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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 85% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover79%
Wind Gusts0.7m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure954.8hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index9.0°C
Wind Gusts0.7m/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
Sat, May 23
06:000%33%0J/kg2.9°C24134m1.1m/s
07:000%36%0J/kg3.7°C24135m1m/s
08:0014%74%0J/kg4°C24134m1m/s
09:000%60%0J/kg4.5°C24135m1.2m/s
10:000%39%2J/kg5.5°C24135m1.8m/s
11:0014%21%0J/kg5.3°C24134m2.1m/s
12:000%19%0J/kg4.9°C24134m2.4m/s
13:000%21%0J/kg4.9°C24134m2.8m/s
14:0013%17%0J/kg4.5°C24135m2.3m/s
15:000%13%0J/kg4.5°C24135m2.5m/s
16:000%30%0J/kg4.1°C24135m2.5m/s
17:0012%41%0J/kg3.8°C24135m2.6m/s
18:000%58%1J/kg3.6°C24135m2.8m/s
19:000%57%2J/kg4°C24135m2.8m/s
20:0014%67%1J/kg4.3°C24135m2.9m/s
21:000%67%0J/kg4.2°C24134m3.4m/s
22:000%55%0J/kg3.8°C24135m1.1m/s
23:0015%15%0J/kg4.6°C24134m0.31m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%15%0J/kg5.6°C24134m1.4m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg6.4°C23336m1.3m/s
02:0015%13%0J/kg7°C24134m0.81m/s
03:000%7%0J/kg7.4°C22951m0.82m/s
04:000%62%0J/kg7.8°C23121m1.2m/s
05:0015%85%0J/kg8.4°C24135m0.42m/s
06:000%43%0J/kg9°C22663m0.7m/s
07:000%27%0J/kg10°C24135m1m/s
08:0014%68%0J/kg10°C24134m0.8m/s
09:000%22%0J/kg11°C24134m1.7m/s
10:000%18%0J/kg11°C24134m2.3m/s
11:0013%18%0J/kg12°C24134m2.4m/s
12:000%16%0J/kg12°C24135m2.6m/s
13:000%16%0J/kg12°C24134m2.9m/s
14:0013%34%0J/kg11°C24135m2.9m/s
15:000%48%0J/kg11°C24134m2.8m/s
16:000%21%0J/kg10°C24135m2.5m/s
17:0014%18%0J/kg10°C24135m2.7m/s
18:000%19%0J/kg9.9°C24135m2.8m/s
19:000%52%0J/kg9.4°C24135m1.5m/s
20:0014%45%0J/kg9.3°C24135m0.83m/s
21:000%21%0J/kg9.5°C24134m1.7m/s
22:000%20%0J/kg10°C24134m1.8m/s
23:0018%8.4%0J/kg11°C24134m1.3m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%7.8%0J/kg9.6°C24135m1.3m/s
01:000%0.9%0J/kg9.7°C24134m1.3m/s
02:0018%0%0J/kg9.1°C24135m1.2m/s
03:000%0.9%0J/kg9.9°C24135m1.5m/s
04:000%40%0J/kg11°C24134m1.6m/s
05:0018%49%0J/kg11°C24135m0.4m/s
06:000%52%0J/kg11°C24134m1.8m/s
07:000%48%0J/kg11°C24134m1.2m/s
08:0018%52%0J/kg10°C24134m0.61m/s
09:000%44%0J/kg10°C24134m0.71m/s
10:000%44%0J/kg9.8°C24135m1.3m/s
11:0019%43%0J/kg8.8°C24134m2m/s
12:000%24%0J/kg7.9°C24135m3.2m/s
13:000%23%10J/kg7.9°C24134m3.7m/s
14:0032%23%16J/kg7.3°C11138m2.6m/s
15:0018%55%23J/kg5°C6312m2.4m/s
16:0018%42%6J/kg3.2°C13605m0.42m/s
17:0034%59%29J/kg4.3°C9214m4.5m/s
18:0019%64%15J/kg5.7°C7643m7.8m/s
19:0014%75%8J/kg6.2°C23950m1.2m/s
20:0023%96%26J/kg4.8°C14139m0.42m/s
21:0016%100%32J/kg5.7°C17115m0.8m/s
22:0017%87%13J/kg5.8°C24102m0.51m/s
23:0017%13%11J/kg6.4°C23879m0.31m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%14%18J/kg6.7°C22579m0.4m/s
01:000%15%20J/kg6.7°C22256m0.32m/s
02:000%15%11J/kg6.9°C24124m0.3m/s
03:000%15%1J/kg7.7°C24135m0.12m/s
04:000%53%11J/kg7.8°C24134m0.8m/s
05:000%54%15J/kg7.9°C24134m0.42m/s
06:000%66%11J/kg7.8°C24134m0.8m/s
07:000%36%12J/kg7.4°C24034m1.3m/s
08:000%32%1J/kg7.2°C22027m1.6m/s
09:000%51%1J/kg6.6°C19127m1.3m/s
10:000%44%0J/kg6.2°C20129m1.5m/s
11:0015%41%1J/kg6.3°C22655m1.7m/s
12:000%20%4.3J/kg7.4°C23148m1.5m/s
13:000%29%7.7J/kg8.5°C23642m1.2m/s
14:000%18%11J/kg9.5°C24135m1m/s
15:000%52%12J/kg10°C24135m0.97m/s
16:000%34%13J/kg11°C24135m0.93m/s
17:0012%40%14J/kg12°C24135m0.9m/s
18:000%61%9.3J/kg12°C24135m0.78m/s
19:000%52%4.7J/kg11°C24135m0.65m/s
20:0013%35%0J/kg11°C24135m0.53m/s
21:000%56%0J/kg12°C24135m0.5m/s
22:000%48%0J/kg13°C24135m0.47m/s
23:0013%0%0J/kg13°C24135m0.44m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%0%0J/kg13°C24135m0.5m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg13°C24135m0.56m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg13°C24135m0.63m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg12°C24135m1.6m/s
04:000%44%0J/kg11°C24135m2.6m/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
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, May 24 Sunrise 05:20 Sunset 20:48
06:00
955hPa 0J/kg 79% 9°C 3% 0% 0% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ 5.2° 79% 0mm - - 0.73m/s
07:00
955hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 1% 4% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 100% 0mm - - 0.7m/s
08:00
955hPa 0J/kg 30% 10°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 30% 0mm 9.3m/s 18m/s 1.2m/s
09:00
954hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 100% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
10:00
954hPa 0J/kg 97% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 97% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
11:00
954hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 41% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 100% 0mm 8.3m/s 14m/s 2m/s
12:00
954hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 0% 1% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 60° 100% 0mm - - 2m/s
13:00
953hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 63° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
14:00
953hPa 0J/kg 25% 11°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 61° 25% 0mm 7.1m/s 14m/s 2.4m/s
15:00
952hPa 0J/kg 50% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 55° 50% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
16:00
951hPa 0J/kg 97% 10°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 97% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
17:00
951hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 100% 0mm 6.9m/s 16m/s 1.7m/s
18:00
950hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.9°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
19:00
950hPa 0J/kg 93% 9.4°C 1% 23% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 93% 0mm - - 0.81m/s
20:00
950hPa 0J/kg 79% 9.3°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 6.5° 79% 0mm 8.4m/s 17m/s 0.87m/s
21:00
950hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.5°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -2.2° 100% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
22:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -10° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
23:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 100% 0mm 10m/s 20m/s 1.6m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 05:19 Sunset 20:49
24:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.6°C 0% 6% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
01:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.7°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
02:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.1°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -19dBZ -20° 100% 0mm 14m/s 30m/s 1.4m/s
03:00
948hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.9°C 0% 100% 9% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
04:00
948hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 100% 17% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 100% 0mm - - 2m/s
05:00
947hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 4% 100% 26% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -3.4° 100% 0mm 20m/s 23m/s 0.47m/s
06:00
947hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 5% 99% 44% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 5.3° 100% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
07:00
947hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 5% 100% 62% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 100% 0mm - - 0.83m/s
08:00
947hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 5% 100% 81% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 100% 0mm 19m/s 28m/s 0.7m/s
09:00
947hPa 0J/kg 69% 10°C 6% 100% 87% 0mm 52% 0mm -11dBZ 35° 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
10:00
946hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.8°C 88% 100% 93% 0mm 51% 0mm -2dBZ 45° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
11:00
947hPa 0J/kg 5% 8.8°C 100% 100% 99% 0.05mm 49% 0mm 6.7dBZ 54° 100% 0mm 23m/s 30m/s 1.8m/s
12:00
947hPa 0J/kg 7% 7.9°C 100% 100% 99% 0.03mm 49% 0mm 15dBZ 61° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
13:00
946hPa 10J/kg 67% 7.9°C 100% 100% 99% 0.13mm 53% 0.03mm 23dBZ 64° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.6m/s
14:00
947hPa 16J/kg 97% 7.3°C 100% 100% 99% 0.86mm 84% 0.1mm 31dBZ 61° 100% 0.56mm 15m/s 24m/s 2m/s
15:00
947hPa 23J/kg 17% 5°C 100% 100% 99% 1.8mm 96% 0.22mm 26dBZ 55° 100% 2.2mm - - 1.8m/s
16:00
947hPa 6J/kg 100% 3.2°C 100% 100% 100% 0.78mm 97% 0.02mm 21dBZ 46° 100% 3.9mm - - 0.9m/s
17:00
946hPa 29J/kg 100% 4.3°C 100% 100% 100% 0.3mm 96% 0.43mm 16dBZ 36° 100% 4.5mm 9.3m/s 11m/s 1.3m/s
18:00
946hPa 15J/kg 89% 5.7°C 100% 100% 94% 1.3mm 96% 0.17mm 12dBZ 26° 100% 1.1mm - - 1.5m/s
19:00
946hPa 8J/kg 100% 6.2°C 75% 100% 88% 0.14mm 95% 0.07mm 7.6dBZ 16° 100% 1.8mm - - 1.4m/s
20:00
946hPa 26J/kg 48% 4.8°C 100% 55% 82% 0.01mm 95% 0.4mm 3.3dBZ 6.7° 100% 2.1mm 5.2m/s 11m/s 0.44m/s
21:00
947hPa 32J/kg 47% 5.7°C 73% 26% 87% 0mm 95% 0.39mm 6.9dBZ -2.1° 73% 2.5mm - - 0.62m/s
22:00
947hPa 13J/kg 0% 5.8°C 68% 25% 93% 0mm 95% 0.13mm 10dBZ -9.8° 68% 2.9mm - - 0.34m/s
23:00
948hPa 11J/kg 0% 6.4°C 87% 1% 98% 0mm 96% 0.07mm 14dBZ -16° 87% 3mm 2.9m/s 4.5m/s 0.31m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 05:18 Sunset 20:50
24:00
948hPa 18J/kg 0% 6.7°C 63% 0% 73% 0mm 95% 0.17mm 2.7dBZ -20° 63% 0.13mm - - 0.42m/s
01:00
948hPa 20J/kg 0% 6.7°C 78% 0% 47% 0.01mm 95% 0.19mm -8.7dBZ -21° 78% 0.25mm - - 0.34m/s
02:00
948hPa 11J/kg 0% 6.9°C 50% 1% 22% 0mm 94% 0.07mm -20dBZ -20° 50% 0.38mm 5.3m/s 1m/s 0.33m/s
03:00
948hPa 1J/kg 0% 7.7°C 14% 0% 42% 0mm 96% 0mm -19dBZ -17° 14% 0.38mm - - 0.11m/s
04:00
948hPa 11J/kg 0% 7.8°C 78% 0% 62% 0mm 97% 0mm -19dBZ -11° 78% 0.38mm - - 0.98m/s
05:00
949hPa 15J/kg 0% 7.9°C 83% 0% 82% 0mm 96% 0.01mm -18dBZ -3.3° 83% 0.38mm 8.9m/s 5m/s 0.44m/s
06:00
949hPa 11J/kg 0% 7.8°C 69% 0% 82% 0mm 96% 0.06mm -6dBZ 5.4° 69% 0.06mm - - 0.79m/s
07:00
950hPa 12J/kg 0% 7.4°C 99% 0% 82% 0mm 95% 0.13mm 6.3dBZ 15° 99% 0.13mm - - 0.92m/s
08:00
951hPa 1J/kg 0% 7.2°C 100% 3% 82% 0.05mm 96% 0.11mm 19dBZ 25° 100% 0.25mm 11m/s 9.9m/s 1.1m/s
09:00
951hPa 1J/kg 0% 6.6°C 100% 32% 82% 0.29mm 97% 0.05mm 18dBZ 35° 100% 0.5mm - - 0.88m/s
10:00
951hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.2°C 100% 17% 83% 0.28mm 97% 0.05mm 16dBZ 45° 100% 1mm - - 1.1m/s
11:00
952hPa 1J/kg 0% 6.3°C 98% 22% 83% 0.12mm 97% 0.05mm 15dBZ 54° 98% 1.3mm 7.1m/s 6.7m/s 1.4m/s
12:00
963hPa 4.3J/kg 0% 7.4°C 87% 17% 68% 0.09mm 92% 0.04mm 6.8dBZ 61° 87% 0.9mm - - 1.3m/s
13:00
975hPa 7.7J/kg 0% 8.5°C 76% 11% 54% 0.05mm 88% 0.02mm -1.7dBZ 64° 76% 0.54mm - - 1.1m/s
14:00
986hPa 11J/kg 0% 9.5°C 65% 5% 39% 0.02mm 83% 0.01mm -10dBZ 61° 65% 0.19mm 5.4m/s 7.3m/s 0.98m/s
15:00
986hPa 12J/kg 0% 10°C 66% 35% 33% 0.01mm 87% 0.007mm -13dBZ 55° 76% 0.21mm - - 0.99m/s
16:00
987hPa 13J/kg 0% 11°C 67% 66% 28% 0.007mm 91% 0.003mm -16dBZ 46° 86% 0.23mm - - 1m/s
17:00
987hPa 14J/kg 0% 12°C 68% 96% 22% 0mm 95% 0mm -19dBZ 36° 96% 0.25mm 4.6m/s 10m/s 1m/s
18:00
987hPa 9.3J/kg 33% 12°C 52% 66% 16% 0mm 94% 0mm -15dBZ 26° 97% 0.17mm - - 0.85m/s
19:00
987hPa 4.7J/kg 67% 11°C 37% 36% 11% 0mm 92% 0mm -11dBZ 16° 99% 0.08mm - - 0.69m/s
20:00
987hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 22% 6% 5% 0mm 91% 0mm -6.5dBZ 6.8° 100% 0mm 5.4m/s 22m/s 0.52m/s
21:00
987hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 40% 20% 3% 0mm 92% 0mm -11dBZ -1.9° 100% 0mm - - 0.5m/s
22:00
987hPa 0J/kg 99% 13°C 58% 34% 2% 0mm 93% 0mm -15dBZ -9.6° 99% 0mm - - 0.49m/s
23:00
987hPa 0J/kg 99% 13°C 76% 48% 0% 0mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 99% 0mm 7.3m/s 23m/s 0.47m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 05:17 Sunset 20:51
24:00
987hPa 0J/kg 68% 13°C 58% 34% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 73% 0mm - - 0.62m/s
01:00
987hPa 0J/kg 36% 13°C 40% 19% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 48% 0mm - - 0.78m/s
02:00
987hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 22% 5% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 22% 0mm 8.7m/s 4.8m/s 0.93m/s
03:00
987hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 33% 3% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 33% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
04:00
987hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 45% 2% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 45% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
05:00
987hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 56% 0% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ -3.1° 56% 0mm 5.5m/s 9.1m/s 2.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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