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Rule Storm Chaser

Seaside - Storm Chaser - Pacific Northwest

Gearhart, Oregon, 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 88% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover0%
Wind Gusts3.2m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure1010.6hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index11.6°C
Wind Gusts3.2m/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 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
Tue, Apr 7
18:000%55%0J/kg16°C24135m4.6m/s
19:000%28%0J/kg16°C24134m4.5m/s
20:000%74%0J/kg16°C24135m4.5m/s
21:000%41%0J/kg15°C24134m3.9m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg15°C24134m3.9m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg14°C24135m3.9m/s
Wed, Apr 8
24:000%15%0J/kg14°C24135m3.8m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg14°C24134m3.4m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg14°C24135m2.9m/s
03:000%14%0J/kg14°C24134m2.5m/s
04:000%13%0J/kg14°C24135m2.4m/s
05:000%13%0J/kg14°C24134m2m/s
06:000%21%0J/kg13°C24134m2.3m/s
07:000%22%0J/kg13°C24134m2.1m/s
08:000%34%0J/kg13°C24135m1.8m/s
09:000%43%0J/kg13°C24135m1.4m/s
10:000%22%0J/kg13°C24134m1.7m/s
11:000%21%0J/kg13°C24135m2.1m/s
12:000%20%0J/kg12°C24135m2.1m/s
13:000%15%0J/kg12°C24134m2.3m/s
14:000%14%0J/kg12°C24134m2.5m/s
15:000%13%0J/kg12°C24135m2.8m/s
16:000%11%0J/kg12°C24135m3m/s
17:000%10%0J/kg12°C24135m3m/s
18:000%11%0J/kg12°C24134m3.2m/s
19:000%11%0J/kg12°C24135m3.2m/s
20:000%14%0J/kg12°C24135m3.4m/s
21:000%13%0J/kg12°C24135m3.8m/s
22:000%10%0J/kg12°C24134m4.1m/s
23:000%10%0J/kg12°C24134m3.1m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%11%0J/kg12°C24134m2.5m/s
01:000%9%0J/kg12°C24135m2.4m/s
02:000%9.5%0J/kg12°C24134m2.4m/s
03:000%3.4%0J/kg11°C24135m2.7m/s
04:000%1.7%0J/kg10°C24135m2.8m/s
05:000%1.3%0J/kg10°C24135m2.4m/s
06:000%17%0J/kg9.9°C24135m2.3m/s
07:000%13%0J/kg9.9°C24134m2.4m/s
08:000%17%0J/kg9.9°C24135m2.1m/s
09:000%12%0J/kg10°C24134m2.2m/s
10:000%17%0J/kg10°C24134m2.6m/s
11:000%17%0J/kg9.6°C24135m2.6m/s
12:000%15%0J/kg8.8°C24135m3.2m/s
13:000%36%0J/kg8.1°C24134m3.9m/s
14:000%21%0J/kg7.6°C24134m4.9m/s
15:000%45%0J/kg6.8°C24135m5.2m/s
16:000%49%0J/kg6.1°C24134m5.5m/s
17:000%49%0J/kg5.6°C24135m6.3m/s
18:000%76%0J/kg5.3°C24134m6.5m/s
19:000%48%0J/kg5°C24134m4.4m/s
20:000%54%0J/kg4.4°C24135m5.2m/s
21:000%52%0J/kg4.1°C24134m5.8m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg4°C24134m4.4m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg3.7°C24135m4.2m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%15%0J/kg4°C24134m1.6m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg3.7°C24134m1.5m/s
02:000%9.3%0J/kg3.5°C24135m0.71m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg3.7°C24135m0.7m/s
04:000%14%0J/kg4.2°C24134m2.8m/s
05:000%14%0J/kg4.1°C24134m5.3m/s
06:000%34%0J/kg4.1°C24134m5.7m/s
07:000%96%0J/kg3.9°C24134m5.6m/s
08:000%39%0J/kg3.7°C24134m6.3m/s
09:000%63%0J/kg3.8°C24134m5.6m/s
10:000%65%0J/kg4.5°C24135m5.2m/s
11:000%42%0J/kg5.6°C24135m5.5m/s
12:000%46%0J/kg5.4°C24135m5.4m/s
13:000%24%0J/kg5.5°C24134m4.8m/s
14:0011%20%0J/kg5.2°C24135m3.7m/s
15:000%25%1J/kg4.6°C24134m2m/s
16:000%40%0J/kg5.5°C24135m1.6m/s
17:009.1%48%0J/kg5.9°C24134m1.5m/s
18:000%31%0J/kg6.6°C24134m0.8m/s
19:000%68%0J/kg4.8°C24134m0.5m/s
20:008.4%100%0J/kg3.1°C24135m0.6m/s
21:000%54%0J/kg3°C24135m1.7m/s
22:000%5.6%0J/kg3°C24135m3.1m/s
23:008.4%15%0J/kg2.7°C24135m3.8m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%0%0.33J/kg3.1°C24135m3.4m/s
01:000%0%0.67J/kg3.4°C24135m3m/s
02:009.1%0%1J/kg3.8°C24135m2.6m/s
03:000%0%0.67J/kg3.4°C24135m2.5m/s
04:000%0%0.33J/kg3°C24135m2.3m/s
05:008.4%0%0J/kg2.5°C24135m2.2m/s
06:000%53%0.67J/kg2.3°C24135m3.4m/s
07:000%64%1.3J/kg2°C24135m4.5m/s
08:0011%60%2J/kg1.7°C24135m5.6m/s
09:000%60%2.3J/kg1.8°C24135m5.8m/s
10:000%48%2.7J/kg1.9°C24135m6m/s
11:009.8%23%3J/kg2°C24135m6.2m/s
12:000%38%3.7J/kg2.3°C24135m5.9m/s
13:000%38%4.3J/kg2.6°C24135m5.6m/s
14:009.8%38%5J/kg2.9°C24135m5.2m/s
15:000%38%3.3J/kg3.2°C24135m5.2m/s
16:000%48%1.7J/kg3.6°C24135m5.1m/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
Wed, Apr 8 Sunrise 06:40 Sunset 19:53
18:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 0% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
19:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 8.5° 0% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
20:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -1.7° 5% 0mm 6.5m/s 5.5m/s 2.7m/s
21:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 5% 0mm - - 3m/s
22:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 4% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 4% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
23:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 5% 0mm 6.2m/s 4.7m/s 2.4m/s
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:40 Sunset 19:53
24:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 5% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
01:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -36° 5% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
02:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 5% 0mm 5m/s 3.9m/s 2.3m/s
03:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 5% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
04:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 2% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -25° 2% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
05:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 2% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 2% 0mm 3.4m/s 1.5m/s 2.2m/s
06:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -7.5° 0% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
07:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 2.8° 0% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
08:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 2% 9.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 2% 0mm 2.2m/s 0.95m/s 1.8m/s
09:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 4% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 4% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
10:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 5% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
11:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 4% 9.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 4% 0mm 2.9m/s 1.6m/s 3.2m/s
12:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 5% 8.8°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 48° 5% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
13:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 12% 8.1°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 52° 12% 0mm - - 5m/s
14:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 1% 7.6°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 5% 0mm 3.1m/s 3.5m/s 4.6m/s
15:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 92% 6.8°C 0% 82% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 92% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
16:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.1°C 0% 99% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 100% 0mm - - 4m/s
17:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.6°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 100% 0mm 5.7m/s 7.4m/s 4.3m/s
18:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 20% 5.3°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 100% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
19:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 100% 5°C 0% 19% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 8.7° 100% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
20:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.4°C 0% 23% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -1.5° 100% 0mm 5.6m/s 4.5m/s 3.7m/s
21:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.1°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 100% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
22:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 100% 4°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 100% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
23:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 75% 3.7°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 100% 0mm 5.9m/s 5.9m/s 3.2m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:38 Sunset 19:54
24:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 5% 4°C 0% 77% 7% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 77% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
01:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 63% 3.7°C 1% 5% 15% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -36° 63% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
02:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.5°C 3% 99% 22% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 100% 0mm 3.8m/s 5.3m/s 0.08m/s
03:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.7°C 5% 79% 23% 0mm 86% 0mm -8.3dBZ -31° 100% 0mm - - 0.37m/s
04:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 1% 4.2°C 5% 12% 23% 0mm 86% 0mm 3.3dBZ -25° 12% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
05:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 28% 4.1°C 5% 4% 24% 0mm 88% 0mm 15dBZ -17° 29% 0mm 4m/s 7.7m/s 4.1m/s
06:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 5% 4.1°C 4% 5% 29% 0mm 89% 0mm 3.3dBZ -7.2° 5% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
07:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 20% 3.9°C 6% 80% 34% 0mm 90% 0mm -8.3dBZ 3.1° 80% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
08:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.7°C 6% 100% 39% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 100% 0mm 5.7m/s 5.4m/s 5m/s
09:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.8°C 34% 98% 34% 0mm 85% 0mm -18dBZ 24° 98% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
10:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 5% 4.5°C 70% 82% 30% 0mm 82% 0mm -16dBZ 33° 82% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
11:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 6% 5.6°C 100% 90% 26% 0.01mm 84% 0mm -15dBZ 42° 100% 0mm 8.6m/s 9m/s 5.2m/s
12:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 5% 5.4°C 100% 32% 25% 0.02mm 86% 0mm -8.4dBZ 49° 100% 0mm - - 5m/s
13:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 5% 5.5°C 100% 5% 23% 0mm 88% 0mm -2.2dBZ 52° 100% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
14:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.2°C 100% 4% 22% 0mm 86% 0mm 4dBZ 51° 100% 0mm 7.3m/s 10m/s 3.4m/s
15:00
1003hPa 1J/kg 0% 4.6°C 100% 2% 20% 0mm 85% 0mm -4dBZ 46° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
16:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.5°C 81% 6% 19% 0mm 84% 0mm -12dBZ 39° 81% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
17:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.9°C 86% 88% 17% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 90% 0mm 9m/s 11m/s 1.4m/s
18:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.6°C 100% 10% 45% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 100% 0mm - - 0.9m/s
19:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.8°C 99% 16% 72% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ 8.9° 99% 0mm - - 0.44m/s
20:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 38% 3.1°C 6% 57% 100% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -1.2° 57% 0mm 6.9m/s 13m/s 0.45m/s
21:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 99% 3°C 5% 100% 100% 0mm 86% 0mm -16dBZ -11° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
22:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 100% 3°C 5% 100% 100% 0mm 86% 0mm -12dBZ -20° 100% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
23:00
999hPa 0J/kg 8% 2.7°C 5% 6% 100% 0mm 86% 0mm -7.9dBZ -28° 8% 0mm 5.3m/s 11m/s 3m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:36 Sunset 19:56
24:00
999hPa 0.33J/kg 24% 3.1°C 21% 37% 75% 0.003mm 87% 0mm -0.27dBZ -33° 38% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
01:00
998hPa 0.67J/kg 41% 3.4°C 37% 69% 51% 0.007mm 87% 0mm 7.4dBZ -35° 69% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
02:00
997hPa 1J/kg 58% 3.8°C 52% 100% 26% 0.01mm 88% 0mm 15dBZ -35° 100% 0mm 3.8m/s 13m/s 2.3m/s
03:00
997hPa 0.67J/kg 72% 3.4°C 39% 99% 35% 0.01mm 86% 0mm 3.3dBZ -31° 100% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
04:00
997hPa 0.33J/kg 86% 3°C 25% 97% 44% 0.01mm 83% 0mm -8.3dBZ -24° 100% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
05:00
997hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.5°C 11% 96% 52% 0.01mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 100% 0mm 3.4m/s 12m/s 2.8m/s
06:00
997hPa 0.67J/kg 100% 2.3°C 32% 94% 68% 0.007mm 83% 0mm -10dBZ -6.8° 100% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
07:00
997hPa 1.3J/kg 100% 2°C 53% 92% 84% 0.003mm 84% 0mm -0.52dBZ 3.4° 100% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
08:00
996hPa 2J/kg 100% 1.7°C 74% 91% 100% 0mm 86% 0mm 9.2dBZ 14° 100% 0mm 7.1m/s 13m/s 5.3m/s
09:00
996hPa 2.3J/kg 91% 1.8°C 82% 63% 72% 0.003mm 86% 0mm -0.52dBZ 24° 100% 0.02mm - - 5.1m/s
10:00
996hPa 2.7J/kg 82% 1.9°C 91% 35% 44% 0.007mm 86% 0mm -10dBZ 34° 100% 0.04mm - - 5m/s
11:00
996hPa 3J/kg 73% 2°C 99% 7% 16% 0.01mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 100% 0.06mm 4m/s 11m/s 4.8m/s
12:00
997hPa 3.7J/kg 82% 2.3°C 98% 27% 21% 0.01mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 49° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.3m/s
13:00
997hPa 4.3J/kg 91% 2.6°C 96% 47% 25% 0.01mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ 52° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.8m/s
14:00
997hPa 5J/kg 100% 2.9°C 95% 68% 30% 0.01mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 100% 0.06mm 5m/s 12m/s 3.3m/s
15:00
997hPa 3.3J/kg 100% 3.2°C 69% 47% 37% 0.007mm 91% 0mm -11dBZ 46° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.3m/s
16:00
997hPa 1.7J/kg 100% 3.6°C 43% 26% 43% 0.003mm 91% 0mm -1.7dBZ 39° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.4m/s
17:00
997hPa 0J/kg 100% 4°C 18% 5% 50% 0mm 91% 0mm 7.4dBZ 30° 100% 0.06mm 9m/s 13m/s 3.4m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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