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

Kiama - Storm Chaser - Australian Coast

Kiama, 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 78% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts7.6m/s
Precipitation Chance32%
Air Pressure995.8hPa
CAPE10
Lifted Index1.3°C
Wind Gusts7.6m/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.

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
Sun, Feb 22
12:000%30%409J/kg-2°C21177m5.2m/s
13:000%27%385J/kg-1.6°C21628m5.5m/s
14:000%27%495J/kg-2.4°C24135m4.7m/s
15:000%45%428J/kg-3.9°C19027m7.7m/s
16:000%44%168J/kg-1.2°C24135m4.1m/s
17:0028%53%98J/kg-0.7°C24134m6.5m/s
18:0021%57%42J/kg-0.1°C23292m2.2m/s
19:0021%63%48J/kg-0.4°C17703m2.7m/s
20:0032%62%62J/kg-0.2°C24135m5.4m/s
21:0021%0%88J/kg-0.5°C23114m4.3m/s
22:0018%0%93J/kg-0.3°C19976m2.9m/s
23:0031%0%182J/kg-0.2°C24134m2.3m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:000%0%146J/kg-0.5°C18581m5.4m/s
01:000%0%220J/kg-0.4°C6302m5.1m/s
02:0016%0%195J/kg-0.8°C24135m4.8m/s
03:000%0%230J/kg-0.6°C24135m2.3m/s
04:000%0%274J/kg-1.1°C24135m1.5m/s
05:0014%0.1%254J/kg-1.4°C24135m1.3m/s
06:000%50%99J/kg-0.2°C24135m0.92m/s
07:000%59%100J/kg0.5°C24135m0.61m/s
08:000%57%73J/kg0.3°C24134m2.1m/s
09:000%46%7J/kg1.6°C24134m2.7m/s
10:000%40%31J/kg1°C24135m6.1m/s
11:000%51%40J/kg0.2°C24134m7.7m/s
12:000%24%10J/kg1.3°C23765m7.6m/s
13:000%26%0J/kg1.4°C24135m6.9m/s
14:000%27%0J/kg1.7°C24134m5.6m/s
15:000%44%0J/kg1.1°C24134m4.7m/s
16:000%46%0J/kg2°C24134m4.6m/s
17:000%55%0J/kg1.9°C24135m5.3m/s
18:000%60%0J/kg1.5°C24134m5m/s
19:000%56%0J/kg1.9°C24135m4.9m/s
20:000%55%0J/kg1.8°C24135m3m/s
21:000%7.2%4J/kg1.7°C24135m1.8m/s
22:000%7.6%10J/kg1.8°C24135m1.3m/s
23:000%10%7J/kg2.1°C24135m1.8m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:000%12%7J/kg1.9°C24134m1.9m/s
01:000%11%4J/kg1.6°C24135m1.3m/s
02:000%12%1J/kg1.7°C24135m1.2m/s
03:000%12%0J/kg1.9°C24135m1.3m/s
04:000%14%0J/kg1.6°C24135m1.1m/s
05:000%14%1J/kg1.5°C24134m0.81m/s
06:000%53%1J/kg1.9°C24135m0.74m/s
07:000%59%3J/kg2.2°C24134m0.73m/s
08:000%56%6J/kg2.1°C24134m1m/s
09:000%50%12J/kg1.8°C24135m2.1m/s
10:000%34%23J/kg1.6°C24135m4.7m/s
11:000%17%56J/kg1°C24134m5m/s
12:000%13%104J/kg0.3°C24135m5.2m/s
13:000%9.2%188J/kg-0.1°C24134m5.6m/s
14:000%16%238J/kg-0.6°C24134m6m/s
15:000%18%244J/kg-0.6°C24135m6.8m/s
16:000%23%137J/kg-0.5°C24135m7.8m/s
17:000%27%135J/kg-0.5°C24135m8.9m/s
18:000%97%163J/kg-0.4°C24135m9.3m/s
19:000%77%187J/kg-0.4°C24135m9.2m/s
20:000%71%167J/kg0.2°C24135m7.3m/s
21:000%14%143J/kg0.3°C24134m7.1m/s
22:000%14%96J/kg0.8°C24135m6.7m/s
23:0011%15%60J/kg1.2°C24135m4.3m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:000%14%21J/kg1.4°C24135m4.1m/s
01:000%14%0J/kg1°C24135m3.3m/s
02:0011%15%21J/kg-0.3°C24134m3.1m/s
03:000%14%56J/kg-1.3°C24134m3.1m/s
04:000%15%94J/kg-1.8°C24134m2.8m/s
05:000%15%81J/kg-1.6°C24134m2.7m/s
06:000%58%69J/kg-1.3°C24135m1.9m/s
07:000%40%44J/kg-0.9°C24135m1.5m/s
08:008.4%31%26J/kg-0.5°C24134m2m/s
09:000%66%23J/kg-0.4°C24134m2.9m/s
10:000%57%78J/kg-1.3°C24135m2.4m/s
11:000%82%142J/kg-1.6°C23486m2.8m/s
12:000%73%183J/kg-1.4°C24135m2.9m/s
13:0014%36%216J/kg-1.4°C1272m3m/s
14:0014%42%158J/kg-1.3°C2096m4.8m/s
15:000%37%164J/kg-1.2°C24135m4.9m/s
16:000%59%243J/kg-1.9°C24054m7.3m/s
17:0034%58%166J/kg-1.6°C5393m8.6m/s
18:0033%62%112J/kg-0.7°C11478m10m/s
19:0031%64%57J/kg0.21°C17563m12m/s
20:0024%46%3J/kg1.1°C23649m14m/s
21:000%0%14J/kg1°C19489m14m/s
22:0013%0%26J/kg0.93°C15330m13m/s
23:0015%0%37J/kg0.84°C11171m13m/s
Thu, Feb 26
24:0013%0%38J/kg0.89°C10494m13m/s
01:0015%0%38J/kg0.95°C9817m13m/s
02:0018%0%39J/kg1°C9140m12m/s
03:0013%0%39J/kg1.1°C13017m12m/s
04:0013%0%39J/kg1.2°C16894m12m/s
05:0030%0%39J/kg1.4°C20772m12m/s
06:0013%23%35J/kg1.5°C20667m12m/s
07:0013%27%31J/kg1.6°C20562m12m/s
08:0015%22%27J/kg1.7°C20458m12m/s
09:0013%19%24J/kg1.7°C19354m12m/s
10:0013%19%22J/kg1.7°C18250m12m/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 06:39 Sunset 19:41
12:00
996hPa 10J/kg 5% 1.3°C 100% 100% 32% 0.07mm 89% 0.05mm 5dBZ 61° 100% 0.13mm - - 4.3m/s
13:00
996hPa 0J/kg 78% 1.4°C 100% 100% 27% 0.05mm 92% 0.05mm 7.2dBZ 65° 100% 0.19mm - - 3.5m/s
14:00
996hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.7°C 100% 100% 22% 0.09mm 90% 0.03mm 9.4dBZ 63° 100% 0.31mm 14m/s 6.9m/s 2.7m/s
15:00
996hPa 0J/kg 72% 1.1°C 100% 100% 28% 0.07mm 89% 0.04mm 10dBZ 55° 100% 0.44mm - - 2.3m/s
16:00
996hPa 0J/kg 99% 2°C 100% 100% 33% 0.03mm 86% 0.04mm 11dBZ 44° 100% 0.56mm - - 2.5m/s
17:00
997hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.9°C 100% 100% 39% 0.02mm 87% 0.05mm 12dBZ 32° 100% 0.63mm 16m/s 7.6m/s 2.4m/s
18:00
998hPa 0J/kg 74% 1.5°C 100% 61% 26% 0.01mm 84% 0.02mm 9.7dBZ 20° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.3m/s
19:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.9°C 100% 89% 13% 0mm 83% 0.01mm 7.8dBZ 7.7° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.2m/s
20:00
999hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.8°C 97% 96% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm 5.8dBZ -4.5° 100% 0.06mm 16m/s 4.3m/s 1.5m/s
21:00
1000hPa 4J/kg 0% 1.7°C 82% 95% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm 7.8dBZ -16° 99% 0.06mm - - 1.1m/s
22:00
1000hPa 10J/kg 0% 1.8°C 99% 67% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm 9.9dBZ -27° 99% 0.06mm - - 0.88m/s
23:00
1000hPa 7J/kg 0% 2.1°C 77% 34% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm 12dBZ -36° 77% 0.06mm 13m/s 5m/s 1.2m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 06:39 Sunset 19:41
24:00
1000hPa 7J/kg 0% 1.9°C 78% 0% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm 1.3dBZ -43° 78% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
01:00
1000hPa 4J/kg 0% 1.6°C 100% 0% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -9.4dBZ -46° 100% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
02:00
999hPa 1J/kg 0% 1.7°C 59% 0% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -44° 59% 0mm 7.6m/s 4.5m/s 0.96m/s
03:00
999hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.9°C 46% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -39° 46% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
04:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.6°C 32% 3% 0% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 32% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
05:00
998hPa 1J/kg 0% 1.5°C 48% 3% 0% 0mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 48% 0mm 6.8m/s 5.1m/s 0.69m/s
06:00
998hPa 1J/kg 0% 1.9°C 48% 5% 0% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -8.5° 48% 0mm - - 0.46m/s
07:00
999hPa 3J/kg 0% 2.2°C 46% 5% 0% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ 3.6° 46% 0mm - - 0.59m/s
08:00
999hPa 6J/kg 0% 2.1°C 48% 4% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 48% 0mm 9.2m/s 4.7m/s 0.39m/s
09:00
999hPa 12J/kg 0% 1.8°C 43% 5% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 43% 0mm - - 0.9m/s
10:00
999hPa 23J/kg 0% 1.6°C 18% 2% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 40° 18% 0mm - - 2m/s
11:00
998hPa 56J/kg 0% 1°C 5% 2% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 5% 0mm 9.5m/s 3.7m/s 3m/s
12:00
998hPa 104J/kg 0% 0.3°C 6% 2% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ 60° 7% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
13:00
997hPa 188J/kg 0% -0.1°C 2% 2% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ 65° 4% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
14:00
996hPa 238J/kg 0% -0.6°C 0% 2% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 62° 2% 0mm 8.5m/s 2.1m/s 5.2m/s
15:00
995hPa 244J/kg 0% -0.6°C 0% 2% 17% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 54° 2% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
16:00
995hPa 137J/kg 0% -0.5°C 0% 5% 33% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 5% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
17:00
995hPa 135J/kg 0% -0.5°C 0% 4% 50% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 4% 0.06mm 12m/s 6.4m/s 5.5m/s
18:00
995hPa 163J/kg 0% -0.4°C 25% 43% 33% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 43% 0.06mm - - 4.8m/s
19:00
995hPa 187J/kg 2% -0.4°C 35% 94% 17% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ 7.5° 94% 0.06mm - - 4.1m/s
20:00
995hPa 167J/kg 5% 0.2°C 55% 99% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -4.7° 99% 0.06mm 13m/s 9.5m/s 3.2m/s
21:00
996hPa 143J/kg 4% 0.3°C 7% 91% 7% 0mm 85% 0mm -13dBZ -16° 91% 0.06mm - - 3m/s
22:00
996hPa 96J/kg 0% 0.8°C 5% 45% 15% 0mm 85% 0mm -5.3dBZ -27° 45% 0.06mm - - 2.8m/s
23:00
996hPa 60J/kg 0% 1.2°C 0% 36% 22% 0mm 88% 0mm 2dBZ -36° 36% 0.06mm 15m/s 12m/s 2.4m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 06:39 Sunset 19:40
24:00
996hPa 21J/kg 2% 1.4°C 0% 4% 31% 0mm 91% 0mm -3.6dBZ -43° 4% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
01:00
996hPa 0J/kg 0% 1°C 0% 2% 41% 0mm 92% 0mm -9.2dBZ -46° 2% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
02:00
995hPa 21J/kg 0% -0.3°C 0% 1% 50% 0mm 92% 0mm -15dBZ -44° 1% 0mm 13m/s 10m/s 2.2m/s
03:00
995hPa 56J/kg 0% -1.3°C 0% 1% 67% 0mm 92% 0mm -17dBZ -39° 1% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
04:00
995hPa 94J/kg 0% -1.8°C 0% 5% 83% 0mm 91% 0.03mm -18dBZ -30° 5% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
05:00
995hPa 81J/kg 0% -1.6°C 0% 5% 100% 0mm 91% 0.01mm -20dBZ -20° 5% 0.06mm 9.2m/s 8.2m/s 2.1m/s
06:00
995hPa 69J/kg 0% -1.3°C 0% 20% 83% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -8.7° 20% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
07:00
996hPa 44J/kg 0% -0.9°C 13% 5% 67% 0mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ 3.5° 14% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
08:00
997hPa 26J/kg 0% -0.5°C 4% 10% 50% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 11% 0mm 6m/s 10m/s 1.3m/s
09:00
997hPa 23J/kg 0% -0.4°C 9% 47% 57% 0mm 73% 0mm -5.5dBZ 28° 47% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
10:00
997hPa 78J/kg 0% -1.3°C 36% 97% 64% 0mm 70% 0mm 9dBZ 40° 97% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
11:00
997hPa 142J/kg 10% -1.6°C 40% 69% 71% 0mm 68% 0.09mm 24dBZ 51° 69% 0.06mm 2.6m/s 4.3m/s 2.8m/s
12:00
997hPa 183J/kg 78% -1.4°C 24% 53% 73% 0mm 66% 0.01mm 9dBZ 60° 78% 0.06mm - - 3.1m/s
13:00
997hPa 216J/kg 94% -1.4°C 48% 90% 76% 0mm 66% 0.14mm -5.4dBZ 64° 99% 0.25mm - - 3.5m/s
14:00
997hPa 158J/kg 72% -1.3°C 46% 7% 78% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -20dBZ 62° 72% 0.56mm 6m/s 8.5m/s 4m/s
15:00
996hPa 164J/kg 8% -1.2°C 90% 5% 84% 0mm 75% 0.04mm -2.2dBZ 54° 90% 0.63mm - - 3.7m/s
16:00
997hPa 243J/kg 43% -1.9°C 100% 98% 90% 0mm 85% 0.17mm 16dBZ 43° 100% 0.88mm - - 4.2m/s
17:00
997hPa 166J/kg 88% -1.6°C 100% 100% 96% 2mm 96% 1.2mm 33dBZ 32° 100% 2.1mm 4.4m/s 11m/s 3.8m/s
18:00
1004hPa 112J/kg 79% -0.7°C 100% 67% 94% 1.4mm 95% 0.86mm 33dBZ 19° 100% 1.5mm - - 6.1m/s
19:00
1010hPa 57J/kg 70% 0.21°C 100% 33% 91% 0.73mm 94% 0.54mm 32dBZ 7.2° 100% 1mm - - 8.5m/s
20:00
1016hPa 3J/kg 60% 1.1°C 100% 0% 88% 0.07mm 92% 0.23mm 32dBZ -5° 100% 0.5mm 8.5m/s 10m/s 11m/s
21:00
1016hPa 14J/kg 40% 1°C 100% 0% 90% 0.14mm 91% 0.25mm 27dBZ -17° 100% 0.96mm - - 11m/s
22:00
1016hPa 26J/kg 20% 0.93°C 100% 0% 92% 0.2mm 90% 0.26mm 21dBZ -27° 100% 1.4mm - - 11m/s
23:00
1016hPa 37J/kg 0% 0.84°C 100% 0% 94% 0.27mm 89% 0.28mm 16dBZ -37° 100% 1.9mm 8.6m/s 6.3m/s 12m/s
Thu, Feb 26 Sunrise 06:40 Sunset 19:38
24:00
1016hPa 38J/kg 0% 0.89°C 100% 0% 91% 0.22mm 87% 0.31mm 15dBZ -43° 100% 1.8mm - - 12m/s
01:00
1017hPa 38J/kg 0% 0.95°C 100% 0% 87% 0.17mm 86% 0.34mm 15dBZ -46° 100% 1.7mm - - 11m/s
02:00
1018hPa 39J/kg 0% 1°C 100% 0% 84% 0.12mm 84% 0.37mm 14dBZ -45° 100% 1.6mm 15m/s 7.6m/s 11m/s
03:00
1018hPa 39J/kg 0% 1.1°C 100% 0% 85% 0.15mm 84% 0.28mm 16dBZ -39° 100% 2mm - - 11m/s
04:00
1018hPa 39J/kg 0% 1.2°C 100% 0% 86% 0.17mm 83% 0.18mm 19dBZ -31° 100% 2.4mm - - 12m/s
05:00
1018hPa 39J/kg 0% 1.4°C 100% 0% 87% 0.2mm 83% 0.09mm 21dBZ -20° 100% 2.8mm 17m/s 10m/s 12m/s
06:00
1018hPa 35J/kg 0% 1.5°C 100% 0% 81% 0.15mm 83% 0.16mm 21dBZ -8.9° 100% 2.1mm - - 12m/s
07:00
1018hPa 31J/kg 0% 1.6°C 100% 0% 75% 0.09mm 84% 0.23mm 22dBZ 3.3° 100% 1.4mm - - 12m/s
08:00
1018hPa 27J/kg 0% 1.7°C 100% 0% 69% 0.04mm 84% 0.3mm 22dBZ 15° 100% 0.69mm 13m/s 11m/s 12m/s
09:00
1017hPa 24J/kg 0% 1.7°C 100% 0% 68% 0.13mm 84% 0.25mm 20dBZ 28° 100% 1.1mm - - 12m/s
10:00
1017hPa 22J/kg 0% 1.7°C 100% 0% 68% 0.23mm 84% 0.21mm 18dBZ 40° 100% 1.4mm - - 12m/s
11:00
1017hPa 19J/kg 0% 1.7°C 100% 0% 68% 0.32mm 84% 0.16mm 17dBZ 51° 100% 1.8mm 11m/s 13m/s 12m/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