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Rule Storm Chaser

Mt Rainier - Storm Chaser - Pacific Northwest

Eatonville, Washington, 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)
CAPE 100% failing
Storm Intensity 97% failing
Cloud Drama Score 79% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts2.8m/s
Precipitation Chance92%
Air Pressure947.1hPa
CAPE1
Lifted Index3.1°C
Wind Gusts2.8m/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 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, Feb 21
11:0020%53%0J/kg3°C2909m7.5m/s
12:000%51%0J/kg2.5°C8395m7.8m/s
13:0034%51%0J/kg2.4°C12845m7m/s
14:0018%51%0J/kg2.8°C24135m7.6m/s
15:0018%60%0J/kg3.2°C24135m7.6m/s
16:0037%81%0J/kg3.4°C24135m7.8m/s
17:000%62%0J/kg3.7°C24135m7.6m/s
18:000%66%0J/kg3.7°C24134m7.1m/s
19:0018%0%0J/kg3.7°C24135m7.4m/s
20:000%0.2%0J/kg4.2°C24134m9.3m/s
21:000%0%0J/kg5.1°C24135m8.3m/s
22:0019%1.5%0J/kg5.2°C24134m7.7m/s
23:000%2%0J/kg4°C21300m8.4m/s
Sun, Feb 22
24:000%5.1%0J/kg3.4°C24134m9.9m/s
01:0020%1.6%0J/kg3.3°C24135m8.9m/s
02:000%4.7%0J/kg4.3°C24135m9.1m/s
03:000%4.9%0J/kg3.4°C24135m8.7m/s
04:0021%0%0J/kg3.3°C24134m11m/s
05:000%0.8%0J/kg3.5°C24135m7m/s
06:000%58%0J/kg3.5°C24135m7.4m/s
07:0022%88%0J/kg3.6°C24135m8m/s
08:000%63%0J/kg3.8°C24135m6.6m/s
09:000%56%0J/kg3.8°C24135m5.5m/s
10:0018%56%2J/kg2.7°C24054m4.1m/s
11:0016%45%1J/kg3.1°C7821m2.8m/s
12:0035%48%0J/kg4.3°C480m3.2m/s
13:0045%46%0J/kg4.8°C385m4.7m/s
14:0040%51%0J/kg6.3°C390m5.1m/s
15:0039%60%0J/kg3.6°C597m4.6m/s
16:0045%68%0J/kg3.8°C3709m4.7m/s
17:000%68%0J/kg2.9°C11369m5.5m/s
18:000%89%0J/kg3.9°C15938m6.1m/s
19:0022%0.1%0J/kg3.8°C15750m5.6m/s
20:0015%1.6%0J/kg4.6°C14317m4.8m/s
21:0015%0.7%0J/kg4.4°C12235m4.7m/s
22:0033%0.2%1J/kg4.3°C14328m5.1m/s
23:000%0.3%0J/kg4.2°C10622m4.5m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:0017%0%6J/kg3.2°C5602m5.2m/s
01:0037%0%3J/kg2°C7342m4.3m/s
02:0020%0%3J/kg1.7°C7905m3.1m/s
03:0020%0%3J/kg0.5°C8367m4.5m/s
04:0045%0%1J/kg0.9°C10235m3.3m/s
05:0033%0%2J/kg1.1°C4157m1.6m/s
06:0033%55%3J/kg1.1°C4165m3.4m/s
07:0046%76%4J/kg2°C2587m3.3m/s
08:0042%64%1J/kg2.1°C3966m3.7m/s
09:0040%60%0J/kg2.2°C5150m3.4m/s
10:0056%51%0J/kg2.4°C8895m4.1m/s
11:0027%51%1J/kg2.9°C5980m3.5m/s
12:0031%51%2J/kg1.5°C7671m3.4m/s
13:0044%51%0J/kg2.9°C2245m1.6m/s
14:0041%51%6J/kg3.6°C805m1m/s
15:0040%60%1J/kg4.7°C239m1m/s
16:0057%60%0J/kg4.2°C155m2.1m/s
17:0032%64%0J/kg5.4°C129m1.4m/s
18:0035%62%0J/kg6°C193m0.8m/s
19:0046%0.1%0J/kg6°C401m0.4m/s
20:0035%0.1%0J/kg5.9°C2403m0.31m/s
21:0035%0.2%0J/kg7.8°C2326m0.5m/s
22:0052%0%0J/kg7.9°C317m1.1m/s
23:0031%0%0J/kg8.2°C185m0.81m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:0035%0%0J/kg7.5°C100m1.1m/s
01:0048%0.8%0J/kg7.8°C92m1.8m/s
02:0040%1%0J/kg9°C102m1.2m/s
03:0040%1.8%0J/kg8.2°C112m0.81m/s
04:0052%0%0J/kg8.1°C116m1.3m/s
05:0031%0.4%0J/kg8.1°C219m1m/s
06:0031%53%0J/kg7.7°C220m1.3m/s
07:0048%62%0J/kg7.2°C181m1.7m/s
08:0036%66%0J/kg6.4°C167m2.3m/s
09:0040%40%1J/kg5.6°C159m1.4m/s
10:0053%50%3J/kg5.4°C157m1.2m/s
11:0020%28%6J/kg5.3°C131m1.7m/s
12:0020%21%3J/kg5.8°C67m1.9m/s
13:0044%18%13J/kg5.9°C27m2.3m/s
14:0032%17%3J/kg6.9°C23m1.8m/s
15:0035%22%0J/kg7.8°C21m1.2m/s
16:0046%27%0J/kg9.2°C21m1.1m/s
17:0016%52%0J/kg10°C8059m4.5m/s
18:0015%52%0J/kg11°C16097m7.9m/s
19:0015%0%0J/kg12°C24135m11m/s
20:000%0%0.67J/kg12°C24135m11m/s
21:000%0%1.3J/kg13°C24135m11m/s
22:000%0%2J/kg13°C24135m11m/s
23:000%0%1.3J/kg13°C24135m11m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:000%0%0.67J/kg14°C24135m11m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg14°C24135m11m/s
02:000%0%8J/kg14°C24082m10m/s
03:000%0%16J/kg14°C24029m9.3m/s
04:000%0%24J/kg14°C23976m8.7m/s
05:000%0%24J/kg14°C24029m8.2m/s
06:000%18%24J/kg14°C24082m7.8m/s
07:000%21%24J/kg14°C24135m7.3m/s
08:000%35%28J/kg14°C23841m6.8m/s
09:000%46%33J/kg14°C23548m6.3m/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, Feb 22 Sunrise 07:01 Sunset 17:42
11:00
947hPa 1J/kg 0% 3.1°C 100% 16% 92% 2.1mm 86% 0mm 18dBZ 30° 100% 0.88mm - - 0.98m/s
12:00
948hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.3°C 100% 93% 85% 3mm 96% 0.01mm 19dBZ 33° 100% 2.9mm - - 1.5m/s
13:00
949hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.8°C 100% 100% 77% 0.89mm 96% 0mm 21dBZ 33° 100% 4.2mm 18m/s 19m/s 2.3m/s
14:00
949hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.3°C 100% 100% 82% 1.2mm 95% 0.01mm 16dBZ 29° 100% 5.1mm - - 2.5m/s
15:00
948hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.6°C 100% 100% 88% 0.08mm 97% 0mm 11dBZ 23° 100% 6.2mm - - 2.5m/s
16:00
949hPa 0J/kg 90% 3.8°C 100% 100% 93% 0.98mm 96% 0mm 6.4dBZ 16° 100% 7.3mm 12m/s 33m/s 2.4m/s
17:00
948hPa 0J/kg 78% 2.9°C 55% 100% 92% 0.28mm 97% 0mm 13dBZ 6.6° 100% 0.44mm - - 2.9m/s
18:00
948hPa 0J/kg 27% 3.9°C 100% 100% 91% 0.16mm 97% 0mm 19dBZ -3.3° 100% 0.63mm - - 3.2m/s
19:00
948hPa 0J/kg 2% 3.8°C 100% 99% 90% 0.22mm 97% 0mm 25dBZ -14° 100% 1mm 9.1m/s 28m/s 2.9m/s
20:00
948hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.6°C 100% 100% 93% 0.03mm 97% 0mm 18dBZ -24° 100% 1.1mm - - 2.7m/s
21:00
949hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.4°C 100% 18% 96% 0.31mm 97% 0mm 9.7dBZ -34° 100% 1.9mm - - 2.6m/s
22:00
949hPa 1J/kg 0% 4.3°C 100% 5% 99% 0.17mm 97% 0mm 1.8dBZ -42° 100% 2.4mm 21m/s 29m/s 2.6m/s
23:00
948hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.2°C 100% 98% 99% 0.52mm 97% 0mm 9.2dBZ -49° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.5m/s
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 06:59 Sunset 17:44
24:00
949hPa 6J/kg 0% 3.2°C 100% 94% 100% 0.98mm 98% 0.01mm 16dBZ -53° 100% 1.1mm - - 2.8m/s
01:00
949hPa 3J/kg 0% 2°C 100% 90% 100% 1.2mm 98% 0mm 24dBZ -52° 100% 1.8mm 19m/s 27m/s 2.1m/s
02:00
949hPa 3J/kg 0% 1.7°C 100% 100% 100% 1.6mm 98% 0mm 26dBZ -47° 100% 3.3mm - - 1.9m/s
03:00
948hPa 3J/kg 0% 0.5°C 100% 100% 100% 1.4mm 98% 0.01mm 28dBZ -40° 100% 3.9mm - - 2.4m/s
04:00
948hPa 1J/kg 3% 0.9°C 100% 100% 100% 1.6mm 98% 0.01mm 31dBZ -31° 100% 5.6mm 19m/s 22m/s 1.8m/s
05:00
947hPa 2J/kg 27% 1.1°C 100% 100% 98% 4.2mm 99% 0mm 32dBZ -21° 100% 2.3mm - - 1.1m/s
06:00
947hPa 3J/kg 99% 1.1°C 100% 100% 95% 2.7mm 98% 0.01mm 33dBZ -11° 100% 4.7mm - - 2m/s
07:00
947hPa 4J/kg 57% 2°C 100% 100% 93% 3.7mm 98% 0mm 35dBZ -0.26° 100% 7.9mm 9.4m/s 22m/s 1.8m/s
08:00
947hPa 1J/kg 100% 2.1°C 100% 100% 94% 2.9mm 98% 0mm 34dBZ 9.1° 100% 11mm - - 2.1m/s
09:00
946hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.2°C 100% 100% 94% 3.1mm 98% 0mm 33dBZ 18° 100% 13mm - - 1.9m/s
10:00
946hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.4°C 100% 100% 95% 1.5mm 98% 0mm 33dBZ 25° 100% 16mm 18m/s 38m/s 2.3m/s
11:00
946hPa 1J/kg 100% 2.9°C 100% 100% 86% 2.2mm 98% 0mm 32dBZ 31° 100% 2.2mm - - 1.9m/s
12:00
946hPa 2J/kg 100% 1.5°C 100% 100% 78% 0.72mm 98% 0mm 32dBZ 33° 100% 3.6mm - - 1.8m/s
13:00
946hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.9°C 100% 100% 70% 2.3mm 98% 0mm 32dBZ 33° 100% 4.9mm 16m/s 38m/s 0.81m/s
14:00
945hPa 6J/kg 100% 3.6°C 100% 100% 72% 0.52mm 99% 0mm 31dBZ 30° 100% 6.6mm - - 0.32m/s
15:00
945hPa 1J/kg 100% 4.7°C 100% 100% 74% 2.4mm 99% 0mm 29dBZ 24° 100% 8.8mm - - 0.51m/s
16:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.2°C 100% 100% 76% 2.1mm 100% 0.03mm 27dBZ 16° 100% 11mm 21m/s 33m/s 1.4m/s
17:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.4°C 100% 100% 72% 1.3mm 99% 0.01mm 27dBZ 6.8° 100% 2.1mm - - 1.2m/s
18:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 6°C 100% 100% 69% 1.1mm 99% 0mm 27dBZ -3° 100% 3.4mm - - 0.55m/s
19:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 6°C 100% 100% 66% 1.1mm 99% 0mm 28dBZ -13° 100% 4.2mm 14m/s 32m/s 0.13m/s
20:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.9°C 100% 100% 70% 1.1mm 99% 0mm 28dBZ -24° 100% 5.3mm - - 0.17m/s
21:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.8°C 100% 100% 73% 1.6mm 100% 0mm 29dBZ -33° 100% 6.8mm - - 0.43m/s
22:00
944hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.9°C 100% 100% 77% 1.5mm 100% 0mm 30dBZ -42° 100% 8.4mm 17m/s 34m/s 0.74m/s
23:00
944hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.2°C 100% 100% 70% 1.5mm 100% 0mm 29dBZ -49° 100% 1.6mm - - 0.65m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 06:57 Sunset 17:45
24:00
943hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.5°C 100% 100% 64% 1.6mm 100% 0mm 28dBZ -52° 100% 3.5mm - - 0.89m/s
01:00
943hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.8°C 100% 100% 57% 1.2mm 100% 0.01mm 27dBZ -52° 100% 4.9mm 23m/s 38m/s 1.1m/s
02:00
942hPa 0J/kg 60% 9°C 100% 100% 59% 1.3mm 100% 0.01mm 28dBZ -47° 100% 6.1mm - - 0.91m/s
03:00
942hPa 0J/kg 25% 8.2°C 100% 100% 61% 1.7mm 100% 0mm 29dBZ -40° 100% 7.6mm - - 0.4m/s
04:00
941hPa 0J/kg 44% 8.1°C 100% 92% 63% 0.89mm 100% 0mm 29dBZ -31° 100% 8.9mm 21m/s 43m/s 0.96m/s
05:00
941hPa 0J/kg 83% 8.1°C 100% 100% 64% 1mm 100% 0mm 27dBZ -21° 100% 0.88mm - - 0.62m/s
06:00
940hPa 0J/kg 71% 7.7°C 100% 96% 64% 1.3mm 100% 0mm 25dBZ -11° 100% 2mm - - 0.87m/s
07:00
940hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.2°C 100% 60% 65% 0.83mm 100% 0mm 22dBZ 0.13° 100% 3.3mm 24m/s 43m/s 1.2m/s
08:00
940hPa 0J/kg 89% 6.4°C 100% 61% 66% 0.85mm 100% 0mm 24dBZ 9.4° 100% 4.1mm - - 1.5m/s
09:00
940hPa 1J/kg 90% 5.6°C 100% 2% 67% 0.32mm 100% 0mm 25dBZ 18° 100% 5.3mm - - 0.98m/s
10:00
940hPa 3J/kg 30% 5.4°C 100% 0% 68% 0.22mm 100% 0mm 26dBZ 26° 100% 5.4mm 20m/s 46m/s 1.1m/s
11:00
940hPa 6J/kg 5% 5.3°C 100% 0% 55% 0.12mm 100% 0.01mm 26dBZ 31° 100% 0.19mm - - 1.4m/s
12:00
940hPa 3J/kg 0% 5.8°C 100% 0% 42% 0.42mm 100% 0.01mm 27dBZ 34° 100% 0.44mm - - 1.7m/s
13:00
941hPa 13J/kg 0% 5.9°C 100% 0% 28% 0.49mm 100% 0.01mm 28dBZ 33° 100% 1mm 20m/s 44m/s 1.6m/s
14:00
941hPa 3J/kg 0% 6.9°C 100% 0% 29% 0.87mm 100% 0mm 26dBZ 30° 100% 1.8mm - - 1.3m/s
15:00
941hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.8°C 100% 2% 29% 0.87mm 100% 0mm 25dBZ 24° 100% 2.5mm - - 0.9m/s
16:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.2°C 100% 1% 30% 0.58mm 100% 0mm 24dBZ 16° 100% 3.4mm 12m/s 32m/s 0.77m/s
17:00
962hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 68% 0% 25% 0.39mm 97% 0mm 16dBZ 7.1° 68% 2.3mm - - 1.9m/s
18:00
983hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 36% 0% 21% 0.2mm 94% 0mm 9.1dBZ -2.8° 36% 1.1mm - - 3.1m/s
19:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 4% 0% 17% 0.01mm 91% 0mm 1.8dBZ -13° 4% 0mm 9.1m/s 19m/s 4.3m/s
20:00
1005hPa 0.67J/kg 0% 12°C 15% 2% 45% 0.007mm 91% 0.003mm -4.7dBZ -23° 15% 0.02mm - - 4.2m/s
21:00
1005hPa 1.3J/kg 0% 13°C 25% 3% 72% 0.003mm 92% 0.007mm -11dBZ -33° 25% 0.04mm - - 4m/s
22:00
1006hPa 2J/kg 0% 13°C 35% 5% 100% 0mm 92% 0.01mm -18dBZ -42° 35% 0.06mm 9m/s 15m/s 3.9m/s
23:00
1006hPa 1.3J/kg 0% 13°C 29% 5% 76% 0mm 92% 0.007mm -18dBZ -48° 29% 0.06mm - - 3.9m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 06:55 Sunset 17:47
24:00
1007hPa 0.67J/kg 0% 14°C 23% 5% 51% 0mm 93% 0.003mm -19dBZ -52° 23% 0.06mm - - 4m/s
01:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 18% 5% 27% 0mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ -51° 18% 0.06mm 8.7m/s 17m/s 4m/s
02:00
1008hPa 8J/kg 0% 14°C 40% 4% 31% 0mm 89% 0.03mm -17dBZ -47° 40% 0.08mm - - 4.1m/s
03:00
1009hPa 16J/kg 0% 14°C 63% 3% 35% 0mm 84% 0.05mm -15dBZ -39° 63% 0.1mm - - 4.3m/s
04:00
1010hPa 24J/kg 0% 14°C 85% 2% 39% 0mm 80% 0.08mm -12dBZ -30° 85% 0.13mm 8.7m/s 14m/s 4.4m/s
05:00
1010hPa 24J/kg 0% 14°C 90% 2% 44% 0.003mm 80% 0.08mm -15dBZ -21° 90% 0.17mm - - 4.2m/s
06:00
1010hPa 24J/kg 0% 14°C 95% 2% 50% 0.007mm 80% 0.07mm -17dBZ -10° 95% 0.21mm - - 4.1m/s
07:00
1011hPa 24J/kg 0% 14°C 100% 2% 56% 0.01mm 81% 0.07mm -20dBZ 0.38° 100% 0.25mm 12m/s 16m/s 3.9m/s
08:00
1011hPa 28J/kg 0% 14°C 82% 2% 61% 0.02mm 80% 0.07mm -10dBZ 9.7° 82% 0.35mm - - 3.6m/s
09:00
1011hPa 33J/kg 0% 14°C 65% 2% 66% 0.04mm 79% 0.06mm 0.09dBZ 19° 65% 0.46mm - - 3.3m/s
10:00
1011hPa 37J/kg 0% 13°C 47% 2% 72% 0.05mm 78% 0.06mm 10dBZ 26° 47% 0.56mm 13m/s 14m/s 3.1m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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