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Rule Storm Chaser

Port Angeles - Storm Chaser - Pacific Northwest

Port Angeles, 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 65% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts1.6m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure922.5hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index5.9°C
Wind Gusts1.6m/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 79 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
22:000%20%0J/kg5.4°C24134m2m/s
23:0013%13%0J/kg5.5°C24135m2.4m/s
Wed, Jul 8
24:000%13%0J/kg4.9°C24134m2m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg4.9°C24135m2m/s
02:0015%15%0J/kg4.2°C24134m2m/s
03:000%12%0J/kg4.1°C24134m1.9m/s
04:000%74%0J/kg3.7°C24134m1.5m/s
05:0015%45%0J/kg3.6°C24134m1m/s
06:000%41%0J/kg4.6°C24134m1.2m/s
07:000%39%0J/kg5.9°C24135m1.6m/s
08:0015%52%0J/kg6.2°C24135m1.5m/s
09:0017%49%2J/kg6.4°C775m2m/s
10:0018%54%0J/kg6.7°C490m2.5m/s
11:0015%35%0J/kg7.5°C6799m2.5m/s
12:000%58%0J/kg8.3°C6285m2.9m/s
13:000%36%0J/kg8.5°C5966m2.9m/s
14:0018%55%0J/kg8.7°C6073m3.6m/s
15:000%85%0J/kg8.9°C15783m3.3m/s
16:000%39%0J/kg9.4°C24134m3.1m/s
17:0016%57%0J/kg10°C24135m2.7m/s
18:000%56%0J/kg11°C22120m2.4m/s
19:000%58%0J/kg12°C24135m2.8m/s
20:0013%57%0J/kg13°C24134m3m/s
21:000%100%0J/kg14°C24134m2.4m/s
22:000%66%0J/kg14°C24134m2.4m/s
23:0015%15%0J/kg14°C24135m2.6m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:000%13%0J/kg12°C24135m2.1m/s
01:000%14%0J/kg12°C24134m2.4m/s
02:0015%15%0J/kg11°C24135m2.3m/s
03:000%14%0J/kg10°C24134m2.2m/s
04:000%50%0J/kg9.9°C24135m1.6m/s
05:0015%100%0J/kg9.3°C24135m2.1m/s
06:000%63%0J/kg7.4°C24134m1.2m/s
07:000%62%1J/kg5.6°C24135m0.72m/s
08:0015%58%2J/kg5.5°C24135m1.4m/s
09:000%36%7J/kg5.1°C24134m1.5m/s
10:000%67%1J/kg5.5°C24135m1.5m/s
11:0015%40%2J/kg5°C24135m1.9m/s
12:000%44%6J/kg5°C24134m1.4m/s
13:000%44%3J/kg5°C24135m1.7m/s
14:0013%48%1J/kg6°C24135m2.2m/s
15:000%80%0J/kg6.3°C24135m2.5m/s
16:000%66%4J/kg5.7°C24135m3.1m/s
17:0014%46%1J/kg5.3°C24135m2.6m/s
18:000%42%2J/kg5.2°C24135m2m/s
19:000%46%2J/kg5.2°C24135m1.8m/s
20:0013%90%2J/kg5.3°C24134m2.1m/s
21:000%70%1J/kg4.8°C24135m1.2m/s
22:000%70%1J/kg4.7°C24134m1.3m/s
23:0014%15%1J/kg4.7°C24135m1.2m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:000%15%4J/kg4.8°C24134m1.2m/s
01:000%15%6J/kg4.7°C24134m1m/s
02:0014%15%6J/kg4.8°C24135m0.91m/s
03:000%14%5J/kg5°C24134m0.9m/s
04:000%51%8J/kg5.2°C24134m0.8m/s
05:0013%49%8J/kg6°C24134m0.62m/s
06:000%59%1J/kg6.1°C24135m0.64m/s
07:0017%46%0J/kg6.3°C24134m0.81m/s
08:0015%71%0J/kg6°C24134m0.91m/s
09:0019%56%0J/kg5.5°C24135m1m/s
10:0022%53%0J/kg5.4°C24135m1.1m/s
11:0021%57%3J/kg5.1°C24135m1.2m/s
12:0023%53%3J/kg4.6°C24135m1.3m/s
13:0022%37%3J/kg4.1°C24135m1.3m/s
14:0020%39%3J/kg3.6°C24135m1.4m/s
15:0021%74%3J/kg3.8°C24135m1.4m/s
16:0020%77%3J/kg4°C24135m1.4m/s
17:0016%41%3J/kg4.2°C24135m1.3m/s
18:0019%45%7.7J/kg4.4°C24135m1.2m/s
19:0018%48%12J/kg4.6°C24135m1m/s
20:0017%42%17J/kg4.8°C24135m0.84m/s
21:0017%48%17J/kg5°C24135m0.86m/s
22:000%51%16J/kg5.1°C24135m0.89m/s
23:0014%0%16J/kg5.3°C24135m0.92m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:000%0%11J/kg5.5°C24135m1.4m/s
01:000%0%6J/kg5.7°C24135m1.8m/s
02:0015%0%1J/kg5.9°C24135m2.2m/s
03:000%0%0.67J/kg6.2°C23891m2.4m/s
04:0017%51%0.33J/kg6.4°C23647m2.6m/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 05:23 Sunset 21:13
07:00
923hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 5.9°C 36% 5% 0% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 100% 0mm - - 0.94m/s
08:00
923hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 6.2°C 48% 44% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 100% 0mm 8.6m/s 15m/s 1.3m/s
09:00
923hPa 2J/kg 0fraction 91% 6.4°C 73% 14% 0% 0mm 81% 0.01mm -20dBZ 33° 91% 0mm - - 2m/s
10:00
923hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 6.7°C 56% 72% 0% 0mm 80% 0.01mm -20dBZ 43° 100% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
11:00
923hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 7.5°C 22% 8% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 52° 100% 0mm 8.7m/s 14m/s 2.5m/s
12:00
923hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 8.3°C 18% 21% 0% 0mm 56% 0.01mm -19dBZ 60° 100% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
13:00
923hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 97% 8.5°C 11% 0% 0% 0mm 52% 0.01mm -18dBZ 64° 97% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
14:00
923hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 77% 8.7°C 11% 0% 0% 0mm 50% 0.02mm -17dBZ 63° 77% 0mm 9.8m/s 15m/s 3.7m/s
15:00
923hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 22% 8.9°C 10% 0% 0% 0mm 50% 0.01mm -17dBZ 57° 26% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
16:00
923hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 97% 9.4°C 10% 4% 0% 0mm 49% 0mm -18dBZ 49° 97% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
17:00
923hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 96% 10°C 10% 91% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -18dBZ 39° 98% 0mm 8.7m/s 17m/s 3.2m/s
18:00
922hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 11°C 10% 94% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -19dBZ 29° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
19:00
922hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 12°C 10% 95% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -19dBZ 20° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
20:00
922hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 13°C 5% 61% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 10° 100% 0mm 8.9m/s 15m/s 1.7m/s
21:00
922hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 46% 14°C 0% 78% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 1.5° 78% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
22:00
922hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 5% 14°C 1% 79% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -6.6° 79% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
23:00
922hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 44% 14°C 5% 41% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 47% 0mm 9.8m/s 16m/s 2m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 05:24 Sunset 21:13
24:00
922hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 5% 12°C 4% 5% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 5% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
01:00
922hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 12°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ -19° 5% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
02:00
921hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 2% 11°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 51% 0mm -20dBZ -19° 5% 0mm 9.6m/s 17m/s 2.1m/s
03:00
921hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 3% 10°C 10% 5% 0% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 10% 0mm - - 2m/s
04:00
921hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 4% 9.9°C 16% 5% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 16% 0mm - - 2m/s
05:00
921hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 11% 9.3°C 76% 33% 0% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -3.9° 76% 0mm 9.5m/s 16m/s 1.8m/s
06:00
921hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 7.4°C 100% 71% 0% 0mm 43% 0mm -19dBZ 4.4° 100% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
07:00
921hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 100% 5.6°C 100% 46% 0% 0mm 46% 0mm -18dBZ 13° 100% 0mm - - 0.49m/s
08:00
921hPa 2J/kg 0fraction 100% 5.5°C 100% 21% 0% 0mm 51% 0mm -17dBZ 23° 100% 0mm 11m/s 17m/s 0.8m/s
09:00
921hPa 7J/kg 0fraction 100% 5.1°C 95% 10% 13% 0mm 55% 0mm -18dBZ 33° 100% 0mm - - 0.94m/s
10:00
921hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 72% 5.5°C 78% 3% 26% 0mm 55% 0mm -19dBZ 43° 79% 0mm - - 1m/s
11:00
921hPa 2J/kg 0fraction 90% 5°C 97% 5% 39% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ 52° 97% 0mm 9.8m/s 16m/s 1.7m/s
12:00
922hPa 6J/kg 0fraction 88% 5°C 100% 5% 39% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 60° 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
13:00
922hPa 3J/kg 0fraction 56% 5°C 94% 5% 39% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ 64° 94% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
14:00
921hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 100% 6°C 38% 33% 39% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 63° 100% 0mm 7.5m/s 15m/s 1.4m/s
15:00
921hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 58% 6.3°C 16% 82% 33% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 57° 82% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
16:00
920hPa 4J/kg 0fraction 57% 5.7°C 64% 6% 28% 0mm 52% 0.01mm -20dBZ 49° 84% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
17:00
920hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 96% 5.3°C 75% 5% 22% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 96% 0mm 5.7m/s 17m/s 2.7m/s
18:00
920hPa 2J/kg 0fraction 98% 5.2°C 67% 4% 15% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 98% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
19:00
919hPa 2J/kg 0fraction 100% 5.2°C 56% 5% 7% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
20:00
919hPa 2J/kg 0fraction 54% 5.3°C 55% 6% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 10° 64% 0mm 6.2m/s 14m/s 1.5m/s
21:00
919hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 16% 4.8°C 86% 5% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 1.4° 86% 0mm - - 0.91m/s
22:00
919hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 15% 4.7°C 94% 5% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -6.7° 94% 0mm - - 1m/s
23:00
918hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 1% 4.7°C 88% 0% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -19dBZ -13° 88% 0mm 6.3m/s 16m/s 0.93m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 05:25 Sunset 21:12
24:00
918hPa 4J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.8°C 93% 4% 13% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 93% 0mm - - 0.99m/s
01:00
918hPa 6J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.7°C 83% 2% 26% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 83% 0mm - - 0.67m/s
02:00
917hPa 6J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.8°C 78% 3% 39% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -19° 78% 0mm 7.1m/s 17m/s 0.67m/s
03:00
917hPa 5J/kg 0fraction 0% 5°C 82% 5% 45% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 82% 0mm - - 0.76m/s
04:00
917hPa 8J/kg 0fraction 0% 5.2°C 76% 5% 50% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 76% 0mm - - 0.58m/s
05:00
917hPa 8J/kg 0fraction 0% 6°C 80% 5% 56% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -4° 80% 0mm 7m/s 13m/s 0.61m/s
06:00
917hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 0% 6.1°C 51% 5% 59% 0mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ 4.3° 51% 0mm - - 0.39m/s
07:00
917hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 6.3°C 82% 5% 61% 0mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 82% 0mm - - 0.63m/s
08:00
917hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 6°C 80% 20% 64% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 80% 0mm 6.8m/s 14m/s 0.8m/s
09:00
917hPa 0J/kg 0.21fraction 0% 5.5°C 89% 28% 73% 0.01mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 89% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
10:00
917hPa 0J/kg 0.42fraction 0% 5.4°C 94% 63% 82% 0mm 81% 0.01mm -20dBZ 43° 94% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
11:00
917hPa 3J/kg 0.64fraction 5% 5.1°C 93% 70% 91% 0mm 83% 0.02mm -19dBZ 52° 93% 0mm 5.7m/s 15m/s 1.6m/s
12:00
917hPa 3J/kg 0.76fraction 5% 4.6°C 91% 77% 79% 0mm 84% 0.03mm -12dBZ 60° 94% 0.04mm - - 1.5m/s
13:00
917hPa 3J/kg 0.88fraction 5% 4.1°C 89% 83% 68% 0mm 85% 0.04mm -3.7dBZ 64° 95% 0.08mm - - 1.4m/s
14:00
917hPa 3J/kg 1fraction 5% 3.6°C 87% 89% 56% 0mm 86% 0.05mm 4.1dBZ 63° 96% 0.13mm 9.4m/s 17m/s 1.3m/s
15:00
917hPa 3J/kg 0.76fraction 4% 3.8°C 66% 61% 56% 0mm 89% 0.03mm -3.2dBZ 57° 72% 0.17mm - - 1.4m/s
16:00
917hPa 3J/kg 0.52fraction 4% 4°C 46% 33% 56% 0mm 92% 0.02mm -11dBZ 49° 49% 0.21mm - - 1.5m/s
17:00
917hPa 3J/kg 0.27fraction 3% 4.2°C 25% 5% 56% 0mm 95% 0mm -18dBZ 39° 25% 0.25mm 6.9m/s 17m/s 1.6m/s
18:00
916hPa 7.7J/kg 0.52fraction 3% 4.4°C 41% 5% 37% 0.003mm 93% 0mm -17dBZ 29° 41% 0.17mm - - 1.3m/s
19:00
916hPa 12J/kg 0.76fraction 3% 4.6°C 56% 4% 19% 0.007mm 92% 0mm -17dBZ 19° 56% 0.08mm - - 1m/s
20:00
916hPa 17J/kg 1fraction 3% 4.8°C 71% 4% 0% 0.01mm 90% 0mm -16dBZ 9.9° 71% 0mm 8.7m/s 19m/s 0.76m/s
21:00
916hPa 17J/kg 0.67fraction 4% 5°C 56% 3% 13% 0.01mm 92% 0.003mm -18dBZ 1.3° 56% 0.02mm - - 0.83m/s
22:00
916hPa 16J/kg 0.34fraction 4% 5.1°C 41% 1% 26% 0.01mm 94% 0.007mm -19dBZ -6.8° 41% 0.04mm - - 0.9m/s
23:00
916hPa 16J/kg 0.01fraction 5% 5.3°C 27% 0% 39% 0.01mm 95% 0.01mm -20dBZ -13° 27% 0.06mm 9.7m/s 19m/s 0.96m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 05:26 Sunset 21:12
24:00
916hPa 11J/kg 0.01fraction 5% 5.5°C 44% 0% 26% 0.01mm 91% 0.01mm -20dBZ -18° 44% 0.06mm - - 0.93m/s
01:00
917hPa 6J/kg 0fraction 5% 5.7°C 61% 0% 13% 0.01mm 87% 0.01mm -20dBZ -20° 61% 0.06mm - - 0.89m/s
02:00
917hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 5% 5.9°C 78% 1% 0% 0.01mm 83% 0.01mm -19dBZ -19° 78% 0.06mm 8.9m/s 23m/s 0.85m/s
03:00
917hPa 0.67J/kg 0.2fraction 5% 6.2°C 57% 1% 13% 0.007mm 73% 0.007mm -18dBZ -16° 57% 0.06mm - - 1.2m/s
04:00
918hPa 0.33J/kg 0.41fraction 5% 6.4°C 36% 2% 26% 0.003mm 62% 0.003mm -17dBZ -11° 36% 0.06mm - - 1.6m/s
05:00
918hPa 0J/kg 0.61fraction 5% 6.6°C 15% 2% 39% 0mm 52% 0mm -16dBZ -4.1° 15% 0.06mm 11m/s 26m/s 2m/s
06:00
918hPa 0J/kg 0.55fraction 3% 6.5°C 25% 2% 33% 0mm 57% 0mm -17dBZ 4.2° 25% 0.04mm - - 2.4m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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