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Rule Storm Chaser

Byron Bay - Storm Chaser - Australian Coast

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

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 96% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover99%
Wind Gusts1.6m/s
Precipitation Chance80%
Air Pressure1004.0hPa
CAPE19
Lifted Index2.8°C
Wind Gusts1.6m/s
Precipitation0.1mm

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Australia/Sydney

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 the dramatic storm systems that bring lightning, massive swells, and atmospheric drama to Australia's eastern coastline. We monitor low-pressure systems, lightning activity, and wave heights to predict when Southern Ocean storms will create spectacular—but safe—photography conditions.

Australia's east coast faces the Tasman Sea and Southern Ocean, which generate powerful weather systems year-round. These storms bring towering seas that crash against coastal cliffs, creating explosions of spray. Lightning storms, particularly during summer, offer opportunities for long-exposure captures over harbors and beaches. Winter storms bring the largest swells and most dramatic cloud formations.

What makes Australian coastal storms exceptional:

  • Southern Ocean swells - Winter low-pressure systems generate massive groundswells that pound Victoria and southern NSW
  • Wollongong sea cliffs - Dramatic headlands where storm waves explode against cliffs in spectacular displays
  • Byron Bay lightning - Subtropical storms bring frequent lightning over the iconic lighthouse and beaches
  • Sydney storm drama - The harbour becomes wild during southerly busters and east coast lows

Best storm photography occurs during winter (June-August) when Southern Ocean low-pressure systems bring large swells and dramatic skies. Summer thunderstorms (November-February) offer lightning opportunities over coastal icons. East coast lows—intense low-pressure systems—create the most extreme conditions but pose significant safety risks. Our forecast helps identify approaching storms so you can position safely with proper conditions. Never stand on exposed rocks during large swells.

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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
Australia/Sydney
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
Sun, Feb 22
06:000%83%0J/kg2.4°C24135m1m/s
07:000%99%0J/kg2.2°C24134m0.74m/s
08:000%29%0J/kg2.4°C24135m2m/s
09:000%45%0J/kg2.2°C24135m3.9m/s
10:000%56%4J/kg2°C24135m3.4m/s
11:000%48%4J/kg1.7°C24135m3.9m/s
12:000%21%5J/kg1.6°C24135m4.4m/s
13:000%16%2J/kg1.7°C24134m4.6m/s
14:0011%8.5%0J/kg1.9°C24135m4.7m/s
15:000%3.3%0J/kg1.9°C24134m4.9m/s
16:000%3.7%0J/kg1.7°C24135m5.3m/s
17:0012%6.1%0J/kg1.5°C24134m5.5m/s
18:000%8.8%0J/kg1.4°C24134m6.3m/s
19:000%7.9%0J/kg2.3°C24134m7.8m/s
20:0014%9.3%0J/kg2.9°C24135m8.7m/s
21:000%0.8%0J/kg2.5°C24135m8.9m/s
22:000%4.8%0J/kg2.2°C24135m8.7m/s
23:0013%6.8%0J/kg3°C24134m9m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:000%1.9%0J/kg2°C24135m6.9m/s
01:000%8.3%0J/kg2.2°C24135m5.7m/s
02:0012%13%0J/kg2.5°C24135m4.9m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg2.2°C24135m4.9m/s
04:000%14%4J/kg2.3°C24135m1.8m/s
05:009.1%12%22J/kg2.5°C24135m1.1m/s
06:000%45%19J/kg2.8°C24134m1.6m/s
07:000%47%3J/kg3.7°C24134m1.7m/s
08:000%42%4J/kg4.2°C24135m1.5m/s
09:000%42%2J/kg4.4°C24135m1.6m/s
10:000%52%4J/kg4.3°C24135m1.8m/s
11:000%51%7J/kg3.6°C24135m2.8m/s
12:000%52%9J/kg2.6°C24135m3.5m/s
13:000%49%15J/kg2.1°C24135m3.4m/s
14:000%11%3J/kg1.5°C24135m3.3m/s
15:000%14%0J/kg1.2°C24134m3.9m/s
16:000%15%0J/kg1.6°C24135m4.6m/s
17:000%14%0J/kg2.1°C24134m5.1m/s
18:000%43%0J/kg2.1°C24135m6.3m/s
19:000%48%0J/kg1.7°C24134m7.4m/s
20:000%53%2J/kg0.8°C24135m8.1m/s
21:000%1.9%4J/kg0.8°C24134m8.1m/s
22:000%8.2%7J/kg1.1°C24134m7.6m/s
23:000%12%5J/kg1.7°C24135m6.5m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:000%12%7J/kg2°C24134m5.6m/s
01:000%13%8J/kg1.6°C24135m5.3m/s
02:000%0%9J/kg1.8°C24135m3.5m/s
03:000%0%6J/kg3.1°C24134m3.9m/s
04:000%0%6J/kg3.1°C24134m1m/s
05:000%0.3%4J/kg2.8°C24134m0.8m/s
06:000%47%6J/kg2.2°C24135m0.2m/s
07:000%69%31J/kg1.5°C24135m0.41m/s
08:000%63%44J/kg1.2°C24135m1.3m/s
09:000%59%54J/kg1.2°C24135m3.2m/s
10:000%28%49J/kg1.3°C24134m3.4m/s
11:000%26%20J/kg1.5°C24135m4m/s
12:000%12%7J/kg1.5°C24134m4.1m/s
13:000%8.2%28J/kg1.1°C24135m4.3m/s
14:000%7.6%35J/kg0.9°C24135m4.3m/s
15:000%12%12J/kg1.3°C24135m4.2m/s
16:000%17%27J/kg1.6°C24135m4.1m/s
17:000%28%42J/kg1.4°C24135m4.1m/s
18:000%44%53J/kg1.4°C24134m3.9m/s
19:000%33%75J/kg1.1°C24134m5.2m/s
20:000%25%84J/kg0.8°C23662m2.3m/s
21:000%3.5%97J/kg0.7°C23338m1.8m/s
22:000%6.8%85J/kg0.5°C24134m1.1m/s
23:000%9.5%70J/kg0.3°C24135m1m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:000%10%67J/kg0.5°C24134m0.72m/s
01:000%13%71J/kg1.7°C13177m0.81m/s
02:000%15%59J/kg2.2°C11289m0.81m/s
03:000%13%45J/kg2.8°C14167m0.72m/s
04:000%13%31J/kg3°C23346m0.91m/s
05:000%15%14J/kg4.1°C23727m1.7m/s
06:000%33%9J/kg5°C24124m2.4m/s
07:000%33%10J/kg5.3°C24134m0.81m/s
08:000%37%9J/kg5.8°C24134m3m/s
09:000%48%13J/kg6°C24134m4.6m/s
10:000%28%8J/kg6.7°C24134m2.9m/s
11:000%27%5J/kg7.1°C24135m2.8m/s
12:000%25%3.3J/kg6.9°C24135m2.2m/s
13:000%32%1.7J/kg6.8°C24135m1.6m/s
14:000%21%0J/kg6.6°C24135m1m/s
15:000%28%0.33J/kg6.6°C24135m1m/s
16:000%25%0.67J/kg6.6°C24135m1m/s
17:000%17%1J/kg6.7°C24135m1m/s
18:000%40%1J/kg6.5°C24135m1.1m/s
19:000%52%1J/kg6.3°C24135m1.2m/s
20:000%54%1J/kg6.1°C24135m1.3m/s
21:000%0%2.3J/kg6°C24135m2.2m/s
22:000%0%3.7J/kg5.9°C24135m3.1m/s
23:000%0%5J/kg5.7°C24135m4.1m/s
Thu, Feb 26
24:000%0%6J/kg5.3°C24135m4.4m/s
01:000%0%7J/kg4.9°C24135m4.8m/s
02:000%0%8J/kg4.5°C24135m5.1m/s
03:000%0%6.3J/kg4.4°C24135m5.5m/s
04:000%0%4.7J/kg4.2°C24135m5.8m/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
Australia/Sydney
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
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 06:33 Sunset 19:25
06:00
1004hPa 19J/kg 5% 2.8°C 99% 5% 80% 0mm 96% 0.06mm -8.8dBZ -7.8° 99% 0.06mm - - 1.3m/s
07:00
1005hPa 3J/kg 5% 3.7°C 100% 3% 67% 0mm 91% 0.07mm 2.4dBZ 5.1° 100% 0.06mm - - 1m/s
08:00
1005hPa 4J/kg 7% 4.2°C 90% 5% 54% 0mm 84% 0.04mm 14dBZ 18° 90% 0.13mm 7.5m/s 13m/s 0.97m/s
09:00
1006hPa 2J/kg 5% 4.4°C 80% 2% 57% 0mm 71% 0.05mm 14dBZ 31° 80% 0.13mm - - 1.2m/s
10:00
1006hPa 4J/kg 91% 4.3°C 82% 19% 61% 0mm 63% 0.03mm 15dBZ 44° 91% 0.19mm - - 0.41m/s
11:00
1006hPa 7J/kg 100% 3.6°C 26% 41% 64% 0mm 57% 0.01mm 15dBZ 56° 100% 0.19mm 4.8m/s 9.4m/s 1.9m/s
12:00
1005hPa 9J/kg 37% 2.6°C 28% 65% 43% 0mm 54% 0mm 3.8dBZ 67° 65% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
13:00
1004hPa 15J/kg 45% 2.1°C 40% 37% 21% 0mm 53% 0mm -7.8dBZ 71° 53% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
14:00
1004hPa 3J/kg 88% 1.5°C 8% 5% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -19dBZ 66° 88% 0mm 7.8m/s 8.6m/s 4.3m/s
15:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.2°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 100% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
16:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.6°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 100% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
17:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.1°C 0% 10% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 100% 0mm 7.1m/s 6.6m/s 4m/s
18:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.1°C 0% 68% 6% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 100% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
19:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.7°C 0% 25% 13% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 4.6° 100% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
20:00
1006hPa 2J/kg 100% 0.8°C 22% 14% 19% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -8.4° 100% 0mm 8.8m/s 9.1m/s 3.2m/s
21:00
1007hPa 4J/kg 100% 0.8°C 32% 95% 31% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 100% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
22:00
1008hPa 7J/kg 78% 1.1°C 37% 65% 44% 0mm 83% 0.01mm -20dBZ -32° 78% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
23:00
1009hPa 5J/kg 83% 1.7°C 39% 53% 56% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 83% 0mm 8.4m/s 9.6m/s 1.8m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 06:33 Sunset 19:24
24:00
1009hPa 7J/kg 5% 2°C 37% 44% 58% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -49° 52% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
1008hPa 8J/kg 100% 1.6°C 43% 72% 59% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -52° 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
02:00
1008hPa 9J/kg 100% 1.8°C 55% 12% 61% 0mm 85% 0.01mm -20dBZ -49° 100% 0mm 5.4m/s 9.8m/s 1.3m/s
03:00
1007hPa 6J/kg 100% 3.1°C 37% 55% 72% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 100% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
04:00
1007hPa 6J/kg 100% 3.1°C 26% 69% 83% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 100% 0mm - - 0.89m/s
05:00
1007hPa 4J/kg 100% 2.8°C 1% 45% 95% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 100% 0mm 5.4m/s 8.7m/s 0.83m/s
06:00
1007hPa 6J/kg 99% 2.2°C 4% 57% 86% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -8° 99% 0mm - - 0.13m/s
07:00
1008hPa 31J/kg 99% 1.5°C 68% 62% 78% 0mm 88% 0.07mm -20dBZ 99% 0.06mm - - 0.4m/s
08:00
1009hPa 44J/kg 100% 1.2°C 89% 18% 70% 0mm 84% 0.15mm -20dBZ 18° 100% 0.19mm 3.8m/s 6.9m/s 0.6m/s
09:00
1009hPa 54J/kg 100% 1.2°C 70% 58% 69% 0mm 85% 0.18mm -12dBZ 31° 100% 0.38mm - - 0.93m/s
10:00
1010hPa 49J/kg 94% 1.3°C 7% 5% 68% 0mm 69% 0.07mm -3.1dBZ 44° 94% 0.56mm - - 1.8m/s
11:00
1009hPa 20J/kg 0% 1.5°C 2% 5% 67% 0mm 52% 0mm 5.3dBZ 56° 5% 0.63mm 5m/s 4.5m/s 2.7m/s
12:00
1009hPa 7J/kg 0% 1.5°C 0% 5% 63% 0mm 48% 0mm -3.2dBZ 66° 5% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
13:00
1008hPa 28J/kg 0% 1.1°C 0% 5% 60% 0mm 49% 0mm -12dBZ 71° 5% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
14:00
1008hPa 35J/kg 0% 0.9°C 0% 5% 56% 0mm 51% 0mm -20dBZ 66° 5% 0mm 4.9m/s 4.1m/s 3.8m/s
15:00
1007hPa 12J/kg 0% 1.3°C 0% 5% 61% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 5% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
16:00
1007hPa 27J/kg 0% 1.6°C 1% 5% 66% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ 43° 5% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
17:00
1007hPa 42J/kg 0% 1.4°C 14% 5% 71% 0mm 60% 0.02mm -20dBZ 31° 14% 0mm 2.1m/s 5.6m/s 3.4m/s
18:00
1007hPa 53J/kg 0% 1.4°C 21% 0% 71% 0mm 66% 0.13mm -19dBZ 17° 21% 0.06mm - - 3m/s
19:00
1007hPa 75J/kg 0% 1.1°C 11% 0% 71% 0mm 82% 0.02mm -17dBZ 4.4° 11% 0.19mm - - 2.1m/s
20:00
1008hPa 84J/kg 0% 0.8°C 11% 0% 72% 0mm 89% 0.12mm -16dBZ -8.6° 11% 0.25mm 2m/s 4.4m/s 1.3m/s
21:00
1009hPa 97J/kg 0% 0.7°C 0% 3% 78% 0mm 92% 0.3mm -17dBZ -21° 3% 0.38mm - - 1.2m/s
22:00
1009hPa 85J/kg 0% 0.5°C 0% 4% 84% 0mm 96% 0.18mm -19dBZ -33° 4% 0.56mm - - 1.1m/s
23:00
1009hPa 70J/kg 0% 0.3°C 5% 4% 90% 0mm 96% 0.24mm -20dBZ -42° 5% 0.69mm 5.3m/s 6m/s 1m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 06:34 Sunset 19:23
24:00
1008hPa 67J/kg 0% 0.5°C 27% 2% 80% 0mm 97% 0.22mm -12dBZ -49° 27% 0.25mm - - 0.74m/s
01:00
1008hPa 71J/kg 0% 1.7°C 66% 0% 70% 0mm 98% 0.64mm -3.7dBZ -52° 66% 0.63mm - - 0.75m/s
02:00
1008hPa 59J/kg 0% 2.2°C 63% 39% 60% 0mm 98% 0.8mm 4.4dBZ -49° 63% 1.3mm 5.6m/s 2.8m/s 0.78m/s
03:00
1007hPa 45J/kg 0% 2.8°C 97% 0% 64% 0mm 98% 0.39mm 10dBZ -42° 97% 1.8mm - - 0.67m/s
04:00
1007hPa 31J/kg 0% 3°C 100% 0% 68% 0mm 96% 0.13mm 16dBZ -32° 100% 2.1mm - - 0.81m/s
05:00
1007hPa 14J/kg 0% 4.1°C 100% 0% 72% 0.13mm 96% 0.03mm 22dBZ -21° 100% 2.2mm 4.2m/s 1.5m/s 0.91m/s
06:00
1007hPa 9J/kg 0% 5°C 97% 0% 55% 0mm 96% 0.02mm 9.1dBZ -8.1° 97% 0.06mm - - 0.82m/s
07:00
1008hPa 10J/kg 0% 5.3°C 99% 0% 39% 0mm 94% 0.01mm -3.5dBZ 4.9° 99% 0.13mm - - 0.73m/s
08:00
1008hPa 9J/kg 0% 5.8°C 88% 0% 22% 0mm 92% 0.02mm -16dBZ 18° 88% 0.13mm 6.4m/s 3.3m/s 0.97m/s
09:00
1008hPa 13J/kg 0% 6°C 80% 0% 28% 0.01mm 84% 0.02mm -11dBZ 31° 80% 0.19mm - - 1.3m/s
10:00
1008hPa 8J/kg 0% 6.7°C 90% 0% 33% 0mm 61% 0.01mm -5.8dBZ 44° 90% 0.19mm - - 2.1m/s
11:00
1008hPa 5J/kg 0% 7.1°C 99% 0% 39% 0mm 57% 0mm -0.74dBZ 56° 99% 0.25mm 5.3m/s 2.6m/s 2.5m/s
12:00
1006hPa 3.3J/kg 16% 6.9°C 66% 0% 26% 0mm 65% 0mm -6dBZ 66° 82% 0.17mm - - 2m/s
13:00
1005hPa 1.7J/kg 31% 6.8°C 33% 0% 13% 0mm 73% 0mm -11dBZ 70° 64% 0.08mm - - 1.5m/s
14:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 47% 6.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -16dBZ 66° 47% 0mm 3.9m/s 1.4m/s 1m/s
15:00
1004hPa 0.33J/kg 63% 6.6°C 2% 0% 33% 0mm 83% 0mm -18dBZ 55° 63% 0mm - - 1m/s
16:00
1004hPa 0.67J/kg 79% 6.6°C 5% 0% 67% 0mm 85% 0mm -19dBZ 43° 79% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
17:00
1005hPa 1J/kg 96% 6.7°C 7% 0% 100% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 96% 0mm 1.8m/s 2.4m/s 1.1m/s
18:00
1004hPa 1J/kg 88% 6.5°C 15% 0% 73% 0mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 88% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
19:00
1004hPa 1J/kg 80% 6.3°C 22% 0% 45% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ 4.2° 80% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
20:00
1003hPa 1J/kg 73% 6.1°C 30% 0% 18% 0mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ -8.8° 73% 0mm 5.1m/s 2.7m/s 1.4m/s
21:00
1003hPa 2.3J/kg 49% 6°C 53% 0% 22% 0.003mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 82% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
22:00
1003hPa 3.7J/kg 24% 5.9°C 77% 0% 26% 0.007mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 91% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
23:00
1003hPa 5J/kg 0% 5.7°C 100% 0% 29% 0.01mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -43° 100% 0mm 3m/s 3.5m/s 1.5m/s
Thu, Feb 26 Sunrise 06:35 Sunset 19:22
24:00
1003hPa 6J/kg 14% 5.3°C 99% 0% 34% 0.01mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -50° 99% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
1003hPa 7J/kg 27% 4.9°C 97% 0% 39% 0.01mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -52° 97% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
02:00
1004hPa 8J/kg 41% 4.5°C 96% 0% 43% 0.01mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -50° 96% 0mm 2.5m/s 5m/s 1.8m/s
03:00
1004hPa 6.3J/kg 28% 4.4°C 96% 0% 50% 0.007mm 74% 0.007mm -20dBZ -42° 96% 0.02mm - - 2.4m/s
04:00
1004hPa 4.7J/kg 14% 4.2°C 97% 0% 57% 0.003mm 66% 0.01mm -20dBZ -32° 97% 0.04mm - - 3m/s
05:00
1004hPa 3J/kg 0% 4.1°C 98% 0% 64% 0mm 59% 0.02mm -20dBZ -21° 98% 0.06mm 4.5m/s 7.3m/s 3.7m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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