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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)
Storm Intensity 100% failing
CAPE 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 76% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts1.7m/s
Precipitation Chance80%
Air Pressure945.5hPa
CAPE1
Lifted Index4.2°C
Wind Gusts1.7m/s
Precipitation0.4mm

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
Fri, Apr 10
12:000%67%0J/kg5°C24134m1.7m/s
13:000%72%0J/kg4°C24135m2.3m/s
14:0013%39%0J/kg3.3°C24135m2.3m/s
15:000%38%0J/kg2.6°C24135m1.6m/s
16:000%56%0J/kg2.2°C24134m2.1m/s
17:0013%44%0J/kg2°C24134m1.9m/s
18:000%55%0J/kg2°C24134m2.5m/s
19:000%63%42J/kg0.5°C24134m1.4m/s
20:0013%61%0J/kg1°C24134m1m/s
21:000%57%0J/kg1.7°C24135m0.9m/s
22:000%12%0J/kg1.3°C24134m1.4m/s
23:000%11%0J/kg1.3°C24134m1.3m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%9.8%0J/kg1.7°C24135m0.91m/s
01:000%10%0J/kg1.7°C24134m0.91m/s
02:000%10%0J/kg2.1°C24134m1m/s
03:000%7%0J/kg2.1°C24135m1m/s
04:000%2.5%0J/kg2.3°C24135m0.63m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg2.1°C24135m1.2m/s
06:000%64%1J/kg2.7°C24134m1m/s
07:000%64%3J/kg2.7°C23238m1.1m/s
08:0029%60%1J/kg3.2°C1003m1.2m/s
09:0036%60%1J/kg3.8°C154m1.8m/s
10:0036%51%1J/kg4°C140m2.1m/s
11:0035%41%1J/kg4.3°C210m2.1m/s
12:0019%55%1J/kg4.2°C862m1.7m/s
13:000%51%1J/kg3.9°C11546m1.2m/s
14:0015%52%1J/kg3.7°C4932m1m/s
15:0014%40%1J/kg4.8°C22681m0.41m/s
16:0014%31%1J/kg4.9°C24135m0.71m/s
17:0015%53%1J/kg4°C22855m0.51m/s
18:000%39%1J/kg3.7°C22771m0.6m/s
19:000%39%1J/kg3.7°C22835m0.22m/s
20:000%67%1J/kg3.8°C22803m0.41m/s
21:000%58%2J/kg3.5°C22739m0.5m/s
22:000%8.5%1J/kg3.9°C22834m0.61m/s
23:000%8.2%1J/kg4.4°C22813m0.21m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%9%2J/kg4.4°C22977m0.3m/s
01:000%7.6%1J/kg4.3°C24135m0.41m/s
02:000%11%1J/kg4.2°C24134m0.6m/s
03:000%12%1J/kg4.3°C24135m0.51m/s
04:000%12%0J/kg4.8°C24135m0.41m/s
05:0012%10%0J/kg4.9°C24135m0.11m/s
06:000%44%0J/kg4.6°C24135m0.22m/s
07:0013%100%0J/kg4.5°C3515m0.41m/s
08:000%61%0J/kg4.5°C24135m0.7m/s
09:000%46%0J/kg4.6°C24135m0.9m/s
10:000%38%0J/kg4°C24134m1.5m/s
11:000%31%0J/kg4.2°C24134m1.2m/s
12:000%36%0J/kg4.8°C24134m1.6m/s
13:000%48%0J/kg5.3°C24135m1.7m/s
14:000%35%0J/kg5.3°C24135m1.6m/s
15:000%48%0J/kg5.2°C24135m1.8m/s
16:000%57%13J/kg4.9°C24036m2.1m/s
17:000%35%20J/kg4.6°C21173m2.1m/s
18:000%40%17J/kg4.6°C24135m2.5m/s
19:000%65%11J/kg5.1°C18042m2.2m/s
20:0017%46%12J/kg4.9°C4553m1.6m/s
21:0017%35%2J/kg4.6°C1001m1.3m/s
22:0029%5.9%1J/kg4.1°C376m1.5m/s
23:0031%4.8%2J/kg4°C161m2.6m/s
Mon, Apr 13
24:0019%3.1%13J/kg4°C152m2.9m/s
01:0030%1.9%16J/kg4.1°C272m3.7m/s
02:0036%9.2%9J/kg4.6°C417m4.4m/s
03:0032%10%5J/kg5.1°C297m5m/s
04:0032%10%2J/kg5°C425m4.8m/s
05:0036%11%0J/kg5.5°C582m4.6m/s
06:0031%40%0J/kg6.7°C462m5.8m/s
07:0031%46%0J/kg7.1°C421m5.3m/s
08:0043%48%0J/kg7.7°C436m5m/s
09:0034%37%1J/kg8.7°C542m5.6m/s
10:0034%31%0J/kg9.2°C654m5.7m/s
11:0047%33%0J/kg9.8°C279m6.2m/s
12:0020%52%0J/kg10°C223m6m/s
13:0030%32%0J/kg11°C446m5.4m/s
14:0037%50%0J/kg11°C1165m6.2m/s
15:0029%51%1J/kg11°C1392m6.2m/s
16:0028%79%9J/kg11°C1170m6m/s
17:0038%62%5J/kg11°C1294m4.8m/s
18:0017%62%3.3J/kg12°C8908m6.4m/s
19:000%67%1.7J/kg13°C16521m7.9m/s
20:0014%64%0J/kg15°C24135m9.5m/s
21:000%58%2J/kg15°C24135m9.3m/s
22:000%0%4J/kg15°C24135m9.1m/s
23:0014%0%6J/kg15°C24135m8.9m/s
Tue, Apr 14
24:000%0%5J/kg14°C24135m9.1m/s
01:000%0%4J/kg14°C24135m9.4m/s
02:0017%0%3J/kg13°C24135m9.6m/s
03:000%0%2.3J/kg13°C24135m9.7m/s
04:000%0%1.7J/kg13°C24135m9.7m/s
05:0020%0%1J/kg13°C24135m9.8m/s
06:000%70%4.7J/kg12°C21635m11m/s
07:000%70%8.3J/kg12°C19136m11m/s
08:0030%65%12J/kg11°C16636m12m/s
09:0024%55%8J/kg12°C11805m12m/s
10:0026%55%4J/kg12°C6974m13m/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
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:26 Sunset 19:49
12:00
946hPa 1J/kg 39% 4.2°C 100% 67% 80% 0.25mm 97% 0.04mm 17dBZ 48° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.1m/s
13:00
946hPa 1J/kg 15% 3.9°C 100% 99% 60% 0.11mm 95% 0.01mm 15dBZ 51° 100% 0.5mm - - 0.8m/s
14:00
946hPa 1J/kg 19% 3.7°C 100% 88% 40% 0.4mm 96% 0.02mm 13dBZ 50° 100% 0.75mm 3.3m/s 1.5m/s 0.7m/s
15:00
946hPa 1J/kg 5% 4.8°C 100% 32% 40% 0.07mm 95% 0mm 12dBZ 44° 100% 1.1mm - - 0.24m/s
16:00
946hPa 1J/kg 6% 4.9°C 100% 5% 39% 0.03mm 94% 0mm 11dBZ 37° 100% 1.1mm - - 0.6m/s
17:00
945hPa 1J/kg 34% 4°C 100% 5% 39% 0.03mm 96% 0mm 9.5dBZ 28° 100% 1.1mm 10m/s 2.6m/s 0.18m/s
18:00
945hPa 1J/kg 5% 3.7°C 100% 3% 27% 0.07mm 96% 0mm -0.31dBZ 18° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.37m/s
19:00
945hPa 1J/kg 5% 3.7°C 100% 3% 15% 0.03mm 96% 0mm -10dBZ 7.8° 100% 0.13mm - - 0.13m/s
20:00
945hPa 1J/kg 76% 3.8°C 100% 76% 3% 0.01mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -2.1° 100% 0.13mm 8.5m/s 7.1m/s 0.46m/s
21:00
945hPa 2J/kg 74% 3.5°C 100% 100% 4% 0mm 97% 0mm -14dBZ -12° 100% 0.13mm - - 0.56m/s
22:00
945hPa 1J/kg 83% 3.9°C 100% 91% 4% 0mm 98% 0mm -8.7dBZ -20° 100% 0.13mm - - 0.51m/s
23:00
945hPa 1J/kg 86% 4.4°C 82% 98% 5% 0mm 98% 0mm -3.1dBZ -27° 100% 0.13mm 6.2m/s 5.3m/s 0.14m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:24 Sunset 19:51
24:00
944hPa 2J/kg 98% 4.4°C 79% 52% 3% 0mm 98% 0mm -8.7dBZ -32° 98% 0mm - - 0.27m/s
01:00
944hPa 1J/kg 96% 4.3°C 77% 44% 2% 0mm 98% 0mm -14dBZ -34° 96% 0mm - - 0.43m/s
02:00
944hPa 1J/kg 100% 4.2°C 74% 5% 0% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0mm 8.1m/s 6.2m/s 0.68m/s
03:00
943hPa 1J/kg 100% 4.3°C 64% 3% 0% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 100% 0mm - - 0.55m/s
04:00
943hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.8°C 50% 0% 0% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -22° 100% 0mm - - 0.51m/s
05:00
943hPa 0J/kg 78% 4.9°C 31% 0% 0% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 78% 0mm 5.4m/s 10m/s 0.2m/s
06:00
943hPa 0J/kg 99% 4.6°C 48% 4% 13% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -4.7° 99% 0mm - - 0.3m/s
07:00
943hPa 0J/kg 28% 4.5°C 78% 2% 26% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ 5.3° 79% 0mm - - 0.37m/s
08:00
943hPa 0J/kg 55% 4.5°C 91% 0% 39% 0mm 95% 0.01mm -20dBZ 15° 91% 0mm 7.2m/s 5.6m/s 0.44m/s
09:00
944hPa 0J/kg 78% 4.6°C 86% 1% 49% 0mm 91% 0.01mm -13dBZ 25° 86% 0mm - - 0.92m/s
10:00
943hPa 0J/kg 75% 4°C 97% 1% 59% 0mm 91% 0.01mm -5.4dBZ 35° 98% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
11:00
944hPa 0J/kg 5% 4.2°C 100% 0% 69% 0mm 88% 0.02mm 1.9dBZ 43° 100% 0.06mm 5.7m/s 2.5m/s 1.3m/s
12:00
944hPa 0J/kg 84% 4.8°C 100% 1% 73% 0mm 83% 0.03mm 5.4dBZ 49° 100% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
13:00
944hPa 0J/kg 34% 5.3°C 100% 4% 78% 0mm 81% 0.05mm 8.8dBZ 51° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.3m/s
14:00
944hPa 0J/kg 73% 5.3°C 100% 4% 82% 0mm 79% 0.05mm 12dBZ 50° 100% 0.06mm 1.8m/s 2.4m/s 1.1m/s
15:00
944hPa 0J/kg 39% 5.2°C 100% 5% 85% 0mm 77% 0.07mm 12dBZ 45° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.1m/s
16:00
945hPa 13J/kg 75% 4.9°C 100% 17% 87% 0mm 79% 0.14mm 11dBZ 37° 100% 0.19mm - - 1.2m/s
17:00
945hPa 20J/kg 5% 4.6°C 100% 5% 90% 0mm 85% 0.19mm 11dBZ 28° 100% 0.38mm 4.8m/s 0.82m/s 1.2m/s
18:00
945hPa 17J/kg 5% 4.6°C 100% 1% 76% 0mm 90% 0.13mm 11dBZ 18° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.5m/s
19:00
946hPa 11J/kg 30% 5.1°C 100% 1% 63% 0.07mm 93% 0.16mm 11dBZ 8.1° 100% 0.25mm - - 1.5m/s
20:00
946hPa 12J/kg 67% 4.9°C 100% 4% 49% 0.1mm 95% 0.08mm 11dBZ -1.8° 100% 0.5mm 7.9m/s 1.4m/s 1.1m/s
21:00
947hPa 2J/kg 5% 4.6°C 100% 1% 61% 0.28mm 97% 0.05mm 10dBZ -11° 100% 0.75mm - - 0.96m/s
22:00
947hPa 1J/kg 5% 4.1°C 100% 4% 72% 0.69mm 99% 0mm 9.6dBZ -20° 100% 1.3mm - - 0.94m/s
23:00
947hPa 2J/kg 0% 4°C 100% 1% 84% 0.81mm 100% 0.05mm 8.9dBZ -27° 100% 2.1mm 9.3m/s 5.2m/s 1.4m/s
Mon, Apr 13 Sunrise 06:22 Sunset 19:52
24:00
948hPa 13J/kg 31% 4°C 100% 0% 87% 0.55mm 100% 0.15mm 6.6dBZ -31° 100% 0.75mm - - 1.9m/s
01:00
948hPa 16J/kg 5% 4.1°C 100% 1% 91% 0.29mm 99% 0.11mm 4.3dBZ -33° 100% 1.3mm - - 2.2m/s
02:00
949hPa 9J/kg 5% 4.6°C 100% 26% 95% 0.06mm 98% 0.05mm 2dBZ -32° 100% 1.4mm 14m/s 10m/s 1.8m/s
03:00
950hPa 5J/kg 0% 5.1°C 100% 90% 95% 0.08mm 98% 0.04mm 3.8dBZ -28° 100% 1.6mm - - 1.3m/s
04:00
950hPa 2J/kg 0% 5°C 100% 8% 96% 0.31mm 97% 0.03mm 5.6dBZ -22° 100% 1.8mm - - 1.2m/s
05:00
950hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.5°C 100% 1% 96% 0.54mm 98% 0.07mm 7.4dBZ -14° 100% 2.3mm 13m/s 12m/s 1.2m/s
06:00
951hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.7°C 100% 3% 91% 1.1mm 97% 0.07mm 11dBZ -4.3° 100% 0.81mm - - 0.85m/s
07:00
952hPa 0J/kg 5% 7.1°C 100% 0% 87% 1.1mm 97% 0.03mm 14dBZ 5.6° 100% 1.8mm - - 0.88m/s
08:00
953hPa 0J/kg 5% 7.7°C 100% 0% 82% 0.75mm 96% 0.01mm 17dBZ 16° 100% 2.6mm 13m/s 18m/s 0.96m/s
09:00
953hPa 1J/kg 1% 8.7°C 100% 0% 85% 0.81mm 96% 0.03mm 17dBZ 26° 100% 3.2mm - - 0.8m/s
10:00
954hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.2°C 100% 0% 89% 0.77mm 96% 0.04mm 17dBZ 35° 100% 3.9mm - - 0.99m/s
11:00
954hPa 0J/kg 4% 9.8°C 100% 0% 93% 0.76mm 96% 0.06mm 18dBZ 43° 100% 4.6mm 13m/s 21m/s 1.1m/s
12:00
955hPa 0J/kg 34% 10°C 100% 5% 80% 0.53mm 96% 0.07mm 14dBZ 49° 100% 0.63mm - - 1m/s
13:00
955hPa 0J/kg 63% 11°C 100% 4% 68% 0.45mm 95% 0.06mm 9.6dBZ 52° 100% 1.1mm - - 0.89m/s
14:00
955hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 11% 56% 0.41mm 94% 0.1mm 5.6dBZ 50° 100% 1.6mm 12m/s 18m/s 1.1m/s
15:00
955hPa 1J/kg 91% 11°C 100% 100% 68% 0.27mm 94% 0.08mm 3dBZ 45° 100% 1.9mm - - 1.1m/s
16:00
955hPa 9J/kg 36% 11°C 100% 92% 80% 0.25mm 93% 0.1mm 0.4dBZ 37° 100% 2.3mm - - 1.4m/s
17:00
955hPa 5J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 93% 93% 0.31mm 93% 0.06mm -2.2dBZ 28° 100% 2.6mm 10m/s 15m/s 1.1m/s
18:00
967hPa 3.3J/kg 100% 12°C 99% 82% 75% 0.21mm 91% 0.04mm -2.6dBZ 18° 100% 1.7mm - - 1.9m/s
19:00
979hPa 1.7J/kg 100% 13°C 99% 71% 57% 0.1mm 88% 0.03mm -3dBZ 8.3° 100% 0.9mm - - 2.7m/s
20:00
992hPa 0J/kg 100% 15°C 98% 60% 39% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -3.5dBZ -1.6° 100% 0.06mm 12m/s 13m/s 3.5m/s
21:00
991hPa 2J/kg 99% 15°C 99% 73% 53% 0.007mm 87% 0.01mm 0.17dBZ -11° 100% 0.1mm - - 3.3m/s
22:00
991hPa 4J/kg 99% 15°C 99% 86% 67% 0.01mm 88% 0.02mm 3.8dBZ -20° 100% 0.15mm - - 3.1m/s
23:00
991hPa 6J/kg 98% 15°C 100% 100% 82% 0.02mm 90% 0.02mm 7.4dBZ -26° 100% 0.19mm 13m/s 14m/s 2.9m/s
Tue, Apr 14 Sunrise 06:20 Sunset 19:54
24:00
991hPa 5J/kg 99% 14°C 100% 98% 82% 0.02mm 86% 0.02mm -1.4dBZ -31° 100% 0.21mm - - 3.3m/s
01:00
991hPa 4J/kg 100% 14°C 100% 97% 82% 0.03mm 83% 0.01mm -10dBZ -33° 100% 0.23mm - - 3.7m/s
02:00
991hPa 3J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 95% 82% 0.03mm 80% 0.01mm -19dBZ -32° 100% 0.25mm 13m/s 16m/s 4.1m/s
03:00
990hPa 2.3J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 97% 86% 0.04mm 76% 0.007mm -11dBZ -28° 100% 0.29mm - - 4.1m/s
04:00
990hPa 1.7J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 98% 90% 0.04mm 73% 0.003mm -2.8dBZ -21° 100% 0.33mm - - 4.1m/s
05:00
990hPa 1J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 100% 93% 0.05mm 70% 0mm 5.3dBZ -13° 100% 0.38mm 14m/s 22m/s 4.1m/s
06:00
989hPa 4.7J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 100% 90% 0.13mm 72% 0.08mm 2.5dBZ -4° 100% 0.42mm - - 4.4m/s
07:00
988hPa 8.3J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 100% 86% 0.22mm 75% 0.17mm -0.28dBZ 5.9° 100% 0.46mm - - 4.7m/s
08:00
988hPa 12J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 100% 82% 0.3mm 77% 0.25mm -3.1dBZ 16° 100% 0.5mm 14m/s 22m/s 5m/s
09:00
987hPa 8J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 100% 87% 0.57mm 84% 0.19mm -2.9dBZ 26° 100% 1.1mm - - 4.9m/s
10:00
986hPa 4J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 100% 92% 0.85mm 90% 0.13mm -2.7dBZ 35° 100% 1.8mm - - 4.8m/s
11:00
985hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 100% 97% 1.1mm 97% 0.07mm -2.6dBZ 44° 100% 2.4mm 13m/s 23m/s 4.8m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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