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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 99% failing
Cloud Drama Score 85% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover10%
Wind Gusts2.1m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure946.9hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index10.3°C
Wind Gusts2.1m/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%96%0J/kg4.3°C11718m1.5m/s
07:000%49%0J/kg5.5°C14235m1.3m/s
08:0015%42%0J/kg6.9°C24134m1.2m/s
09:000%66%0J/kg6.7°C24135m1.5m/s
10:000%25%0J/kg6.3°C24135m1.8m/s
11:0013%47%0J/kg6.5°C24134m2.7m/s
12:000%21%0J/kg6.1°C24135m3.8m/s
13:000%28%0J/kg5.9°C24134m3.8m/s
14:000%18%0J/kg6°C24135m3.8m/s
15:000%28%0J/kg5.9°C24135m3.8m/s
16:000%31%0J/kg5.4°C24135m3.8m/s
17:000%41%0J/kg5.2°C24135m3.7m/s
18:000%84%0J/kg5.7°C24134m3.2m/s
19:000%51%0J/kg6.2°C24135m2.8m/s
20:0016%75%0J/kg6.2°C24135m1.1m/s
21:000%22%0J/kg6.2°C24134m1.3m/s
22:000%22%0J/kg6.1°C24135m1.7m/s
23:0016%15%0J/kg6.8°C24134m2.7m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%14%0J/kg8.5°C24134m2.2m/s
01:000%13%0J/kg10°C24134m1.5m/s
02:0016%15%0J/kg11°C24134m1.5m/s
03:000%8.1%0J/kg12°C24135m2.1m/s
04:000%17%0J/kg11°C24134m2m/s
05:0013%54%0J/kg11°C24135m2.1m/s
06:000%31%0J/kg10°C24135m2.1m/s
07:000%46%0J/kg9.9°C24135m2.2m/s
08:0013%44%0J/kg10°C24134m1.8m/s
09:000%25%0J/kg11°C24134m1.5m/s
10:000%21%0J/kg11°C24134m1.9m/s
11:0013%27%0J/kg11°C24134m2.3m/s
12:000%22%0J/kg11°C24135m2.6m/s
13:000%34%0J/kg11°C24134m2.9m/s
14:0013%36%0J/kg11°C24135m3.1m/s
15:000%58%0J/kg10°C24134m2.8m/s
16:000%64%0J/kg9.7°C24135m2.9m/s
17:0013%58%0J/kg8.7°C24135m2.7m/s
18:000%42%0J/kg8.7°C24135m2.6m/s
19:000%27%0J/kg8.4°C24135m3.4m/s
20:0014%24%0J/kg9.2°C24135m1.1m/s
21:000%22%0J/kg9.9°C24134m1.3m/s
22:000%18%0J/kg9.4°C24134m1.6m/s
23:0016%8.1%0J/kg9.1°C24134m1.6m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%7.9%0J/kg9.2°C24135m1.6m/s
01:000%0.2%0J/kg9.3°C24134m1.6m/s
02:0018%0.4%0J/kg10°C24135m2.2m/s
03:000%2.7%0J/kg11°C24135m2.8m/s
04:000%50%0J/kg9.9°C24134m3.1m/s
05:0016%55%0J/kg11°C24135m1.2m/s
06:000%52%0J/kg11°C24134m0.82m/s
07:000%51%0J/kg11°C24134m1.4m/s
08:0018%54%0J/kg11°C24134m3.5m/s
09:000%58%0J/kg12°C24134m5.1m/s
10:000%47%0J/kg12°C24135m9.5m/s
11:0024%46%0J/kg11°C24134m11m/s
12:0018%24%2J/kg9.7°C24071m12m/s
13:0018%25%15J/kg8.8°C11820m13m/s
14:0032%25%18J/kg7.5°C8639m9.5m/s
15:0022%43%23J/kg4.8°C7847m7.1m/s
16:0022%45%32J/kg4.7°C7468m6.7m/s
17:0059%64%47J/kg4.9°C8941m8.4m/s
18:000%68%16J/kg3.3°C20976m6.3m/s
19:000%71%33J/kg3.8°C12169m6.5m/s
20:0014%29%20J/kg5°C20779m2.7m/s
21:0014%54%17J/kg5.2°C17799m1m/s
22:0013%42%22J/kg5.6°C18255m0.71m/s
23:0022%14%20J/kg6.6°C20357m0.51m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%14%25J/kg6.5°C14707m0.9m/s
01:000%15%22J/kg6.3°C24135m0.82m/s
02:000%15%4J/kg6.6°C24134m1m/s
03:000%15%2J/kg6.6°C24135m1m/s
04:000%53%8J/kg6.9°C24134m1m/s
05:000%43%8J/kg7.2°C24134m0.92m/s
06:000%60%8J/kg7.4°C24134m0.5m/s
07:000%56%9J/kg7.6°C24135m0.63m/s
08:000%38%18J/kg7.1°C24135m1.3m/s
09:000%51%25J/kg7°C24134m1.7m/s
10:000%30%12J/kg6°C15151m2.2m/s
11:000%23%7J/kg6°C23885m2.2m/s
12:000%12%7.3J/kg6.2°C23968m1.9m/s
13:000%12%7.7J/kg6.5°C24052m1.5m/s
14:000%12%8J/kg6.7°C24135m1.2m/s
15:000%23%6J/kg8.4°C24135m1m/s
16:000%21%4J/kg10°C24135m0.87m/s
17:000%21%2J/kg12°C24135m0.7m/s
18:000%48%1.3J/kg11°C24135m0.78m/s
19:000%35%0.67J/kg11°C24135m0.85m/s
20:000%35%0J/kg11°C24135m0.93m/s
21:000%70%0.33J/kg12°C24135m0.8m/s
22:000%78%0.67J/kg12°C24135m0.67m/s
23:009.1%0%1J/kg13°C24135m0.54m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%0%0.67J/kg13°C24135m0.77m/s
01:000%0%0.33J/kg13°C24135m1m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg13°C24135m1.2m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg12°C24135m2.4m/s
04:000%29%0J/kg12°C24135m3.5m/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 05:24 Sunset 20:47
06:00
947hPa 0J/kg 2% 10°C 0% 10% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 4.7° 10% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
07:00
947hPa 0J/kg 78% 9.9°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 78% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
08:00
947hPa 0J/kg 71% 10°C 0% 2% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 71% 0mm 6.8m/s 14m/s 1.3m/s
09:00
947hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 100% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
10:00
946hPa 0J/kg 90% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 90% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
11:00
946hPa 0J/kg 81% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 54° 81% 0mm 5.6m/s 11m/s 1.6m/s
12:00
946hPa 0J/kg 73% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 61° 73% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
13:00
945hPa 0J/kg 26% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 64° 26% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
14:00
945hPa 0J/kg 45% 11°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 62° 45% 0mm 5.6m/s 13m/s 2.7m/s
15:00
944hPa 0J/kg 32% 10°C 0% 9% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 55° 32% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
16:00
943hPa 0J/kg 56% 9.7°C 0% 12% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 56% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
17:00
943hPa 0J/kg 8% 8.7°C 0% 78% 0% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 78% 0mm 5.4m/s 15m/s 2m/s
18:00
943hPa 0J/kg 98% 8.7°C 0% 20% 0% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 98% 0mm - - 2m/s
19:00
942hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.4°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
20:00
942hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.2°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 6.5° 100% 0mm 5.4m/s 17m/s 1.1m/s
21:00
942hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.9°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -2.4° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
22:00
942hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.4°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -10° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
23:00
942hPa 0J/kg 97% 9.1°C 0% 23% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 97% 0mm 11m/s 19m/s 1.8m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 05:23 Sunset 20:48
24:00
942hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.2°C 0% 100% 17% 0mm 67% 0mm -12dBZ -21° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
01:00
942hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.3°C 0% 100% 33% 0mm 66% 0mm -4.1dBZ -22° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
02:00
941hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 0% 100% 50% 0mm 68% 0mm 3.8dBZ -21° 100% 0mm 13m/s 28m/s 1.9m/s
03:00
941hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 100% 49% 0mm 66% 0mm -4.1dBZ -17° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
04:00
940hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.9°C 0% 100% 47% 0mm 66% 0mm -12dBZ -12° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
05:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 2% 66% 46% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -4° 100% 0mm 15m/s 20m/s 0.97m/s
06:00
940hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 4% 94% 62% 0mm 79% 0mm -15dBZ 4.8° 100% 0mm - - 0.69m/s
07:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 4% 56% 77% 0mm 71% 0mm -10dBZ 14° 100% 0mm - - 0.61m/s
08:00
939hPa 0J/kg 90% 11°C 5% 100% 93% 0mm 59% 0mm -5.5dBZ 24° 100% 0mm 14m/s 24m/s 1.2m/s
09:00
939hPa 0J/kg 61% 12°C 20% 88% 95% 0mm 45% 0mm 5.6dBZ 35° 88% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
10:00
939hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 100% 100% 97% 0mm 33% 0mm 17dBZ 45° 100% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
11:00
939hPa 0J/kg 79% 11°C 100% 100% 99% 0.01mm 38% 0mm 28dBZ 54° 100% 0mm 17m/s 28m/s 3.6m/s
12:00
939hPa 2J/kg 5% 9.7°C 100% 100% 99% 0.21mm 48% 0mm 27dBZ 61° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.8m/s
13:00
939hPa 15J/kg 3% 8.8°C 100% 100% 99% 0.87mm 78% 0.04mm 26dBZ 64° 100% 0.69mm - - 4.2m/s
14:00
939hPa 18J/kg 98% 7.5°C 100% 100% 98% 1.1mm 92% 0.13mm 25dBZ 62° 100% 1.8mm 6.5m/s 14m/s 2.5m/s
15:00
939hPa 23J/kg 86% 4.8°C 100% 100% 98% 1.5mm 96% 0.15mm 27dBZ 55° 100% 3.6mm - - 2.2m/s
16:00
939hPa 32J/kg 72% 4.7°C 100% 100% 98% 1.3mm 96% 0.25mm 29dBZ 47° 100% 4.9mm - - 2.2m/s
17:00
939hPa 47J/kg 99% 4.9°C 95% 100% 98% 0.69mm 96% 0.53mm 31dBZ 37° 100% 6.7mm 3.3m/s 25m/s 3m/s
18:00
938hPa 16J/kg 98% 3.3°C 54% 97% 78% 0mm 94% 0.22mm 24dBZ 26° 100% 0.56mm - - 2.3m/s
19:00
938hPa 33J/kg 0% 3.8°C 33% 4% 59% 0mm 93% 0.5mm 17dBZ 16° 33% 0.94mm - - 2.3m/s
20:00
938hPa 20J/kg 0% 5°C 7% 0% 39% 0mm 94% 0.26mm 9.6dBZ 6.7° 7% 1.3mm 2.9m/s 2.9m/s 1.3m/s
21:00
939hPa 17J/kg 0% 5.2°C 78% 0% 39% 0mm 96% 0.28mm 6.9dBZ -2.2° 78% 1.5mm - - 1m/s
22:00
939hPa 22J/kg 0% 5.6°C 83% 0% 39% 0mm 97% 0.3mm 4.1dBZ -10° 83% 1.8mm - - 0.66m/s
23:00
940hPa 20J/kg 0% 6.6°C 100% 27% 39% 0mm 97% 0.27mm 1.4dBZ -16° 100% 2.1mm 4.1m/s 12m/s 0.48m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 05:22 Sunset 20:50
24:00
940hPa 25J/kg 0% 6.5°C 98% 38% 26% 0.08mm 97% 0.29mm -5.8dBZ -20° 98% 0.31mm - - 0.74m/s
01:00
940hPa 22J/kg 0% 6.3°C 36% 3% 13% 0.01mm 95% 0.09mm -13dBZ -22° 36% 0.56mm - - 0.82m/s
02:00
940hPa 4J/kg 0% 6.6°C 56% 3% 0% 0mm 95% 0.03mm -20dBZ -21° 56% 0.63mm 2.8m/s 7.6m/s 1m/s
03:00
940hPa 2J/kg 0% 6.6°C 47% 0% 27% 0mm 96% 0.02mm -20dBZ -17° 47% 0.63mm - - 1.1m/s
04:00
940hPa 8J/kg 0% 6.9°C 77% 0% 54% 0mm 96% 0.02mm -20dBZ -11° 77% 0.63mm - - 1.2m/s
05:00
941hPa 8J/kg 0% 7.2°C 86% 0% 82% 0mm 96% 0.01mm -20dBZ -3.9° 86% 0.63mm 5.4m/s 9.1m/s 1m/s
06:00
941hPa 8J/kg 0% 7.4°C 78% 0% 78% 0mm 95% 0.01mm -15dBZ 4.9° 78% 0mm - - 0.49m/s
07:00
942hPa 9J/kg 0% 7.6°C 79% 0% 75% 0mm 94% 0.04mm -9.3dBZ 14° 79% 0mm - - 0.41m/s
08:00
943hPa 18J/kg 0% 7.1°C 86% 0% 72% 0mm 90% 0.07mm -3.9dBZ 24° 86% 0.06mm 7.2m/s 7.8m/s 0.81m/s
09:00
943hPa 25J/kg 0% 7°C 70% 0% 74% 0mm 84% 0.09mm -0.5dBZ 35° 70% 0.19mm - - 1.3m/s
10:00
943hPa 12J/kg 0% 6°C 96% 0% 77% 0mm 77% 0.11mm 2.9dBZ 45° 96% 0.31mm - - 1.9m/s
11:00
943hPa 7J/kg 0% 6°C 100% 0% 79% 0.03mm 72% 0.09mm 6.2dBZ 54° 100% 0.38mm 6.8m/s 6.9m/s 1.7m/s
12:00
962hPa 7.3J/kg 1% 6.2°C 98% 2% 76% 0.02mm 75% 0.06mm 4.7dBZ 61° 98% 0.29mm - - 1.4m/s
13:00
980hPa 7.7J/kg 1% 6.5°C 95% 3% 72% 0.02mm 78% 0.03mm 3.1dBZ 64° 95% 0.21mm - - 1.2m/s
14:00
998hPa 8J/kg 2% 6.7°C 93% 5% 68% 0.01mm 81% 0mm 1.5dBZ 62° 93% 0.13mm 5.7m/s 6.7m/s 0.96m/s
15:00
998hPa 6J/kg 1% 8.4°C 94% 5% 72% 0.007mm 82% 0mm 5.4dBZ 56° 94% 0.13mm - - 0.83m/s
16:00
998hPa 4J/kg 1% 10°C 95% 5% 75% 0.003mm 83% 0mm 9.2dBZ 47° 95% 0.13mm - - 0.7m/s
17:00
998hPa 2J/kg 0% 12°C 96% 5% 78% 0mm 84% 0mm 13dBZ 37° 96% 0.13mm 7.8m/s 3.4m/s 0.58m/s
18:00
999hPa 1.3J/kg 33% 11°C 69% 4% 52% 0mm 88% 0mm 2dBZ 27° 98% 0.08mm - - 0.69m/s
19:00
999hPa 0.67J/kg 67% 11°C 41% 3% 26% 0mm 92% 0mm -9dBZ 16° 99% 0.04mm - - 0.81m/s
20:00
999hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 13% 2% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ 6.8° 100% 0mm 7m/s 6.8m/s 0.93m/s
21:00
999hPa 0.33J/kg 84% 12°C 24% 13% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -2.1° 84% 0mm - - 0.8m/s
22:00
999hPa 0.67J/kg 67% 12°C 34% 24% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -9.9° 68% 0mm - - 0.68m/s
23:00
999hPa 1J/kg 51% 13°C 45% 35% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 52% 0mm 5.7m/s 19m/s 0.55m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 05:22 Sunset 20:51
24:00
999hPa 0.67J/kg 36% 13°C 32% 24% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 36% 0mm - - 0.71m/s
01:00
999hPa 0.33J/kg 20% 13°C 18% 14% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -22° 21% 0mm - - 0.86m/s
02:00
999hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 5% 3% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 5% 0mm 7m/s 7m/s 1m/s
03:00
999hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 9% 2% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 9% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
04:00
999hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 14% 1% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 14% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
05:00
998hPa 0J/kg 6% 11°C 18% 0% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ -3.8° 18% 0mm 8.4m/s 10m/s 2.6m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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