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Rule Storm Chaser

Crater Lake - Storm Chaser - Pacific Northwest

Klamath Falls, 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)
Storm Intensity 100% failing
CAPE 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 72% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts10.6m/s
Precipitation Chance76%
Air Pressure860.9hPa
CAPE17
Lifted Index0.1°C
Wind Gusts10.6m/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 91 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
Tue, Apr 7
22:000%10%0J/kg5°C24134m2.5m/s
23:000%12%0J/kg4.7°C24135m2.4m/s
Wed, Apr 8
24:000%9.3%0J/kg3.7°C24135m2.3m/s
01:000%7.7%0J/kg2.2°C24134m2m/s
02:000%8.6%0J/kg1.7°C24135m1.8m/s
03:000%5.9%0J/kg1.9°C24134m1.5m/s
04:000%5.1%0J/kg2.1°C24135m1.8m/s
05:0013%7.2%0J/kg1.6°C24134m1.6m/s
06:000%60%2J/kg0.3°C24134m0.3m/s
07:000%100%4J/kg0.1°C24134m0.71m/s
08:000%100%1J/kg0.3°C24135m0.62m/s
09:000%49%0J/kg0.4°C24135m0.81m/s
10:000%51%0J/kg0.5°C24134m1.1m/s
11:000%26%0J/kg0.4°C24135m1.6m/s
12:000%25%0J/kg0.6°C24135m2.8m/s
13:000%54%1J/kg0.1°C24134m4m/s
14:000%69%30J/kg0°C24134m4.6m/s
15:000%50%59J/kg-0.4°C24135m4.4m/s
16:000%94%26J/kg-0.2°C24135m3.7m/s
17:0015%65%58J/kg-0.7°C24135m3.4m/s
18:0031%75%17J/kg0.1°C10942m11m/s
19:0032%74%20J/kg0.3°C4261m6m/s
20:0023%67%22J/kg0.5°C5006m2.9m/s
21:0027%2.4%5J/kg1°C14381m6.3m/s
22:0023%7.3%0J/kg0.8°C21490m4m/s
23:0024%5.6%0J/kg0.6°C23706m2.1m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%4.7%1J/kg1°C24134m0.9m/s
01:000%13%0J/kg1°C24135m1.5m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg1.1°C24134m0.7m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg1.1°C24135m0.3m/s
04:000%15%0J/kg1°C24135m0.8m/s
05:000%15%0J/kg0.9°C24135m0.7m/s
06:000%58%0J/kg0.9°C24135m0.93m/s
07:000%32%0J/kg0.6°C24134m0.71m/s
08:000%28%0J/kg0.5°C24135m1m/s
09:000%33%5J/kg0.4°C24134m1.8m/s
10:000%48%53J/kg0°C24134m3.5m/s
11:0015%16%60J/kg0°C23985m4.5m/s
12:000%40%90J/kg-0.4°C14545m5.3m/s
13:000%49%118J/kg-0.7°C24134m5.9m/s
14:0015%51%63J/kg-0.6°C24134m6.6m/s
15:000%22%47J/kg-0.7°C24135m6.5m/s
16:000%68%23J/kg0.1°C24134m8.2m/s
17:0018%52%3J/kg0.7°C24135m8.6m/s
18:000%61%23J/kg0.5°C24134m8.8m/s
19:000%63%22J/kg0.8°C23974m9.5m/s
20:0019%77%22J/kg0.7°C24010m7.2m/s
21:000%14%30J/kg-0.5°C16958m2.3m/s
22:000%15%20J/kg0.3°C24134m2.1m/s
23:0016%10%10J/kg0.3°C24135m1.3m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%7.5%20J/kg1.4°C21251m1.1m/s
01:000%5%10J/kg0.6°C24134m0.71m/s
02:0013%12%7J/kg0.7°C24135m0.71m/s
03:000%12%5J/kg0.3°C24135m0.3m/s
04:000%14%0J/kg0.2°C24134m1m/s
05:0014%15%0J/kg0.6°C24134m1.6m/s
06:000%47%0J/kg0.3°C24134m1.3m/s
07:000%52%0J/kg0.7°C24134m1.9m/s
08:0013%46%12J/kg1.2°C24134m2.9m/s
09:000%41%5J/kg0.6°C24134m7.2m/s
10:000%55%2J/kg0.9°C24135m7.9m/s
11:0017%56%7J/kg0.4°C24005m6.9m/s
12:000%35%19J/kg0°C24119m7.1m/s
13:000%45%36J/kg-0.1°C24134m8.3m/s
14:0018%62%59J/kg-0.4°C24135m8.1m/s
15:000%53%91J/kg-0.6°C22609m7.1m/s
16:000%62%62J/kg-0.2°C24135m6.1m/s
17:0017%68%24J/kg0.1°C24134m5.1m/s
18:000%73%29J/kg0.3°C24134m4.9m/s
19:000%100%13J/kg0.5°C24134m5.2m/s
20:0013%43%0J/kg0.6°C24135m2.7m/s
21:000%12%13J/kg0.3°C17006m2.7m/s
22:000%14%1J/kg0.7°C24135m2.3m/s
23:0014%9.5%2J/kg0.5°C24135m2.2m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%0%1.3J/kg0.69°C23932m4.6m/s
01:000%0%0.67J/kg0.88°C23729m7.1m/s
02:0019%0%0J/kg1.1°C23526m9.5m/s
03:000%0%11J/kg0.86°C16389m10m/s
04:000%0%23J/kg0.65°C9251m10m/s
05:0031%0%34J/kg0.44°C2114m11m/s
06:000%58%23J/kg0.64°C6513m9.5m/s
07:000%67%12J/kg0.83°C10912m8.1m/s
08:0018%62%1J/kg1°C15311m6.7m/s
09:000%53%2.3J/kg0.99°C11624m6.7m/s
10:0018%53%3.7J/kg0.94°C7937m6.6m/s
11:0037%41%5J/kg0.9°C4250m6.6m/s
12:0028%41%6.7J/kg0.95°C3042m5.2m/s
13:0018%40%8.3J/kg1°C1835m3.8m/s
14:0035%40%10J/kg1.1°C627m2.4m/s
15:0030%41%7J/kg1.6°C930m4.3m/s
16:0030%67%4J/kg2.1°C1232m6.1m/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
Wed, Apr 8 Sunrise 06:36 Sunset 19:40
18:00
861hPa 17J/kg 100% 0.1°C 100% 100% 76% 1.2mm 78% 0.19mm 24dBZ 18° 100% 0.94mm - - 8.7m/s
19:00
861hPa 20J/kg 100% 0.3°C 100% 100% 52% 4.6mm 86% 0.34mm 12dBZ 6.8° 100% 4.1mm - - 3.5m/s
20:00
862hPa 22J/kg 100% 0.5°C 95% 100% 29% 4.7mm 91% 0.11mm 0.71dBZ -4.2° 100% 9.3mm 4.5m/s 8.7m/s 1.5m/s
21:00
862hPa 5J/kg 100% 1°C 31% 100% 28% 1.7mm 85% 0mm 3.5dBZ -15° 100% 12mm - - 3.2m/s
22:00
862hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.8°C 95% 90% 27% 0.79mm 89% 0mm 6.4dBZ -24° 100% 13mm - - 2.9m/s
23:00
862hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.6°C 23% 100% 26% 0.19mm 87% 0mm 9.2dBZ -32° 100% 14mm 1.9m/s 8.7m/s 1.9m/s
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:36 Sunset 19:40
24:00
862hPa 1J/kg 100% 1°C 48% 100% 17% 0mm 89% 0mm -0.53dBZ -38° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.82m/s
01:00
862hPa 0J/kg 96% 1°C 15% 100% 9% 0mm 90% 0mm -10dBZ -40° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
02:00
862hPa 0J/kg 94% 1.1°C 24% 80% 0% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -39° 98% 0.06mm 4.3m/s 8.2m/s 0.57m/s
03:00
861hPa 0J/kg 3% 1.1°C 10% 100% 19% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.32m/s
04:00
861hPa 0J/kg 0% 1°C 9% 15% 37% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -27° 19% 0.06mm - - 0.77m/s
05:00
861hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.9°C 6% 87% 56% 0mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 87% 0.06mm 2m/s 6.9m/s 0.75m/s
06:00
861hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.9°C 5% 21% 58% 0mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ -7.2° 22% 0mm - - 0.95m/s
07:00
861hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.6°C 5% 7% 60% 0mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ 3.8° 7% 0mm - - 0.72m/s
08:00
861hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.5°C 2% 5% 62% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 5% 0mm 3.6m/s 7m/s 0.95m/s
09:00
861hPa 5J/kg 0% 0.4°C 14% 5% 63% 0mm 79% 0mm -19dBZ 26° 14% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
10:00
861hPa 53J/kg 0% 0°C 27% 1% 65% 0.01mm 69% 0mm -18dBZ 36° 27% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
11:00
860hPa 60J/kg 0% 0°C 3% 0% 67% 0mm 60% 0.1mm -17dBZ 45° 3% 0.06mm 4.6m/s 10m/s 3.3m/s
12:00
860hPa 90J/kg 0% -0.4°C 24% 0% 62% 0mm 52% 0.31mm -18dBZ 52° 24% 0.13mm - - 3.6m/s
13:00
859hPa 118J/kg 0% -0.7°C 99% 86% 57% 0mm 44% 0mm -19dBZ 56° 99% 0.31mm - - 3.3m/s
14:00
859hPa 63J/kg 0% -0.6°C 82% 86% 52% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 54° 86% 0.38mm 5.1m/s 13m/s 4.7m/s
15:00
858hPa 47J/kg 0% -0.7°C 4% 5% 50% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 48° 5% 0.38mm - - 4.7m/s
16:00
858hPa 23J/kg 0% 0.1°C 44% 85% 48% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 85% 0.38mm - - 6.4m/s
17:00
857hPa 3J/kg 4% 0.7°C 9% 18% 46% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 18% 0.38mm 2.4m/s 13m/s 7.4m/s
18:00
857hPa 23J/kg 73% 0.5°C 1% 94% 38% 0mm 43% 0mm -19dBZ 18° 95% 0mm - - 7.5m/s
19:00
858hPa 22J/kg 99% 0.8°C 9% 88% 30% 0mm 51% 0.12mm -19dBZ 99% 0mm - - 5.7m/s
20:00
858hPa 22J/kg 81% 0.7°C 9% 67% 22% 0mm 59% 0.07mm -18dBZ -4° 83% 0.13mm 9.5m/s 16m/s 3.9m/s
21:00
858hPa 30J/kg 17% -0.5°C 0% 51% 22% 0mm 78% 0.21mm -15dBZ -14° 58% 0.19mm - - 2.1m/s
22:00
859hPa 20J/kg 1% 0.3°C 5% 5% 22% 0mm 88% 0mm -11dBZ -24° 5% 0.25mm - - 2.1m/s
23:00
859hPa 10J/kg 100% 0.3°C 5% 100% 22% 0mm 92% 0mm -7.9dBZ -32° 100% 0.25mm 9.7m/s 16m/s 1.4m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:34 Sunset 19:41
24:00
859hPa 20J/kg 13% 1.4°C 10% 97% 31% 0mm 93% 0.11mm -6.6dBZ -37° 97% 0.06mm - - 1.1m/s
01:00
859hPa 10J/kg 100% 0.6°C 15% 15% 41% 0mm 94% 0mm -5.4dBZ -40° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.74m/s
02:00
858hPa 7J/kg 100% 0.7°C 17% 72% 50% 0mm 94% 0mm -4.2dBZ -38° 100% 0.06mm 5.3m/s 17m/s 0.68m/s
03:00
858hPa 5J/kg 89% 0.3°C 8% 100% 56% 0mm 94% 0mm -9.4dBZ -34° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.3m/s
04:00
858hPa 0J/kg 1% 0.2°C 5% 100% 62% 0mm 94% 0mm -15dBZ -26° 100% 0.06mm - - 1m/s
05:00
858hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.6°C 4% 100% 69% 0mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 100% 0.06mm 4.9m/s 16m/s 1.6m/s
06:00
857hPa 0J/kg 1% 0.3°C 4% 100% 74% 0mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ -6.9° 100% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
07:00
858hPa 0J/kg 1% 0.7°C 5% 100% 79% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ 4.1° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
08:00
858hPa 12J/kg 0% 1.2°C 1% 100% 85% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 100% 0mm 4.8m/s 13m/s 1.9m/s
09:00
857hPa 5J/kg 0% 0.6°C 4% 98% 88% 0mm 76% 0mm -11dBZ 26° 98% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
10:00
857hPa 2J/kg 0% 0.9°C 11% 96% 91% 0mm 62% 0.02mm -2.1dBZ 36° 96% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
11:00
857hPa 7J/kg 0% 0.4°C 9% 77% 94% 0mm 57% 0.03mm 6.9dBZ 46° 77% 0mm 6.1m/s 11m/s 5.9m/s
12:00
856hPa 19J/kg 0% 0°C 11% 0% 93% 0mm 51% 0.09mm 8dBZ 53° 11% 0.13mm - - 6.3m/s
13:00
856hPa 36J/kg 0% -0.1°C 73% 1% 92% 0mm 45% 0mm 9.1dBZ 56° 73% 0.19mm - - 6.6m/s
14:00
855hPa 59J/kg 0% -0.4°C 82% 17% 90% 0mm 41% 0mm 10dBZ 54° 82% 0.19mm 1.7m/s 13m/s 6.3m/s
15:00
854hPa 91J/kg 0% -0.6°C 96% 25% 87% 0mm 42% 0.08mm 9.6dBZ 48° 96% 0.25mm - - 5.5m/s
16:00
853hPa 62J/kg 1% -0.2°C 99% 98% 83% 0mm 39% 0mm 9dBZ 39° 99% 0.25mm - - 4.5m/s
17:00
853hPa 24J/kg 6% 0.1°C 95% 97% 80% 0mm 41% 0mm 8.3dBZ 29° 97% 0.25mm 2.6m/s 16m/s 4.5m/s
18:00
853hPa 29J/kg 86% 0.3°C 100% 99% 73% 0mm 46% 0mm -1.1dBZ 18° 100% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
19:00
853hPa 13J/kg 76% 0.5°C 45% 11% 66% 0mm 57% 0.01mm -11dBZ 7.2° 78% 0.06mm - - 4.6m/s
20:00
853hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.6°C 7% 6% 58% 0mm 67% 0.01mm -20dBZ -3.8° 7% 0.06mm 3.9m/s 14m/s 2.2m/s
21:00
853hPa 13J/kg 1% 0.3°C 63% 17% 63% 0.01mm 76% 0.28mm -20dBZ -14° 63% 0.19mm - - 2.7m/s
22:00
853hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.7°C 12% 99% 68% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 99% 0.25mm - - 2.1m/s
23:00
853hPa 2J/kg 0% 0.5°C 65% 18% 73% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 68% 0.25mm 5.8m/s 13m/s 2.2m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:32 Sunset 19:42
24:00
852hPa 1.3J/kg 33% 0.69°C 76% 14% 65% 0.003mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -37° 79% 0.23mm - - 2.9m/s
01:00
852hPa 0.67J/kg 67% 0.88°C 88% 11% 57% 0.007mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -39° 89% 0.21mm - - 3.6m/s
02:00
852hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.1°C 99% 8% 50% 0.01mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -38° 100% 0.19mm 2.8m/s 15m/s 4.3m/s
03:00
852hPa 11J/kg 100% 0.86°C 99% 39% 60% 0.06mm 88% 0.03mm -10dBZ -33° 100% 0.27mm - - 4.6m/s
04:00
852hPa 23J/kg 100% 0.65°C 100% 69% 71% 0.1mm 89% 0.07mm 0.05dBZ -26° 100% 0.35mm - - 5m/s
05:00
851hPa 34J/kg 100% 0.44°C 100% 100% 81% 0.15mm 90% 0.1mm 10dBZ -17° 100% 0.44mm 4.1m/s 14m/s 5.3m/s
06:00
851hPa 23J/kg 100% 0.64°C 77% 100% 80% 0.13mm 87% 0.1mm 1.4dBZ -6.6° 100% 0.5mm - - 5m/s
07:00
851hPa 12J/kg 100% 0.83°C 53% 100% 80% 0.11mm 83% 0.1mm -7.2dBZ 4.4° 100% 0.56mm - - 4.6m/s
08:00
850hPa 1J/kg 100% 1°C 30% 100% 79% 0.09mm 80% 0.1mm -16dBZ 15° 100% 0.63mm 10m/s 13m/s 4.3m/s
09:00
850hPa 2.3J/kg 100% 0.99°C 52% 100% 85% 0.23mm 77% 0.1mm -3.9dBZ 26° 100% 0.92mm - - 4.4m/s
10:00
850hPa 3.7J/kg 100% 0.94°C 74% 100% 90% 0.36mm 73% 0.1mm 8dBZ 37° 100% 1.2mm - - 4.6m/s
11:00
850hPa 5J/kg 100% 0.9°C 96% 100% 96% 0.5mm 70% 0.1mm 20dBZ 46° 100% 1.5mm 18m/s 18m/s 4.8m/s
12:00
850hPa 6.7J/kg 100% 0.95°C 97% 100% 82% 0.36mm 75% 0.07mm 17dBZ 53° 100% 1.2mm - - 3.7m/s
13:00
850hPa 8.3J/kg 100% 1°C 99% 100% 69% 0.23mm 79% 0.05mm 14dBZ 56° 100% 0.83mm - - 2.5m/s
14:00
850hPa 10J/kg 100% 1.1°C 100% 100% 55% 0.09mm 84% 0.02mm 11dBZ 54° 100% 0.5mm 6.8m/s 22m/s 1.4m/s
15:00
851hPa 7J/kg 67% 1.6°C 94% 100% 61% 0.36mm 85% 0.01mm 12dBZ 48° 100% 1.3mm - - 2m/s
16:00
851hPa 4J/kg 33% 2.1°C 88% 100% 67% 0.63mm 85% 0.007mm 13dBZ 40° 100% 2.1mm - - 2.6m/s
17:00
852hPa 1J/kg 0% 2.7°C 82% 100% 73% 0.9mm 86% 0mm 14dBZ 29° 100% 2.9mm 6.3m/s 21m/s 3.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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