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 85% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover98%
Wind Gusts5.4m/s
Precipitation Chance100%
Air Pressure855.0hPa
CAPE7
Lifted Index2.4°C
Wind Gusts5.4m/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
Mon, Apr 20
12:0018%56%0J/kg6.6°C24135m14m/s
13:0016%41%0J/kg4.9°C24134m11m/s
14:0035%58%0J/kg4.2°C24134m14m/s
15:0019%54%0J/kg2.6°C24135m19m/s
16:0018%70%0J/kg1.8°C24134m15m/s
17:0037%62%0J/kg1.9°C24134m14m/s
18:000%67%0J/kg2°C24135m9.4m/s
19:000%63%0J/kg1.6°C22201m11m/s
20:0022%61%0J/kg2.6°C24026m11m/s
21:000%55%1J/kg2.8°C24135m9.8m/s
22:0016%2.4%0J/kg2.8°C24134m13m/s
23:0023%8.9%0J/kg3.3°C24135m9.7m/s
Tue, Apr 21
24:000%6.1%0J/kg4.1°C24134m5.3m/s
01:000%7.5%0J/kg3.5°C24135m6.3m/s
02:0022%2.6%0J/kg3.9°C24135m6.8m/s
03:000%5.6%0J/kg5.2°C24134m7.7m/s
04:000%3.5%1J/kg5.4°C24135m8.2m/s
05:0018%0%0J/kg4.6°C24135m4.8m/s
06:000%59%5J/kg4°C24134m5.6m/s
07:000%56%1J/kg3.9°C24134m5.6m/s
08:0019%52%8J/kg3.6°C24134m6.7m/s
09:000%49%2J/kg2.2°C24134m6.8m/s
10:000%44%17J/kg2.5°C14983m5.8m/s
11:0018%38%10J/kg2.4°C23501m6.4m/s
12:000%44%7J/kg2.4°C24134m5.4m/s
13:000%40%20J/kg1.1°C17666m6.1m/s
14:0016%42%26J/kg1.7°C18112m5.3m/s
15:000%35%28J/kg-0.1°C24134m4.4m/s
16:000%48%33J/kg-0.2°C24135m3.8m/s
17:0019%54%20J/kg-0.2°C24134m4.7m/s
18:000%49%23J/kg-0.3°C18918m5.8m/s
19:000%65%36J/kg-0.2°C16252m5.5m/s
20:000%68%11J/kg0.3°C14410m5.9m/s
21:000%55%13J/kg0.8°C24134m4.5m/s
22:0015%0%4J/kg1.3°C24135m3.5m/s
23:0026%0%0J/kg1.8°C3851m3.8m/s
Wed, Apr 22
24:0015%0%1J/kg1.9°C3485m3.6m/s
01:0016%1.2%0J/kg2.3°C3454m3.5m/s
02:0020%0.2%0J/kg2.6°C35m4.4m/s
03:0019%2.4%0J/kg2.6°C218m5.2m/s
04:0018%1.7%0J/kg3.3°C1938m6.8m/s
05:000%4.3%0J/kg3.7°C20399m6.7m/s
06:000%78%0J/kg3.6°C22889m5.7m/s
07:000%72%0J/kg3.8°C22130m5.8m/s
08:000%85%0J/kg4.1°C22373m6.5m/s
09:000%62%0J/kg4.5°C21465m6.4m/s
10:000%59%0J/kg5.3°C6961m6.4m/s
11:000%49%11J/kg5.2°C13027m6.7m/s
12:000%30%8J/kg4.9°C24134m6.9m/s
13:000%24%12J/kg4.3°C24134m7m/s
14:000%32%13J/kg3.7°C24135m7.3m/s
15:000%35%11J/kg3.4°C24135m7.4m/s
16:000%35%8J/kg3.5°C24135m7.5m/s
17:000%55%9J/kg3.7°C24134m7.4m/s
18:000%99%3J/kg4.9°C24135m7.3m/s
19:000%75%0J/kg5.3°C24135m6m/s
20:000%61%0J/kg7.1°C24135m6.2m/s
21:000%48%0J/kg8.4°C24135m2.7m/s
22:000%6.5%0J/kg8.1°C24135m1.5m/s
23:0015%4%0J/kg7.9°C24135m1.8m/s
Thu, Apr 23
24:000%4.6%0J/kg8.5°C24135m1.7m/s
01:000%12%0J/kg9.2°C24134m1.2m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg9.9°C24135m1.3m/s
03:000%14%0J/kg10°C24135m1.5m/s
04:000%11%0J/kg9.5°C24135m1m/s
05:000%14%0J/kg8.7°C24134m1.1m/s
06:000%35%0J/kg7.8°C24135m1.2m/s
07:000%44%0J/kg7.2°C24135m1.2m/s
08:0015%46%0J/kg5.9°C24134m1.9m/s
09:000%32%0J/kg4.3°C24135m2.9m/s
10:000%22%0J/kg4.1°C24134m3.3m/s
11:000%21%0J/kg4.6°C24134m3.6m/s
12:000%18%0J/kg4.7°C24134m3.6m/s
13:000%13%0J/kg5.3°C24134m3.9m/s
14:000%14%0J/kg5.3°C24134m4.1m/s
15:000%13%0J/kg5.4°C24135m4.8m/s
16:000%11%0J/kg5.1°C24135m5.7m/s
17:000%10%0J/kg4.7°C24135m6m/s
18:000%12%0J/kg5.4°C24135m4.1m/s
19:000%13%0J/kg6°C24135m2.1m/s
20:000%7%0J/kg6.7°C24135m0.21m/s
21:000%6%0J/kg6.9°C24135m0.25m/s
22:000%0%0J/kg7°C24135m0.29m/s
23:0012%0%0J/kg7.2°C24135m0.33m/s
Fri, Apr 24
24:000%0%0J/kg7.3°C24135m0.61m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg7.3°C24135m0.89m/s
02:0012%0%0J/kg7.4°C24135m1.2m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg6.5°C24135m1.1m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg5.7°C24135m1m/s
05:0013%0%0J/kg4.9°C24135m0.94m/s
06:000%7%0J/kg4.5°C24135m1.5m/s
07:000%7%0J/kg4.2°C24135m2.1m/s
08:000%6.5%0J/kg3.9°C24135m2.6m/s
09:000%5.5%0J/kg3.7°C24135m3.1m/s
10:000%4.5%0J/kg3.4°C24135m3.6m/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
Tue, Apr 21 Sunrise 06:16 Sunset 19:55
12:00
855hPa 7J/kg 0% 2.4°C 46% 98% 100% 0mm 52% 0.01mm 9.6dBZ 57° 98% 0.06mm - - 4m/s
13:00
855hPa 20J/kg 1% 1.1°C 86% 100% 100% 0mm 48% 0.31mm 13dBZ 60° 100% 0.19mm - - 5.4m/s
14:00
855hPa 26J/kg 100% 1.7°C 52% 100% 100% 0mm 48% 0.29mm 16dBZ 58° 100% 0.44mm 1.5m/s 11m/s 5.1m/s
15:00
854hPa 28J/kg 100% -0.1°C 7% 100% 100% 0mm 46% 0mm 13dBZ 51° 100% 0.56mm - - 3.9m/s
16:00
854hPa 33J/kg 100% -0.2°C 96% 100% 100% 0mm 40% 0.02mm 9.2dBZ 42° 100% 0.56mm - - 3.4m/s
17:00
853hPa 20J/kg 100% -0.2°C 97% 100% 100% 0mm 45% 0.07mm 5.8dBZ 31° 100% 0.63mm 2.4m/s 16m/s 5.6m/s
18:00
853hPa 23J/kg 100% -0.3°C 15% 7% 98% 0mm 59% 0.34mm 13dBZ 20° 100% 0.13mm - - 5.8m/s
19:00
853hPa 36J/kg 100% -0.2°C 73% 100% 96% 0mm 71% 0.35mm 20dBZ 9.3° 100% 0.5mm - - 4.5m/s
20:00
853hPa 11J/kg 100% 0.3°C 83% 100% 95% 0mm 81% 0.22mm 27dBZ -1.4° 100% 0.94mm 4.2m/s 7.5m/s 3.6m/s
21:00
854hPa 13J/kg 100% 0.8°C 96% 100% 95% 0mm 83% 0.08mm 24dBZ -12° 100% 1mm - - 2.8m/s
22:00
855hPa 4J/kg 100% 1.3°C 93% 100% 96% 0mm 84% 0.02mm 22dBZ -21° 100% 1.1mm - - 2.6m/s
23:00
855hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.8°C 59% 100% 96% 0.03mm 92% 0.01mm 20dBZ -28° 100% 1.1mm 4.3m/s 4.4m/s 2.9m/s
Wed, Apr 22 Sunrise 06:15 Sunset 19:56
24:00
856hPa 1J/kg 100% 1.9°C 100% 100% 83% 0.01mm 97% 0.01mm 18dBZ -33° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
01:00
857hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.3°C 100% 100% 69% 0.06mm 96% 0.02mm 16dBZ -36° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.3m/s
02:00
857hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.6°C 100% 100% 56% 0.03mm 98% 0.04mm 14dBZ -34° 100% 0.19mm 8.6m/s 1.4m/s 2.7m/s
03:00
858hPa 0J/kg 57% 2.6°C 98% 100% 65% 0mm 97% 0.03mm 3.8dBZ -29° 100% 0.25mm - - 2.6m/s
04:00
858hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.3°C 99% 97% 74% 0.01mm 95% 0.02mm -5.9dBZ -22° 100% 0.25mm - - 2.8m/s
05:00
859hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.7°C 99% 57% 83% 0.03mm 92% 0.01mm -16dBZ -14° 99% 0.25mm 8.5m/s 3m/s 3m/s
06:00
860hPa 0J/kg 7% 3.6°C 92% 15% 82% 0.01mm 88% 0mm -7.9dBZ -3.4° 92% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
07:00
861hPa 0J/kg 47% 3.8°C 97% 5% 82% 0.01mm 85% 0.01mm -0.12dBZ 7.3° 97% 0.06mm - - 3m/s
08:00
861hPa 0J/kg 56% 4.1°C 98% 59% 82% 0mm 75% 0.01mm 7.7dBZ 18° 98% 0.06mm 9.9m/s 6.7m/s 4.5m/s
09:00
862hPa 0J/kg 48% 4.5°C 95% 5% 86% 0mm 69% 0.03mm 5.7dBZ 29° 95% 0.06mm - - 4.7m/s
10:00
863hPa 0J/kg 46% 5.3°C 97% 48% 90% 0mm 66% 0.06mm 3.8dBZ 40° 97% 0.13mm - - 4.9m/s
11:00
863hPa 11J/kg 5% 5.2°C 92% 10% 95% 0mm 60% 0.03mm 1.8dBZ 50° 92% 0.19mm 6.4m/s 9.3m/s 5.5m/s
12:00
863hPa 8J/kg 5% 4.9°C 88% 5% 90% 0mm 56% 0.02mm -0.03dBZ 57° 88% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
13:00
863hPa 12J/kg 5% 4.3°C 84% 1% 86% 0mm 54% 0.02mm -1.9dBZ 60° 84% 0.06mm - - 6.4m/s
14:00
863hPa 13J/kg 5% 3.7°C 89% 0% 82% 0.01mm 53% 0.02mm -3.7dBZ 58° 89% 0.06mm 7.3m/s 4.2m/s 6.6m/s
15:00
863hPa 11J/kg 6% 3.4°C 93% 1% 76% 0mm 51% 0.02mm -9.1dBZ 51° 93% 0.06mm - - 6.5m/s
16:00
863hPa 8J/kg 5% 3.5°C 90% 7% 70% 0mm 50% 0.02mm -15dBZ 42° 90% 0.13mm - - 6.7m/s
17:00
863hPa 9J/kg 5% 3.7°C 73% 3% 64% 0mm 50% 0.01mm -20dBZ 31° 73% 0.13mm 8.2m/s 6.1m/s 6.5m/s
18:00
863hPa 3J/kg 25% 4.9°C 24% 4% 43% 0mm 52% 0mm -12dBZ 20° 27% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
19:00
863hPa 0J/kg 22% 5.3°C 5% 4% 21% 0mm 57% 0mm -3.3dBZ 9.5° 22% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
20:00
864hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.1°C 5% 22% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm 5.1dBZ -1.2° 100% 0mm 12m/s 7.1m/s 3.9m/s
21:00
864hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.4°C 4% 98% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -3.3dBZ -12° 100% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
22:00
864hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.1°C 4% 93% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -12dBZ -21° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
23:00
864hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.9°C 5% 100% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 100% 0mm 12m/s 10m/s 1.9m/s
Thu, Apr 23 Sunrise 06:13 Sunset 19:57
24:00
864hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.5°C 5% 100% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
01:00
864hPa 0J/kg 60% 9.2°C 5% 88% 1% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 88% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
02:00
864hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.9°C 5% 5% 1% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 5% 0mm 14m/s 7.8m/s 1.4m/s
03:00
864hPa 0J/kg 98% 10°C 5% 88% 1% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 98% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
864hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.5°C 5% 59% 0% 0mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ -22° 100% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
05:00
864hPa 0J/kg 9% 8.7°C 5% 1% 0% 0mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 9% 0mm 13m/s 9.9m/s 1.2m/s
06:00
864hPa 0J/kg 6% 7.8°C 6% 0% 0% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -3.1° 6% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
07:00
864hPa 0J/kg 81% 7.2°C 8% 0% 0% 0mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ 7.6° 81% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
08:00
864hPa 0J/kg 5% 5.9°C 12% 0% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 13% 0mm 11m/s 10m/s 1.8m/s
09:00
863hPa 0J/kg 7% 4.3°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 7% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
10:00
863hPa 0J/kg 1% 4.1°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 40° 5% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
11:00
863hPa 0J/kg 4% 4.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 44% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 4% 0mm 9m/s 8m/s 2.5m/s
12:00
863hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ 57° 0% 0mm - - 3m/s
13:00
862hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 61° 0% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
14:00
862hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 58° 0% 0mm 9.7m/s 6.5m/s 3.5m/s
15:00
861hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 0% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
16:00
861hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 0% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
17:00
860hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 0% 0mm 7.3m/s 5.3m/s 5.6m/s
18:00
862hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 0% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
19:00
863hPa 0J/kg 0% 6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 9.6° 0% 0mm - - 2m/s
20:00
864hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -0.95° 0% 0mm 5.5m/s 9.7m/s 0.21m/s
21:00
864hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 0% 0mm - - 0.28m/s
22:00
863hPa 0J/kg 0% 7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 0% 0mm - - 0.34m/s
23:00
863hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 0% 0mm 3.6m/s 11m/s 0.41m/s
Fri, Apr 24 Sunrise 06:12 Sunset 19:58
24:00
863hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 0% 0mm - - 0.59m/s
01:00
863hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 0% 0mm - - 0.76m/s
02:00
863hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 0% 0mm 3.9m/s 11m/s 0.94m/s
03:00
862hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 0% 0mm - - 1m/s
04:00
862hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ -22° 0% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
05:00
862hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 0% 0mm 3.7m/s 10m/s 1.2m/s
06:00
861hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ -2.9° 0% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
07:00
860hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 25% 0mm -20dBZ 7.8° 0% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
08:00
860hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 20% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 0% 0mm 4.1m/s 7.3m/s 1.8m/s
09:00
859hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 20% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 0% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
10:00
859hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 21% 0mm -20dBZ 41° 0% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
11:00
858hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 22% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 0% 0mm 4.3m/s 5.2m/s 4.4m/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