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

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 83% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts0.3m/s
Precipitation Chance73%
Air Pressure1003.7hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index17.8°C
Wind Gusts0.3m/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
Thu, Mar 12
06:000%0%22J/kg19°C20974m9.6m/s
07:000%55%24J/kg20°C22514m9.1m/s
08:000%64%24J/kg20°C22967m8.5m/s
09:000%60%24J/kg20°C19477m8.2m/s
10:000%57%25J/kg20°C18227m6.7m/s
11:000%48%24J/kg20°C8573m6.1m/s
12:000%48%33J/kg21°C10561m5.8m/s
13:000%46%32J/kg21°C5686m5.5m/s
14:0020%46%25J/kg21°C4060m5.3m/s
15:000%46%13J/kg21°C9734m5.2m/s
16:000%46%11J/kg21°C7690m4.5m/s
17:0035%57%19J/kg21°C250m3.3m/s
18:0016%62%0J/kg20°C65m3.7m/s
19:0025%64%0J/kg20°C56m3.2m/s
20:0041%55%0J/kg20°C47m2.9m/s
21:0029%0%0J/kg20°C39m2.6m/s
22:0034%0%0J/kg20°C33m2.2m/s
23:0045%0%0J/kg20°C31m1.9m/s
Fri, Mar 13
24:000%0%0J/kg20°C22m0.41m/s
01:0015%0%0J/kg19°C26m1m/s
02:0037%0%0J/kg19°C25m0.6m/s
03:0024%0%0J/kg19°C26m0.71m/s
04:0023%0%0J/kg18°C27m0.41m/s
05:0037%0%0J/kg18°C28m0.43m/s
06:0013%0%0J/kg18°C35m0.34m/s
07:0013%50%0J/kg18°C47m0.5m/s
08:0032%59%0J/kg18°C60m0.4m/s
09:0014%57%0J/kg18°C69m0.51m/s
10:0014%57%0J/kg18°C100m1.2m/s
11:0032%48%0J/kg18°C301m1.3m/s
12:000%50%1J/kg18°C7813m1.6m/s
13:000%50%8J/kg18°C9376m1.6m/s
14:0016%45%17J/kg18°C24135m2.7m/s
15:000%57%15J/kg17°C24135m3m/s
16:000%44%8J/kg17°C24134m3.3m/s
17:0016%52%3J/kg17°C24135m3.4m/s
18:000%63%4J/kg17°C24134m3.9m/s
19:000%57%4J/kg17°C24134m2.2m/s
20:0015%41%5J/kg16°C24134m2.2m/s
21:000%9.9%8J/kg16°C24134m2.4m/s
22:000%12%9J/kg17°C24135m2.1m/s
23:0013%15%11J/kg17°C24134m1.9m/s
Sat, Mar 14
24:000%14%26J/kg15°C19553m2.7m/s
01:000%15%27J/kg15°C10921m7.7m/s
02:0017%15%6J/kg15°C24135m9m/s
03:000%15%6J/kg14°C24134m9.4m/s
04:000%14%3J/kg13°C24135m10m/s
05:0017%15%0J/kg12°C24135m11m/s
06:000%10%0J/kg11°C24135m12m/s
07:000%34%0J/kg11°C24134m12m/s
08:000%26%0J/kg11°C24135m12m/s
09:000%28%0J/kg11°C24134m11m/s
10:000%31%2J/kg12°C24135m11m/s
11:000%28%3J/kg12°C24135m12m/s
12:000%30%4J/kg13°C24134m11m/s
13:000%28%8J/kg13°C24134m11m/s
14:000%79%15J/kg14°C24135m9m/s
15:000%39%17J/kg14°C24135m8.1m/s
16:000%36%14J/kg15°C24135m7.4m/s
17:000%40%22J/kg16°C24134m6.7m/s
18:000%40%18J/kg17°C24134m6.8m/s
19:000%13%11J/kg18°C24135m6.1m/s
20:000%28%8J/kg19°C24134m3.4m/s
21:000%1.7%6J/kg20°C24134m2m/s
22:000%5.8%7J/kg20°C24135m1.6m/s
23:000%4.4%7J/kg20°C24135m1m/s
Sun, Mar 15
24:000%3.2%6J/kg20°C24134m1.1m/s
01:000%7.6%4J/kg21°C24135m1.2m/s
02:000%0%2J/kg21°C24134m1.1m/s
03:000%0.2%1J/kg22°C24134m1.2m/s
04:000%0.2%0J/kg22°C24135m1.4m/s
05:000%0.7%0J/kg22°C24135m1.6m/s
06:000%0%0J/kg22°C24135m1.3m/s
07:000%56%0J/kg22°C24135m1.4m/s
08:000%56%0J/kg19°C24135m2m/s
09:000%54%0J/kg18°C24135m2.4m/s
10:000%53%2J/kg20°C22621m2.5m/s
11:000%46%1J/kg22°C15316m2.9m/s
12:000%48%1J/kg19°C17164m4.6m/s
13:000%48%1J/kg16°C19012m6.2m/s
14:0031%48%1J/kg14°C20860m7.9m/s
15:000%51%17J/kg12°C18102m9.5m/s
16:000%51%34J/kg11°C15344m11m/s
17:0032%60%50J/kg10°C12587m13m/s
18:0017%60%35J/kg11°C11548m12m/s
19:000%62%21J/kg12°C10509m11m/s
20:0027%50%6J/kg13°C9469m11m/s
21:000%0%9J/kg10°C11161m12m/s
22:0029%0%12J/kg7.6°C12852m13m/s
23:0046%0%15J/kg5°C14543m14m/s
Mon, Mar 16
24:0034%0%10J/kg5.5°C11432m14m/s
01:0034%0%5.7J/kg5.9°C8320m14m/s
02:0046%0%1J/kg6.3°C5209m14m/s
03:0041%0%4.3J/kg7.2°C5551m14m/s
04:0041%0%7.7J/kg8.2°C5892m14m/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
Fri, Mar 13 Sunrise 07:34 Sunset 19:18
06:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 100% 18°C 100% 100% 73% 0.03mm 100% 0mm 13dBZ -16° 100% 0mm - - 0.15m/s
07:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 100% 18°C 100% 100% 68% 0.05mm 99% 0mm 3.6dBZ -6.5° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.23m/s
08:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 98% 18°C 100% 100% 64% 0.05mm 99% 0mm -5.3dBZ 3.7° 100% 0.13mm 19m/s 43m/s 0.22m/s
09:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 100% 18°C 100% 100% 73% 0.01mm 99% 0.01mm -6.1dBZ 13° 100% 0.19mm - - 0.17m/s
10:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 95% 18°C 99% 100% 83% 0.01mm 98% 0.02mm -6.8dBZ 22° 100% 0.19mm - - 0.56m/s
11:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 100% 18°C 98% 100% 93% 0mm 96% 0.02mm -7.6dBZ 30° 100% 0.19mm 19m/s 43m/s 0.58m/s
12:00
1003hPa 1J/kg 73% 18°C 98% 100% 69% 0.01mm 95% 0.04mm -2.6dBZ 36° 100% 0mm - - 0.81m/s
13:00
1003hPa 8J/kg 80% 18°C 59% 100% 46% 0mm 93% 0.04mm 2.3dBZ 39° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.96m/s
14:00
1003hPa 17J/kg 66% 18°C 19% 100% 22% 0mm 84% 0.07mm 7.3dBZ 39° 100% 0.19mm 20m/s 41m/s 1.8m/s
15:00
1002hPa 15J/kg 45% 17°C 39% 100% 22% 0mm 79% 0.06mm 2.9dBZ 35° 100% 0.25mm - - 2.5m/s
16:00
1002hPa 8J/kg 100% 17°C 38% 100% 22% 0mm 75% 0.02mm -1.5dBZ 29° 100% 0.25mm - - 2.9m/s
17:00
1002hPa 3J/kg 61% 17°C 14% 100% 22% 0mm 74% 0.01mm -5.8dBZ 22° 100% 0.25mm 20m/s 39m/s 2.7m/s
18:00
1002hPa 4J/kg 19% 17°C 5% 100% 28% 0mm 78% 0mm -9.3dBZ 12° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
19:00
1002hPa 4J/kg 57% 17°C 5% 100% 33% 0mm 84% 0mm -13dBZ 2.8° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
20:00
1002hPa 5J/kg 100% 16°C 5% 100% 39% 0mm 85% 0.01mm -16dBZ -7.4° 100% 0mm 15m/s 39m/s 1.3m/s
21:00
1002hPa 8J/kg 100% 16°C 12% 100% 33% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -15dBZ -17° 100% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
22:00
1002hPa 9J/kg 100% 17°C 9% 5% 28% 0mm 85% 0mm -14dBZ -27° 100% 0mm - - 0.86m/s
23:00
1002hPa 11J/kg 15% 17°C 84% 0% 22% 0mm 84% 0.01mm -13dBZ -35° 84% 0.06mm 10m/s 38m/s 0.45m/s
Sat, Mar 14 Sunrise 07:32 Sunset 19:20
24:00
1002hPa 26J/kg 0% 15°C 100% 0% 15% 0mm 86% 0.13mm -6.3dBZ -41° 100% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
01:00
1002hPa 27J/kg 0% 15°C 83% 0% 7% 0.01mm 80% 0.1mm 0.66dBZ -44° 83% 0.13mm - - 2.9m/s
02:00
1003hPa 6J/kg 0% 15°C 16% 0% 0% 0mm 75% 0.03mm 7.6dBZ -44° 16% 0.19mm 3.8m/s 35m/s 3.4m/s
03:00
1003hPa 6J/kg 0% 14°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0.01mm -1.6dBZ -40° 5% 0.19mm - - 3.6m/s
04:00
1003hPa 3J/kg 0% 13°C 25% 0% 0% 0mm 73% 0.02mm -11dBZ -34° 25% 0.25mm - - 4m/s
05:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 3% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -26° 3% 0.25mm 1.4m/s 26m/s 4.6m/s
06:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 4% 0% 13% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 4% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
07:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 11% 0% 26% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -6.2° 11% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
08:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 5% 0% 39% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 5% 0mm 0.67m/s 17m/s 5.4m/s
09:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 5% 0% 45% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 5% 0mm - - 6m/s
10:00
1008hPa 2J/kg 0% 12°C 5% 0% 50% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 5% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
11:00
1009hPa 3J/kg 0% 12°C 4% 0% 56% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 4% 0mm 1.4m/s 29m/s 6.1m/s
12:00
1010hPa 4J/kg 0% 13°C 4% 0% 37% 0mm 55% 0mm -18dBZ 36° 4% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
13:00
1011hPa 8J/kg 5% 13°C 5% 0% 19% 0mm 54% 0mm -16dBZ 39° 5% 0mm - - 6.3m/s
14:00
1011hPa 15J/kg 2% 14°C 26% 28% 0% 0mm 56% 0.02mm -14dBZ 39° 29% 0mm 4.3m/s 37m/s 6.1m/s
15:00
1012hPa 17J/kg 100% 14°C 14% 5% 13% 0mm 58% 0.03mm -8.3dBZ 36° 100% 0.06mm - - 5.9m/s
16:00
1012hPa 14J/kg 96% 15°C 11% 5% 26% 0mm 58% 0.01mm -2.6dBZ 30° 96% 0.06mm - - 5.2m/s
17:00
1012hPa 22J/kg 94% 16°C 45% 5% 39% 0mm 60% 0.03mm 3dBZ 22° 94% 0.06mm 7.2m/s 40m/s 4.6m/s
18:00
1013hPa 18J/kg 100% 17°C 13% 5% 26% 0mm 66% 0.04mm -0.42dBZ 13° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.2m/s
19:00
1013hPa 11J/kg 100% 18°C 7% 5% 13% 0mm 73% 0.03mm -3.8dBZ 100% 0.06mm - - 2.7m/s
20:00
1014hPa 8J/kg 100% 19°C 11% 8% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -7.2dBZ -7.2° 100% 0.13mm 16m/s 40m/s 1.5m/s
21:00
1014hPa 6J/kg 100% 20°C 44% 100% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -11dBZ -17° 100% 0.13mm - - 0.64m/s
22:00
1015hPa 7J/kg 100% 20°C 77% 100% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -16dBZ -26° 100% 0.13mm - - 0.24m/s
23:00
1015hPa 7J/kg 100% 20°C 82% 58% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 100% 0.13mm 13m/s 36m/s 0.67m/s
Sun, Mar 15 Sunrise 07:30 Sunset 19:21
24:00
1015hPa 6J/kg 62% 20°C 87% 87% 4% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -40° 91% 0mm - - 0.96m/s
01:00
1016hPa 4J/kg 99% 21°C 74% 65% 9% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -44° 99% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
02:00
1016hPa 2J/kg 100% 21°C 65% 81% 13% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -44° 100% 0mm 8.8m/s 39m/s 1.3m/s
03:00
1016hPa 1J/kg 100% 22°C 88% 87% 18% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -40° 100% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
04:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 74% 22°C 100% 100% 23% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
05:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 100% 100% 28% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -25° 100% 0mm 14m/s 37m/s 1.5m/s
06:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 100% 93% 35% 0mm 80% 0mm -8.8dBZ -16° 100% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
07:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 22°C 99% 99% 43% 0mm 81% 0mm 2.5dBZ -5.8° 100% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
08:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 82% 19°C 100% 100% 50% 0.06mm 84% 0mm 14dBZ 4.3° 100% 0.06mm 23m/s 35m/s 1.4m/s
09:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 18°C 100% 100% 60% 0.14mm 87% 0mm 18dBZ 14° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.3m/s
10:00
1015hPa 2J/kg 100% 20°C 100% 100% 70% 0.23mm 89% 0mm 22dBZ 23° 100% 0.31mm - - 1.5m/s
11:00
1015hPa 1J/kg 100% 22°C 100% 100% 80% 0.36mm 90% 0mm 27dBZ 31° 100% 0.63mm 30m/s 32m/s 1.6m/s
12:00
1012hPa 1J/kg 100% 19°C 100% 100% 73% 0.33mm 90% 0mm 28dBZ 37° 100% 1mm - - 2m/s
13:00
1010hPa 1J/kg 99% 16°C 100% 100% 65% 0.29mm 90% 0mm 30dBZ 40° 100% 1.4mm - - 2.5m/s
14:00
1008hPa 1J/kg 99% 14°C 100% 100% 57% 0.26mm 90% 0mm 31dBZ 40° 100% 1.8mm 25m/s 38m/s 3m/s
15:00
1007hPa 17J/kg 99% 12°C 100% 100% 59% 0.42mm 87% 0mm 29dBZ 36° 100% 2mm - - 3.3m/s
16:00
1007hPa 34J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 100% 60% 0.58mm 85% 0mm 27dBZ 30° 100% 2.1mm - - 3.5m/s
17:00
1007hPa 50J/kg 100% 10°C 100% 100% 62% 0.74mm 82% 0mm 25dBZ 22° 100% 2.3mm 26m/s 44m/s 3.7m/s
18:00
1006hPa 35J/kg 98% 11°C 100% 99% 46% 0.84mm 85% 0mm 25dBZ 13° 100% 2.6mm - - 3.6m/s
19:00
1006hPa 21J/kg 96% 12°C 100% 99% 30% 0.94mm 89% 0mm 25dBZ 3.3° 100% 2.8mm - - 3.5m/s
20:00
1006hPa 6J/kg 95% 13°C 100% 98% 15% 1mm 93% 0mm 25dBZ -6.9° 100% 3.1mm 32m/s 39m/s 3.4m/s
21:00
1005hPa 9J/kg 96% 10°C 100% 99% 19% 0.99mm 93% 0mm 28dBZ -17° 100% 4mm - - 3.8m/s
22:00
1005hPa 12J/kg 98% 7.6°C 100% 99% 24% 0.93mm 93% 0mm 31dBZ -26° 100% 4.9mm - - 4.2m/s
23:00
1004hPa 15J/kg 100% 5°C 100% 100% 29% 0.88mm 93% 0mm 33dBZ -34° 100% 5.9mm 29m/s 32m/s 4.6m/s
Mon, Mar 16 Sunrise 07:28 Sunset 19:23
24:00
1004hPa 10J/kg 100% 5.5°C 100% 100% 45% 1.6mm 94% 0mm 31dBZ -40° 100% 6.2mm - - 4.7m/s
01:00
1004hPa 5.7J/kg 100% 5.9°C 100% 100% 60% 2.2mm 95% 0mm 29dBZ -43° 100% 6.6mm - - 4.8m/s
02:00
1004hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.3°C 100% 100% 76% 2.9mm 96% 0mm 26dBZ -43° 100% 6.9mm 24m/s 38m/s 4.9m/s
03:00
1004hPa 4.3J/kg 100% 7.2°C 100% 100% 79% 2.8mm 96% 0mm 25dBZ -39° 100% 10mm - - 5.6m/s
04:00
1004hPa 7.7J/kg 100% 8.2°C 100% 100% 82% 2.7mm 96% 0mm 23dBZ -33° 100% 14mm - - 6.3m/s
05:00
1004hPa 11J/kg 100% 9.1°C 100% 100% 85% 2.6mm 95% 0mm 22dBZ -25° 100% 17mm 24m/s 39m/s 7m/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