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Rule Storm Chaser

Olympic Rainforest - Storm Chaser - Pacific Northwest

Forks, 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)
Storm Intensity 100% failing
CAPE 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 71% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts4.4m/s
Precipitation Chance70%
Air Pressure993.1hPa
CAPE1
Lifted Index5.3°C
Wind Gusts4.4m/s
Precipitation1.6mm

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
Fri, Apr 10
12:000%42%0J/kg2.6°C24134m0.91m/s
13:000%49%0J/kg2.4°C24135m1.5m/s
14:000%56%0J/kg2.8°C24135m1m/s
15:000%80%0J/kg2.5°C24135m1.4m/s
16:000%90%0J/kg2.4°C24134m1.4m/s
17:000%44%0J/kg2.2°C24134m2.6m/s
18:000%68%0J/kg1.9°C24134m2.1m/s
19:000%67%1J/kg1.5°C24134m0.7m/s
20:009.8%57%7J/kg1.1°C24134m0.5m/s
21:000%61%9J/kg1.2°C24135m0.3m/s
22:000%14%5J/kg1°C24134m0.6m/s
23:009.8%14%5J/kg0.5°C24134m0.3m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%11%19J/kg0.8°C24135m0.81m/s
01:000%1.8%24J/kg0.6°C24134m2.3m/s
02:000%5.8%26J/kg0.6°C22651m2.2m/s
03:000%0%28J/kg0.6°C21055m2.7m/s
04:000%0%26J/kg0.9°C21149m2m/s
05:000%0%22J/kg1.1°C20442m2.4m/s
06:000%55%0J/kg4°C17536m2m/s
07:000%64%0J/kg5.3°C18099m2.4m/s
08:0012%60%0J/kg5.2°C18055m3.3m/s
09:0013%62%1J/kg6.3°C15743m4.9m/s
10:0025%53%1J/kg6°C13895m5.1m/s
11:0019%43%1J/kg5.6°C7553m5.1m/s
12:0013%41%1J/kg5.3°C8206m4.4m/s
13:0015%40%2J/kg5.7°C12113m3.8m/s
14:0015%38%1J/kg5.9°C13253m3.8m/s
15:0015%38%2J/kg5.7°C14996m3.7m/s
16:0013%46%2J/kg5.5°C17720m3.1m/s
17:0018%47%2J/kg5.5°C17169m2.5m/s
18:000%57%1J/kg5.6°C20329m1.7m/s
19:000%64%1J/kg5.6°C24135m0.72m/s
20:000%63%0J/kg5.1°C23828m0.31m/s
21:000%51%0J/kg4.9°C23590m0.5m/s
22:009.1%2.1%0J/kg5.1°C22018m0.51m/s
23:009.1%1.8%0J/kg5°C21121m0.31m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%1.4%0J/kg4.9°C21115m0.5m/s
01:000%2.9%0J/kg5.1°C21536m0.51m/s
02:000%8.4%0J/kg4.7°C24134m0.7m/s
03:000%8.2%0J/kg4.2°C24135m0.91m/s
04:000%5%0J/kg4°C24135m1.1m/s
05:000%8.1%0J/kg4.1°C24135m1.8m/s
06:000%40%0J/kg4.6°C24135m1.4m/s
07:000%65%0J/kg4.5°C24135m2.1m/s
08:000%59%0J/kg3.7°C24135m2.3m/s
09:000%75%0J/kg3.4°C24135m2.6m/s
10:000%62%1J/kg3.2°C24134m3.2m/s
11:000%70%0J/kg3.4°C24134m2m/s
12:000%68%0J/kg3°C24134m3m/s
13:000%34%0J/kg3.5°C24135m2.7m/s
14:000%43%0J/kg3.8°C24135m3.5m/s
15:000%47%0J/kg3.8°C24135m3.4m/s
16:000%52%0J/kg3.5°C24135m3.5m/s
17:000%58%0J/kg4°C24135m3.5m/s
18:000%92%0J/kg5.5°C24135m3.7m/s
19:000%44%0J/kg6.2°C24135m4.3m/s
20:000%49%0J/kg5.9°C24135m4.6m/s
21:000%35%0J/kg6°C24134m3.8m/s
22:000%7.5%0J/kg6.4°C24134m3.3m/s
23:000%7.2%0J/kg6.9°C24135m3.8m/s
Mon, Apr 13
24:000%5.7%0J/kg7.8°C24135m4.9m/s
01:000%6.2%0J/kg8°C24134m5.3m/s
02:000%4.8%1J/kg8°C24135m5.3m/s
03:000%4.7%1J/kg8.5°C24134m5.4m/s
04:000%4.9%0J/kg8.7°C24135m4.2m/s
05:000%6.3%0J/kg9°C24135m3.7m/s
06:000%39%0J/kg9.7°C24135m4.5m/s
07:000%44%0J/kg11°C24135m5.2m/s
08:009.8%39%1J/kg11°C24134m5.3m/s
09:000%63%10J/kg12°C24134m5m/s
10:000%51%22J/kg12°C24135m4.8m/s
11:0013%29%19J/kg12°C24135m4.7m/s
12:000%28%20J/kg12°C24134m4.8m/s
13:000%41%21J/kg12°C24135m5m/s
14:0012%40%31J/kg12°C22437m5.4m/s
15:000%28%38J/kg11°C15909m6.3m/s
16:000%51%28J/kg11°C17832m7m/s
17:0014%51%18J/kg11°C24134m7.3m/s
18:000%60%17J/kg12°C24134m6.6m/s
19:000%60%16J/kg13°C24135m6m/s
20:000%64%15J/kg14°C24135m5.3m/s
21:000%55%17J/kg13°C23718m6.2m/s
22:000%0%19J/kg13°C23300m7.1m/s
23:000%0%21J/kg13°C22883m8m/s
Tue, Apr 14
24:000%0%23J/kg12°C19202m8.5m/s
01:000%0%25J/kg12°C15520m9m/s
02:0018%0%27J/kg12°C11838m9.5m/s
03:0018%0%29J/kg11°C9774m9.9m/s
04:0020%0%32J/kg11°C7710m10m/s
05:0044%0%34J/kg11°C5646m11m/s
06:0024%70%23J/kg11°C5045m11m/s
07:0037%70%12J/kg10°C4443m11m/s
08:0045%65%1J/kg9.7°C3841m12m/s
09:0037%65%11J/kg8.7°C4156m11m/s
10:0043%55%21J/kg7.6°C4470m11m/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
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:35 Sunset 20:00
12:00
993hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.3°C 100% 100% 70% 1.6mm 96% 0.04mm 26dBZ 47° 100% 1.6mm - - 2m/s
13:00
993hPa 2J/kg 100% 5.7°C 100% 100% 50% 0.85mm 94% 0.06mm 26dBZ 50° 100% 2.8mm - - 2.1m/s
14:00
994hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.9°C 100% 100% 30% 0.69mm 95% 0.05mm 26dBZ 50° 100% 3.5mm 7.5m/s 2.1m/s 2.3m/s
15:00
994hPa 2J/kg 100% 5.7°C 100% 100% 29% 0.49mm 96% 0.04mm 22dBZ 45° 100% 4.1mm - - 2m/s
16:00
993hPa 2J/kg 100% 5.5°C 100% 100% 28% 0.36mm 96% 0.04mm 19dBZ 38° 100% 4.6mm - - 1.6m/s
17:00
993hPa 2J/kg 100% 5.5°C 100% 100% 26% 0.37mm 97% 0.04mm 15dBZ 29° 100% 5mm 7.1m/s 3m/s 1.3m/s
18:00
993hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.6°C 99% 100% 21% 0.28mm 98% 0.02mm 9.7dBZ 20° 100% 0.44mm - - 0.83m/s
19:00
993hPa 1J/kg 100% 5.6°C 98% 100% 15% 0.13mm 98% 0.01mm 4.5dBZ 9.6° 100% 0.63mm - - 0.34m/s
20:00
993hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.1°C 97% 100% 9% 0.18mm 98% 0mm -0.69dBZ 0.11° 100% 0.81mm 3.4m/s 2.6m/s 0.16m/s
21:00
993hPa 0J/kg 99% 4.9°C 88% 100% 11% 0.21mm 98% 0mm -6.9dBZ -9.9° 100% 1mm - - 0.51m/s
22:00
993hPa 0J/kg 59% 5.1°C 85% 99% 13% 0.04mm 98% 0mm -13dBZ -18° 100% 1.1mm - - 0.47m/s
23:00
993hPa 0J/kg 91% 5°C 82% 61% 15% 0mm 98% 0mm -19dBZ -26° 91% 1.1mm 2.1m/s 4m/s 0.06m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:33 Sunset 20:02
24:00
993hPa 0J/kg 98% 4.9°C 82% 42% 10% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -31° 98% 0mm - - 0.41m/s
01:00
992hPa 0J/kg 82% 5.1°C 100% 38% 5% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0mm - - 0.44m/s
02:00
992hPa 0J/kg 65% 4.7°C 100% 61% 0% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0mm 1.4m/s 2.2m/s 0.72m/s
03:00
992hPa 0J/kg 48% 4.2°C 100% 29% 13% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 100% 0mm - - 0.89m/s
04:00
992hPa 0J/kg 42% 4°C 100% 8% 26% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -23° 100% 0mm - - 0.94m/s
05:00
991hPa 0J/kg 33% 4.1°C 100% 6% 39% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 100% 0mm 3.1m/s 5.1m/s 1.2m/s
06:00
991hPa 0J/kg 69% 4.6°C 100% 5% 26% 0mm 97% 0mm -13dBZ -6.2° 100% 0mm - - 0.98m/s
07:00
991hPa 0J/kg 90% 4.5°C 100% 36% 13% 0.01mm 97% 0mm -5.9dBZ 3.7° 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
08:00
992hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.7°C 76% 16% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm 1.2dBZ 14° 100% 0.06mm 1.8m/s 3.7m/s 1.1m/s
09:00
992hPa 0J/kg 16% 3.4°C 85% 10% 0% 0mm 93% 0mm -2.6dBZ 24° 85% 0.06mm - - 1.6m/s
10:00
992hPa 1J/kg 6% 3.2°C 43% 2% 0% 0mm 90% 0.01mm -6.4dBZ 33° 43% 0.06mm - - 2m/s
11:00
992hPa 0J/kg 29% 3.4°C 64% 2% 0% 0mm 81% 0.01mm -10dBZ 41° 64% 0.06mm 0.78m/s 1.4m/s 2m/s
12:00
992hPa 0J/kg 49% 3°C 64% 0% 13% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -13dBZ 48° 67% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
13:00
993hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.5°C 86% 0% 26% 0.01mm 74% 0mm -17dBZ 51° 86% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
14:00
993hPa 0J/kg 4% 3.8°C 72% 0% 39% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 72% 0mm 1.5m/s 1.5m/s 3.8m/s
15:00
994hPa 0J/kg 4% 3.8°C 57% 0% 45% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 57% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
16:00
994hPa 0J/kg 1% 3.5°C 48% 5% 50% 0mm 75% 0mm -19dBZ 38° 48% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
17:00
994hPa 0J/kg 0% 4°C 50% 8% 56% 0mm 74% 0mm -19dBZ 29° 50% 0mm 0.88m/s 0.92m/s 2.9m/s
18:00
994hPa 0J/kg 2% 5.5°C 79% 15% 65% 0mm 76% 0mm -10dBZ 20° 79% 0mm - - 3m/s
19:00
995hPa 0J/kg 1% 6.2°C 100% 0% 73% 0.02mm 80% 0mm -1.2dBZ 9.8° 100% 0mm - - 3m/s
20:00
995hPa 0J/kg 5% 5.9°C 100% 3% 82% 0.02mm 86% 0.01mm 7.7dBZ 0.3° 100% 0.06mm 0.78m/s 2.4m/s 2.4m/s
21:00
996hPa 0J/kg 4% 6°C 100% 5% 86% 0.04mm 88% 0.02mm 6.7dBZ -9.6° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.8m/s
22:00
997hPa 0J/kg 5% 6.4°C 100% 0% 89% 0.02mm 89% 0.01mm 5.6dBZ -18° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.4m/s
23:00
997hPa 0J/kg 2% 6.9°C 100% 0% 93% 0.02mm 90% 0.01mm 4.5dBZ -25° 100% 0.19mm 0.79m/s 5.8m/s 1.6m/s
Mon, Apr 13 Sunrise 06:31 Sunset 20:03
24:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.8°C 100% 0% 89% 0.03mm 89% 0.01mm 5.4dBZ -30° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.2m/s
01:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 8°C 100% 0% 85% 0.03mm 91% 0.03mm 6.2dBZ -33° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.3m/s
02:00
999hPa 1J/kg 0% 8°C 100% 0% 82% 0.03mm 93% 0.04mm 7dBZ -32° 100% 0.19mm 1.9m/s 6.8m/s 2.2m/s
03:00
999hPa 1J/kg 1% 8.5°C 100% 0% 88% 0.02mm 93% 0.07mm 6.7dBZ -29° 100% 0.31mm - - 2.3m/s
04:00
999hPa 0J/kg 5% 8.7°C 100% 0% 93% 0mm 93% 0.05mm 6.4dBZ -23° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.7m/s
05:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 0% 9°C 100% 5% 99% 0.02mm 93% 0.02mm 6.1dBZ -15° 100% 0.44mm 3.4m/s 8.1m/s 1.7m/s
06:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.7°C 100% 0% 98% 0.03mm 93% 0.04mm 6.4dBZ -5.8° 100% 0.06mm - - 2m/s
07:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 100% 0% 96% 0.03mm 93% 0.07mm 6.6dBZ 100% 0.13mm - - 2.2m/s
08:00
1002hPa 1J/kg 5% 11°C 100% 5% 95% 0.05mm 92% 0.1mm 6.9dBZ 14° 100% 0.25mm 3.3m/s 12m/s 2.5m/s
09:00
1002hPa 10J/kg 33% 12°C 100% 1% 95% 0mm 91% 0.13mm 8.6dBZ 24° 100% 0.44mm - - 2.6m/s
10:00
1003hPa 22J/kg 48% 12°C 100% 0% 96% 0.01mm 89% 0.14mm 10dBZ 33° 100% 0.56mm - - 2.8m/s
11:00
1003hPa 19J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 6% 96% 0.01mm 85% 0.1mm 12dBZ 42° 100% 0.63mm 6.5m/s 13m/s 3.2m/s
12:00
1004hPa 20J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 5% 97% 0.01mm 82% 0.09mm 13dBZ 48° 100% 0.13mm - - 3.5m/s
13:00
1004hPa 21J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 38% 98% 0mm 81% 0.12mm 13dBZ 51° 100% 0.19mm - - 3.4m/s
14:00
1004hPa 31J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 90% 98% 0.01mm 82% 0.21mm 14dBZ 50° 100% 0.38mm 5.1m/s 10m/s 3.8m/s
15:00
1005hPa 38J/kg 93% 11°C 100% 5% 98% 0.03mm 88% 0.31mm 14dBZ 46° 100% 0.63mm - - 4.1m/s
16:00
1004hPa 28J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 100% 99% 0.03mm 91% 0.27mm 14dBZ 39° 100% 0.94mm - - 4.2m/s
17:00
1005hPa 18J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 100% 99% 0.02mm 90% 0.13mm 14dBZ 30° 100% 1.1mm 4.5m/s 8.6m/s 3.9m/s
18:00
1005hPa 17J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 92% 99% 0.01mm 90% 0.12mm 11dBZ 20° 100% 0.85mm - - 3.3m/s
19:00
1005hPa 16J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 84% 98% 0.007mm 91% 0.12mm 7.8dBZ 10° 100% 0.58mm - - 2.8m/s
20:00
1005hPa 15J/kg 100% 14°C 100% 76% 98% 0mm 92% 0.11mm 4.8dBZ 0.5° 100% 0.31mm 6.1m/s 9.1m/s 2.2m/s
21:00
1004hPa 17J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 84% 96% 0.02mm 92% 0.11mm 6.7dBZ -9.4° 100% 0.44mm - - 2.6m/s
22:00
1004hPa 19J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 92% 93% 0.03mm 92% 0.12mm 8.6dBZ -18° 100% 0.56mm - - 3.1m/s
23:00
1004hPa 21J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 100% 90% 0.05mm 92% 0.12mm 10dBZ -25° 100% 0.69mm 7.8m/s 10m/s 3.5m/s
Tue, Apr 14 Sunrise 06:29 Sunset 20:04
24:00
1003hPa 23J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 100% 92% 0.14mm 92% 0.22mm 11dBZ -30° 100% 0.77mm - - 4.1m/s
01:00
1002hPa 25J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 100% 93% 0.24mm 92% 0.32mm 11dBZ -32° 100% 0.85mm - - 4.7m/s
02:00
1002hPa 27J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 100% 94% 0.33mm 92% 0.42mm 12dBZ -32° 100% 0.94mm 12m/s 19m/s 5.3m/s
03:00
1001hPa 29J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 100% 96% 0.83mm 93% 0.37mm 13dBZ -28° 100% 2.4mm - - 5.6m/s
04:00
1001hPa 32J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 100% 98% 1.3mm 95% 0.31mm 14dBZ -22° 100% 3.8mm - - 6m/s
05:00
1000hPa 34J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 100% 100% 1.8mm 96% 0.26mm 15dBZ -15° 100% 5.3mm 13m/s 22m/s 6.3m/s
06:00
1000hPa 23J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 100% 100% 1.9mm 96% 0.24mm 20dBZ -5.5° 100% 5.8mm - - 6.4m/s
07:00
999hPa 12J/kg 100% 10°C 100% 100% 100% 1.9mm 96% 0.21mm 24dBZ 4.3° 100% 6.4mm - - 6.5m/s
08:00
998hPa 1J/kg 100% 9.7°C 100% 100% 100% 2mm 96% 0.19mm 28dBZ 14° 100% 6.9mm 9m/s 21m/s 6.6m/s
09:00
997hPa 11J/kg 100% 8.7°C 100% 100% 100% 1.8mm 96% 0.15mm 30dBZ 24° 100% 8.8mm - - 6.4m/s
10:00
996hPa 21J/kg 100% 7.6°C 100% 100% 100% 1.6mm 96% 0.12mm 32dBZ 34° 100% 11mm - - 6.2m/s
11:00
996hPa 31J/kg 100% 6.5°C 100% 100% 100% 1.4mm 96% 0.08mm 34dBZ 42° 100% 13mm 6.2m/s 24m/s 6.1m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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