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Rule Storm Chaser

Geelong - Storm Chaser - Australian Coast

Geelong, Victoria, 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 92% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover0%
Wind Gusts1.4m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure1003.0hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index16.1°C
Wind Gusts1.4m/s
Precipitation0.0mm

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Australia/Melbourne

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/Melbourne
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
06:009.1%51%0J/kg2.4°C24135m1.5m/s
07:0012%67%0J/kg1.7°C24134m12m/s
08:0024%65%46J/kg0.1°C16195m16m/s
09:0021%62%24J/kg0.2°C24135m14m/s
10:0015%55%0J/kg2°C24135m12m/s
11:0028%45%0J/kg2.7°C24135m10m/s
12:0014%45%0J/kg2.6°C24135m9.9m/s
13:0017%25%29J/kg0.6°C13855m12m/s
14:0029%25%44J/kg0.7°C5307m12m/s
15:0035%45%0J/kg2°C4086m11m/s
16:0037%45%33J/kg-0.1°C12386m9.4m/s
17:0044%55%11J/kg1.2°C5624m11m/s
18:000%55%39J/kg1.6°C18188m10m/s
19:0016%79%13J/kg1.9°C9254m7m/s
20:0032%58%3J/kg1.8°C24086m9.5m/s
21:0014%23%1J/kg2.9°C24135m8m/s
22:0013%8.8%1J/kg5.8°C24135m7.6m/s
23:0033%15%0J/kg8.3°C24134m6.9m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:000%15%0J/kg13°C24135m6.4m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg14°C24135m5.4m/s
02:0014%15%0J/kg15°C24135m1.2m/s
03:000%14%0J/kg16°C24135m1.4m/s
04:000%6.5%0J/kg16°C24135m1.5m/s
05:0013%1.8%0J/kg16°C24135m1.5m/s
06:000%6.2%0J/kg16°C24134m1.4m/s
07:000%5.1%0J/kg16°C24134m1.2m/s
08:0013%4.7%0J/kg16°C24135m2.1m/s
09:000%6.1%0J/kg16°C24135m3.8m/s
10:000%3.9%0J/kg16°C24135m3m/s
11:000%2.9%0J/kg16°C24135m2.9m/s
12:000%2.7%0J/kg16°C24135m2.9m/s
13:000%1.5%0J/kg15°C24135m3.2m/s
14:000%1.5%0J/kg15°C24135m3.5m/s
15:000%2.7%0J/kg16°C24134m3.5m/s
16:000%2.7%0J/kg16°C24135m3.5m/s
17:0012%3.3%0J/kg16°C24134m3.5m/s
18:000%3.9%0J/kg16°C24135m3.9m/s
19:000%3.9%0J/kg17°C24134m4.6m/s
20:000%7%0J/kg16°C24135m6.1m/s
21:000%6%0J/kg16°C24134m6.3m/s
22:000%0%0J/kg14°C24134m7.2m/s
23:000%0%0J/kg11°C24135m6.9m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:000%0%0J/kg11°C24134m5.5m/s
01:000%0.6%0J/kg8.5°C24135m3m/s
02:0011%5.8%0J/kg7.3°C24135m2.1m/s
03:000%14%0J/kg2.7°C24134m1m/s
04:000%15%4J/kg0.6°C24134m0.81m/s
05:009.8%14%167J/kg-0.4°C24134m0.5m/s
06:000%13%286J/kg-0.8°C24135m1.7m/s
07:000%65%268J/kg-1.2°C24135m0.61m/s
08:0011%62%324J/kg-1.5°C24135m0.8m/s
09:000%24%194J/kg-1.1°C24135m1m/s
10:000%45%171J/kg-1.1°C23627m3.4m/s
11:0013%22%188J/kg-1.1°C14005m3.8m/s
12:000%23%129J/kg-0.8°C18930m4.6m/s
13:000%34%133J/kg-0.8°C21083m4.9m/s
14:0017%31%128J/kg-0.8°C24135m5m/s
15:0013%72%213J/kg-1.3°C17082m5.2m/s
16:0013%23%362J/kg-1.9°C24135m6.2m/s
17:0027%57%191J/kg-1.4°C24033m5.1m/s
18:000%26%0J/kg0.6°C14880m7m/s
19:000%58%0J/kg2.4°C24134m8.8m/s
20:000%40%0J/kg2.2°C24135m9.5m/s
21:000%57%0J/kg3.6°C24135m9.7m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg5.4°C24134m9.4m/s
23:000%14%0J/kg4.5°C24135m7.4m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:000%15%0J/kg3.9°C24134m6.7m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg5.5°C24135m7.8m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg5.6°C24135m7.3m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg5.2°C24134m5.8m/s
04:000%14%0J/kg5.7°C24135m5.4m/s
05:000%14%0J/kg6.6°C24135m6.6m/s
06:000%12%0J/kg7.3°C24134m7.1m/s
07:000%18%0J/kg8°C24134m6.7m/s
08:000%16%0J/kg9.3°C24134m6.9m/s
09:000%13%0J/kg10°C24134m5.9m/s
10:000%28%7J/kg11°C24134m5.5m/s
11:000%41%19J/kg10°C24135m5.9m/s
12:000%26%13J/kg11°C24135m6.5m/s
13:000%17%6.3J/kg13°C24135m7.1m/s
14:000%0%0J/kg14°C24135m7.7m/s
15:000%1.8%0J/kg12°C24135m7.7m/s
16:000%1.8%0J/kg11°C24135m7.7m/s
17:000%2.2%0J/kg9.1°C24135m7.6m/s
18:000%2.6%0J/kg9.5°C24135m7.2m/s
19:000%2.6%0J/kg10°C24135m6.8m/s
20:000%2.8%0J/kg10°C24135m6.3m/s
21:000%36%0.67J/kg9.2°C24135m6.5m/s
22:000%0%1.3J/kg8°C24135m6.7m/s
23:000%0%2J/kg6.8°C24135m7m/s
Thu, Feb 26
24:000%0%2.3J/kg7.2°C24135m7.5m/s
01:000%0%2.7J/kg7.6°C24135m8m/s
02:000%0%3J/kg8°C24135m8.5m/s
03:000%0%2J/kg8.2°C24135m7.5m/s
04:000%0%1J/kg8.4°C24135m6.5m/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/Melbourne
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 07:00 Sunset 20:12
06:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 0% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
07:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -0.41° 0% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
08:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 0% 0mm 16m/s 19m/s 1.2m/s
09:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 1% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
10:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 0% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
11:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 0% 0mm 11m/s 17m/s 3.1m/s
12:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 43% 0mm -20dBZ 54° 0% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
13:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 15°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 61° 0% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
14:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 15°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 61° 0% 0mm 11m/s 18m/s 4.7m/s
15:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 41% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 0% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
16:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 0% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
17:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 43% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 0% 0mm 8.7m/s 15m/s 4.2m/s
18:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 0% 0mm - - 4m/s
19:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 17°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 0% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
20:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 1.7° 0% 0mm 7.6m/s 15m/s 3.2m/s
21:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 0% 0% 17% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -10° 0% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
22:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 0% 0% 33% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 0% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
23:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 50% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 0% 0mm 8.3m/s 15m/s 2.5m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 07:01 Sunset 20:11
24:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 38% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -37° 0% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
01:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.5°C 0% 0% 25% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -41° 0% 0mm - - 2m/s
02:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.3°C 0% 0% 13% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 0% 0mm 11m/s 13m/s 1.9m/s
03:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.7°C 0% 0% 21% 0mm 89% 0mm -13dBZ -38° 0% 0mm - - 0.95m/s
04:00
1003hPa 4J/kg 0% 0.6°C 22% 0% 29% 0mm 88% 0mm -6.5dBZ -32° 22% 0mm - - 0.8m/s
05:00
1002hPa 167J/kg 0% -0.4°C 87% 0% 37% 0mm 88% 0mm 0.33dBZ -23° 87% 0mm 12m/s 12m/s 0.5m/s
06:00
1002hPa 286J/kg 0% -0.8°C 11% 0% 52% 0mm 82% 0mm -6.5dBZ -12° 11% 0.06mm - - 0.77m/s
07:00
1002hPa 268J/kg 0% -1.2°C 100% 94% 68% 0mm 88% 0mm -13dBZ -0.69° 100% 0.13mm - - 0.59m/s
08:00
1003hPa 324J/kg 0% -1.5°C 63% 0% 83% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 63% 0.31mm 10m/s 13m/s 0.52m/s
09:00
1003hPa 194J/kg 0% -1.1°C 4% 0% 87% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 4% 0.31mm - - 0.52m/s
10:00
1003hPa 171J/kg 0% -1.1°C 20% 0% 91% 0.01mm 55% 0.13mm -20dBZ 34° 20% 0.44mm - - 2.2m/s
11:00
1003hPa 188J/kg 0% -1.1°C 0% 0% 95% 0mm 50% 0.32mm -20dBZ 45° 0% 0.69mm 11m/s 13m/s 2.6m/s
12:00
1003hPa 129J/kg 0% -0.8°C 2% 0% 89% 0mm 47% 0.22mm -5.7dBZ 54° 2% 0.25mm - - 3.1m/s
13:00
1002hPa 133J/kg 0% -0.8°C 48% 0% 83% 0mm 43% 0.19mm 8.6dBZ 60° 48% 0.5mm - - 3.1m/s
14:00
1002hPa 128J/kg 0% -0.8°C 39% 0% 77% 0mm 42% 0.13mm 23dBZ 61° 39% 0.75mm 16m/s 15m/s 4.3m/s
15:00
1002hPa 213J/kg 0% -1.3°C 54% 62% 80% 0mm 46% 0.25mm 22dBZ 56° 62% 1.1mm - - 3.6m/s
16:00
1002hPa 362J/kg 0% -1.9°C 1% 0% 84% 0mm 54% 0.1mm 22dBZ 47° 1% 1.3mm - - 5.2m/s
17:00
1002hPa 191J/kg 0% -1.4°C 18% 9% 87% 0mm 56% 0.21mm 22dBZ 36° 20% 1.4mm 16m/s 16m/s 4.4m/s
18:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.6°C 4% 0% 75% 0mm 61% 0.18mm 15dBZ 25° 4% 0.13mm - - 5.2m/s
19:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.4°C 62% 0% 64% 0mm 75% 0mm 7.4dBZ 13° 62% 0.19mm - - 5.8m/s
20:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.2°C 90% 0% 52% 0mm 81% 0mm 0.33dBZ 1.4° 90% 0.25mm 19m/s 21m/s 5.4m/s
21:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.6°C 58% 0% 54% 0mm 78% 0mm 0.34dBZ -10° 58% 0.31mm - - 4.9m/s
22:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.4°C 84% 0% 56% 0mm 79% 0mm 0.35dBZ -21° 84% 0.31mm - - 4.7m/s
23:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.5°C 100% 0% 58% 0mm 79% 0mm 0.36dBZ -30° 100% 0.31mm 19m/s 26m/s 4.1m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 07:02 Sunset 20:09
24:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.9°C 12% 0% 42% 0mm 75% 0mm -6.4dBZ -38° 12% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
01:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.5°C 23% 0% 26% 0mm 74% 0mm -13dBZ -42° 23% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
02:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.6°C 9% 0% 10% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 9% 0mm 17m/s 23m/s 2.9m/s
03:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.2°C 0% 0% 20% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -39° 0% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
04:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.7°C 0% 0% 29% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 0% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
05:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.6°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -23° 0% 0mm 17m/s 21m/s 2.1m/s
06:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.3°C 0% 0% 26% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 0% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
07:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0% 8°C 0% 0% 13% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -0.95° 0% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
08:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.3°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 1% 0mm 17m/s 20m/s 2.4m/s
09:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -12dBZ 22° 2% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
10:00
1011hPa 7J/kg 0% 11°C 10% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0.01mm -3.6dBZ 34° 10% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
11:00
1012hPa 19J/kg 0% 10°C 51% 0% 0% 0mm 60% 0.06mm 4.5dBZ 45° 51% 0mm 15m/s 21m/s 5.5m/s
12:00
1013hPa 13J/kg 0% 11°C 34% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0.04mm 1.6dBZ 54° 34% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
13:00
1015hPa 6.3J/kg 0% 13°C 17% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0.02mm -1.3dBZ 60° 17% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
14:00
1017hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -4.2dBZ 60° 0% 0mm 13m/s 22m/s 5.7m/s
15:00
1017hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -9.4dBZ 55° 0% 0mm - - 5.3m/s
16:00
1017hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -15dBZ 46° 0% 0mm - - 4.9m/s
17:00
1017hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 0% 0mm 9.4m/s 21m/s 4.5m/s
18:00
1017hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 0% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
19:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 0% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
20:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 1.2° 0% 0mm 8.7m/s 19m/s 3.6m/s
21:00
1015hPa 0.67J/kg 0% 9.2°C 33% 0% 0% 0.02mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 33% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
22:00
1015hPa 1.3J/kg 0% 8°C 67% 0% 0% 0.04mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 67% 0mm - - 4m/s
23:00
1015hPa 2J/kg 0% 6.8°C 100% 0% 0% 0.06mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -31° 100% 0mm 9.1m/s 19m/s 4.1m/s
Thu, Feb 26 Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 20:08
24:00
1015hPa 2.3J/kg 0% 7.2°C 95% 0% 0% 0.04mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -38° 95% 0.06mm - - 4.4m/s
01:00
1015hPa 2.7J/kg 0% 7.6°C 90% 0% 0% 0.03mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 90% 0.13mm - - 4.7m/s
02:00
1015hPa 3J/kg 0% 8°C 86% 0% 0% 0.01mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -43° 86% 0.19mm 13m/s 21m/s 5m/s
03:00
1015hPa 2J/kg 0% 8.2°C 67% 0% 0% 0.007mm 75% 0mm -9.6dBZ -39° 67% 0.21mm - - 4.7m/s
04:00
1015hPa 1J/kg 0% 8.4°C 48% 0% 0% 0.003mm 71% 0mm 0.76dBZ -32° 48% 0.23mm - - 4.4m/s
05:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.6°C 29% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm 11dBZ -23° 29% 0.25mm 12m/s 21m/s 4.1m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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