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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 76% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts13.7m/s
Precipitation Chance79%
Air Pressure1000.0hPa
CAPE6
Lifted Index0.4°C
Wind Gusts13.7m/s
Precipitation0.1mm

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
Wed, Apr 8
11:000%43%0J/kg12°C24135m1.8m/s
12:000%38%0J/kg11°C24134m2.7m/s
13:000%29%0J/kg11°C24135m3m/s
14:000%42%0J/kg11°C24134m3.5m/s
15:000%50%0J/kg11°C24134m3m/s
16:0015%23%0J/kg11°C24135m3.4m/s
17:000%48%0J/kg11°C24135m3.2m/s
18:000%35%0J/kg11°C24134m2.1m/s
19:000%29%0J/kg10°C24135m1.3m/s
20:000%14%0J/kg9.6°C24134m4m/s
21:000%15%0J/kg5.1°C24135m2.5m/s
22:000%11%0J/kg2.6°C24134m8m/s
23:000%9.7%0J/kg2.5°C24134m5.5m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%13%6J/kg2.3°C24134m8.8m/s
01:0013%15%0J/kg1.9°C24135m8.1m/s
02:000%15%32J/kg1.3°C24135m4.1m/s
03:000%15%47J/kg1.3°C24134m4.7m/s
04:0013%15%64J/kg0.9°C24103m3.3m/s
05:000%9.8%67J/kg0.6°C24135m3.3m/s
06:000%54%84J/kg0.1°C23674m4.2m/s
07:0014%100%183J/kg-0.6°C24134m4.2m/s
08:0012%52%190J/kg-0.7°C24135m13m/s
09:0014%100%174J/kg-0.7°C23180m14m/s
10:0028%65%86J/kg-0.4°C24135m14m/s
11:0012%39%6J/kg0.4°C24134m14m/s
12:0012%33%89J/kg-0.3°C24135m14m/s
13:0027%31%199J/kg-0.7°C23853m14m/s
14:0029%63%275J/kg-1.5°C9537m12m/s
15:0035%65%356J/kg-1.7°C8241m15m/s
16:0047%49%415J/kg-1.9°C8415m16m/s
17:0035%78%204J/kg-0.5°C5736m13m/s
18:0037%70%200J/kg-0.7°C22802m14m/s
19:0055%58%127J/kg-0.1°C8202m14m/s
20:0032%0.2%125J/kg-0.5°C10027m14m/s
21:0034%0.1%23J/kg0.7°C24135m17m/s
22:0046%9%0J/kg1°C24135m18m/s
23:0016%15%0J/kg1.9°C24135m18m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:0015%15%0J/kg4.2°C24134m19m/s
01:0034%15%0J/kg3.8°C24135m19m/s
02:0016%15%2J/kg4.4°C24134m21m/s
03:0013%11%15J/kg5.3°C24134m14m/s
04:0028%0.5%10J/kg7.3°C24135m12m/s
05:000%2.3%0J/kg9.5°C24135m11m/s
06:000%58%3J/kg11°C24134m11m/s
07:0019%68%32J/kg11°C24134m11m/s
08:0012%31%45J/kg11°C14385m12m/s
09:0013%37%47J/kg12°C17586m13m/s
10:0032%62%39J/kg12°C24135m15m/s
11:0016%37%36J/kg12°C24134m17m/s
12:0016%31%43J/kg12°C23947m16m/s
13:0033%50%34J/kg12°C24135m17m/s
14:0015%59%31J/kg12°C24088m15m/s
15:0015%40%26J/kg12°C24133m15m/s
16:0028%41%42J/kg12°C24135m15m/s
17:0014%35%37J/kg12°C23886m16m/s
18:0014%34%34J/kg12°C24134m14m/s
19:0031%31%31J/kg12°C24132m14m/s
20:0015%2.1%35J/kg12°C11527m13m/s
21:0013%4.6%5J/kg13°C24134m13m/s
22:0018%12%20J/kg13°C24134m11m/s
23:000%15%22J/kg10°C24134m11m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:0011%14%17J/kg8°C24134m12m/s
01:0015%8.7%6J/kg6.9°C24134m12m/s
02:000%8.5%0J/kg5.6°C24134m12m/s
03:0011%9%0J/kg5.4°C24135m12m/s
04:0020%10%1J/kg6.4°C24135m14m/s
05:0011%13%0J/kg6.4°C24135m13m/s
06:0011%25%0J/kg5.9°C24134m12m/s
07:0021%44%3J/kg5.2°C24135m13m/s
08:0011%42%1J/kg5.1°C24134m13m/s
09:0013%45%6J/kg4.4°C24135m14m/s
10:0024%57%6J/kg4.1°C24134m14m/s
11:0012%35%9J/kg4.5°C24134m14m/s
12:0013%38%56J/kg3.9°C17191m14m/s
13:0023%73%64J/kg6.4°C23169m14m/s
14:0016%82%46J/kg8.5°C23402m15m/s
15:0024%37%46J/kg8.9°C21508m15m/s
16:0031%73%34J/kg9.4°C24135m14m/s
17:0015%56%34J/kg9.7°C24135m14m/s
18:0014%57%33J/kg10°C24135m14m/s
19:0018%0%33J/kg10°C24135m14m/s
20:000%0%38J/kg10°C24135m13m/s
21:000%0%42J/kg10°C24135m13m/s
22:0015%0%47J/kg9.9°C24135m13m/s
23:000%0%43J/kg9.9°C22165m13m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%0%40J/kg9.8°C20195m13m/s
01:0014%0%36J/kg9.7°C18225m13m/s
02:000%0%36J/kg9.4°C20195m13m/s
03:000%0%36J/kg9.1°C22165m13m/s
04:0018%0%36J/kg8.8°C24135m14m/s
05:000%0%35J/kg8.8°C24041m13m/s
06:000%49%35J/kg8.8°C23947m13m/s
07:0018%57%34J/kg8.9°C23853m12m/s
08:000%47%34J/kg9.5°C23947m12m/s
09:000%40%35J/kg10°C24041m12m/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
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:44 Sunset 18:04
11:00
1000hPa 6J/kg 1% 0.4°C 100% 0% 79% 0mm 62% 0.01mm -19dBZ 40° 100% 0.06mm - - 7.5m/s
12:00
1000hPa 89J/kg 0% -0.3°C 100% 0% 89% 0mm 61% 0.01mm -18dBZ 44° 100% 0.06mm - - 7.8m/s
13:00
998hPa 199J/kg 0% -0.7°C 100% 5% 99% 0mm 64% 0.06mm -18dBZ 44° 100% 0.06mm 17m/s 16m/s 6.5m/s
14:00
997hPa 275J/kg 17% -1.5°C 99% 7% 99% 0mm 68% 0.72mm -3.6dBZ 39° 99% 0.5mm - - 5.7m/s
15:00
997hPa 356J/kg 5% -1.7°C 65% 5% 100% 0mm 69% 0.71mm 11dBZ 32° 65% 1.3mm - - 6.6m/s
16:00
996hPa 415J/kg 76% -1.9°C 100% 5% 100% 0mm 71% 1mm 25dBZ 22° 100% 1.9mm 19m/s 20m/s 7.3m/s
17:00
995hPa 204J/kg 57% -0.5°C 100% 45% 80% 0.06mm 78% 1.6mm 23dBZ 12° 100% 1.3mm - - 6.6m/s
18:00
996hPa 200J/kg 100% -0.7°C 100% 49% 59% 0mm 83% 0.87mm 21dBZ 0.48° 100% 3.4mm - - 6.3m/s
19:00
996hPa 127J/kg 100% -0.1°C 76% 76% 39% 1.2mm 90% 0.92mm 19dBZ -12° 100% 4.9mm 14m/s 18m/s 6.6m/s
20:00
995hPa 125J/kg 100% -0.5°C 86% 100% 53% 2.4mm 93% 0mm 21dBZ -23° 100% 8.6mm - - 5m/s
21:00
996hPa 23J/kg 100% 0.7°C 13% 100% 68% 0mm 75% 0mm 22dBZ -35° 100% 8.8mm - - 7.6m/s
22:00
996hPa 0J/kg 100% 1°C 17% 74% 83% 0.07mm 81% 0mm 24dBZ -45° 100% 8.9mm 12m/s 21m/s 7.7m/s
23:00
995hPa 0J/kg 85% 1.9°C 0% 0% 76% 0mm 76% 0mm 9.3dBZ -54° 85% 0mm - - 8m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:44 Sunset 18:04
24:00
994hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.2°C 0% 0% 70% 0mm 69% 0mm -5.4dBZ -59° 0% 0mm - - 8.6m/s
01:00
994hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.8°C 1% 0% 64% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -59° 1% 0mm 16m/s 24m/s 9m/s
02:00
994hPa 2J/kg 0% 4.4°C 59% 0% 64% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -53° 59% 0mm - - 9.7m/s
03:00
995hPa 15J/kg 0% 5.3°C 89% 0% 64% 0.01mm 75% 0.02mm -20dBZ -44° 89% 0.06mm - - 9.3m/s
04:00
997hPa 10J/kg 0% 7.3°C 100% 0% 64% 0.02mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0.06mm 14m/s 28m/s 6.6m/s
05:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.5°C 100% 0% 50% 0.01mm 79% 0mm -18dBZ -21° 100% 0.06mm - - 5.4m/s
06:00
998hPa 3J/kg 0% 11°C 40% 0% 36% 0mm 78% 0mm -17dBZ -9.5° 40% 0.06mm - - 4m/s
07:00
999hPa 32J/kg 0% 11°C 61% 0% 22% 0mm 84% 0.01mm -15dBZ 2.4° 61% 0.06mm 19m/s 33m/s 3.8m/s
08:00
999hPa 45J/kg 0% 11°C 99% 0% 36% 0mm 76% 0.44mm -17dBZ 14° 99% 0.31mm - - 5.3m/s
09:00
1000hPa 47J/kg 0% 12°C 99% 0% 50% 0mm 72% 0.26mm -18dBZ 24° 99% 0.69mm - - 6.1m/s
10:00
999hPa 39J/kg 0% 12°C 58% 0% 64% 0mm 64% 0.16mm -20dBZ 33° 58% 0.81mm 17m/s 36m/s 7.3m/s
11:00
999hPa 36J/kg 0% 12°C 88% 0% 59% 0mm 57% 0.16mm -7.9dBZ 40° 88% 0.06mm - - 8.5m/s
12:00
999hPa 43J/kg 0% 12°C 87% 0% 54% 0mm 59% 0.16mm 4.3dBZ 44° 87% 0.31mm - - 8.6m/s
13:00
998hPa 34J/kg 0% 12°C 65% 0% 49% 0mm 58% 0.09mm 16dBZ 43° 65% 0.44mm 6.6m/s 32m/s 8.4m/s
14:00
998hPa 31J/kg 0% 12°C 70% 0% 61% 0mm 52% 0.15mm 8dBZ 39° 70% 0.63mm - - 8.4m/s
15:00
998hPa 26J/kg 0% 12°C 99% 0% 72% 0mm 49% 0.06mm -0.48dBZ 31° 99% 0.63mm - - 8.3m/s
16:00
998hPa 42J/kg 0% 12°C 94% 0% 84% 0mm 57% 0.02mm -8.9dBZ 22° 94% 0.75mm 5.4m/s 29m/s 6.9m/s
17:00
999hPa 37J/kg 0% 12°C 100% 0% 69% 0mm 63% 0.14mm -3.1dBZ 11° 100% 0.06mm - - 6.3m/s
18:00
999hPa 34J/kg 0% 12°C 100% 0% 54% 0.01mm 68% 0.2mm 2.8dBZ 0.24° 100% 0.25mm - - 6.3m/s
19:00
1000hPa 31J/kg 0% 12°C 93% 0% 39% 0.07mm 70% 0.12mm 8.6dBZ -12° 93% 0.44mm 11m/s 31m/s 6.2m/s
20:00
1001hPa 35J/kg 0% 12°C 100% 46% 34% 0.07mm 77% 0.35mm 0.16dBZ -24° 100% 0.75mm - - 5.9m/s
21:00
1001hPa 5J/kg 0% 13°C 100% 27% 30% 0.01mm 72% 0.03mm -8.3dBZ -35° 100% 0.88mm - - 6.2m/s
22:00
1002hPa 20J/kg 0% 13°C 8% 3% 26% 0mm 76% 0.03mm -17dBZ -46° 8% 0.94mm 8.8m/s 32m/s 5.1m/s
23:00
1002hPa 22J/kg 0% 10°C 17% 23% 17% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -18dBZ -54° 23% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:45 Sunset 18:02
24:00
1002hPa 17J/kg 0% 8°C 5% 1% 9% 0mm 78% 0.01mm -19dBZ -59° 5% 0mm - - 5m/s
01:00
1002hPa 6J/kg 0% 6.9°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -59° 5% 0.06mm 5.3m/s 25m/s 4.4m/s
02:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.6°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -53° 5% 0.06mm - - 4.1m/s
03:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.4°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -44° 5% 0.06mm - - 4.5m/s
04:00
1001hPa 1J/kg 0% 6.4°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 5% 0.06mm 5.8m/s 18m/s 4.8m/s
05:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.4°C 5% 0% 27% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 5% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
06:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.9°C 5% 0% 55% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -9.7° 5% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
07:00
1001hPa 3J/kg 0% 5.2°C 99% 0% 82% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 2.3° 99% 0mm 8.7m/s 15m/s 4.5m/s
08:00
1001hPa 1J/kg 0% 5.1°C 100% 0% 82% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
09:00
1001hPa 6J/kg 0% 4.4°C 100% 0% 83% 0mm 65% 0.01mm -20dBZ 24° 100% 0mm - - 6.3m/s
10:00
1000hPa 6J/kg 0% 4.1°C 80% 0% 83% 0mm 58% 0.01mm -20dBZ 33° 80% 0mm 6m/s 16m/s 7.2m/s
11:00
1000hPa 9J/kg 0% 4.5°C 94% 0% 83% 0.01mm 60% 0.05mm -7.8dBZ 40° 94% 0.06mm - - 7.4m/s
12:00
1000hPa 56J/kg 0% 3.9°C 91% 0% 82% 0mm 58% 0.33mm 4.3dBZ 43° 91% 0.13mm - - 7.6m/s
13:00
999hPa 64J/kg 0% 6.4°C 47% 70% 82% 0mm 60% 0.21mm 16dBZ 43° 70% 0.38mm 5.8m/s 13m/s 6.8m/s
14:00
998hPa 46J/kg 0% 8.5°C 49% 74% 85% 0.01mm 56% 0.32mm 17dBZ 38° 74% 0.69mm - - 8.2m/s
15:00
999hPa 46J/kg 0% 8.9°C 99% 2% 89% 0mm 64% 0.21mm 18dBZ 31° 99% 1.1mm - - 7.7m/s
16:00
999hPa 34J/kg 0% 9.4°C 30% 0% 93% 0mm 66% 0.09mm 18dBZ 22° 30% 1.2mm 6m/s 24m/s 6.4m/s
17:00
1001hPa 34J/kg 0% 9.7°C 31% 0% 80% 0mm 68% 0.1mm 17dBZ 11° 31% 0.88mm - - 6.9m/s
18:00
1003hPa 33J/kg 0% 10°C 32% 0% 68% 0mm 70% 0.11mm 16dBZ 0.01° 32% 0.56mm - - 7.4m/s
19:00
1006hPa 33J/kg 0% 10°C 32% 0% 56% 0mm 71% 0.12mm 15dBZ -12° 32% 0.25mm 6.7m/s 25m/s 7.9m/s
20:00
1005hPa 38J/kg 0% 10°C 52% 0% 69% 0mm 73% 0.14mm 9.8dBZ -24° 52% 0.33mm - - 7.7m/s
21:00
1005hPa 42J/kg 0% 10°C 72% 0% 82% 0mm 74% 0.15mm 4.6dBZ -36° 72% 0.42mm - - 7.5m/s
22:00
1005hPa 47J/kg 0% 9.9°C 91% 0% 95% 0mm 75% 0.17mm -0.7dBZ -46° 91% 0.5mm 7.8m/s 17m/s 7.3m/s
23:00
1006hPa 43J/kg 0% 9.9°C 87% 0% 83% 0mm 76% 0.18mm 1.3dBZ -55° 87% 0.48mm - - 7.1m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:46 Sunset 18:01
24:00
1006hPa 40J/kg 0% 9.8°C 83% 0% 71% 0mm 77% 0.18mm 3.3dBZ -60° 83% 0.46mm - - 7m/s
01:00
1006hPa 36J/kg 0% 9.7°C 79% 0% 59% 0mm 78% 0.19mm 5.2dBZ -59° 79% 0.44mm 9.7m/s 14m/s 6.8m/s
02:00
1007hPa 36J/kg 0% 9.4°C 67% 0% 67% 0.02mm 73% 0.15mm 6.7dBZ -53° 67% 0.56mm - - 7.4m/s
03:00
1007hPa 36J/kg 0% 9.1°C 55% 0% 75% 0.05mm 69% 0.1mm 8.1dBZ -44° 55% 0.69mm - - 8.1m/s
04:00
1008hPa 36J/kg 0% 8.8°C 43% 0% 83% 0.07mm 64% 0.06mm 9.5dBZ -33° 43% 0.81mm 8.5m/s 15m/s 8.7m/s
05:00
1008hPa 35J/kg 0% 8.8°C 48% 0% 81% 0.05mm 60% 0.06mm 12dBZ -22° 48% 0.65mm - - 8.7m/s
06:00
1008hPa 35J/kg 0% 8.8°C 52% 0% 79% 0.03mm 56% 0.07mm 15dBZ -9.8° 52% 0.48mm - - 8.7m/s
07:00
1008hPa 34J/kg 0% 8.9°C 57% 0% 78% 0.01mm 52% 0.07mm 18dBZ 2.1° 57% 0.31mm 7.3m/s 16m/s 8.7m/s
08:00
1008hPa 34J/kg 0% 9.5°C 71% 0% 83% 0.01mm 53% 0.05mm 16dBZ 13° 71% 0.38mm - - 8.4m/s
09:00
1009hPa 35J/kg 0% 10°C 84% 0% 88% 0.01mm 54% 0.02mm 14dBZ 24° 84% 0.44mm - - 8.1m/s
10:00
1009hPa 35J/kg 0% 11°C 98% 0% 93% 0.01mm 55% 0mm 12dBZ 33° 98% 0.5mm 6.9m/s 16m/s 7.7m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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