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

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 82% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover79%
Wind Gusts1.8m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure946.4hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index8.0°C
Wind Gusts1.8m/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.

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
Tue, Apr 7
18:000%18%0J/kg13°C24135m2.8m/s
19:000%29%0J/kg13°C24134m2.2m/s
20:0015%19%0J/kg13°C24135m0.9m/s
21:000%1.7%0J/kg13°C24134m0.6m/s
22:000%3.5%0J/kg13°C24134m0.71m/s
23:0015%3.1%0J/kg13°C24135m0.73m/s
Wed, Apr 8
24:000%2.9%0J/kg13°C24135m1.1m/s
01:000%6.8%0J/kg13°C24134m1.2m/s
02:0013%8.6%0J/kg13°C24135m1m/s
03:000%8.9%0J/kg13°C24134m0.9m/s
04:000%12%0J/kg13°C24135m0.9m/s
05:0016%14%0J/kg12°C24134m1.1m/s
06:000%30%0J/kg12°C24134m1.3m/s
07:000%51%0J/kg12°C24134m1.3m/s
08:0014%68%0J/kg11°C24135m1.3m/s
09:000%42%0J/kg11°C24135m0.91m/s
10:000%49%0J/kg12°C24134m1.1m/s
11:0013%38%0J/kg12°C24135m1.8m/s
12:000%24%0J/kg11°C24135m2.3m/s
13:000%23%0J/kg9.9°C24134m2.6m/s
14:0013%24%0J/kg9.2°C24134m2.5m/s
15:000%24%0J/kg8.5°C24135m2.4m/s
16:000%27%0J/kg8.1°C24135m2.3m/s
17:0013%49%0J/kg7.9°C24135m2.1m/s
18:000%48%0J/kg8°C24134m1.8m/s
19:000%33%0J/kg8.3°C24135m1.1m/s
20:0013%58%0J/kg9.1°C24135m0.82m/s
21:000%15%0J/kg9.9°C24135m1m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg10°C24134m1.1m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg10°C24134m1.1m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%15%0J/kg9.9°C24134m1.1m/s
01:000%7.9%0J/kg9.9°C24135m1.1m/s
02:000%4.9%0J/kg10°C24134m1.1m/s
03:000%1.4%0J/kg10°C24135m1.3m/s
04:000%0.5%0J/kg10°C24135m1.4m/s
05:000%0.1%0J/kg11°C24135m1.2m/s
06:000%11%0J/kg10°C24135m1.2m/s
07:000%7.8%0J/kg10°C24134m1.3m/s
08:000%13%0J/kg11°C24135m1.5m/s
09:000%13%0J/kg11°C24134m0.91m/s
10:000%15%0J/kg10°C24134m1m/s
11:000%9.1%0J/kg9.4°C24135m1.3m/s
12:000%5.6%0J/kg8.4°C24135m2m/s
13:000%5.5%0J/kg7.3°C24134m2.3m/s
14:000%6.3%0J/kg6.4°C24134m2.1m/s
15:000%11%0J/kg5.7°C24135m2m/s
16:000%19%0J/kg5.2°C24134m1.8m/s
17:000%17%0J/kg4.9°C24135m2.1m/s
18:000%29%0J/kg4.7°C24134m2.3m/s
19:000%31%0J/kg4.3°C24134m1.3m/s
20:000%86%0J/kg4.1°C24135m0.71m/s
21:000%15%0J/kg3.9°C24134m1.1m/s
22:000%12%0J/kg3.8°C24134m1.2m/s
23:000%10%0J/kg3.7°C24135m1.2m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%9.3%0J/kg3.6°C24134m1.4m/s
01:000%6.9%0J/kg3.2°C24134m1.5m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg3.1°C24135m1.5m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg3.3°C24135m1.6m/s
04:000%14%0J/kg3.4°C24134m1.5m/s
05:000%14%0J/kg3.5°C24134m1.6m/s
06:000%100%0J/kg3.7°C24134m1.6m/s
07:000%69%0J/kg3.7°C24134m1.6m/s
08:000%51%0J/kg3.7°C24134m2.1m/s
09:000%55%0J/kg4°C24134m1.5m/s
10:000%40%0J/kg4.3°C24135m1.4m/s
11:000%43%0J/kg4.7°C24135m1.7m/s
12:000%29%0J/kg3.9°C24135m1.8m/s
13:000%48%0J/kg3.7°C24134m2.6m/s
14:0013%47%5J/kg3.4°C24135m2.5m/s
15:000%48%10J/kg2.9°C24134m2.1m/s
16:000%51%24J/kg2.1°C21735m1.9m/s
17:0016%46%37J/kg1.4°C15705m2.2m/s
18:000%58%15J/kg0.6°C19751m1.9m/s
19:000%65%10J/kg0.5°C21626m1.8m/s
20:0015%62%5J/kg0.8°C24135m1.3m/s
21:000%54%2J/kg0.8°C24135m1.1m/s
22:000%6.3%11J/kg1°C24135m0.42m/s
23:0013%3.3%17J/kg0.6°C22305m0.3m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:0013%0%12J/kg2°C21394m0.61m/s
01:0015%0%7J/kg3.3°C20483m0.92m/s
02:0033%0%2J/kg4.7°C19571m1.2m/s
03:0019%0%1.3J/kg4.2°C21093m1.4m/s
04:0020%0%0.67J/kg3.7°C22614m1.6m/s
05:0034%0%0J/kg3.1°C24135m1.8m/s
06:0016%85%3.3J/kg3°C24135m2.1m/s
07:0013%85%6.7J/kg2.8°C24135m2.3m/s
08:0012%30%10J/kg2.6°C24135m2.5m/s
09:000%77%7.7J/kg2.5°C24135m2.8m/s
10:000%62%5.3J/kg2.3°C24135m3m/s
11:000%41%3J/kg2.1°C24135m3.3m/s
12:000%40%2J/kg2.2°C24135m3.9m/s
13:000%43%1J/kg2.3°C24135m4.5m/s
14:0011%43%0J/kg2.4°C24135m5m/s
15:000%50%0J/kg2.7°C24135m3.8m/s
16:000%86%0J/kg3.1°C24135m2.7m/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
Wed, Apr 8 Sunrise 06:32 Sunset 19:47
18:00
946hPa 0J/kg 79% 8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 79% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
19:00
946hPa 0J/kg 95% 8.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 7.4° 95% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
20:00
946hPa 0J/kg 69% 9.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -2.7° 69% 0mm 10m/s 11m/s 0.74m/s
21:00
947hPa 0J/kg 74% 9.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 74% 0mm - - 0.94m/s
22:00
947hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 100% 0mm - - 1m/s
23:00
947hPa 0J/kg 74% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 74% 0mm 9.3m/s 9.6m/s 1.1m/s
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:32 Sunset 19:47
24:00
947hPa 0J/kg 81% 9.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 81% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
01:00
947hPa 0J/kg 11% 9.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 11% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
02:00
947hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 5% 0mm 7.7m/s 8.7m/s 1.3m/s
03:00
946hPa 0J/kg 1% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 1% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
04:00
946hPa 0J/kg 4% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 4% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
05:00
946hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 5% 0mm 6.2m/s 7.9m/s 1.5m/s
06:00
946hPa 0J/kg 4% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -6.1° 4% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
07:00
946hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 0% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
08:00
946hPa 0J/kg 2% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 2% 0mm 7.1m/s 6.4m/s 1.1m/s
09:00
946hPa 0J/kg 1% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 1% 0mm - - 0.19m/s
10:00
946hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 5% 0mm - - 0.54m/s
11:00
946hPa 0J/kg 3% 9.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 3% 0mm 5.5m/s 3.4m/s 1.2m/s
12:00
946hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 48° 0% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
13:00
945hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 0% 0mm - - 2m/s
14:00
945hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 0% 0mm 4.4m/s 4m/s 2.4m/s
15:00
944hPa 0J/kg 3% 5.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 3% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
16:00
944hPa 0J/kg 5% 5.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 5% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
17:00
944hPa 0J/kg 2% 4.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 43% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 2% 0mm 6m/s 5.6m/s 2.3m/s
18:00
943hPa 0J/kg 5% 4.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 5% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
19:00
943hPa 0J/kg 5% 4.3°C 0% 1% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 7.7° 5% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
20:00
943hPa 0J/kg 32% 4.1°C 0% 8% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -2.4° 32% 0mm 5.7m/s 5.8m/s 0.6m/s
21:00
943hPa 0J/kg 40% 3.9°C 0% 40% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 47% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
22:00
943hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.8°C 0% 6% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 6% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
23:00
943hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.7°C 0% 31% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 31% 0mm 8.1m/s 7.9m/s 1.4m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:30 Sunset 19:49
24:00
943hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.6°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 5% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
943hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.2°C 1% 5% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 5% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
02:00
942hPa 0J/kg 6% 3.1°C 5% 7% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 7% 0mm 6.6m/s 4.1m/s 1.8m/s
03:00
942hPa 0J/kg 3% 3.3°C 7% 5% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 7% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
04:00
941hPa 0J/kg 4% 3.4°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -23° 5% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
05:00
941hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.5°C 20% 11% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 20% 0mm 4.5m/s 8.3m/s 1.8m/s
06:00
941hPa 0J/kg 30% 3.7°C 76% 51% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -5.8° 76% 0mm - - 2m/s
07:00
941hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.7°C 58% 11% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 4.3° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
08:00
941hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.7°C 8% 23% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 100% 0mm 3.2m/s 7.5m/s 1.4m/s
09:00
940hPa 0J/kg 100% 4°C 33% 75% 17% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 100% 0mm - - 0.95m/s
10:00
940hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.3°C 8% 31% 33% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 100% 0mm - - 0.98m/s
11:00
940hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.7°C 40% 19% 50% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 100% 0mm 6.5m/s 8m/s 1.4m/s
12:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.9°C 23% 10% 67% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 49° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
13:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.7°C 52% 100% 83% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 100% 0mm - - 2m/s
14:00
939hPa 5J/kg 100% 3.4°C 53% 100% 100% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 100% 0mm 7.8m/s 12m/s 2.4m/s
15:00
938hPa 10J/kg 64% 2.9°C 88% 77% 78% 0mm 51% 0.02mm -15dBZ 45° 92% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
16:00
938hPa 24J/kg 90% 2.1°C 90% 89% 55% 0mm 62% 0.18mm -9.6dBZ 37° 99% 0.06mm - - 1.9m/s
17:00
937hPa 37J/kg 100% 1.4°C 97% 100% 33% 0mm 78% 0.41mm -4.4dBZ 28° 100% 0.38mm 11m/s 12m/s 1.4m/s
18:00
937hPa 15J/kg 100% 0.6°C 46% 100% 37% 0mm 88% 0.14mm -7.6dBZ 18° 100% 0.25mm - - 1.2m/s
19:00
937hPa 10J/kg 100% 0.5°C 68% 100% 41% 0mm 93% 0.12mm -11dBZ 7.9° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.1m/s
20:00
937hPa 5J/kg 100% 0.8°C 66% 87% 46% 0mm 96% 0mm -14dBZ -2.2° 100% 0.38mm 7.4m/s 10m/s 1m/s
21:00
937hPa 2J/kg 4% 0.8°C 59% 100% 56% 0mm 96% 0mm -16dBZ -12° 100% 0.38mm - - 1m/s
22:00
936hPa 11J/kg 44% 1°C 51% 100% 66% 0mm 96% 0mm -18dBZ -21° 100% 0.44mm - - 0.42m/s
23:00
936hPa 17J/kg 36% 0.6°C 99% 100% 76% 0mm 96% 0.13mm -20dBZ -28° 100% 0.5mm 4.9m/s 11m/s 0.25m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:28 Sunset 19:50
24:00
954hPa 12J/kg 58% 2°C 99% 100% 77% 0.19mm 97% 0.09mm -4.9dBZ -33° 100% 2.1mm - - 0.38m/s
01:00
971hPa 7J/kg 79% 3.3°C 100% 100% 78% 0.39mm 97% 0.04mm 10dBZ -35° 100% 3.7mm - - 0.51m/s
02:00
989hPa 2J/kg 100% 4.7°C 100% 100% 79% 0.58mm 98% 0mm 25dBZ -34° 100% 5.3mm 11m/s 13m/s 0.64m/s
03:00
989hPa 1.3J/kg 77% 4.2°C 96% 100% 83% 0.4mm 95% 0mm 27dBZ -30° 100% 5.5mm - - 0.95m/s
04:00
989hPa 0.67J/kg 54% 3.7°C 93% 100% 87% 0.23mm 93% 0mm 28dBZ -23° 100% 5.7mm - - 1.3m/s
05:00
989hPa 0J/kg 31% 3.1°C 89% 100% 91% 0.05mm 90% 0mm 29dBZ -15° 100% 5.9mm 11m/s 12m/s 1.6m/s
06:00
988hPa 3.3J/kg 22% 3°C 91% 68% 83% 0.03mm 81% 0.007mm 27dBZ -5.5° 98% 4mm - - 1.9m/s
07:00
988hPa 6.7J/kg 12% 2.8°C 92% 36% 75% 0.02mm 72% 0.01mm 25dBZ 4.6° 96% 2mm - - 2.2m/s
08:00
987hPa 10J/kg 3% 2.6°C 94% 5% 67% 0mm 64% 0.02mm 23dBZ 15° 94% 0.06mm 3.4m/s 11m/s 2.6m/s
09:00
987hPa 7.7J/kg 25% 2.5°C 95% 20% 68% 0.003mm 66% 0.01mm 15dBZ 25° 95% 0.08mm - - 2.5m/s
10:00
987hPa 5.3J/kg 46% 2.3°C 97% 36% 70% 0.007mm 68% 0.007mm 7.4dBZ 34° 97% 0.1mm - - 2.3m/s
11:00
987hPa 3J/kg 68% 2.1°C 99% 52% 71% 0.01mm 70% 0mm -0.42dBZ 43° 99% 0.13mm 5.6m/s 10m/s 2.2m/s
12:00
987hPa 2J/kg 72% 2.2°C 81% 55% 64% 0.007mm 73% 0mm -0.16dBZ 49° 97% 0.08mm - - 2.2m/s
13:00
987hPa 1J/kg 76% 2.3°C 63% 57% 57% 0.003mm 77% 0mm 0.09dBZ 52° 94% 0.04mm - - 2.1m/s
14:00
987hPa 0J/kg 80% 2.4°C 45% 60% 51% 0mm 80% 0mm 0.35dBZ 50° 91% 0mm 5.2m/s 12m/s 2.1m/s
15:00
987hPa 0J/kg 61% 2.7°C 38% 59% 48% 0mm 85% 0mm -5.6dBZ 45° 83% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
16:00
987hPa 0J/kg 42% 3.1°C 30% 57% 45% 0mm 89% 0mm -12dBZ 37° 74% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
17:00
987hPa 0J/kg 24% 3.5°C 22% 56% 42% 0mm 93% 0mm -18dBZ 28° 66% 0mm 4.3m/s 9.8m/s 0.9m/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