0% 88% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
02:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.3°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -31° 100% 0mm 13m/s 12m/s 2m/s
03:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.1°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -14dBZ -27° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
04:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.6°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -7.4dBZ -21° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
05:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.8°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -1.1dBZ -12° 100% 0mm 14m/s 13m/s 1.7m/s
06:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.9°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -4.2dBZ -2.8° 100% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
07:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.8°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -7.4dBZ 7.3° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
08:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.5°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -11dBZ 18° 100% 0mm 10m/s 17m/s 1.9m/s
09:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.5°C 0% 100% 9% 0mm 65% 0mm -14dBZ 28° 100% 0mm - - 2m/s
10:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 4°C 0% 100% 17% 0mm 56% 0mm -17dBZ 38° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
11:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.8°C 0% 100% 26% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 100% 0mm 18m/s 19m/s 2.2m/s
12:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.4°C 0% 100% 40% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
13:00
938hPa 0J/kg 94% 1.6°C 0% 96% 54% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 96% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
14:00
938hPa 0J/kg 8% 0.5°C 0% 86% 69% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 54° 86% 0mm 12m/s 21m/s 0.6m/s
15:00
938hPa 21J/kg 0% -0.6°C 5% 43% 74% 0mm 41% 0mm -13dBZ 48° 43% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
16:00
938hPa 15J/kg 0% 0.7°C 52% 48% 79% 0mm 55% 0mm -5.1dBZ 40° 53% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
17:00
938hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.5°C 12% 99% 85% 0mm 53% 0mm 2.3dBZ 30° 99% 0mm 9.8m/s 23m/s 2.4m/s
18:00
938hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.2°C 5% 5% 64% 0mm 55% 0mm 2.7dBZ 20° 5% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
19:00
939hPa 0J/kg 0% 1°C 7% 96% 44% 0mm 70% 0mm 3.1dBZ 9.6° 96% 0mm - - 3m/s
20:00
939hPa 0J/kg 5% 1.7°C 6% 5% 24% 0mm 91% 0mm 3.5dBZ -0.2° 6% 0mm 9.1m/s 20m/s 2.2m/s
21:00
939hPa 0J/kg 90% 0.3°C 4% 7% 28% 0mm 97% 0mm -4dBZ -10° 90% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
22:00
939hPa 36J/kg 91% 0.4°C 9% 81% 33% 0mm 98% 0mm -12dBZ -19° 93% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
23:00
939hPa 29J/kg 10% 0.6°C 28% 54% 37% 0mm 99% 0mm -19dBZ -26° 56% 0mm 13m/s 21m/s 1.9m/s
Tue, Apr 21 Sunrise 06:11 Sunset 20:01
24:00
939hPa 10J/kg 0% 0.6°C 98% 90% 39% 0mm 100% 0mm -6.2dBZ -31° 100% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
939hPa 18J/kg 0% 0.8°C 99% 100% 41% 0.04mm 98% 0mm 6.8dBZ -32° 100% 0mm - - 1m/s
02:00
939hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.9°C 77% 57% 43% 0mm 98% 0mm 20dBZ -31° 78% 0.13mm 13m/s 29m/s 1.1m/s
03:00
939hPa 2J/kg 0% 1°C 99% 100% 47% 0mm 99% 0mm 16dBZ -27° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.5m/s
04:00
939hPa 9J/kg 0% 0.7°C 100% 46% 51% 0mm 98% 0.01mm 12dBZ -20° 100% 0.13mm - - 2m/s
05:00
939hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.8°C 100% 67% 54% 0.07mm 98% 0.01mm 7.5dBZ -12° 100% 0.13mm 8.4m/s 22m/s 1.7m/s
06:00
939hPa 0J/kg 0% 1°C 100% 7% 57% 0.01mm 98% 0mm 7.2dBZ -2.5° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
07:00
939hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.8°C 100% 95% 61% 0.04mm 98% 0mm 6.9dBZ 7.6° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.2m/s
08:00
939hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.1°C 100% 79% 64% 0.02mm 98% 0.03mm 6.6dBZ 18° 100% 0.13mm 13m/s 25m/s 1.6m/s
09:00
940hPa 0J/kg 14% 1.8°C 100% 100% 68% 0.28mm 97% 0.03mm 10dBZ 28° 100% 0.19mm - - 2.3m/s
10:00
940hPa 0J/kg 99% 2.6°C 100% 100% 72% 0.23mm 96% 0.02mm 14dBZ 38° 100% 0.38mm - - 0.98m/s
11:00
941hPa 1J/kg 100% 3.6°C 100% 100% 76% 0.79mm 96% 0.05mm 17dBZ 47° 100% 0.63mm 8.7m/s 23m/s 2.3m/s
12:00
941hPa 1J/kg 100% 4.9°C 100% 100% 67% 0.05mm 98% 0.05mm 14dBZ 54° 100% 0.69mm - - 2.4m/s
13:00
940hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.5°C 100% 100% 58% 0.19mm 98% 0.04mm 11dBZ 56° 100% 0.88mm - - 1.8m/s
14:00
940hPa 2J/kg 100% 5.2°C 100% 100% 49% 0.14mm 98% 0.05mm 7.3dBZ 55° 100% 1.1mm 4.6m/s 21m/s 2.1m/s
15:00
940hPa 2J/kg 100% 5.7°C 100% 100% 40% 0.13mm 98% 0.05mm 7.9dBZ 49° 100% 1.3mm - - 2.1m/s
16:00
939hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.3°C 100% 97% 30% 0.04mm 99% 0.05mm 8.5dBZ 40° 100% 1.4mm - - 2m/s
17:00
939hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.7°C 100% 100% 21% 0.01mm 98% 0.05mm 9.1dBZ 31° 100% 1.4mm 4.1m/s 21m/s 2.3m/s
18:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.5°C 100% 100% 25% 0mm 98% 0.02mm 10dBZ 20° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
19:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.5°C 100% 100% 28% 0mm 98% 0.02mm 12dBZ 9.8° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.3m/s
20:00
937hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.7°C 100% 100% 32% 0mm 98% 0.01mm 13dBZ 0.09° 100% 0.06mm 6.9m/s 16m/s 2.2m/s
21:00
937hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.3°C 100% 100% 36% 0mm 99% 0.01mm 9.5dBZ -10° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.7m/s
22:00
937hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.1°C 100% 100% 40% 0.09mm 99% 0.01mm 6.1dBZ -19° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.5m/s
23:00
937hPa 1J/kg 100% 8.2°C 100% 100% 43% 0.15mm 99% 0.03mm 2.7dBZ -26° 100% 0.25mm 9.6m/s 11m/s 2.9m/s
Wed, Apr 22 Sunrise 06:09 Sunset 20:03
24:00
937hPa 1J/kg 100% 8.8°C 100% 100% 51% 0.48mm 99% 0.02mm 7.3dBZ -30° 100% 0.38mm - - 2.9m/s
01:00
937hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.1°C 100% 100% 59% 0.59mm 99% 0.02mm 12dBZ -32° 100% 0.94mm - - 3.2m/s
02:00
937hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.5°C 100% 100% 66% 0.96mm 97% 0.03mm 17dBZ -31° 100% 1.7mm 11m/s 5.4m/s 3.1m/s
03:00
937hPa 1J/kg 100% 9.3°C 100% 100% 71% 1.6mm 98% 0.05mm 9.9dBZ -27° 100% 3.1mm - - 3.3m/s
04:00
937hPa 1J/kg 100% 9.9°C 100% 100% 75% 2.4mm 98% 0.08mm 3.3dBZ -20° 100% 5.1mm - - 3.4m/s
05:00
937hPa 2J/kg 100% 9.7°C 100% 100% 80% 2.4mm 99% 0.03mm -3.4dBZ -12° 100% 7.6mm 15m/s 4.3m/s 3.5m/s
06:00
934hPa 8.7J/kg 100% 10°C 100% 100% 82% 2mm 99% 0.12mm 1.7dBZ -2.2° 100% 6.1mm - - 3.7m/s
07:00
931hPa 15J/kg 100% 10°C 100% 100% 84% 1.6mm 99% 0.21mm 6.7dBZ 7.9° 100% 4.6mm - - 3.9m/s
08:00
928hPa 22J/kg 100% 10°C 100% 100% 85% 1.1mm 99% 0.3mm 12dBZ 18° 100% 3.1mm 17m/s 12m/s 4.1m/s
09:00
928hPa 20J/kg 100% 10°C 100% 100% 88% 0.99mm 99% 0.22mm 15dBZ 29° 100% 4mm - - 3.9m/s
10:00
928hPa 17J/kg 100% 9.7°C 100% 100% 90% 0.82mm 99% 0.13mm 17dBZ 39° 100% 4.8mm - - 3.8m/s
11:00
928hPa 15J/kg 100% 9.3°C 100% 100% 93% 0.66mm 99% 0.05mm 20dBZ 47° 100% 5.6mm 16m/s 17m/s 3.6m/s
12:00
928hPa 15J/kg 89% 9°C 100% 70% 92% 0.48mm 99% 0.05mm 24dBZ 54° 100% 4.1mm - - 3.5m/s
13:00
928hPa 16J/kg 78% 8.8°C 100% 40% 92% 0.29mm 99% 0.05mm 28dBZ 57° 100% 2.5mm - - 3.3m/s
14:00
928hPa 16J/kg 66% 8.5°C 100% 10% 92% 0.11mm 99% 0.05mm 32dBZ 55° 100% 0.94mm 14m/s 19m/s 3.1m/s
15:00
929hPa 24J/kg 44% 8.5°C 100% 6% 93% 0.14mm 99% 0.1mm 30dBZ 49° 100% 1.2mm - - 3.4m/s
16:00
929hPa 32J/kg 22% 8.5°C 100% 3% 95% 0.16mm 99% 0.15mm 28dBZ 40° 100% 1.5mm - - 3.6m/s
17:00
929hPa 40J/kg 0% 8.6°C 100% 0% 97% 0.19mm 99% 0.2mm 27dBZ 31° 100% 1.8mm 13m/s 18m/s 3.8m/s
18:00
930hPa 36J/kg 0% 8.5°C 100% 0% 92% 0.15mm 99% 0.17mm 22dBZ 20° 100% 1.4mm - - 3.5m/s
19:00
930hPa 31J/kg 0% 8.4°C 100% 0% 87% 0.1mm 99% 0.15mm 17dBZ 10° 100% 1.1mm - - 3.2m/s
20:00
931hPa 27J/kg 0% 8.3°C 100% 0% 82% 0.06mm 99% 0.12mm 12dBZ 0.26° 100% 0.75mm 12m/s 15m/s 2.9m/s
21:00
931hPa 19J/kg 0% 7.8°C 100% 2% 86% 0.08mm 99% 0.09mm 14dBZ -9.8° 100% 0.9mm - - 2.5m/s
22:00
931hPa 10J/kg 0% 7.3°C 100% 3% 90% 0.09mm 99% 0.06mm 17dBZ -18° 100% 1mm - - 2.1m/s
23:00
932hPa 2J/kg 0% 6.8°C 100% 5% 95% 0.11mm 99% 0.03mm 19dBZ -25° 100% 1.2mm 12m/s 14m/s 1.7m/s
Thu, Apr 23 Sunrise 06:07 Sunset 20:04
24:00
932hPa 1.7J/kg 0% 6.8°C 100% 4% 74% 0.09mm 99% 0.03mm 17dBZ -30° 100% 0.94mm - - 1.6m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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