Skip to content
✨ New: PhotoWeather is now available on iOS and Android
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

Get notified
Free alerts · takes 30 seconds
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 97% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover0%
Wind Gusts1.1m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure1010.0hPa
CAPE17
Lifted Index0.6°C
Wind Gusts1.1m/s
Precipitation0.0mm

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.

Create your own Storm Chaser alerts

Get notified when these conditions match at your own locations.

Get this template

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
Wed, Apr 8
11:000%2.7%11J/kg2.6°C24135m1.4m/s
12:000%2.7%13J/kg2.2°C24134m2.5m/s
13:000%3.5%5J/kg1.8°C24135m2.7m/s
14:000%3.6%18J/kg1.4°C24134m2m/s
15:000%6.7%52J/kg0.5°C24134m2.8m/s
16:000%10%96J/kg0.1°C24135m6.4m/s
17:000%14%114J/kg0.2°C24135m8.6m/s
18:000%8.6%70J/kg0.4°C24134m9.7m/s
19:000%0%65J/kg0.6°C24135m10m/s
20:000%0.7%52J/kg0.8°C24134m8.9m/s
21:000%2.3%40J/kg0.9°C24135m6.3m/s
22:000%5.2%21J/kg1.1°C24134m3.1m/s
23:000%7.6%16J/kg1.3°C24135m1.2m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%11%23J/kg1.3°C24134m1.1m/s
01:000%15%20J/kg1.5°C24135m1m/s
02:000%14%13J/kg1.5°C24135m1m/s
03:000%9.9%8J/kg1.9°C24134m1m/s
04:000%6.9%4J/kg2.1°C24135m1.1m/s
05:000%7.9%8J/kg1.9°C24135m2.8m/s
06:000%94%0J/kg2°C24134m1.9m/s
07:000%8.7%0J/kg2°C24134m2.4m/s
08:000%7.2%0J/kg1.9°C24135m2.1m/s
09:000%4.8%0J/kg1.4°C24135m1.5m/s
10:000%2.7%0J/kg0.7°C24135m0.9m/s
11:000%1.6%17J/kg0.6°C24134m1.1m/s
12:000%3.1%50J/kg0°C24135m1.8m/s
13:000%3.7%126J/kg-0.4°C24135m2.4m/s
14:000%7.5%201J/kg-0.6°C24135m2.8m/s
15:000%6.7%216J/kg-0.6°C24134m3.4m/s
16:000%5.3%118J/kg-0.1°C24134m5m/s
17:000%7%34J/kg0.6°C24134m7.3m/s
18:000%8.4%18J/kg1.2°C24135m8.7m/s
19:000%0%19J/kg1.9°C24134m8.6m/s
20:000%0.4%9J/kg2.4°C24135m8.6m/s
21:000%1.4%4J/kg2.6°C24135m8m/s
22:000%3.3%0J/kg2.7°C24135m7.4m/s
23:000%4.1%0J/kg3°C24135m6.6m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%4.4%4J/kg2.9°C24134m4m/s
01:000%5.5%2J/kg3.2°C24135m3.9m/s
02:000%11%10J/kg3.1°C24134m2.9m/s
03:000%15%9J/kg3.2°C24134m2.7m/s
04:000%15%4J/kg3.2°C24135m1.8m/s
05:000%15%0J/kg3.3°C24135m1.9m/s
06:000%47%0J/kg3.5°C24134m1.2m/s
07:000%16%0J/kg4.1°C24134m2.4m/s
08:000%15%0J/kg4.2°C24135m3.9m/s
09:000%17%0J/kg3.8°C24134m3.4m/s
10:000%11%0J/kg3.2°C24135m2.6m/s
11:000%4.2%0J/kg2.7°C24134m2.2m/s
12:000%3.8%0J/kg2.1°C24134m2.6m/s
13:000%2.8%46J/kg2.1°C24135m3.5m/s
14:000%3%52J/kg2°C24134m4.2m/s
15:000%7.5%59J/kg1.6°C24134m6.2m/s
16:0013%15%53J/kg1.7°C24135m7.5m/s
17:000%16%42J/kg1.8°C24134m9.1m/s
18:000%18%63J/kg2.3°C24134m9.8m/s
19:000%3.7%66J/kg2.6°C24135m10m/s
20:000%11%56J/kg3.1°C24135m11m/s
21:000%13%37J/kg3.9°C24134m11m/s
22:000%12%21J/kg4.5°C24134m10m/s
23:000%9.4%21J/kg4.4°C24134m9.6m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%4.9%17J/kg4.3°C24134m8.7m/s
01:0011%1%11J/kg4.5°C24134m7.7m/s
02:000%0.9%9J/kg4.8°C24134m6.3m/s
03:000%1.2%0J/kg4.8°C24135m5.6m/s
04:0011%1.4%0J/kg4.6°C24135m4.7m/s
05:000%2%0J/kg4.7°C24135m5.1m/s
06:000%42%0J/kg4.6°C24134m4.4m/s
07:009.8%7.3%1J/kg4.8°C24135m4.8m/s
08:000%7.7%9J/kg4.4°C24134m3.8m/s
09:000%4.8%53J/kg3.3°C24135m3m/s
10:009.8%6.2%72J/kg2.1°C24134m5.2m/s
11:000%6.4%84J/kg2°C24134m4.5m/s
12:000%9.6%81J/kg1.7°C24134m3.9m/s
13:009.1%18%92J/kg1.4°C24135m4.5m/s
14:000%20%74J/kg1.1°C24135m4.7m/s
15:000%55%380J/kg-1.5°C24135m5.4m/s
16:0015%93%387J/kg-1.9°C24135m9.5m/s
17:000%60%375J/kg-1.8°C24135m7.2m/s
18:000%24%362J/kg-1.7°C24135m4.9m/s
19:0011%0%350J/kg-1.5°C24135m2.5m/s
20:000%0%299J/kg-1.3°C24135m3.2m/s
21:000%0%249J/kg-1.1°C24135m3.8m/s
22:008.4%0%198J/kg-0.96°C24135m4.5m/s
23:000%0%143J/kg-0.43°C24135m4.5m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%0%89J/kg0.1°C24135m4.4m/s
01:0011%0%34J/kg0.63°C24135m4.3m/s
02:000%0%23J/kg1.3°C24135m4m/s
03:000%0%11J/kg2°C24135m3.6m/s
04:0012%0%0J/kg2.7°C24135m3.2m/s
05:000%0%0.67J/kg4.2°C24135m4m/s
06:000%9.8%1.3J/kg5.7°C24135m4.8m/s
07:0014%9.1%2J/kg7.2°C24135m5.6m/s
08:000%9.1%13J/kg5.6°C24135m5m/s
09:000%9.9%25J/kg4.1°C24135m4.3m/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
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:00 Sunset 17:34
11:00
1010hPa 17J/kg 0% 0.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 52° 0% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
12:00
1009hPa 50J/kg 0% 0°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 54° 0% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
13:00
1008hPa 126J/kg 0% -0.4°C 3% 0% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 3% 0mm 8.2m/s 7.6m/s 3.1m/s
14:00
1008hPa 201J/kg 0% -0.6°C 6% 0% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 6% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
15:00
1008hPa 216J/kg 0% -0.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 0% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
16:00
1008hPa 118J/kg 0% -0.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 0% 0mm 12m/s 11m/s 3.3m/s
17:00
1008hPa 34J/kg 0% 0.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 6.7° 0% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
18:00
1008hPa 18J/kg 0% 1.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -6.4° 0% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
19:00
1009hPa 19J/kg 0% 1.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 0% 0mm 19m/s 13m/s 2.9m/s
20:00
1010hPa 9J/kg 0% 2.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 0% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
21:00
1010hPa 4J/kg 0% 2.6°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -45° 1% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
22:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.7°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -57° 4% 0mm 18m/s 14m/s 2m/s
23:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0% 3°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -66° 4% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:00 Sunset 17:34
24:00
1010hPa 4J/kg 3% 2.9°C 20% 0% 0% 0mm 99% 0mm -20dBZ -69° 20% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
01:00
1009hPa 2J/kg 3% 3.2°C 25% 0% 0% 0mm 99% 0mm -20dBZ -63° 25% 0mm 13m/s 12m/s 1.4m/s
02:00
1009hPa 10J/kg 0% 3.1°C 28% 0% 0% 0mm 99% 0mm -20dBZ -52° 28% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
03:00
1008hPa 9J/kg 0% 3.2°C 29% 0% 0% 0mm 99% 0mm -20dBZ -40° 29% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
04:00
1009hPa 4J/kg 0% 3.2°C 27% 0% 0% 0mm 99% 0mm -20dBZ -27° 27% 0mm 12m/s 10m/s 1.2m/s
05:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.3°C 25% 0% 0% 0mm 99% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 25% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
06:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.5°C 24% 0% 0% 0mm 99% 0mm -20dBZ -0.55° 24% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
07:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 4.1°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 5% 0mm 12m/s 8.6m/s 0.95m/s
08:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 4.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 5% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
09:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 5% 0mm - - 2m/s
10:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 5% 0mm 7.5m/s 6.7m/s 1.9m/s
11:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ 52° 0% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
12:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 0% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
13:00
1005hPa 46J/kg 0% 2.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 49° 0% 0mm 6.1m/s 9.3m/s 3.5m/s
14:00
1005hPa 52J/kg 0% 2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 41° 0% 0mm - - 4m/s
15:00
1005hPa 59J/kg 0% 1.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 0% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
16:00
1004hPa 53J/kg 0% 1.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 0% 0mm 10m/s 12m/s 4.3m/s
17:00
1004hPa 42J/kg 0% 1.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 6.4° 0% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
18:00
1005hPa 63J/kg 0% 2.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -6.6° 0% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
19:00
1005hPa 66J/kg 0% 2.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 0% 0mm 16m/s 11m/s 3.7m/s
20:00
1006hPa 56J/kg 0% 3.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 0% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
21:00
1006hPa 37J/kg 0% 3.9°C 1% 2% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -46° 2% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
22:00
1006hPa 21J/kg 0% 4.5°C 6% 5% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -57° 6% 0mm 13m/s 11m/s 3m/s
23:00
1005hPa 21J/kg 0% 4.4°C 42% 3% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -67° 42% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:01 Sunset 17:32
24:00
1004hPa 17J/kg 0% 4.3°C 7% 0% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -69° 7% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
01:00
1004hPa 11J/kg 0% 4.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ -63° 0% 0mm 9.2m/s 12m/s 2.2m/s
02:00
1004hPa 9J/kg 0% 4.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -53° 0% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
03:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ -40° 0% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
04:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.6°C 6% 0% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -27° 6% 0mm 7.2m/s 12m/s 1.5m/s
05:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 2% 4.7°C 13% 0% 0% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 13% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
06:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.6°C 23% 0% 0% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -0.71° 23% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
07:00
1003hPa 1J/kg 0% 4.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 0% 0mm 3m/s 13m/s 1.7m/s
08:00
1003hPa 9J/kg 0% 4.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 0% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
09:00
1003hPa 53J/kg 0% 3.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 0% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
10:00
1002hPa 72J/kg 0% 2.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 44% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 0% 0mm 1.7m/s 14m/s 1.6m/s
11:00
1001hPa 84J/kg 0% 2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 0% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
12:00
1000hPa 81J/kg 0% 1.7°C 2% 1% 0% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 2% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
13:00
999hPa 92J/kg 0% 1.4°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 49° 5% 0mm 6.7m/s 15m/s 2m/s
14:00
997hPa 74J/kg 0% 1.1°C 1% 1% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 41° 1% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
15:00
997hPa 380J/kg 0% -1.5°C 94% 94% 0% 0mm 41% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 94% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
16:00
997hPa 387J/kg 0% -1.9°C 15% 22% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -19dBZ 19° 22% 0mm 17m/s 14m/s 4m/s
17:00
997hPa 375J/kg 0% -1.8°C 14% 16% 17% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 6.2° 18% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
18:00
997hPa 362J/kg 0% -1.7°C 12% 9% 33% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -6.9° 15% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
19:00
998hPa 350J/kg 0% -1.5°C 10% 3% 50% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 11% 0mm 13m/s 13m/s 1.4m/s
20:00
998hPa 299J/kg 0% -1.3°C 20% 2% 50% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 21% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
21:00
998hPa 249J/kg 0% -1.1°C 30% 1% 50% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -46° 30% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
22:00
998hPa 198J/kg 0% -0.96°C 40% 0% 50% 0mm 99% 0mm -20dBZ -58° 40% 0mm 2.6m/s 11m/s 1.6m/s
23:00
998hPa 143J/kg 0% -0.43°C 43% 0% 37% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -67° 43% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:01 Sunset 17:31
24:00
999hPa 89J/kg 0% 0.1°C 47% 0% 25% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -70° 47% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
999hPa 34J/kg 0% 0.63°C 50% 0% 12% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -63° 50% 0mm 8.6m/s 15m/s 1.5m/s
02:00
999hPa 23J/kg 0% 1.3°C 34% 0% 8% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -53° 34% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
03:00
999hPa 11J/kg 0% 2°C 17% 0% 4% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -40° 17% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
04:00
999hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ -27° 0% 0mm 14m/s 17m/s 1.2m/s
05:00
998hPa 0.67J/kg 0% 4.2°C 0% 0% 2% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 0% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
06:00
998hPa 1.3J/kg 0% 5.7°C 0% 0% 5% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ -0.87° 0% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
07:00
997hPa 2J/kg 0% 7.2°C 0% 0% 7% 0mm 26% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 0% 0mm 17m/s 19m/s 1.2m/s
08:00
997hPa 13J/kg 0% 5.6°C 0% 0% 18% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 0% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
09:00
997hPa 25J/kg 0% 4.1°C 0% 0% 28% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 0% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
10:00
997hPa 36J/kg 0% 2.6°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 0% 0mm 14m/s 21m/s 2.5m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

Get Notified of Opportunities

Create your own custom alerts for this location and more.

Create Free Account