Skip to content
✨ New: PhotoWeather is now available on iOS and Android
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

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 79% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts3.6m/s
Precipitation Chance15%
Air Pressure861.8hPa
CAPE8
Lifted Index0.9°C
Wind Gusts3.6m/s
Precipitation0.1mm

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 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
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
18:0050%77%14J/kg-0.1°C4310m13m/s
19:0035%70%13J/kg0.5°C3018m2.6m/s
20:0034%65%3J/kg0.8°C19128m2m/s
21:0021%3.9%0J/kg0.6°C24134m1.1m/s
22:0021%2.9%7J/kg0.7°C24135m1m/s
23:0020%6%9J/kg0.4°C24134m1.3m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%8.5%10J/kg0.7°C24135m2.4m/s
01:000%11%8J/kg0.9°C24135m3.6m/s
02:000%15%7J/kg0.8°C24134m3.6m/s
03:000%15%9J/kg0.9°C24135m2.6m/s
04:000%15%12J/kg0.9°C24134m0.91m/s
05:000%15%8J/kg0.6°C24134m0.6m/s
06:000%25%1J/kg0.5°C24135m1m/s
07:000%26%1J/kg0.4°C24135m1.6m/s
08:000%27%0J/kg0.4°C24135m2.5m/s
09:000%24%18J/kg0.1°C24134m3.3m/s
10:000%24%72J/kg-0.3°C24135m3.8m/s
11:0015%18%79J/kg-0.2°C23510m4.7m/s
12:000%40%60J/kg-0.1°C17189m5.7m/s
13:000%51%99J/kg-0.4°C24135m6.6m/s
14:0015%51%78J/kg-0.5°C24134m6.7m/s
15:000%73%68J/kg-0.7°C24134m7m/s
16:000%29%4J/kg-0.1°C24135m7.7m/s
17:0018%61%2J/kg0.7°C24134m8.1m/s
18:0016%66%23J/kg0.4°C24009m8.7m/s
19:000%46%61J/kg-0.4°C24135m6.6m/s
20:0015%100%21J/kg0.5°C24135m2.6m/s
21:000%15%10J/kg0.7°C24134m1.6m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg0.6°C24135m1.1m/s
23:0014%15%24J/kg1.1°C24135m0.71m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%15%0J/kg1°C24134m1m/s
01:000%12%4J/kg1°C24134m1.8m/s
02:0014%10%0J/kg1.1°C24135m1.4m/s
03:000%15%1J/kg1.1°C24135m1.2m/s
04:000%15%1J/kg1.3°C24135m1.4m/s
05:0014%15%0J/kg1.1°C24135m1.8m/s
06:000%26%0J/kg1°C24135m1.7m/s
07:000%30%0J/kg1.4°C24134m1.3m/s
08:0014%31%0J/kg1.5°C24135m1.8m/s
09:000%26%3J/kg0.9°C24134m4.7m/s
10:000%32%1J/kg0.6°C24135m5.6m/s
11:0014%52%23J/kg0.2°C23795m6.1m/s
12:000%32%34J/kg-0.3°C22493m7.2m/s
13:000%24%9J/kg0.6°C23655m7.7m/s
14:0020%55%1J/kg1.1°C24134m8.1m/s
15:000%34%26J/kg0.6°C24135m7.4m/s
16:000%59%23J/kg-0.1°C24135m5.4m/s
17:0017%58%18J/kg0.4°C24134m5.3m/s
18:000%68%19J/kg0.5°C24135m4.5m/s
19:000%100%18J/kg0.4°C24134m4.2m/s
20:0017%63%1J/kg0.7°C24135m6.1m/s
21:000%13%3J/kg0.7°C24134m2m/s
22:000%14%1J/kg0.8°C24135m1.5m/s
23:0015%15%4J/kg0.9°C24135m1.2m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%13%17J/kg1°C24134m4.2m/s
01:000%14%6J/kg1.7°C24134m4.8m/s
02:0013%14%0J/kg1.9°C24134m3.6m/s
03:000%7.7%1J/kg1.7°C24135m8.2m/s
04:000%15%2J/kg1.4°C24135m9.6m/s
05:0017%15%8J/kg0.5°C24134m10m/s
06:000%78%21J/kg0.41°C21002m9.3m/s
07:000%67%34J/kg0.32°C17870m8.2m/s
08:0018%62%47J/kg0.23°C14739m7.1m/s
09:0015%53%32J/kg0.4°C17871m6.3m/s
10:0015%51%16J/kg0.56°C21003m5.5m/s
11:0028%41%1J/kg0.73°C24135m4.6m/s
12:0015%41%0.67J/kg0.98°C24135m6m/s
13:0016%41%0.33J/kg1.2°C24135m7.3m/s
14:0018%35%0J/kg1.5°C24135m8.6m/s
15:000%41%0J/kg1.4°C24135m7.7m/s
16:000%48%0J/kg1.3°C24135m6.7m/s
17:0018%51%0J/kg1.2°C24135m5.7m/s
18:0015%57%0J/kg1.3°C16102m4.6m/s
19:0017%59%0J/kg1.3°C8069m3.4m/s
20:0042%56%0J/kg1.4°C36m2.2m/s
21:0034%0%2.3J/kg2.3°C194m1.9m/s
22:0034%0%4.7J/kg3.2°C352m1.6m/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
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:36 Sunset 19:40
01:00
862hPa 8J/kg 100% 0.9°C 100% 82% 15% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -7.4dBZ -40° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.6m/s
02:00
862hPa 7J/kg 6% 0.8°C 100% 35% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -39° 100% 0.13mm 4.2m/s 7.3m/s 2.7m/s
03:00
861hPa 9J/kg 0% 0.9°C 100% 0% 27% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 100% 0.13mm - - 2m/s
04:00
861hPa 12J/kg 0% 0.9°C 97% 1% 54% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -27° 97% 0.19mm - - 0.76m/s
05:00
861hPa 8J/kg 0% 0.6°C 21% 0% 82% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 21% 0.19mm 1.7m/s 6.9m/s 0.51m/s
06:00
861hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.5°C 5% 0% 82% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -7.2° 5% 0mm - - 1m/s
07:00
861hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.4°C 5% 0% 82% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ 3.8° 5% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
08:00
861hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.4°C 4% 0% 82% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 4% 0mm 4.4m/s 8.9m/s 1.7m/s
09:00
861hPa 18J/kg 0% 0.1°C 1% 0% 85% 0mm 75% 0.01mm -20dBZ 26° 1% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
10:00
861hPa 72J/kg 0% -0.3°C 1% 0% 88% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 1% 0.06mm - - 3m/s
11:00
860hPa 79J/kg 0% -0.2°C 0% 0% 90% 0mm 58% 0.11mm -20dBZ 45° 0% 0.19mm 5.3m/s 12m/s 3.4m/s
12:00
860hPa 60J/kg 0% -0.1°C 25% 0% 88% 0mm 50% 0.31mm -19dBZ 52° 25% 0.19mm - - 3.9m/s
13:00
859hPa 99J/kg 0% -0.4°C 100% 99% 86% 0mm 42% 0mm -18dBZ 56° 100% 0.31mm - - 3.9m/s
14:00
859hPa 78J/kg 0% -0.5°C 73% 98% 84% 0mm 46% 0mm -17dBZ 54° 98% 0.31mm 4.6m/s 13m/s 5.1m/s
15:00
858hPa 68J/kg 0% -0.7°C 49% 46% 81% 0mm 38% 0mm -18dBZ 48° 49% 0.31mm - - 5.3m/s
16:00
858hPa 4J/kg 0% -0.1°C 3% 4% 79% 0mm 36% 0mm -19dBZ 39° 4% 0.31mm - - 6.4m/s
17:00
857hPa 2J/kg 7% 0.7°C 3% 17% 76% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 17% 0.31mm 2.5m/s 13m/s 7m/s
18:00
858hPa 23J/kg 6% 0.4°C 2% 18% 59% 0.01mm 44% 0.07mm -20dBZ 18° 18% 0mm - - 8.1m/s
19:00
858hPa 61J/kg 6% -0.4°C 0% 6% 42% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 6% 0.06mm - - 4.1m/s
20:00
858hPa 21J/kg 34% 0.5°C 0% 12% 26% 0mm 83% 0.03mm -20dBZ -4° 34% 0.06mm 8.6m/s 16m/s 2.6m/s
21:00
858hPa 10J/kg 5% 0.7°C 0% 6% 24% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 6% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
22:00
859hPa 0J/kg 20% 0.6°C 4% 30% 23% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 31% 0.06mm - - 0.87m/s
23:00
859hPa 24J/kg 0% 1.1°C 5% 5% 22% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 5% 0.06mm 9.1m/s 15m/s 0.54m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:34 Sunset 19:41
24:00
859hPa 0J/kg 1% 1°C 7% 0% 22% 0mm 89% 0mm -16dBZ -37° 7% 0mm - - 0.89m/s
01:00
859hPa 4J/kg 1% 1°C 54% 6% 22% 0mm 93% 0mm -12dBZ -40° 55% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
02:00
859hPa 0J/kg 10% 1.1°C 94% 93% 22% 0mm 93% 0mm -7.7dBZ -38° 99% 0mm 5.1m/s 17m/s 1.3m/s
03:00
858hPa 1J/kg 20% 1.1°C 94% 89% 31% 0mm 88% 0mm -2.9dBZ -34° 98% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
04:00
858hPa 1J/kg 5% 1.3°C 7% 5% 40% 0mm 86% 0mm 1.9dBZ -26° 8% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
05:00
858hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.1°C 1% 7% 49% 0mm 93% 0mm 6.8dBZ -17° 7% 0mm 3.7m/s 19m/s 1.8m/s
06:00
857hPa 0J/kg 0% 1°C 0% 5% 61% 0mm 95% 0mm 0.59dBZ -6.9° 5% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
07:00
858hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.4°C 4% 0% 72% 0mm 96% 0mm -5.6dBZ 4.1° 4% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
08:00
857hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.5°C 7% 0% 84% 0mm 89% 0mm -12dBZ 15° 7% 0mm 4.1m/s 17m/s 1.5m/s
09:00
857hPa 3J/kg 0% 0.9°C 5% 5% 87% 0mm 76% 0mm -5.8dBZ 26° 5% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
10:00
857hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.6°C 9% 4% 91% 0mm 62% 0mm 0.19dBZ 36° 9% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
11:00
856hPa 23J/kg 0% 0.2°C 46% 1% 95% 0mm 55% 0.09mm 6.2dBZ 46° 46% 0.06mm 2.9m/s 13m/s 4m/s
12:00
856hPa 34J/kg 0% -0.3°C 100% 6% 94% 0mm 49% 0.2mm 11dBZ 53° 100% 0.13mm - - 5.2m/s
13:00
855hPa 9J/kg 0% 0.6°C 96% 5% 94% 0mm 47% 0.07mm 15dBZ 56° 96% 0.19mm - - 6.4m/s
14:00
855hPa 1J/kg 0% 1.1°C 8% 54% 94% 0mm 42% 0mm 19dBZ 54° 56% 0.25mm 1.9m/s 16m/s 7.1m/s
15:00
854hPa 26J/kg 0% 0.6°C 8% 97% 94% 0mm 43% 0.24mm 7.1dBZ 48° 97% 0.31mm - - 7.6m/s
16:00
854hPa 23J/kg 0% -0.1°C 73% 100% 94% 0mm 47% 0mm -4.9dBZ 39° 100% 0.44mm - - 5m/s
17:00
853hPa 18J/kg 0% 0.4°C 60% 4% 94% 0mm 49% 0.03mm -17dBZ 29° 60% 0.5mm 3.6m/s 16m/s 5.3m/s
18:00
853hPa 19J/kg 4% 0.5°C 65% 3% 89% 0mm 49% 0.02mm -5.7dBZ 18° 65% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
19:00
853hPa 18J/kg 0% 0.4°C 63% 14% 83% 0mm 55% 0.04mm 5.6dBZ 7.2° 63% 0.06mm - - 2.7m/s
20:00
853hPa 1J/kg 1% 0.7°C 17% 5% 77% 0mm 61% 0mm 17dBZ -3.8° 17% 0.06mm 6.2m/s 15m/s 3.2m/s
21:00
853hPa 3J/kg 0% 0.7°C 21% 5% 82% 0mm 73% 0mm 4.6dBZ -14° 21% 0.06mm - - 2m/s
22:00
853hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.8°C 8% 4% 86% 0mm 79% 0mm -7.7dBZ -24° 8% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
23:00
853hPa 4J/kg 0% 0.9°C 9% 1% 91% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 9% 0.06mm 8.2m/s 16m/s 1.3m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:32 Sunset 19:42
24:00
853hPa 17J/kg 0% 1°C 81% 9% 85% 0.01mm 82% 0mm -8.4dBZ -37° 81% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
01:00
852hPa 6J/kg 17% 1.7°C 84% 21% 79% 0mm 82% 0mm 3.1dBZ -39° 84% 0.06mm - - 3m/s
02:00
852hPa 0J/kg 1% 1.9°C 8% 96% 74% 0mm 86% 0mm 15dBZ -38° 96% 0.06mm 5.9m/s 13m/s 2.5m/s
03:00
851hPa 1J/kg 0% 1.7°C 97% 5% 79% 0.01mm 82% 0mm 10dBZ -33° 97% 0.06mm - - 3.9m/s
04:00
851hPa 2J/kg 0% 1.4°C 99% 5% 85% 0.01mm 74% 0.04mm 5.6dBZ -26° 99% 0.06mm - - 6.6m/s
05:00
851hPa 8J/kg 0% 0.5°C 100% 13% 90% 0.02mm 82% 0.04mm 1dBZ -17° 100% 0.06mm 9m/s 11m/s 7.3m/s
06:00
851hPa 21J/kg 33% 0.41°C 91% 42% 86% 0.01mm 73% 0.12mm -3dBZ -6.6° 100% 0.27mm - - 6.3m/s
07:00
852hPa 34J/kg 67% 0.32°C 81% 71% 81% 0.007mm 64% 0.2mm -7dBZ 4.4° 100% 0.48mm - - 5.2m/s
08:00
853hPa 47J/kg 100% 0.23°C 72% 100% 77% 0mm 56% 0.28mm -11dBZ 15° 100% 0.69mm 10m/s 12m/s 4.2m/s
09:00
853hPa 32J/kg 100% 0.4°C 66% 100% 81% 0.08mm 62% 0.2mm -5.4dBZ 26° 100% 1.1mm - - 4.1m/s
10:00
852hPa 16J/kg 100% 0.56°C 60% 100% 85% 0.15mm 69% 0.11mm 0.25dBZ 37° 100% 1.6mm - - 3.9m/s
11:00
852hPa 1J/kg 100% 0.73°C 54% 100% 89% 0.23mm 76% 0.03mm 5.9dBZ 46° 100% 2mm 13m/s 14m/s 3.8m/s
12:00
852hPa 0.67J/kg 100% 0.98°C 39% 100% 68% 0.17mm 77% 0.02mm 9.8dBZ 53° 100% 1.5mm - - 3.4m/s
13:00
852hPa 0.33J/kg 100% 1.2°C 23% 100% 46% 0.11mm 79% 0.01mm 14dBZ 56° 100% 1mm - - 2.9m/s
14:00
852hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.5°C 7% 100% 24% 0.05mm 80% 0mm 18dBZ 54° 100% 0.56mm 5.8m/s 18m/s 2.5m/s
15:00
852hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.4°C 38% 100% 30% 0.13mm 82% 0.03mm 14dBZ 48° 100% 0.6mm - - 2.5m/s
16:00
852hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.3°C 68% 100% 36% 0.21mm 85% 0.05mm 11dBZ 40° 100% 0.65mm - - 2.6m/s
17:00
852hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.2°C 99% 100% 41% 0.29mm 87% 0.08mm 7.9dBZ 29° 100% 0.69mm 7m/s 20m/s 2.6m/s
18:00
853hPa 0J/kg 99% 1.3°C 98% 100% 33% 0.51mm 91% 0.06mm 11dBZ 18° 100% 1.3mm - - 2.1m/s
19:00
853hPa 0J/kg 99% 1.3°C 96% 100% 25% 0.74mm 95% 0.03mm 14dBZ 7.4° 100% 2mm - - 1.5m/s
20:00
853hPa 0J/kg 98% 1.4°C 95% 100% 17% 0.96mm 99% 0.01mm 17dBZ -3.6° 100% 2.6mm 12m/s 19m/s 0.99m/s
21:00
854hPa 2.3J/kg 99% 2.3°C 95% 100% 26% 0.68mm 99% 0.007mm 14dBZ -14° 100% 3mm - - 0.98m/s
22:00
854hPa 4.7J/kg 99% 3.2°C 96% 100% 36% 0.4mm 98% 0.003mm 11dBZ -23° 100% 3.3mm - - 0.97m/s
23:00
855hPa 7J/kg 100% 4°C 96% 100% 45% 0.12mm 98% 0mm 8dBZ -31° 100% 3.7mm 15m/s 11m/s 0.96m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:31 Sunset 19:44
24:00
855hPa 4.7J/kg 100% 3.9°C 66% 100% 49% 0.08mm 93% 0mm 14dBZ -37° 100% 2.5mm - - 0.85m/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