Skip to content
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

Get notified
Free alerts · takes 30 seconds
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)
Storm Intensity 100% failing
CAPE 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 82% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts2.3m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure945.2hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index11.2°C
Wind Gusts2.3m/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.

Create your own Storm Chaser alerts

Get notified when these conditions match at your own locations.

Get this template

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
Sat, May 23
22:000%17%0J/kg7°C24135m3.5m/s
23:0015%2.4%0J/kg7.5°C24134m3.1m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%1.1%0J/kg8.4°C24134m2.7m/s
01:000%7%0J/kg9.3°C24134m2.6m/s
02:0015%11%0J/kg11°C24134m2.5m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg11°C24135m1.5m/s
04:000%15%0J/kg12°C24134m1.2m/s
05:0015%30%0J/kg12°C24135m1.6m/s
06:000%56%0J/kg11°C24135m2.3m/s
07:000%48%0J/kg11°C24135m2.4m/s
08:0015%52%0J/kg10°C24134m2.5m/s
09:000%26%0J/kg11°C24134m3.1m/s
10:000%28%0J/kg12°C24134m3.6m/s
11:0013%43%0J/kg12°C24134m4.5m/s
12:000%20%0J/kg11°C24135m5.1m/s
13:000%20%0J/kg11°C24134m5.2m/s
14:000%18%0J/kg11°C24135m5.5m/s
15:000%18%0J/kg10°C24134m5.6m/s
16:000%35%0J/kg10°C24135m5.3m/s
17:0015%45%0J/kg9.4°C24135m5m/s
18:000%49%0J/kg8.9°C24135m5.2m/s
19:000%32%0J/kg8.9°C24135m5.1m/s
20:0015%64%0J/kg9.1°C24135m1.6m/s
21:000%61%0J/kg9.2°C24134m1.4m/s
22:000%72%0J/kg9.1°C24134m1m/s
23:0017%11%0J/kg8.8°C24134m1.3m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%7.2%0J/kg10°C24135m1.8m/s
01:000%4.7%0J/kg11°C24134m1.7m/s
02:0018%3.5%0J/kg10°C24135m1.5m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg11°C24135m1.5m/s
04:000%1.8%0J/kg11°C24134m1.1m/s
05:0018%52%0J/kg11°C24135m0.7m/s
06:000%47%0J/kg9.9°C24134m0.92m/s
07:000%46%0J/kg12°C24134m2.2m/s
08:0020%49%0J/kg13°C24134m6.8m/s
09:000%48%0J/kg13°C24134m7.8m/s
10:000%41%0J/kg14°C24135m6.8m/s
11:0022%40%0J/kg12°C24134m9.6m/s
12:000%26%0J/kg11°C24135m12m/s
13:0015%31%2J/kg10°C24134m13m/s
14:0037%29%5J/kg9°C23995m15m/s
15:0020%49%13J/kg6.6°C16067m17m/s
16:0030%55%29J/kg6.1°C11582m13m/s
17:0043%63%64J/kg5.2°C8972m10m/s
18:0025%66%48J/kg6.9°C11420m10m/s
19:0024%78%48J/kg5°C10939m8.6m/s
20:0021%81%22J/kg6.2°C24061m9.8m/s
21:0015%64%13J/kg6.5°C24134m4.8m/s
22:0015%33%36J/kg6.1°C12205m4m/s
23:0030%9.9%45J/kg5.9°C13175m4.5m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%12%31J/kg6°C16948m5.6m/s
01:000%14%19J/kg6.4°C21055m2.3m/s
02:0015%15%19J/kg6°C23658m2.2m/s
03:0015%15%16J/kg5.9°C23568m2.7m/s
04:0015%14%17J/kg6.2°C18754m3.2m/s
05:0015%41%15J/kg6.4°C23212m2.5m/s
06:000%41%12J/kg5.5°C23532m2.3m/s
07:000%40%3J/kg6.1°C19409m2.3m/s
08:000%40%3J/kg6.2°C24125m2.4m/s
09:000%36%11J/kg6°C24134m2.6m/s
10:000%50%21J/kg6.1°C23806m2.6m/s
11:000%48%21J/kg5.5°C24130m2.9m/s
12:000%20%17J/kg5°C24132m3m/s
13:000%20%13J/kg4.6°C24133m3.1m/s
14:000%17%9J/kg4.1°C24135m3.2m/s
15:000%35%6.3J/kg6.2°C23375m2.6m/s
16:000%35%3.7J/kg8.2°C22614m2.1m/s
17:000%43%1J/kg10°C21853m1.5m/s
18:000%91%1.7J/kg10°C21860m1.7m/s
19:000%79%2.3J/kg10°C21867m1.9m/s
20:000%70%3J/kg10°C21873m2.1m/s
21:000%59%2J/kg10°C14623m2.3m/s
22:000%50%1J/kg10°C7372m2.5m/s
23:0029%0%0J/kg10°C121m2.6m/s
Wed, May 27
24:0018%0%0J/kg9.5°C114m2.5m/s
01:0018%0%0J/kg8.6°C108m2.4m/s
02:0031%0%0J/kg7.7°C101m2.3m/s
03:0018%0%0J/kg7°C131m2.1m/s
04:0019%0%0J/kg6.3°C161m2m/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, May 24 Sunrise 05:27 Sunset 20:42
06:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ 4.4° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
07:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
08:00
945hPa 0J/kg 99% 10°C 0% 98% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 100% 0mm 11m/s 12m/s 1.6m/s
09:00
945hPa 0J/kg 96% 11°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 96% 0mm - - 2m/s
10:00
945hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 5% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
11:00
944hPa 0J/kg 64% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 29% 0mm -20dBZ 54° 64% 0mm 8.2m/s 10m/s 2.8m/s
12:00
944hPa 0J/kg 98% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ 62° 98% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
13:00
944hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 26% 0mm -20dBZ 65° 100% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
14:00
943hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 25% 0mm -20dBZ 63° 100% 0mm 9m/s 8.9m/s 3.6m/s
15:00
942hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 25% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 100% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
16:00
942hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 29% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 100% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
17:00
942hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.4°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 100% 0mm 12m/s 12m/s 2.8m/s
18:00
941hPa 0J/kg 91% 8.9°C 0% 97% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 97% 0mm - - 3m/s
19:00
941hPa 0J/kg 5% 8.9°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 43% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 5% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
20:00
941hPa 0J/kg 16% 9.1°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 5.8° 16% 0mm 15m/s 13m/s 1.8m/s
21:00
941hPa 0J/kg 96% 9.2°C 0% 37% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -3.3° 96% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
22:00
941hPa 0J/kg 33% 9.1°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 100% 0mm - - 1m/s
23:00
941hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.8°C 0% 32% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 100% 0mm 17m/s 18m/s 1.4m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 05:26 Sunset 20:43
24:00
941hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -22° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
01:00
941hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 91% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -23° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
02:00
941hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 0% 93% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -22° 100% 0mm 19m/s 21m/s 1.6m/s
03:00
940hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -11dBZ -18° 100% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
940hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -1.7dBZ -12° 100% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
05:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm 7.5dBZ -4.6° 100% 0mm 21m/s 23m/s 0.66m/s
06:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.9°C 0% 100% 13% 0mm 54% 0mm -1.7dBZ 4.5° 100% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
07:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 0% 100% 26% 0mm 54% 0mm -11dBZ 14° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
08:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 13°C 0% 99% 39% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 100% 0mm 21m/s 27m/s 2.1m/s
09:00
938hPa 0J/kg 98% 13°C 0% 99% 59% 0mm 41% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 99% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
10:00
938hPa 0J/kg 69% 14°C 0% 89% 79% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 89% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
11:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 1% 100% 99% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 55° 100% 0mm 21m/s 28m/s 3.5m/s
12:00
938hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 5% 100% 99% 0mm 37% 0mm -13dBZ 62° 100% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
13:00
938hPa 2J/kg 75% 10°C 29% 100% 99% 0.01mm 41% 0mm -6.1dBZ 65° 100% 0mm - - 5.3m/s
14:00
938hPa 5J/kg 98% 9°C 100% 100% 99% 0.22mm 55% 0mm 0.88dBZ 63° 100% 0.06mm 15m/s 33m/s 4.6m/s
15:00
937hPa 13J/kg 100% 6.6°C 100% 100% 99% 0.61mm 61% 0.12mm 8.3dBZ 56° 100% 0.38mm - - 5.9m/s
16:00
938hPa 29J/kg 76% 6.1°C 100% 95% 99% 0.65mm 96% 0.2mm 16dBZ 47° 100% 1.6mm - - 3.1m/s
17:00
937hPa 64J/kg 100% 5.2°C 100% 99% 100% 0.54mm 97% 0.43mm 23dBZ 37° 100% 2.4mm 24m/s 30m/s 3.1m/s
18:00
937hPa 48J/kg 94% 6.9°C 100% 100% 94% 0.04mm 97% 0.54mm 20dBZ 26° 100% 0.94mm - - 3.4m/s
19:00
937hPa 48J/kg 93% 5°C 100% 92% 88% 0mm 97% 0.56mm 17dBZ 16° 100% 1.6mm - - 3.1m/s
20:00
937hPa 22J/kg 1% 6.2°C 45% 0% 82% 0mm 96% 0.13mm 14dBZ 45% 2mm 14m/s 7.3m/s 3.2m/s
21:00
938hPa 13J/kg 0% 6.5°C 76% 0% 82% 0mm 98% 0.04mm 15dBZ -3.2° 76% 2.1mm - - 2m/s
22:00
938hPa 36J/kg 0% 6.1°C 100% 0% 81% 0mm 99% 0.21mm 17dBZ -11° 100% 2.2mm - - 1.6m/s
23:00
938hPa 45J/kg 0% 5.9°C 100% 0% 81% 0.15mm 99% 0.26mm 19dBZ -17° 100% 2.5mm 7.6m/s 12m/s 2m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 05:25 Sunset 20:44
24:00
939hPa 31J/kg 0% 6°C 76% 0% 71% 0.01mm 98% 0.42mm 18dBZ -22° 76% 0.44mm - - 2.1m/s
01:00
939hPa 19J/kg 0% 6.4°C 100% 0% 60% 0mm 98% 0.29mm 18dBZ -23° 100% 0.75mm - - 1.3m/s
02:00
939hPa 19J/kg 0% 6°C 100% 0% 50% 0.01mm 98% 0.16mm 17dBZ -22° 100% 0.94mm 4.8m/s 12m/s 1.4m/s
03:00
939hPa 16J/kg 0% 5.9°C 100% 0% 59% 0.04mm 98% 0.18mm 16dBZ -18° 100% 1.2mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
939hPa 17J/kg 0% 6.2°C 100% 0% 68% 0.08mm 99% 0.19mm 15dBZ -12° 100% 1.4mm - - 1.6m/s
05:00
939hPa 15J/kg 0% 6.4°C 100% 0% 77% 0.01mm 98% 0.15mm 14dBZ -4.4° 100% 1.6mm 1m/s 5.1m/s 1.4m/s
06:00
940hPa 12J/kg 0% 5.5°C 100% 5% 85% 0.09mm 98% 0.1mm 7.3dBZ 4.6° 100% 0.19mm - - 1.3m/s
07:00
940hPa 3J/kg 0% 6.1°C 100% 5% 92% 0.08mm 99% 0.11mm 0.8dBZ 14° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.4m/s
08:00
941hPa 3J/kg 0% 6.2°C 100% 0% 99% 0.02mm 98% 0.07mm -5.7dBZ 25° 100% 0.5mm 3.4m/s 3.6m/s 1.4m/s
09:00
941hPa 11J/kg 0% 6°C 100% 0% 99% 0mm 97% 0.09mm -1.1dBZ 35° 100% 0.63mm - - 1.7m/s
10:00
941hPa 21J/kg 0% 6.1°C 59% 0% 99% 0.01mm 94% 0.18mm 3.4dBZ 45° 59% 0.75mm - - 1.8m/s
11:00
941hPa 21J/kg 0% 5.5°C 69% 0% 99% 0mm 83% 0.14mm 8dBZ 55° 69% 0.94mm 5.2m/s 8.7m/s 2.3m/s
12:00
936hPa 17J/kg 0% 5°C 54% 1% 98% 0.01mm 87% 0.1mm 10dBZ 62° 54% 0.81mm - - 2.1m/s
13:00
932hPa 13J/kg 0% 4.6°C 38% 2% 97% 0.03mm 90% 0.06mm 13dBZ 66° 38% 0.69mm - - 2m/s
14:00
927hPa 9J/kg 0% 4.1°C 22% 3% 95% 0.04mm 94% 0.02mm 15dBZ 63° 22% 0.56mm 4.9m/s 8.1m/s 1.8m/s
15:00
927hPa 6.3J/kg 0% 6.2°C 34% 2% 96% 0.03mm 96% 0.01mm 8.3dBZ 56° 34% 0.58mm - - 1.6m/s
16:00
927hPa 3.7J/kg 0% 8.2°C 45% 1% 97% 0.01mm 97% 0.007mm 1.4dBZ 47° 45% 0.6mm - - 1.5m/s
17:00
927hPa 1J/kg 0% 10°C 57% 0% 97% 0mm 98% 0mm -5.5dBZ 37° 57% 0.63mm 6m/s 7.8m/s 1.3m/s
18:00
927hPa 1.7J/kg 19% 10°C 71% 26% 77% 0.003mm 99% 0mm -9.5dBZ 26° 71% 0.42mm - - 1.3m/s
19:00
927hPa 2.3J/kg 38% 10°C 86% 53% 56% 0.007mm 99% 0mm -14dBZ 16° 86% 0.21mm - - 1.2m/s
20:00
927hPa 3J/kg 56% 10°C 100% 79% 36% 0.01mm 99% 0mm -18dBZ 6.1° 100% 0mm 6.9m/s 3.4m/s 1.2m/s
21:00
927hPa 2J/kg 70% 10°C 100% 77% 37% 0.01mm 99% 0.01mm -18dBZ -3° 100% 0.02mm - - 1.3m/s
22:00
927hPa 1J/kg 85% 10°C 100% 75% 37% 0.01mm 99% 0.02mm -19dBZ -11° 100% 0.04mm - - 1.5m/s
23:00
927hPa 0J/kg 99% 10°C 100% 73% 38% 0.01mm 100% 0.03mm -20dBZ -17° 100% 0.06mm 6.1m/s 15m/s 1.6m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 05:25 Sunset 20:45
24:00
927hPa 0J/kg 77% 9.5°C 100% 64% 35% 0.01mm 100% 0.02mm -20dBZ -21° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
927hPa 0J/kg 55% 8.6°C 100% 54% 33% 0.01mm 99% 0.02mm -20dBZ -23° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
02:00
927hPa 0J/kg 33% 7.7°C 100% 45% 31% 0.01mm 99% 0.01mm -20dBZ -22° 100% 0.06mm 6.9m/s 18m/s 1.5m/s
03:00
927hPa 0J/kg 22% 7°C 100% 31% 42% 0.01mm 98% 0.01mm -9.3dBZ -18° 100% 0.08mm - - 1.5m/s
04:00
928hPa 0J/kg 11% 6.3°C 100% 18% 53% 0.01mm 97% 0.01mm 1.4dBZ -12° 100% 0.1mm - - 1.5m/s
05:00
928hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.6°C 100% 5% 64% 0.01mm 95% 0.01mm 12dBZ -4.3° 100% 0.13mm 14m/s 18m/s 1.5m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

Get Notified of Opportunities

Create your own custom alerts for this location and more.

Create Free Account