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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 85% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover6%
Wind Gusts0.9m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure862.7hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index1.8°C
Wind Gusts0.9m/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 80 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
21:000%32%15J/kg-0.2°C24134m4.5m/s
22:000%12%0J/kg0.7°C24135m3.1m/s
23:000%12%0J/kg1.7°C24134m2.6m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%12%0J/kg1.9°C24134m2.7m/s
01:000%7.2%0J/kg1.8°C24134m2.1m/s
02:000%9.3%0J/kg1.9°C24134m2.1m/s
03:000%6.7%0J/kg1.9°C24135m2.2m/s
04:000%11%0J/kg2.1°C24134m1.7m/s
05:0013%32%0J/kg2.1°C24135m1m/s
06:000%37%0J/kg1.8°C24135m0.9m/s
07:000%55%0J/kg1.8°C24135m1m/s
08:000%39%0J/kg2.1°C24134m0.3m/s
09:000%34%0J/kg2.4°C24134m0.61m/s
10:000%20%0J/kg2.5°C24134m1.6m/s
11:000%17%0J/kg2°C24134m3.5m/s
12:000%18%0J/kg1.5°C24135m5.2m/s
13:000%19%0J/kg1.7°C24134m5.6m/s
14:000%18%0J/kg2.6°C24135m6.1m/s
15:000%50%0J/kg3.2°C24134m6.5m/s
16:000%26%0J/kg2.5°C24135m6.3m/s
17:000%49%2J/kg1.9°C24135m5.3m/s
18:000%49%6J/kg1.9°C24135m5.7m/s
19:000%74%0J/kg2.3°C24135m6.8m/s
20:000%51%0J/kg2°C24135m3.3m/s
21:000%65%0J/kg1.9°C24134m3.2m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg2°C24134m2.8m/s
23:000%14%0J/kg1.9°C24134m2.2m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%12%0J/kg2°C24135m1.3m/s
01:000%11%0J/kg0.8°C24134m0.9m/s
02:0013%15%0J/kg0.4°C24135m0.7m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg0.2°C24135m0.7m/s
04:000%15%1J/kg0°C24134m0.7m/s
05:0013%28%5J/kg0.3°C24135m0.7m/s
06:000%28%0J/kg0.4°C24134m1.2m/s
07:000%26%0J/kg1.3°C24134m2m/s
08:0016%23%0J/kg1.9°C24134m3.6m/s
09:000%13%0J/kg2.6°C24134m4.6m/s
10:000%10%0J/kg2.7°C24135m6m/s
11:0016%13%0J/kg3.4°C24134m8.9m/s
12:000%8.1%0J/kg4.8°C24135m10m/s
13:0016%12%0J/kg4.2°C24134m11m/s
14:0029%16%0J/kg5.3°C24135m13m/s
15:0016%28%0J/kg6.5°C24134m14m/s
16:0018%33%0J/kg6.4°C24134m15m/s
17:0033%72%0J/kg6.7°C24135m14m/s
18:0016%52%0J/kg7.5°C24134m11m/s
19:000%35%0J/kg6.7°C24135m8.9m/s
20:0022%47%0J/kg4.5°C24134m7.9m/s
21:000%68%0J/kg3°C24134m6.3m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg1.8°C24133m6.8m/s
23:0020%15%0J/kg3.4°C24135m6.7m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%15%0J/kg6.6°C24134m3.5m/s
01:000%15%2J/kg5.6°C24135m2.3m/s
02:0016%15%11J/kg4.7°C24134m2.3m/s
03:000%14%12J/kg3.7°C22171m3.2m/s
04:000%13%21J/kg3°C23910m4.2m/s
05:0016%30%1J/kg3.4°C24134m4.7m/s
06:000%70%0J/kg3.6°C24134m3.8m/s
07:000%46%0J/kg2.8°C24135m4.2m/s
08:000%99%0J/kg2.9°C24135m4.2m/s
09:000%80%0J/kg2.8°C24134m3.9m/s
10:000%57%0J/kg2.5°C24135m4.1m/s
11:000%64%5J/kg1.9°C24108m4m/s
12:000%33%3.3J/kg1.9°C24117m5.2m/s
13:000%29%1.7J/kg2°C24126m6.5m/s
14:000%4.5%0J/kg2°C24135m7.7m/s
15:000%11%0J/kg2.1°C24135m6m/s
16:000%13%0J/kg2.2°C24135m4.3m/s
17:000%15%0J/kg2.3°C24135m2.6m/s
18:000%47%0J/kg2.5°C24135m3.5m/s
19:000%53%0J/kg2.8°C24135m4.4m/s
20:000%27%0J/kg3.1°C24135m5.3m/s
21:000%83%0J/kg4°C24135m4.4m/s
22:000%0%0J/kg5°C24135m3.5m/s
23:000%0%0J/kg5.9°C24135m2.6m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%0%0J/kg6.3°C24135m3.1m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg6.6°C24135m3.6m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg7°C24135m4.1m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg6.1°C17198m4.2m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg5.3°C10262m4.4m/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 05:38 Sunset 20:30
06:00
863hPa 0J/kg 6% 1.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 6% 0mm - - 0.97m/s
07:00
863hPa 0J/kg 62% 1.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 62% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
08:00
863hPa 0J/kg 83% 2.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 83% 0mm 6.4m/s 9.8m/s 0.49m/s
09:00
863hPa 0J/kg 12% 2.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 12% 0mm - - 0.66m/s
10:00
863hPa 0J/kg 5% 2.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 44% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 5% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
11:00
863hPa 0J/kg 0% 2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 0% 0mm 4.8m/s 6.7m/s 2.4m/s
12:00
862hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 65° 0% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
13:00
862hPa 0J/kg 1% 1.7°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ 69° 2% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
14:00
861hPa 0J/kg 4% 2.6°C 0% 1% 0% 0mm 22% 0mm -20dBZ 66° 4% 0mm 4m/s 0.86m/s 5m/s
15:00
861hPa 0J/kg 58% 3.2°C 0% 2% 0% 0mm 20% 0mm -20dBZ 58° 58% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
16:00
860hPa 0J/kg 4% 2.5°C 0% 6% 0% 0mm 20% 0mm -20dBZ 48° 6% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
17:00
860hPa 2J/kg 0% 1.9°C 0% 20% 0% 0mm 26% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 20% 0mm 2.6m/s 3.9m/s 5.8m/s
18:00
860hPa 6J/kg 0% 1.9°C 0% 74% 0% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 74% 0mm - - 5.8m/s
19:00
860hPa 0J/kg 50% 2.3°C 3% 5% 0% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 50% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
20:00
860hPa 0J/kg 15% 2°C 3% 4% 0% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ 4.4° 15% 0mm 6.5m/s 4.7m/s 3.3m/s
21:00
861hPa 0J/kg 19% 1.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ -5.4° 19% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
22:00
861hPa 0J/kg 100% 2°C 3% 4% 0% 0mm 44% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 100% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
23:00
861hPa 0J/kg 96% 1.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 96% 0mm 7.5m/s 7m/s 2.2m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 05:37 Sunset 20:31
24:00
861hPa 0J/kg 5% 2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ -25° 5% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
01:00
861hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ -27° 5% 0mm - - 0.87m/s
02:00
861hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -25° 5% 0mm 7.6m/s 10m/s 0.8m/s
03:00
860hPa 0J/kg 4% 0.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 4% 0mm - - 0.71m/s
04:00
860hPa 1J/kg 95% 0°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 95% 0mm - - 0.66m/s
05:00
860hPa 5J/kg 100% 0.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -6.6° 100% 0mm 10m/s 12m/s 0.7m/s
06:00
859hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 3.1° 100% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
07:00
859hPa 0J/kg 88% 1.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 88% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
08:00
859hPa 0J/kg 99% 1.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 99% 0mm 12m/s 14m/s 3m/s
09:00
858hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 100% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
10:00
858hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.7°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 100% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
11:00
857hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.4°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 100% 0mm 6.7m/s 14m/s 4.8m/s
12:00
856hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.8°C 0% 0% 1% 0mm 26% 0mm -20dBZ 65° 100% 0mm - - 7.9m/s
13:00
856hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.2°C 3% 0% 2% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 69° 100% 0mm - - 8.8m/s
14:00
855hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.3°C 0% 4% 3% 0mm 23% 0mm -20dBZ 66° 100% 0mm 6.6m/s 15m/s 10m/s
15:00
854hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.5°C 0% 1% 15% 0mm 20% 0mm -20dBZ 58° 100% 0mm - - 12m/s
16:00
853hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.4°C 0% 5% 27% 0mm 21% 0mm -20dBZ 48° 100% 0mm - - 12m/s
17:00
853hPa 0J/kg 42% 6.7°C 0% 5% 39% 0mm 26% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 42% 0mm 9.7m/s 22m/s 10m/s
18:00
854hPa 0J/kg 13% 7.5°C 0% 4% 43% 0mm 40% 0mm -13dBZ 26° 13% 0mm - - 8.7m/s
19:00
854hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.7°C 0% 0% 46% 0mm 45% 0mm -6.7dBZ 15° 0% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
20:00
855hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.5°C 0% 97% 50% 0mm 55% 0mm -0.01dBZ 4.5° 97% 0mm 20m/s 39m/s 5.7m/s
21:00
855hPa 0J/kg 0% 3°C 99% 100% 46% 0mm 58% 0mm -6.7dBZ -5.2° 100% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
22:00
855hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.8°C 100% 100% 41% 0.1mm 61% 0mm -13dBZ -14° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
23:00
855hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.4°C 77% 69% 37% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 77% 0.06mm 18m/s 20m/s 4.6m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 05:36 Sunset 20:32
24:00
855hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.6°C 6% 5% 58% 0mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ -25° 8% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
01:00
855hPa 2J/kg 0% 5.6°C 7% 0% 79% 0mm 92% 0.01mm -20dBZ -27° 7% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
02:00
855hPa 11J/kg 0% 4.7°C 80% 0% 100% 0.01mm 94% 0.04mm -20dBZ -25° 80% 0.06mm 11m/s 17m/s 2.4m/s
03:00
855hPa 12J/kg 0% 3.7°C 98% 0% 72% 0.02mm 88% 0.1mm -20dBZ -21° 98% 0.13mm - - 2.7m/s
04:00
855hPa 21J/kg 0% 3°C 94% 0% 43% 0mm 85% 0.05mm -20dBZ -15° 94% 0.19mm - - 3.5m/s
05:00
855hPa 1J/kg 0% 3.4°C 98% 1% 15% 0mm 80% 0.01mm -20dBZ -6.5° 98% 0.25mm 7m/s 11m/s 3.7m/s
06:00
856hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.6°C 56% 9% 38% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 3.2° 56% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
07:00
856hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.8°C 5% 13% 60% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 13% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
08:00
856hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.9°C 28% 68% 83% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 68% 0mm 5.7m/s 6.7m/s 3.5m/s
09:00
856hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.8°C 47% 54% 87% 0mm 56% 0mm -10dBZ 35° 54% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
10:00
856hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.5°C 20% 11% 90% 0mm 50% 0.03mm 0.07dBZ 46° 20% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
11:00
856hPa 5J/kg 0% 1.9°C 59% 29% 93% 0mm 45% 0.12mm 10dBZ 57° 59% 0.13mm 1.7m/s 2.6m/s 4m/s
12:00
857hPa 3.3J/kg 0% 1.9°C 41% 21% 75% 0mm 53% 0.08mm 13dBZ 65° 41% 0.13mm - - 4.3m/s
13:00
859hPa 1.7J/kg 0% 2°C 23% 13% 57% 0mm 61% 0.04mm 15dBZ 69° 23% 0.13mm - - 4.7m/s
14:00
860hPa 0J/kg 0% 2°C 5% 5% 39% 0mm 70% 0mm 17dBZ 66° 5% 0.13mm 0.68m/s 4.7m/s 5m/s
15:00
860hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.1°C 7% 5% 59% 0mm 78% 0mm 14dBZ 58° 7% 0.13mm - - 4.1m/s
16:00
860hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.2°C 8% 5% 80% 0mm 88% 0mm 11dBZ 48° 8% 0.13mm - - 3.3m/s
17:00
861hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.3°C 10% 4% 100% 0mm 96% 0mm 7.2dBZ 37° 10% 0.13mm 3.9m/s 7.1m/s 2.4m/s
18:00
860hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.5°C 40% 3% 71% 0.003mm 89% 0mm -1.9dBZ 26° 40% 0.08mm - - 2.6m/s
19:00
860hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.8°C 69% 2% 41% 0.007mm 81% 0mm -11dBZ 15° 69% 0.04mm - - 2.8m/s
20:00
860hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.1°C 99% 0% 12% 0.01mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 4.6° 99% 0mm 7.8m/s 8.3m/s 3.1m/s
21:00
860hPa 0J/kg 33% 4°C 91% 33% 41% 0.007mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -5.1° 99% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
22:00
860hPa 0J/kg 65% 5°C 83% 66% 71% 0.003mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 99% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
23:00
859hPa 0J/kg 98% 5.9°C 75% 99% 100% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 100% 0mm 6.8m/s 3.8m/s 2.4m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 05:36 Sunset 20:32
24:00
860hPa 0J/kg 98% 6.3°C 83% 99% 74% 0.003mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -25° 100% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
01:00
860hPa 0J/kg 99% 6.6°C 92% 99% 48% 0.007mm 84% 0mm -19dBZ -26° 100% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
02:00
860hPa 0J/kg 100% 7°C 100% 100% 21% 0.01mm 77% 0mm -19dBZ -25° 100% 0mm 4.8m/s 4.5m/s 2.7m/s
03:00
860hPa 0J/kg 67% 6.1°C 100% 100% 19% 0.06mm 81% 0.02mm -19dBZ -21° 100% 0.08mm - - 2.7m/s
04:00
860hPa 0J/kg 33% 5.3°C 100% 100% 16% 0.11mm 85% 0.05mm -20dBZ -15° 100% 0.17mm - - 2.6m/s
05:00
860hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.4°C 100% 100% 14% 0.16mm 89% 0.07mm -20dBZ -6.3° 100% 0.25mm 8.4m/s 12m/s 2.6m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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