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Rule Storm Chaser

Snoqualmie - Storm Chaser - Pacific Northwest

Snoqualmie, 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)
CAPE 100% failing
Storm Intensity 99% failing
Cloud Drama Score 72% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts3.4m/s
Precipitation Chance95%
Air Pressure955.8hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index2.8°C
Wind Gusts3.4m/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%53%0J/kg5°C21090m7.1m/s
12:000%51%0J/kg3.1°C17067m7.7m/s
13:0023%51%0J/kg3.2°C23488m8m/s
14:000%51%0J/kg2.8°C23152m7.9m/s
15:000%60%0J/kg2.6°C23741m7.4m/s
16:0022%81%0J/kg4.5°C24135m7.3m/s
17:000%66%0J/kg5.3°C24135m7.1m/s
18:000%63%0J/kg5.4°C24134m7m/s
19:0018%4%0J/kg5.3°C24135m8m/s
20:000%0%0J/kg5.8°C24134m8.3m/s
21:000%0%0J/kg5.4°C24135m8.9m/s
22:0020%1.4%0J/kg5.1°C24134m8.8m/s
23:000%2.4%0J/kg6.4°C24134m7.9m/s
Sun, Feb 22
24:000%2.6%0J/kg6.4°C24134m7.1m/s
01:0018%1%0J/kg6.3°C24135m6.6m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg4.6°C24135m7.8m/s
03:000%0.8%0J/kg3.5°C24135m8.1m/s
04:0020%2.5%0J/kg3.7°C24134m8.2m/s
05:000%1.2%0J/kg3.4°C23809m7.9m/s
06:0017%58%0J/kg3.7°C17500m7.3m/s
07:0038%67%0J/kg3.4°C23863m7.5m/s
08:0027%65%2J/kg3°C18294m8.8m/s
09:0027%58%0J/kg3.4°C24135m7.2m/s
10:0033%57%0J/kg3.4°C24135m4.7m/s
11:000%49%0J/kg2.8°C24134m3.4m/s
12:000%45%0J/kg3.3°C11016m2.2m/s
13:0046%45%0J/kg4.7°C288m1.6m/s
14:0040%49%0J/kg4°C246m4.3m/s
15:0022%58%0J/kg4.6°C7210m3.9m/s
16:0041%66%0J/kg5.2°C22529m4.9m/s
17:000%69%0J/kg2.4°C12785m5.3m/s
18:000%88%0J/kg2.6°C24135m4.9m/s
19:0036%4.3%0J/kg2.2°C19768m5.8m/s
20:0015%1.4%0J/kg2.5°C14559m4.9m/s
21:0015%0.3%0J/kg3°C23102m4.7m/s
22:0034%0.3%0J/kg3.6°C22978m5.4m/s
23:000%1.2%0J/kg3.4°C22637m5.4m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:000%1.9%0J/kg2.6°C12797m4.6m/s
01:0042%2.3%0J/kg1.9°C5829m3.2m/s
02:0039%0.6%0J/kg1.7°C1135m3.4m/s
03:0042%0%0J/kg1.9°C935m3.7m/s
04:0055%0.4%0J/kg2.6°C405m2.7m/s
05:0034%0.2%0J/kg2.7°C259m3m/s
06:0038%73%0J/kg3.2°C269m3.3m/s
07:0053%67%0J/kg3.7°C370m3.2m/s
08:0041%67%0J/kg3.5°C575m3.1m/s
09:0045%79%0J/kg3.3°C639m3.3m/s
10:0052%60%0J/kg3.1°C1420m3.5m/s
11:0017%51%0J/kg3.8°C8565m3m/s
12:0030%51%0J/kg4°C5903m2.6m/s
13:0040%51%0J/kg3.7°C10101m1.4m/s
14:0031%51%0J/kg3.8°C20619m1.6m/s
15:0022%60%0J/kg5.3°C5844m1.2m/s
16:0051%60%0J/kg6.7°C138m1.8m/s
17:0030%64%0J/kg8°C92m0.9m/s
18:0036%64%0J/kg9.1°C43m0.8m/s
19:0052%0%0J/kg9.7°C38m0.8m/s
20:0039%1.7%0J/kg8.9°C33m0.61m/s
21:0038%1.4%0J/kg9.6°C33m0.4m/s
22:0046%1.1%0J/kg9.9°C46m0.91m/s
23:0018%1.2%0J/kg11°C49m0.31m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:0028%0.5%0J/kg11°C33m0.61m/s
01:0040%0.8%0J/kg9.3°C34m1.2m/s
02:0033%5.4%0J/kg9.6°C40m1m/s
03:0035%5.8%0J/kg11°C48m0.41m/s
04:0046%2.7%0J/kg10°C59m0.6m/s
05:0018%3.4%0J/kg9.6°C67m0.92m/s
06:0020%57%0J/kg8.9°C76m1.2m/s
07:0039%68%0J/kg8.2°C77m1m/s
08:0020%70%0J/kg7.7°C49m1m/s
09:0030%87%0J/kg7.4°C42m0.91m/s
10:0043%55%0J/kg7.1°C35m1.3m/s
11:0020%47%0J/kg7.3°C34m2.1m/s
12:0032%47%0J/kg7.7°C29m2.1m/s
13:0050%45%0J/kg8.2°C27m2.2m/s
14:0036%50%0J/kg9.6°C27m1.9m/s
15:0041%61%0J/kg9.8°C26m1.8m/s
16:0050%64%0J/kg11°C26m1.4m/s
17:0020%53%0.33J/kg11°C8062m2.6m/s
18:0013%53%0.67J/kg11°C16099m3.7m/s
19:0024%0%1J/kg12°C24135m4.9m/s
20:000%0%0.67J/kg12°C24135m4.8m/s
21:000%0%0.33J/kg13°C24135m4.7m/s
22:0016%0%0J/kg14°C24135m4.5m/s
23:000%0%1J/kg14°C23901m4.5m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:000%0%2J/kg14°C23668m4.5m/s
01:0014%0%3J/kg15°C23434m4.5m/s
02:000%0%6.7J/kg15°C23482m4.7m/s
03:000%0%10J/kg15°C23531m4.9m/s
04:0017%0%14J/kg15°C23580m5.2m/s
05:000%0%18J/kg15°C23568m5.4m/s
06:000%23%21J/kg14°C23557m5.6m/s
07:0017%27%25J/kg14°C23546m5.8m/s
08:000%32%22J/kg14°C23733m6.3m/s
09:000%33%18J/kg14°C23920m6.7m/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 07:00 Sunset 17:40
11:00
956hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.8°C 100% 100% 95% 0.29mm 80% 0mm 27dBZ 30° 100% 0.25mm - - 1.2m/s
12:00
956hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.3°C 100% 100% 91% 0.84mm 82% 0.01mm 28dBZ 32° 100% 0.88mm - - 1.6m/s
13:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.7°C 100% 100% 86% 2mm 96% 0.01mm 29dBZ 32° 100% 3.4mm 13m/s 26m/s 1.2m/s
14:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0% 4°C 100% 100% 89% 1.3mm 97% 0mm 23dBZ 28° 100% 5.6mm - - 2.6m/s
15:00
958hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.6°C 100% 100% 93% 1.4mm 93% 0mm 17dBZ 23° 100% 6.6mm - - 2.1m/s
16:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.2°C 100% 100% 97% 0.21mm 92% 0mm 11dBZ 15° 100% 7.1mm 20m/s 39m/s 2.7m/s
17:00
957hPa 0J/kg 72% 2.4°C 97% 100% 97% 0.7mm 94% 0mm 18dBZ 100% 0.75mm - - 3.2m/s
18:00
956hPa 0J/kg 20% 2.6°C 100% 100% 97% 0mm 94% 0mm 25dBZ -3.7° 100% 0.88mm - - 3m/s
19:00
956hPa 0J/kg 13% 2.2°C 87% 100% 97% 0.39mm 93% 0mm 32dBZ -14° 100% 1mm 13m/s 35m/s 3.7m/s
20:00
957hPa 0J/kg 10% 2.5°C 100% 100% 98% 0.6mm 94% 0mm 28dBZ -24° 100% 1.3mm - - 2.8m/s
21:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0% 3°C 100% 100% 99% 0.13mm 94% 0mm 23dBZ -33° 100% 1.9mm - - 2.9m/s
22:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.6°C 100% 100% 100% 0.09mm 94% 0mm 19dBZ -42° 100% 2.3mm 18m/s 33m/s 3.1m/s
23:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.4°C 100% 100% 100% 0.2mm 94% 0mm 24dBZ -49° 100% 0.44mm - - 3.3m/s
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 06:58 Sunset 17:41
24:00
956hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.6°C 100% 100% 100% 0.67mm 93% 0mm 28dBZ -52° 100% 0.56mm - - 2.7m/s
01:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.9°C 100% 100% 100% 2.4mm 96% 0mm 33dBZ -51° 100% 2.5mm 17m/s 27m/s 2.1m/s
02:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.7°C 100% 100% 100% 4.1mm 98% 0mm 34dBZ -47° 100% 6.3mm - - 2.3m/s
03:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.9°C 100% 100% 100% 2mm 98% 0mm 36dBZ -39° 100% 8.7mm - - 2.4m/s
04:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.6°C 100% 100% 100% 4.3mm 99% 0mm 38dBZ -31° 100% 12mm 10m/s 20m/s 1.8m/s
05:00
956hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.7°C 100% 100% 98% 1.3mm 98% 0mm 38dBZ -21° 100% 2.3mm - - 1.9m/s
06:00
956hPa 0J/kg 17% 3.2°C 100% 100% 96% 1.9mm 98% 0mm 38dBZ -11° 100% 4.3mm - - 2m/s
07:00
956hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.7°C 100% 100% 94% 2.1mm 98% 0mm 38dBZ -0.01° 100% 6.4mm 14m/s 24m/s 2m/s
08:00
956hPa 0J/kg 9% 3.5°C 100% 100% 94% 2.6mm 98% 0mm 35dBZ 9.1° 100% 8.9mm - - 1.9m/s
09:00
955hPa 0J/kg 39% 3.3°C 100% 97% 94% 2.1mm 98% 0mm 31dBZ 18° 100% 11mm - - 2m/s
10:00
955hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.1°C 100% 100% 94% 2.3mm 97% 0mm 28dBZ 25° 100% 13mm 12m/s 36m/s 2.2m/s
11:00
954hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.8°C 100% 100% 89% 1.6mm 97% 0mm 29dBZ 30° 100% 1.8mm - - 1.7m/s
12:00
954hPa 0J/kg 100% 4°C 100% 100% 83% 2.1mm 97% 0mm 31dBZ 33° 100% 3.8mm - - 1.4m/s
13:00
954hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.7°C 100% 100% 78% 1.2mm 98% 0.01mm 33dBZ 32° 100% 6.1mm 5.7m/s 36m/s 0.86m/s
14:00
953hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.8°C 100% 100% 79% 0.47mm 98% 0.01mm 31dBZ 29° 100% 6.8mm - - 0.99m/s
15:00
953hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.3°C 100% 100% 81% 1.6mm 99% 0.02mm 29dBZ 23° 100% 7.6mm - - 0.73m/s
16:00
953hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.7°C 100% 100% 82% 2.8mm 100% 0.02mm 28dBZ 15° 100% 9.9mm 12m/s 34m/s 1.1m/s
17:00
953hPa 0J/kg 100% 8°C 100% 100% 78% 2.5mm 99% 0.01mm 29dBZ 6.3° 100% 1.9mm - - 0.52m/s
18:00
954hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.1°C 100% 100% 74% 1.9mm 99% 0.01mm 31dBZ -3.5° 100% 4.1mm - - 0.25m/s
19:00
953hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.7°C 100% 100% 69% 1.1mm 100% 0mm 32dBZ -14° 100% 5.3mm 12m/s 33m/s 0.49m/s
20:00
953hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.9°C 100% 100% 72% 1.3mm 100% 0mm 24dBZ -24° 100% 6.5mm - - 0.24m/s
21:00
953hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.6°C 100% 100% 75% 1.2mm 100% 0mm 17dBZ -33° 100% 7.5mm - - 0.27m/s
22:00
953hPa 0J/kg 51% 9.9°C 100% 100% 77% 0.8mm 100% 0mm 8.8dBZ -42° 100% 8.6mm 9.6m/s 30m/s 0.69m/s
23:00
952hPa 0J/kg 40% 11°C 100% 100% 73% 0.61mm 100% 0mm 7.7dBZ -48° 100% 0.88mm - - 0.16m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 06:56 Sunset 17:43
24:00
952hPa 0J/kg 55% 11°C 100% 100% 69% 0.64mm 100% 0mm 6.7dBZ -52° 100% 1.4mm - - 0.38m/s
01:00
952hPa 0J/kg 99% 9.3°C 100% 100% 64% 0.56mm 100% 0mm 5.6dBZ -51° 100% 2.3mm 16m/s 37m/s 0.57m/s
02:00
951hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.6°C 100% 100% 67% 0.18mm 100% 0mm 13dBZ -46° 100% 2.6mm - - 0.43m/s
03:00
950hPa 0J/kg 63% 11°C 100% 100% 70% 0.02mm 100% 0mm 21dBZ -39° 100% 2.7mm - - 0.15m/s
04:00
950hPa 0J/kg 50% 10°C 100% 100% 73% 0.2mm 100% 0mm 28dBZ -30° 100% 2.8mm 12m/s 36m/s 0.31m/s
05:00
949hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.6°C 100% 100% 74% 0.03mm 100% 0mm 28dBZ -20° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.5m/s
06:00
949hPa 0J/kg 4% 8.9°C 100% 100% 75% 0.07mm 100% 0mm 28dBZ -10° 100% 0.13mm - - 0.74m/s
07:00
948hPa 0J/kg 4% 8.2°C 100% 100% 75% 0.16mm 100% 0mm 29dBZ 0.24° 100% 0.19mm 13m/s 39m/s 0.79m/s
08:00
949hPa 0J/kg 2% 7.7°C 100% 100% 79% 0.41mm 100% 0.01mm 24dBZ 9.4° 100% 0.63mm - - 0.75m/s
09:00
948hPa 0J/kg 32% 7.4°C 100% 98% 83% 0.43mm 100% 0.01mm 19dBZ 18° 100% 1.1mm - - 0.68m/s
10:00
948hPa 0J/kg 4% 7.1°C 100% 96% 86% 0.52mm 100% 0.01mm 15dBZ 25° 100% 1.5mm 17m/s 41m/s 1.2m/s
11:00
948hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.3°C 100% 100% 79% 0.8mm 100% 0.02mm 20dBZ 31° 100% 0.5mm - - 1.6m/s
12:00
948hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.7°C 100% 100% 72% 0.99mm 100% 0.01mm 26dBZ 33° 100% 1.7mm - - 1.3m/s
13:00
948hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.2°C 100% 100% 64% 1.4mm 100% 0.01mm 32dBZ 33° 100% 3mm 18m/s 37m/s 1.3m/s
14:00
948hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.6°C 100% 100% 68% 1.5mm 99% 0.01mm 28dBZ 29° 100% 4.4mm - - 1.1m/s
15:00
949hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.8°C 100% 100% 72% 1.3mm 100% 0.01mm 24dBZ 23° 100% 5.9mm - - 1.1m/s
16:00
949hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 100% 76% 0.47mm 100% 0.01mm 19dBZ 15° 100% 7mm 13m/s 33m/s 0.92m/s
17:00
963hPa 0.33J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 99% 64% 0.32mm 98% 0.007mm 24dBZ 6.6° 100% 4.7mm - - 1.4m/s
18:00
977hPa 0.67J/kg 0% 11°C 99% 98% 51% 0.16mm 96% 0.003mm 29dBZ -3.2° 99% 2.4mm - - 1.8m/s
19:00
991hPa 1J/kg 0% 12°C 99% 98% 39% 0.01mm 94% 0mm 34dBZ -13° 99% 0.13mm 7m/s 26m/s 2.3m/s
20:00
992hPa 0.67J/kg 0% 12°C 98% 67% 34% 0.01mm 94% 0mm 22dBZ -23° 98% 0.15mm - - 2.2m/s
21:00
993hPa 0.33J/kg 0% 13°C 98% 36% 30% 0.01mm 95% 0mm 9.8dBZ -33° 98% 0.17mm - - 2.2m/s
22:00
993hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 97% 5% 26% 0.01mm 96% 0mm -2.4dBZ -41° 97% 0.19mm 19m/s 26m/s 2.1m/s
23:00
994hPa 1J/kg 0% 14°C 98% 3% 28% 0.01mm 96% 0.003mm -3.7dBZ -48° 98% 0.15mm - - 2.1m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 06:55 Sunset 17:44
24:00
994hPa 2J/kg 0% 14°C 98% 2% 31% 0.01mm 96% 0.007mm -4.9dBZ -51° 98% 0.1mm - - 2.1m/s
01:00
995hPa 3J/kg 0% 15°C 98% 0% 34% 0.01mm 96% 0.01mm -6.2dBZ -51° 98% 0.06mm 21m/s 20m/s 2m/s
02:00
996hPa 6.7J/kg 0% 15°C 99% 2% 33% 0.007mm 96% 0.03mm -11dBZ -46° 99% 0.08mm - - 1.9m/s
03:00
996hPa 10J/kg 0% 15°C 100% 3% 31% 0.003mm 95% 0.04mm -15dBZ -39° 100% 0.1mm - - 1.9m/s
04:00
997hPa 14J/kg 0% 15°C 100% 5% 30% 0mm 95% 0.06mm -20dBZ -30° 100% 0.13mm 21m/s 20m/s 1.8m/s
05:00
998hPa 18J/kg 0% 15°C 100% 5% 38% 0mm 91% 0.07mm -11dBZ -20° 100% 0.17mm - - 1.9m/s
06:00
998hPa 21J/kg 0% 14°C 100% 5% 47% 0mm 87% 0.08mm -2.7dBZ -10° 100% 0.21mm - - 2.1m/s
07:00
998hPa 25J/kg 0% 14°C 99% 5% 56% 0mm 83% 0.09mm 6dBZ 0.5° 99% 0.25mm 20m/s 21m/s 2.2m/s
08:00
998hPa 22J/kg 0% 14°C 99% 3% 65% 0.01mm 86% 0.07mm 1.1dBZ 9.7° 99% 0.31mm - - 2.3m/s
09:00
998hPa 18J/kg 0% 14°C 98% 2% 74% 0.03mm 88% 0.06mm -3.8dBZ 18° 98% 0.38mm - - 2.3m/s
10:00
998hPa 15J/kg 0% 14°C 98% 0% 83% 0.04mm 91% 0.04mm -8.7dBZ 26° 98% 0.44mm 18m/s 19m/s 2.4m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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