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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 78% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover96%
Wind Gusts13.3m/s
Precipitation Chance99%
Air Pressure1000.7hPa
CAPE51
Lifted Index1.5°C
Wind Gusts13.3m/s
Precipitation0.2mm

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
11:000%55%1J/kg5.6°C20675m11m/s
12:0015%55%1J/kg5.6°C11782m9.6m/s
13:0041%54%1J/kg5.5°C5059m9m/s
14:0036%55%1J/kg6.1°C7901m10m/s
15:0035%65%1J/kg5.9°C7665m11m/s
16:0044%65%1J/kg6.3°C6977m11m/s
17:0017%70%1J/kg6.5°C7225m11m/s
18:0018%70%1J/kg6.4°C18596m12m/s
19:0033%0.1%1J/kg5.9°C18975m13m/s
20:0026%0%0J/kg5.1°C20836m14m/s
21:0029%0%1J/kg4.8°C20947m14m/s
22:0033%2.1%1J/kg5.1°C24134m15m/s
23:0013%0%1J/kg5.7°C24134m16m/s
Sun, Feb 22
24:0013%1.9%1J/kg5.2°C24134m17m/s
01:0028%0%1J/kg5.6°C24135m16m/s
02:0013%0%2J/kg6.1°C24135m14m/s
03:0013%0%1J/kg5.9°C23195m13m/s
04:0036%0%1J/kg4.6°C11069m15m/s
05:0016%0%1J/kg5.4°C18227m17m/s
06:0016%1.7%1J/kg4.1°C24135m19m/s
07:0034%67%1J/kg4°C24135m18m/s
08:0024%71%3J/kg4°C17588m17m/s
09:0024%100%2J/kg4.8°C24135m15m/s
10:0038%66%51J/kg3.3°C19110m16m/s
11:0028%60%51J/kg1.5°C10575m13m/s
12:0014%40%75J/kg1.7°C22968m13m/s
13:0032%47%34J/kg1.1°C16504m13m/s
14:0018%52%31J/kg1.3°C23073m14m/s
15:0027%59%28J/kg0.9°C18137m14m/s
16:0038%65%2J/kg1.7°C15237m13m/s
17:0027%67%6J/kg2.5°C9399m12m/s
18:0033%70%1J/kg2.9°C6564m13m/s
19:0043%1.2%0J/kg1.9°C12542m11m/s
20:0023%0.5%1J/kg2.8°C6435m9.4m/s
21:0022%0.1%28J/kg2.6°C6269m8.9m/s
22:0049%0%10J/kg3.2°C5624m8.8m/s
23:0030%0%2J/kg2.8°C4795m9.7m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:0028%0.4%16J/kg2.2°C11929m10m/s
01:0043%2%11J/kg2.2°C16228m9.4m/s
02:0021%6.2%8J/kg2.6°C17554m9.2m/s
03:0022%0.2%23J/kg3.1°C7457m8.8m/s
04:0047%0%20J/kg3.5°C7253m8.4m/s
05:000%0%23J/kg4.3°C11570m7.2m/s
06:0014%0%11J/kg4.3°C9925m5.8m/s
07:0033%56%10J/kg5°C17834m6.8m/s
08:0015%57%9J/kg5.8°C24134m5.6m/s
09:0015%63%16J/kg6.1°C20395m5.3m/s
10:0028%63%18J/kg6.4°C18357m4.6m/s
11:0011%44%39J/kg6.9°C13400m5.3m/s
12:000%65%50J/kg7°C14132m5.2m/s
13:0029%48%64J/kg7.3°C11517m5.6m/s
14:009.8%46%47J/kg8°C19509m3.8m/s
15:009.8%55%48J/kg10°C18883m3.8m/s
16:0022%56%38J/kg11°C21100m3.4m/s
17:000%64%27J/kg11°C22341m3.2m/s
18:000%100%7J/kg11°C24135m1.7m/s
19:0013%62%0J/kg12°C24135m0.9m/s
20:000%15%0J/kg12°C24135m1.2m/s
21:000%8.2%0J/kg12°C24135m1.3m/s
22:0013%13%0J/kg12°C24135m1.4m/s
23:000%7.6%0J/kg13°C24134m1.9m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:000%3.5%0J/kg14°C24134m2m/s
01:0013%9.6%0J/kg14°C24135m2.7m/s
02:000%10%0J/kg14°C24135m3m/s
03:000%12%0J/kg14°C24134m2.6m/s
04:0013%12%0J/kg14°C24135m2.9m/s
05:000%13%0J/kg14°C24134m1.9m/s
06:000%15%0J/kg14°C24135m1.6m/s
07:0014%28%0J/kg14°C24135m1.5m/s
08:000%27%0J/kg14°C24134m1.6m/s
09:000%25%0J/kg14°C24135m2.4m/s
10:0013%52%1J/kg13°C24135m1.8m/s
11:000%50%5J/kg11°C24134m1.5m/s
12:000%45%5J/kg11°C24134m1.9m/s
13:0013%33%3J/kg10°C24134m3m/s
14:000%24%1J/kg9.8°C24134m3.9m/s
15:000%30%0J/kg8.5°C24134m4.5m/s
16:009.8%29%2J/kg7.8°C24135m5.2m/s
17:000%52%7.7J/kg9.2°C24135m6.6m/s
18:000%52%13J/kg11°C24135m7.9m/s
19:000%20%19J/kg12°C24135m9.3m/s
20:000%0%22J/kg12°C23394m9m/s
21:000%0%25J/kg12°C22654m8.7m/s
22:000%0%28J/kg12°C21913m8.3m/s
23:000%0%29J/kg12°C22654m7.1m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:000%0%29J/kg13°C23394m5.9m/s
01:000%0%30J/kg13°C24135m4.7m/s
02:000%0%32J/kg13°C24135m5m/s
03:000%0%33J/kg13°C24135m5.3m/s
04:000%0%35J/kg13°C24135m5.6m/s
05:000%0%37J/kg13°C23439m5.4m/s
06:000%47%39J/kg14°C22743m5.3m/s
07:000%60%41J/kg14°C22046m5.1m/s
08:000%55%34J/kg14°C22742m4.9m/s
09:000%44%28J/kg14°C23439m4.7m/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
Sun, Feb 22 Sunrise 07:11 Sunset 17:49
11:00
1001hPa 51J/kg 0% 1.5°C 76% 96% 99% 0mm 86% 0.68mm 11dBZ 29° 96% 0.25mm - - 6.1m/s
12:00
1001hPa 75J/kg 0% 1.7°C 6% 100% 99% 0mm 82% 0.17mm 16dBZ 32° 100% 0.44mm - - 6.4m/s
13:00
1001hPa 34J/kg 0% 1.1°C 97% 100% 98% 0.29mm 80% 0.16mm 21dBZ 32° 100% 0.69mm 11m/s 23m/s 5.7m/s
14:00
1001hPa 31J/kg 0% 1.3°C 100% 99% 99% 0.11mm 85% 0.16mm 27dBZ 29° 100% 1mm - - 6.2m/s
15:00
1001hPa 28J/kg 0% 0.9°C 100% 100% 99% 0.32mm 89% 0.15mm 32dBZ 23° 100% 1.5mm - - 6.2m/s
16:00
1001hPa 2J/kg 0% 1.7°C 100% 100% 100% 0.66mm 92% 0.02mm 37dBZ 16° 100% 2mm 11m/s 25m/s 6m/s
17:00
1001hPa 6J/kg 0% 2.5°C 100% 100% 100% 1.3mm 94% 0.01mm 34dBZ 7.4° 100% 2.1mm - - 4.7m/s
18:00
1002hPa 1J/kg 0% 2.9°C 100% 100% 99% 2.2mm 95% 0.03mm 30dBZ -2.1° 100% 4.6mm - - 5.9m/s
19:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.9°C 100% 70% 99% 1mm 95% 0.06mm 27dBZ -12° 100% 6.6mm 12m/s 23m/s 5.6m/s
20:00
1002hPa 1J/kg 0% 2.8°C 100% 73% 99% 2.7mm 95% 0.06mm 27dBZ -22° 100% 7.9mm - - 3.8m/s
21:00
1002hPa 28J/kg 0% 2.6°C 100% 51% 99% 2.1mm 96% 0.2mm 27dBZ -32° 100% 9.8mm - - 4.3m/s
22:00
1003hPa 10J/kg 0% 3.2°C 100% 34% 100% 2.8mm 97% 0.13mm 27dBZ -40° 100% 12mm 15m/s 26m/s 3.3m/s
23:00
1003hPa 2J/kg 0% 2.8°C 100% 86% 98% 4.2mm 96% 0.11mm 30dBZ -47° 100% 2.8mm - - 3.9m/s
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 07:09 Sunset 17:51
24:00
1003hPa 16J/kg 0% 2.2°C 100% 100% 96% 0.82mm 95% 0.25mm 32dBZ -51° 100% 4.6mm - - 4.3m/s
01:00
1003hPa 11J/kg 0% 2.2°C 100% 100% 94% 0.72mm 96% 0.07mm 34dBZ -51° 100% 6.3mm 14m/s 28m/s 4.1m/s
02:00
1003hPa 8J/kg 0% 2.6°C 96% 100% 96% 0.5mm 96% 0.11mm 29dBZ -47° 100% 7.2mm - - 3.7m/s
03:00
1003hPa 23J/kg 0% 3.1°C 100% 100% 98% 1.3mm 96% 0.18mm 24dBZ -41° 100% 7.8mm - - 3.8m/s
04:00
1002hPa 20J/kg 0% 3.5°C 100% 100% 99% 1.8mm 97% 0.24mm 19dBZ -32° 100% 10mm 14m/s 32m/s 3.4m/s
05:00
1002hPa 23J/kg 0% 4.3°C 100% 100% 98% 0.7mm 95% 0.22mm 18dBZ -22° 100% 0.88mm - - 2.9m/s
06:00
1002hPa 11J/kg 0% 4.3°C 100% 100% 96% 1.2mm 96% 0.08mm 17dBZ -12° 100% 2.1mm - - 2.2m/s
07:00
1002hPa 10J/kg 0% 5°C 100% 100% 94% 0.44mm 96% 0.06mm 16dBZ -2.2° 100% 2.6mm 19m/s 35m/s 2.9m/s
08:00
1002hPa 9J/kg 0% 5.8°C 100% 100% 95% 0.13mm 96% 0.05mm 15dBZ 7.3° 100% 2.9mm - - 2.5m/s
09:00
1003hPa 16J/kg 10% 6.1°C 100% 100% 96% 0.14mm 95% 0.17mm 13dBZ 16° 100% 3.3mm - - 2.1m/s
10:00
1003hPa 18J/kg 5% 6.4°C 94% 100% 97% 0.16mm 94% 0.18mm 12dBZ 24° 100% 3.7mm 7.2m/s 39m/s 1.9m/s
11:00
1003hPa 39J/kg 0% 6.9°C 100% 100% 80% 0.06mm 92% 0.66mm 9.7dBZ 29° 100% 0.38mm - - 2.7m/s
12:00
1003hPa 50J/kg 40% 7°C 100% 100% 63% 0.02mm 93% 0.44mm 7dBZ 32° 100% 0.88mm - - 2.4m/s
13:00
1003hPa 64J/kg 83% 7.3°C 100% 100% 46% 0.01mm 92% 0.56mm 4.3dBZ 32° 100% 1.5mm 6.3m/s 40m/s 2.8m/s
14:00
1003hPa 47J/kg 84% 8°C 100% 100% 49% 0.02mm 89% 0.24mm -0.28dBZ 29° 100% 1.9mm - - 1.9m/s
15:00
1003hPa 48J/kg 100% 10°C 99% 100% 53% 0.03mm 85% 0.29mm -4.9dBZ 24° 100% 2.2mm - - 2.5m/s
16:00
1002hPa 38J/kg 100% 11°C 82% 100% 56% 0mm 87% 0.23mm -9.5dBZ 16° 100% 2.4mm 4.6m/s 45m/s 1.8m/s
17:00
1002hPa 27J/kg 4% 11°C 48% 86% 71% 0mm 89% 0.16mm -10dBZ 7.7° 86% 0.19mm - - 1.7m/s
18:00
1002hPa 7J/kg 1% 11°C 11% 53% 85% 0mm 91% 0mm -11dBZ -1.8° 53% 0.25mm - - 1.2m/s
19:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 4% 12°C 5% 74% 100% 0mm 91% 0mm -11dBZ -12° 74% 0.25mm 2.8m/s 39m/s 0.48m/s
20:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 2% 12°C 5% 93% 100% 0mm 92% 0mm -12dBZ -22° 93% 0.25mm - - 0.95m/s
21:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 5% 100% 100% 0mm 93% 0mm -12dBZ -31° 100% 0.25mm - - 1.1m/s
22:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 8% 12°C 1% 100% 100% 0mm 93% 0mm -12dBZ -40° 100% 0.25mm 4.3m/s 37m/s 1.2m/s
23:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 1% 100% 100% 0mm 94% 0mm -15dBZ -47° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 07:07 Sunset 17:52
24:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 10% 14°C 1% 99% 100% 0mm 94% 0mm -17dBZ -51° 99% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
01:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 4% 14°C 1% 92% 100% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -51° 92% 0mm 8.4m/s 40m/s 1.9m/s
02:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 3% 82% 72% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -47° 82% 0mm - - 2m/s
03:00
999hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 6% 100% 44% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -40° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
04:00
999hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 11% 40% 17% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 40% 0mm 9.2m/s 37m/s 2m/s
05:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 13% 73% 21% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -22° 73% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
06:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 5% 21% 26% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 22% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
07:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 5% 2% 31% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -1.9° 5% 0mm 11m/s 36m/s 1.5m/s
08:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 8% 0% 31% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ 7.7° 8% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
09:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 6% 0% 32% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 6% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
10:00
998hPa 1J/kg 0% 13°C 30% 0% 33% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 30% 0mm 7.3m/s 31m/s 1.2m/s
11:00
998hPa 5J/kg 0% 11°C 42% 0% 35% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 42% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
12:00
998hPa 5J/kg 0% 11°C 22% 0% 36% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 22% 0mm - - 2m/s
13:00
998hPa 3J/kg 0% 10°C 14% 0% 37% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 14% 0mm 2.6m/s 22m/s 3.3m/s
14:00
998hPa 1J/kg 0% 9.8°C 10% 0% 39% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 10% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
15:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.5°C 5% 0% 41% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 5% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
16:00
999hPa 2J/kg 0% 7.8°C 9% 0% 42% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 9% 0mm 3m/s 13m/s 3.3m/s
17:00
1001hPa 7.7J/kg 0% 9.2°C 39% 2% 47% 0mm 73% 0.02mm -13dBZ 39% 0.06mm - - 3.7m/s
18:00
1003hPa 13J/kg 0% 11°C 69% 3% 51% 0mm 76% 0.04mm -6.4dBZ -1.5° 69% 0.13mm - - 4m/s
19:00
1005hPa 19J/kg 0% 12°C 99% 5% 56% 0mm 79% 0.06mm 0.39dBZ -12° 99% 0.19mm 4.2m/s 9.3m/s 4.3m/s
20:00
1006hPa 22J/kg 0% 12°C 85% 5% 65% 0.01mm 82% 0.11mm 2.2dBZ -22° 85% 0.42mm - - 3.9m/s
21:00
1007hPa 25J/kg 0% 12°C 71% 5% 74% 0.03mm 86% 0.16mm 4dBZ -31° 71% 0.65mm - - 3.5m/s
22:00
1007hPa 28J/kg 0% 12°C 56% 5% 83% 0.04mm 90% 0.21mm 5.8dBZ -40° 56% 0.88mm 6.6m/s 13m/s 3m/s
23:00
1008hPa 29J/kg 0% 12°C 50% 5% 82% 0.04mm 90% 0.17mm 7.5dBZ -47° 50% 0.75mm - - 2.7m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 07:05 Sunset 17:54
24:00
1008hPa 29J/kg 1% 13°C 44% 5% 81% 0.03mm 91% 0.13mm 9.2dBZ -51° 44% 0.63mm - - 2.3m/s
01:00
1008hPa 30J/kg 1% 13°C 37% 5% 80% 0.03mm 92% 0.09mm 11dBZ -51° 37% 0.5mm 6.1m/s 11m/s 1.9m/s
02:00
1009hPa 32J/kg 1% 13°C 36% 5% 84% 0.05mm 89% 0.09mm 12dBZ -47° 36% 0.65mm - - 2.4m/s
03:00
1010hPa 33J/kg 0% 13°C 35% 4% 87% 0.06mm 86% 0.08mm 14dBZ -40° 35% 0.79mm - - 2.9m/s
04:00
1011hPa 35J/kg 0% 13°C 34% 4% 91% 0.08mm 84% 0.08mm 16dBZ -31° 34% 0.94mm 5.8m/s 11m/s 3.4m/s
05:00
1011hPa 37J/kg 2% 13°C 43% 4% 88% 0.05mm 81% 0.11mm 9.6dBZ -22° 43% 0.77mm - - 3.6m/s
06:00
1012hPa 39J/kg 3% 14°C 52% 5% 86% 0.03mm 78% 0.13mm 3.6dBZ -12° 52% 0.6mm - - 3.8m/s
07:00
1012hPa 41J/kg 5% 14°C 60% 5% 83% 0mm 75% 0.16mm -2.4dBZ -1.6° 60% 0.44mm 6.7m/s 7.5m/s 4m/s
08:00
1012hPa 34J/kg 3% 14°C 43% 5% 85% 0.02mm 75% 0.11mm 3dBZ 43% 0.54mm - - 3.7m/s
09:00
1012hPa 28J/kg 2% 14°C 26% 5% 88% 0.03mm 75% 0.06mm 8.4dBZ 17° 26% 0.65mm - - 3.4m/s
10:00
1012hPa 21J/kg 0% 14°C 9% 5% 90% 0.05mm 74% 0.01mm 14dBZ 24° 9% 0.75mm 10m/s 11m/s 3m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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