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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 76% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts4.7m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure1008.1hPa
CAPE1
Lifted Index11.5°C
Wind Gusts4.7m/s
Precipitation0.1mm

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 80 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, Jul 7
21:000%64%0J/kg6.2°C24135m2.9m/s
22:000%37%0J/kg5.6°C24134m3.3m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg5.2°C20023m1m/s
Wed, Jul 8
24:000%15%0J/kg4.5°C8055m1.4m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg4.5°C7884m2m/s
02:0013%13%0J/kg5.2°C1076m2.8m/s
03:000%11%0J/kg4.5°C450m2m/s
04:000%39%0J/kg5.2°C366m2.4m/s
05:0017%35%0J/kg8°C247m3.2m/s
06:000%36%1J/kg11°C204m4.8m/s
07:000%53%1J/kg12°C961m4.7m/s
08:000%49%1J/kg12°C21008m3.7m/s
09:000%44%1J/kg12°C24135m3.2m/s
10:000%52%1J/kg12°C24135m3.5m/s
11:000%38%0J/kg13°C22107m3.4m/s
12:000%66%0J/kg14°C21900m3.4m/s
13:000%23%0J/kg15°C21902m4m/s
14:000%26%0J/kg15°C21981m4.9m/s
15:000%26%0J/kg15°C24134m5m/s
16:000%75%0J/kg15°C24134m5.5m/s
17:000%69%0J/kg15°C24135m5.7m/s
18:000%48%0J/kg16°C24135m5.7m/s
19:000%55%0J/kg16°C24135m5.5m/s
20:000%100%0J/kg16°C24134m5.2m/s
21:000%38%0J/kg16°C24134m1.1m/s
22:000%37%0J/kg15°C24134m0.9m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg15°C24135m0.71m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:000%13%0J/kg14°C24135m0.61m/s
01:000%14%0J/kg15°C24134m0.62m/s
02:000%14%0J/kg15°C24135m0.7m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg15°C24134m0.6m/s
04:000%94%0J/kg15°C24135m0.64m/s
05:000%78%0J/kg12°C24135m0.71m/s
06:000%60%0J/kg9.7°C24134m0.92m/s
07:000%38%0J/kg7.5°C24135m1m/s
08:000%35%0J/kg6.6°C24135m0.82m/s
09:000%30%0J/kg5.7°C24134m1.6m/s
10:000%31%1J/kg5.8°C24135m1.5m/s
11:000%68%0J/kg6.2°C24135m1.8m/s
12:000%54%1J/kg6.4°C24134m2.5m/s
13:000%31%0J/kg6.2°C24135m2.5m/s
14:000%57%0J/kg6.1°C24135m2.6m/s
15:000%61%0J/kg5.8°C24135m2.7m/s
16:000%54%1J/kg5.3°C24135m2.7m/s
17:000%55%1J/kg4.9°C24135m2.6m/s
18:000%55%1J/kg5.1°C24135m1.9m/s
19:000%73%1J/kg5°C24135m1.8m/s
20:007.7%83%1J/kg4.6°C24134m1.3m/s
21:000%60%8J/kg4.5°C24135m0.8m/s
22:000%40%10J/kg4.7°C24134m1m/s
23:0012%11%11J/kg4.7°C24135m1.4m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:000%8.8%15J/kg4.4°C24134m1.2m/s
01:000%7.5%14J/kg4.2°C24134m1.2m/s
02:008.4%4.9%11J/kg5°C24135m1.7m/s
03:000%3.4%9J/kg5.9°C24134m2.2m/s
04:000%24%6J/kg6.5°C24134m2.3m/s
05:0012%49%2J/kg6.6°C6261m2.4m/s
06:0011%49%1J/kg7.2°C1045m2.2m/s
07:0012%51%0J/kg7.7°C856m2.2m/s
08:0020%49%0J/kg7.7°C531m1.9m/s
09:0014%51%0J/kg7.6°C405m1.7m/s
10:0013%65%0J/kg7.3°C2232m1.6m/s
11:0013%50%0J/kg6.8°C18575m1.4m/s
12:000%46%0.33J/kg6.4°C19685m1.5m/s
13:000%34%0.67J/kg6°C20795m1.6m/s
14:009.1%21%1J/kg5.6°C21905m1.7m/s
15:000%29%2.7J/kg5.3°C22648m1.4m/s
16:000%29%4.3J/kg5.1°C23392m0.99m/s
17:009.8%29%6J/kg4.9°C24135m0.64m/s
18:000%38%9J/kg4.9°C24135m1m/s
19:000%49%12J/kg5°C24135m1.4m/s
20:0011%46%15J/kg5.1°C24135m1.8m/s
21:000%46%11J/kg5.4°C22689m3.4m/s
22:000%30%7.7J/kg5.7°C21244m4.9m/s
23:0013%0%4J/kg6°C19798m6.4m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:000%0%13J/kg6.8°C19774m5.9m/s
01:000%0%22J/kg7.7°C19750m5.3m/s
02:0013%0%31J/kg8.5°C19725m4.7m/s
03:000%0%31J/kg8.7°C21195m4.2m/s
04:000%20%32J/kg8.9°C22665m3.7m/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
Convective Precip Fraction
fraction
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, Jul 8 Sunrise 05:27 Sunset 21:17
07:00
1008hPa 1J/kg 0.11fraction 100% 12°C 92% 37% 0% 0mm 97% 0.02mm -15dBZ 13° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.8m/s
08:00
1008hPa 1J/kg 0.14fraction 100% 12°C 68% 28% 0% 0mm 90% 0.01mm -20dBZ 23° 100% 0.06mm 5.6m/s 12m/s 2.1m/s
09:00
1009hPa 1J/kg 0.09fraction 100% 12°C 39% 98% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.2m/s
10:00
1009hPa 1J/kg 0.05fraction 100% 12°C 15% 13% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 43° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.8m/s
11:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 13°C 2% 16% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 52° 100% 0.06mm 5.5m/s 14m/s 3.2m/s
12:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 33% 14°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 60° 36% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
13:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 87% 15°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ 64° 87% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
14:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 6% 15°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 63° 9% 0mm 5.2m/s 13m/s 4.4m/s
15:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 93% 15°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 58° 93% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
16:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 74% 15°C 2% 63% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 74% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
17:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 74% 15°C 2% 27% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 40° 74% 0mm 5.4m/s 13m/s 4.1m/s
18:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 94% 16°C 1% 91% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 97% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
19:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 16°C 1% 25% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 100% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
20:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 14% 16°C 0% 31% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 31% 0mm 3.8m/s 13m/s 2.5m/s
21:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 5% 16°C 4% 90% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ 1.9° 90% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
22:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 3% 15°C 7% 92% 0% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -6.3° 92% 0mm - - 0.72m/s
23:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 6% 15°C 11% 17% 0% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 17% 0mm 3.5m/s 13m/s 0.44m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 05:28 Sunset 21:16
24:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 5% 14°C 12% 30% 0% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 32% 0mm - - 0.48m/s
01:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 15°C 15% 10% 0% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 17% 0mm - - 0.5m/s
02:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 15°C 18% 5% 0% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -19° 18% 0mm 5.3m/s 12m/s 0.77m/s
03:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 2% 15°C 19% 16% 0% 0mm 98% 0mm -18dBZ -16° 26% 0mm - - 0.42m/s
04:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 5% 15°C 46% 43% 0% 0mm 98% 0mm -16dBZ -11° 51% 0mm - - 0.64m/s
05:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 41% 12°C 100% 98% 0% 0mm 98% 0mm -14dBZ -4.5° 100% 0mm 5.1m/s 12m/s 0.71m/s
06:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 9.7°C 100% 76% 0% 0mm 97% 0mm -11dBZ 3.8° 100% 0mm - - 0.78m/s
07:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 7.5°C 100% 3% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -7dBZ 13° 100% 0mm - - 0.82m/s
08:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 6.6°C 93% 5% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -3.4dBZ 22° 100% 0mm 8.1m/s 13m/s 0.52m/s
09:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0.02fraction 100% 5.7°C 100% 2% 0% 0mm 90% 0.03mm -5dBZ 32° 100% 0mm - - 0.86m/s
10:00
1007hPa 1J/kg 0.04fraction 65% 5.8°C 100% 4% 0% 0mm 89% 0.02mm -6.6dBZ 42° 100% 0mm - - 0.97m/s
11:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0.06fraction 51% 6.2°C 76% 10% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -8.2dBZ 52° 78% 0.06mm 9.6m/s 14m/s 1.1m/s
12:00
1007hPa 1J/kg 0.04fraction 42% 6.4°C 93% 5% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -11dBZ 59° 93% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
13:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0.02fraction 94% 6.2°C 83% 5% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -14dBZ 64° 95% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
14:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 52% 6.1°C 81% 56% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -17dBZ 63° 81% 0mm 7.6m/s 14m/s 2.9m/s
15:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 75% 5.8°C 73% 76% 7% 0mm 67% 0mm -18dBZ 58° 82% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
16:00
1006hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 95% 5.3°C 100% 37% 15% 0mm 68% 0mm -19dBZ 50° 100% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
17:00
1006hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 97% 4.9°C 100% 43% 22% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 40° 100% 0mm 4.3m/s 14m/s 2m/s
18:00
1005hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 72% 5.1°C 100% 48% 28% 0mm 82% 0mm -18dBZ 30° 100% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
19:00
1005hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 52% 5°C 100% 18% 33% 0mm 82% 0mm -16dBZ 20° 100% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
20:00
1004hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 16% 4.6°C 100% 16% 39% 0mm 85% 0mm -14dBZ 11° 100% 0mm 3.5m/s 13m/s 0.71m/s
21:00
1004hPa 8J/kg 0fraction 48% 4.5°C 99% 5% 47% 0mm 88% 0mm -12dBZ 1.8° 99% 0mm - - 0.73m/s
22:00
1004hPa 10J/kg 0fraction 5% 4.7°C 100% 5% 56% 0.01mm 90% 0mm -10dBZ -6.4° 100% 0mm - - 1m/s
23:00
1003hPa 11J/kg 0fraction 1% 4.7°C 100% 12% 64% 0.01mm 90% 0mm -8.1dBZ -13° 100% 0mm 4.9m/s 15m/s 1.1m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 05:29 Sunset 21:15
24:00
1003hPa 15J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.4°C 100% 6% 50% 0.01mm 91% 0mm -12dBZ -17° 100% 0mm - - 1m/s
01:00
1003hPa 14J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.2°C 100% 5% 36% 0.02mm 92% 0mm -15dBZ -20° 100% 0mm - - 0.93m/s
02:00
1002hPa 11J/kg 0fraction 1% 5°C 100% 5% 22% 0.03mm 93% 0mm -18dBZ -19° 100% 0.06mm 4.8m/s 13m/s 1.1m/s
03:00
1002hPa 9J/kg 0fraction 1% 5.9°C 100% 5% 33% 0.09mm 94% 0mm -17dBZ -17° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.2m/s
04:00
1002hPa 6J/kg 0fraction 0% 6.5°C 100% 5% 45% 0.09mm 96% 0mm -16dBZ -11° 100% 0.25mm - - 1.2m/s
05:00
1002hPa 2J/kg 0fraction 0% 6.6°C 100% 43% 56% 0.05mm 98% 0mm -16dBZ -4.6° 100% 0.31mm 5.4m/s 11m/s 1.1m/s
06:00
1001hPa 1J/kg 0.11fraction 0% 7.2°C 100% 53% 50% 0.01mm 98% 0mm -9.7dBZ 3.7° 100% 0mm - - 1m/s
07:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0.22fraction 0% 7.7°C 100% 98% 45% 0.02mm 98% 0mm -3.8dBZ 13° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.95m/s
08:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0.33fraction 0% 7.7°C 100% 100% 39% 0.02mm 98% 0.01mm 2dBZ 22° 100% 0.06mm 5.4m/s 13m/s 0.94m/s
09:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0.38fraction 4% 7.6°C 100% 93% 45% 0.01mm 98% 0.02mm 2.1dBZ 32° 100% 0.13mm - - 0.98m/s
10:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0.43fraction 46% 7.3°C 100% 86% 50% 0.02mm 97% 0.03mm 2.1dBZ 42° 100% 0.13mm - - 1m/s
11:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0.48fraction 85% 6.8°C 100% 100% 56% 0.03mm 97% 0.02mm 2.1dBZ 52° 100% 0.19mm 8.1m/s 13m/s 1m/s
12:00
1002hPa 0.33J/kg 0.39fraction 86% 6.4°C 76% 67% 37% 0.02mm 91% 0.01mm -4.2dBZ 59° 96% 0.13mm - - 1.2m/s
13:00
1001hPa 0.67J/kg 0.31fraction 87% 6°C 52% 34% 19% 0.01mm 85% 0.007mm -10dBZ 64° 92% 0.06mm - - 1.3m/s
14:00
1001hPa 1J/kg 0.22fraction 89% 5.6°C 28% 1% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -17dBZ 63° 89% 0mm 8.1m/s 15m/s 1.5m/s
15:00
1001hPa 2.7J/kg 0.17fraction 86% 5.3°C 52% 1% 13% 0.003mm 83% 0mm -18dBZ 58° 92% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
16:00
1001hPa 4.3J/kg 0.11fraction 84% 5.1°C 76% 0% 26% 0.007mm 87% 0mm -19dBZ 50° 96% 0mm - - 0.94m/s
17:00
1001hPa 6J/kg 0.06fraction 81% 4.9°C 100% 0% 39% 0.01mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ 40° 100% 0mm 8.8m/s 17m/s 0.68m/s
18:00
1001hPa 9J/kg 0.04fraction 59% 4.9°C 98% 0% 26% 0.02mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 98% 0.02mm - - 0.89m/s
19:00
1001hPa 12J/kg 0.02fraction 36% 5°C 97% 0% 13% 0.02mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 97% 0.04mm - - 1.1m/s
20:00
1001hPa 15J/kg 0fraction 13% 5.1°C 95% 0% 0% 0.03mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ 10° 95% 0.06mm 9.7m/s 19m/s 1.3m/s
21:00
1001hPa 11J/kg 0fraction 10% 5.4°C 97% 0% 17% 0.05mm 94% 0.007mm -13dBZ 1.7° 97% 0.15mm - - 1.7m/s
22:00
1001hPa 7.7J/kg 0fraction 8% 5.7°C 98% 0% 33% 0.08mm 96% 0.01mm -6.9dBZ -6.4° 98% 0.23mm - - 2.2m/s
23:00
1001hPa 4J/kg 0fraction 5% 6°C 100% 0% 50% 0.1mm 98% 0.02mm -0.37dBZ -13° 100% 0.31mm 9.7m/s 19m/s 2.6m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 05:30 Sunset 21:15
24:00
1002hPa 13J/kg 0fraction 3% 6.8°C 97% 1% 41% 0.07mm 97% 0.06mm -3.9dBZ -18° 97% 0.31mm - - 2.5m/s
01:00
1002hPa 22J/kg 0fraction 2% 7.7°C 94% 2% 31% 0.03mm 96% 0.11mm -7.5dBZ -20° 94% 0.31mm - - 2.4m/s
02:00
1003hPa 31J/kg 0fraction 0% 8.5°C 92% 3% 22% 0mm 95% 0.15mm -11dBZ -19° 92% 0.31mm 9.2m/s 20m/s 2.3m/s
03:00
1003hPa 31J/kg 0.05fraction 0% 8.7°C 94% 2% 31% 0.02mm 93% 0.11mm -3.5dBZ -17° 94% 0.44mm - - 2.1m/s
04:00
1004hPa 32J/kg 0.1fraction 0% 8.9°C 97% 1% 41% 0.03mm 91% 0.07mm 4dBZ -12° 97% 0.56mm - - 1.9m/s
05:00
1004hPa 32J/kg 0.14fraction 0% 9°C 100% 0% 50% 0.05mm 89% 0.03mm 11dBZ -4.7° 100% 0.69mm 6.8m/s 21m/s 1.7m/s
06:00
1005hPa 24J/kg 0.43fraction 0% 9.2°C 78% 0% 33% 0.03mm 77% 0.02mm 13dBZ 3.6° 78% 0.5mm - - 2.3m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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