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Rule Storm Chaser

Long Beach - Storm Chaser - Pacific Northwest

Gearhart, 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 79% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover26%
Wind Gusts3.0m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure1010.8hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index14.9°C
Wind Gusts3.0m/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 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
Sat, May 23
06:000%39%0J/kg8.6°C24134m3.6m/s
07:000%33%0J/kg9.1°C24135m3.6m/s
08:000%36%0J/kg9.9°C24134m3.8m/s
09:000%40%0J/kg11°C24135m3.5m/s
10:000%29%2J/kg12°C24135m4.1m/s
11:000%39%2J/kg12°C24134m4.9m/s
12:000%20%0J/kg9.9°C24135m5.4m/s
13:000%26%0J/kg7.9°C24134m5.8m/s
14:000%19%0J/kg7.3°C24135m5.7m/s
15:000%20%0J/kg7.4°C24135m5.9m/s
16:000%31%0J/kg7.6°C24135m6.6m/s
17:000%35%0J/kg8.1°C24135m6.9m/s
18:000%32%0J/kg8.4°C24134m6.6m/s
19:000%100%0J/kg10°C24135m7.2m/s
20:000%26%0J/kg11°C24135m6.6m/s
21:000%93%0J/kg12°C24134m6.7m/s
22:000%39%0J/kg12°C24135m5.3m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg13°C24134m5.1m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%13%0J/kg13°C24134m5m/s
01:000%13%1J/kg14°C24134m6.3m/s
02:000%14%0J/kg14°C24134m3.9m/s
03:000%13%0J/kg14°C24135m3.8m/s
04:000%9.4%1J/kg14°C24134m4.2m/s
05:000%62%0J/kg14°C24135m2.7m/s
06:000%96%0J/kg15°C24135m3m/s
07:000%31%0J/kg15°C24135m2.5m/s
08:000%37%0J/kg15°C24134m2.9m/s
09:000%21%0J/kg16°C24134m3.7m/s
10:000%19%0J/kg16°C24134m3.1m/s
11:000%11%0J/kg14°C24134m2.2m/s
12:000%16%0J/kg14°C24135m2.2m/s
13:000%17%0J/kg13°C24134m2.8m/s
14:000%20%0J/kg13°C24135m2.3m/s
15:000%27%0J/kg12°C24134m1.8m/s
16:000%35%0J/kg12°C24135m2.2m/s
17:000%41%0J/kg12°C24135m2.9m/s
18:000%45%0J/kg12°C24135m2.1m/s
19:000%23%0J/kg12°C24135m1.9m/s
20:000%100%0J/kg11°C24135m3.4m/s
21:000%44%0J/kg12°C24134m5.2m/s
22:000%38%0J/kg12°C24134m6.6m/s
23:000%7.3%0J/kg12°C24134m8.2m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%8.3%0J/kg13°C24135m10m/s
01:0011%2.4%0J/kg13°C24134m12m/s
02:0018%0%0J/kg13°C24135m12m/s
03:0012%0.1%0J/kg14°C24135m13m/s
04:0012%0%0J/kg14°C24134m13m/s
05:0025%60%0J/kg14°C24135m14m/s
06:0015%71%0J/kg14°C24134m13m/s
07:0014%64%0J/kg13°C24134m13m/s
08:0035%62%0J/kg12°C23642m15m/s
09:0031%54%2J/kg9.4°C6718m16m/s
10:0036%48%25J/kg8°C4696m15m/s
11:0048%46%51J/kg7.6°C7449m15m/s
12:0026%31%57J/kg5.5°C8307m12m/s
13:0014%36%33J/kg8.1°C17650m8.6m/s
14:0027%39%12J/kg7.2°C24125m10m/s
15:0016%28%21J/kg5.9°C23916m9.7m/s
16:0026%49%39J/kg5.4°C18902m10m/s
17:0026%53%38J/kg5.9°C19071m10m/s
18:000%60%39J/kg5.9°C16396m9.7m/s
19:000%71%30J/kg5.5°C23112m9.6m/s
20:000%79%24J/kg5.2°C24134m10m/s
21:000%100%28J/kg4.6°C24040m9.5m/s
22:0013%64%20J/kg4.4°C23751m9.3m/s
23:0013%7.1%18J/kg4.1°C16480m8.3m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%9.4%16J/kg3.9°C17836m7m/s
01:000%9.8%12J/kg4.1°C24038m6.7m/s
02:000%15%6J/kg4.3°C24134m5.9m/s
03:000%14%1J/kg4.5°C24135m4.2m/s
04:000%13%1J/kg4.9°C24134m3m/s
05:000%64%0J/kg5.3°C24134m2.3m/s
06:000%57%0J/kg5.7°C24134m1.5m/s
07:000%61%1J/kg6.3°C24135m1.5m/s
08:000%54%4J/kg6.7°C24135m1.3m/s
09:000%32%6J/kg6.8°C24134m2.2m/s
10:000%38%5J/kg6.9°C24135m2m/s
11:000%32%12J/kg7°C24134m3.2m/s
12:000%19%14J/kg6.5°C24134m3.3m/s
13:000%29%17J/kg6°C24135m3.5m/s
14:000%28%19J/kg5.5°C24135m3.6m/s
15:000%50%15J/kg5.5°C24135m3.2m/s
16:000%36%11J/kg5.6°C24135m2.7m/s
17:000%39%7J/kg5.6°C24135m2.3m/s
18:000%33%4.7J/kg7.5°C24135m2.2m/s
19:000%36%2.3J/kg9.5°C24135m2.2m/s
20:000%32%0J/kg11°C24135m2.1m/s
21:000%22%0J/kg12°C24135m2m/s
22:000%9.6%0J/kg12°C24135m1.9m/s
23:000%0%0J/kg12°C24135m1.8m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%0%0J/kg12°C24135m2.5m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg12°C24135m3.2m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg12°C24135m3.9m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg12°C24135m3.8m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg12°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
Sun, May 24 Sunrise 05:34 Sunset 20:51
06:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 23% 15°C 20% 5% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 3.3° 26% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
07:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 10% 15°C 1% 4% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 10% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
08:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 81% 15°C 3% 1% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 81% 0mm 10m/s 17m/s 2.7m/s
09:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 100% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 100% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
10:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 100% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 100% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
11:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 100% 14°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 100% 0mm 9.6m/s 14m/s 3.2m/s
12:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 100% 14°C 0% 60% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 61° 100% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
13:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 100% 13°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 65° 100% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
14:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 100% 13°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 63° 100% 0mm 5.5m/s 15m/s 3.3m/s
15:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 57° 100% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
16:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 0% 92% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 48° 100% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
17:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 0% 87% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 100% 0mm 3.1m/s 14m/s 3.1m/s
18:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 0% 48% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 27° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
19:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 98% 12°C 0% 8% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 98% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
20:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 54% 11°C 0% 50% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 7.2° 59% 0mm 7.4m/s 14m/s 2.6m/s
21:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 0% 60% 7% 0mm 76% 0mm -15dBZ -1.9° 100% 0mm - - 4m/s
22:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 0% 100% 15% 0mm 76% 0mm -10dBZ -10° 100% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
23:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 45% 12°C 0% 100% 22% 0mm 76% 0mm -5.4dBZ -17° 100% 0mm 11m/s 18m/s 5.4m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 05:33 Sunset 20:52
24:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 100% 13°C 0% 100% 34% 0mm 79% 0mm -8.6dBZ -21° 100% 0mm - - 6.7m/s
01:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 100% 13°C 0% 100% 46% 0mm 74% 0mm -12dBZ -23° 100% 0mm - - 7.3m/s
02:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 97% 13°C 0% 100% 57% 0mm 73% 0mm -15dBZ -22° 100% 0mm 14m/s 20m/s 6.2m/s
03:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 100% 14°C 0% 100% 72% 0mm 73% 0mm -7dBZ -19° 100% 0mm - - 7.5m/s
04:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 100% 14°C 1% 100% 86% 0mm 74% 0mm 0.78dBZ -13° 100% 0mm - - 7.2m/s
05:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 92% 14°C 5% 100% 100% 0mm 75% 0mm 8.6dBZ -5.5° 100% 0mm 11m/s 17m/s 7.7m/s
06:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 90% 14°C 76% 100% 98% 0.01mm 77% 0mm 14dBZ 3.4° 100% 0mm - - 8.3m/s
07:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 98% 13°C 100% 100% 97% 0mm 78% 0mm 18dBZ 13° 100% 0mm - - 8.8m/s
08:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 4% 12°C 100% 100% 96% 0.22mm 77% 0mm 23dBZ 23° 100% 0.13mm 20m/s 21m/s 9.5m/s
09:00
1000hPa 2J/kg 1% 9.4°C 100% 100% 97% 2.3mm 78% 0mm 25dBZ 33° 100% 1.1mm - - 8.7m/s
10:00
1000hPa 25J/kg 0% 8°C 100% 100% 98% 3.9mm 91% 0.1mm 26dBZ 44° 100% 4.8mm - - 8.6m/s
11:00
1001hPa 51J/kg 0% 7.6°C 100% 100% 99% 1mm 94% 0.36mm 27dBZ 53° 100% 7.2mm 10m/s 21m/s 9.9m/s
12:00
1001hPa 57J/kg 5% 5.5°C 100% 100% 99% 0.75mm 93% 0.48mm 20dBZ 61° 100% 1.3mm - - 9.4m/s
13:00
1001hPa 33J/kg 9% 8.1°C 98% 100% 99% 0.15mm 89% 0.27mm 13dBZ 65° 100% 2.2mm - - 6m/s
14:00
1002hPa 12J/kg 78% 7.2°C 15% 96% 98% 0mm 81% 0.08mm 6dBZ 63° 96% 2.4mm 8.9m/s 24m/s 7.5m/s
15:00
1002hPa 21J/kg 0% 5.9°C 5% 0% 99% 0mm 77% 0.12mm -2.5dBZ 57° 5% 2.6mm - - 7.8m/s
16:00
1002hPa 39J/kg 0% 5.4°C 53% 0% 99% 0mm 77% 0.38mm -11dBZ 48° 53% 2.8mm - - 8.7m/s
17:00
1001hPa 38J/kg 0% 5.9°C 74% 0% 100% 0mm 79% 0.33mm -20dBZ 38° 74% 3.1mm 1.1m/s 5.9m/s 8.1m/s
18:00
1001hPa 39J/kg 0% 5.9°C 39% 1% 91% 0mm 81% 0.18mm -9.3dBZ 27° 39% 0.31mm - - 7.2m/s
19:00
1001hPa 30J/kg 0% 5.5°C 21% 7% 82% 0mm 79% 0.17mm 1.1dBZ 17° 21% 0.5mm - - 7.1m/s
20:00
1001hPa 24J/kg 0% 5.2°C 60% 6% 73% 0mm 78% 0.15mm 11dBZ 7.4° 60% 0.63mm 1.7m/s 2.7m/s 7.3m/s
21:00
1001hPa 28J/kg 0% 4.6°C 72% 30% 74% 0mm 81% 0.19mm 11dBZ -1.7° 72% 0.81mm - - 6.9m/s
22:00
1002hPa 20J/kg 0% 4.4°C 84% 68% 75% 0.03mm 83% 0.14mm 9.8dBZ -9.9° 85% 1.1mm - - 6.6m/s
23:00
1002hPa 18J/kg 0% 4.1°C 100% 63% 77% 0.21mm 86% 0.13mm 9dBZ -16° 100% 1.4mm 5.8m/s 3.1m/s 5.6m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 05:32 Sunset 20:53
24:00
1002hPa 16J/kg 0% 3.9°C 100% 65% 58% 0.03mm 86% 0.26mm -0.66dBZ -21° 100% 0.25mm - - 4.5m/s
01:00
1002hPa 12J/kg 0% 4.1°C 100% 4% 40% 0mm 85% 0.12mm -10dBZ -23° 100% 0.44mm - - 4.2m/s
02:00
1002hPa 6J/kg 0% 4.3°C 55% 1% 22% 0mm 84% 0.01mm -20dBZ -22° 55% 0.5mm 7.6m/s 7.9m/s 3.9m/s
03:00
1003hPa 1J/kg 0% 4.5°C 42% 0% 33% 0mm 85% 0.01mm -12dBZ -19° 42% 0.5mm - - 3.2m/s
04:00
1003hPa 1J/kg 0% 4.9°C 44% 0% 45% 0mm 84% 0mm -5dBZ -13° 44% 0.56mm - - 2.6m/s
05:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.3°C 35% 0% 56% 0mm 83% 0mm 2.5dBZ -5.4° 35% 0.56mm 7.4m/s 8.8m/s 2.1m/s
06:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.7°C 23% 0% 59% 0mm 81% 0mm 2dBZ 3.5° 23% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
07:00
1005hPa 1J/kg 0% 6.3°C 36% 0% 61% 0mm 81% 0mm 1.5dBZ 13° 36% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
08:00
1006hPa 4J/kg 0% 6.7°C 79% 0% 64% 0mm 78% 0.01mm 0.94dBZ 23° 79% 0mm 5.8m/s 9.8m/s 1.2m/s
09:00
1007hPa 6J/kg 0% 6.8°C 100% 0% 66% 0mm 76% 0.03mm -6dBZ 34° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
10:00
1007hPa 5J/kg 0% 6.9°C 83% 0% 69% 0mm 74% 0mm -13dBZ 44° 83% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
11:00
1008hPa 12J/kg 0% 7°C 94% 0% 72% 0mm 71% 0.04mm -20dBZ 53° 94% 0.06mm 6.6m/s 7.5m/s 2.9m/s
12:00
1008hPa 14J/kg 0% 6.5°C 70% 6% 61% 0mm 75% 0.05mm -20dBZ 61° 71% 0.08mm - - 3m/s
13:00
1008hPa 17J/kg 0% 6°C 46% 12% 50% 0mm 79% 0.06mm -20dBZ 65° 48% 0.1mm - - 3.1m/s
14:00
1008hPa 19J/kg 0% 5.5°C 22% 18% 39% 0mm 84% 0.07mm -20dBZ 63° 25% 0.13mm 7.3m/s 6.4m/s 3.2m/s
15:00
1008hPa 15J/kg 0% 5.5°C 27% 12% 45% 0.003mm 85% 0.05mm -19dBZ 57° 28% 0.15mm - - 2.7m/s
16:00
1008hPa 11J/kg 0% 5.6°C 31% 6% 50% 0.007mm 86% 0.02mm -18dBZ 48° 32% 0.17mm - - 2.2m/s
17:00
1008hPa 7J/kg 0% 5.6°C 35% 0% 56% 0.01mm 87% 0mm -18dBZ 38° 35% 0.19mm 6.6m/s 9.7m/s 1.7m/s
18:00
1008hPa 4.7J/kg 0% 7.5°C 30% 0% 48% 0.007mm 86% 0mm -8.2dBZ 28° 30% 0.13mm - - 1.8m/s
19:00
1008hPa 2.3J/kg 0% 9.5°C 25% 0% 40% 0.003mm 85% 0mm 1.1dBZ 17° 25% 0.06mm - - 1.9m/s
20:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 19% 0% 32% 0mm 85% 0mm 10dBZ 7.5° 19% 0mm 4.3m/s 12m/s 2m/s
21:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 14% 0% 28% 0mm 86% 0mm 1.2dBZ -1.6° 14% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
22:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 8% 0% 25% 0mm 87% 0mm -8dBZ -9.7° 8% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
23:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 3% 0% 22% 0mm 88% 0mm -17dBZ -16° 3% 0mm 7.9m/s 18m/s 0.91m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 05:31 Sunset 20:54
24:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 2% 12°C 18% 0% 17% 0.003mm 88% 0mm -18dBZ -21° 18% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
01:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 3% 12°C 33% 0% 12% 0.007mm 88% 0mm -19dBZ -23° 33% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
02:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 48% 0% 7% 0.01mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -22° 48% 0mm 9.1m/s 14m/s 2.8m/s
03:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 4% 12°C 36% 0% 18% 0.007mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 36% 0mm - - 3m/s
04:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 3% 12°C 24% 0% 28% 0.003mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 24% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
05:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 2% 11°C 12% 0% 39% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -5.2° 12% 0mm 7.1m/s 12m/s 3.6m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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