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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

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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
Cloud Drama Score 100% failing
CAPE 99% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover5%
Wind Gusts3.0m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure993.9hPa
CAPE158
Lifted Index-0.5°C
Wind Gusts3.0m/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.

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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
Wed, Apr 8
17:000%30%2J/kg2.8°C24135m2.1m/s
18:000%30%0J/kg3.2°C24134m0.5m/s
19:0011%15%0J/kg2.7°C24135m1m/s
20:000%15%0J/kg2.5°C24134m1.5m/s
21:000%15%0J/kg2.6°C24135m1.5m/s
22:0011%15%0J/kg2.8°C24134m1.2m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg3.2°C24134m1.4m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%15%0J/kg3.5°C24134m1.6m/s
01:0011%14%0J/kg4.5°C24135m1.5m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg5.6°C24135m1.7m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg5.1°C24134m1.8m/s
04:0012%14%0J/kg4.1°C24135m1.7m/s
05:000%10%0J/kg2.1°C24135m1.1m/s
06:000%100%0J/kg1.9°C24134m1.4m/s
07:0013%98%0J/kg1.8°C24134m1.8m/s
08:000%22%0J/kg1.8°C24135m1.7m/s
09:000%14%0J/kg2.1°C24135m1.5m/s
10:009.8%8.1%0J/kg2.1°C24135m3.1m/s
11:000%6.6%0J/kg2.2°C24134m4.1m/s
12:000%6.4%12J/kg0.8°C24134m4.8m/s
13:0011%15%38J/kg0.1°C24135m5.5m/s
14:000%17%71J/kg-0.1°C24134m4.8m/s
15:000%23%98J/kg0°C24135m5.3m/s
16:0013%35%145J/kg-0.3°C24134m5.5m/s
17:000%31%158J/kg-0.5°C24135m3m/s
18:000%27%108J/kg-0.1°C24135m2.9m/s
19:009.1%15%75J/kg0°C24134m2.4m/s
20:000%14%24J/kg0.2°C24135m3.4m/s
21:000%14%2J/kg-0.1°C24134m3.1m/s
22:0011%15%0J/kg0.3°C24134m2.2m/s
23:000%15%5J/kg0.1°C24135m2.6m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%15%1J/kg-0.3°C24135m3.4m/s
01:0012%14%1J/kg0.3°C24135m4.2m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg0.2°C24134m3.3m/s
03:000%10%2J/kg0.5°C24135m2m/s
04:000%1.4%0J/kg0.4°C24135m2.3m/s
05:000%1.1%0J/kg1°C24135m4.3m/s
06:000%54%0J/kg0.7°C24135m4.8m/s
07:0013%52%4J/kg0.5°C24134m10m/s
08:000%52%0J/kg0.4°C24134m10m/s
09:000%46%0J/kg0.5°C24135m12m/s
10:0015%45%0J/kg0.9°C24134m9.5m/s
11:000%36%2J/kg0.6°C24135m12m/s
12:0013%43%75J/kg0.3°C24135m12m/s
13:0022%40%231J/kg-1.2°C24135m12m/s
14:000%22%224J/kg-1.5°C24134m12m/s
15:0013%30%310J/kg-1.8°C24135m13m/s
16:000%32%519J/kg-2.2°C24135m8.8m/s
17:000%34%320J/kg-1.4°C24134m6.1m/s
18:000%47%242J/kg-1.3°C24134m2.3m/s
19:000%15%252J/kg-1.7°C24135m2.1m/s
20:000%15%234J/kg-1.8°C24135m4.4m/s
21:000%15%178J/kg-1.2°C24135m5.5m/s
22:0016%14%161J/kg-1°C24135m9.8m/s
23:0013%15%115J/kg-0.9°C24135m12m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%15%2J/kg0.6°C24134m11m/s
01:0016%15%2J/kg0.5°C24135m9.6m/s
02:000%11%0J/kg1.8°C24134m9.1m/s
03:000%3.5%0J/kg4.2°C24135m9m/s
04:0016%0.3%0J/kg9°C24134m9.5m/s
05:000%0.3%0J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
06:0011%14%0J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
07:0018%16%0J/kg11°C24134m12m/s
08:0011%17%0J/kg12°C24135m13m/s
09:000%22%0J/kg12°C24135m11m/s
10:0018%19%0J/kg12°C24134m10m/s
11:000%7.1%0J/kg11°C24135m10m/s
12:000%6.7%0J/kg10°C24134m9.8m/s
13:0019%6.5%0J/kg11°C24135m9.5m/s
14:000%7.7%0J/kg10°C24134m9.2m/s
15:000%7.7%0J/kg9.6°C24135m9m/s
16:0016%9.1%0J/kg9.9°C24135m9.8m/s
17:000%13%0J/kg11°C24134m11m/s
18:0014%13%0J/kg12°C24134m12m/s
19:0023%0%0J/kg12°C24134m13m/s
20:0013%0.6%0J/kg12°C24135m13m/s
21:0013%0.8%0J/kg12°C24135m13m/s
22:0020%0.5%0J/kg12°C24134m12m/s
23:0012%0%0J/kg11°C24134m13m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:0013%0%0J/kg11°C24135m15m/s
01:0016%0%0J/kg10°C24135m16m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg10°C24135m15m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg9.7°C24135m14m/s
04:0013%0%0J/kg9.4°C24135m13m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg9°C24135m12m/s
06:000%11%0J/kg8.6°C24135m12m/s
07:0013%11%0J/kg8.2°C24135m11m/s
08:000%10%0J/kg8.1°C24135m12m/s
09:000%8.8%0J/kg7.9°C24135m12m/s
10:0013%8.8%0J/kg7.8°C24135m13m/s
11:000%7.2%0J/kg8.3°C24135m13m/s
12:000%7.2%0J/kg8.8°C24135m13m/s
13:000%5.4%0J/kg9.3°C24135m13m/s
14:000%6.6%0J/kg9.9°C24135m13m/s
15:000%8.8%0J/kg11°C24135m13m/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 06:15 Sunset 17:40
17:00
994hPa 158J/kg 5% -0.5°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 7.6° 5% 0mm - - 2m/s
18:00
994hPa 108J/kg 1% -0.1°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -4.6° 5% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
19:00
995hPa 75J/kg 5% 0°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 5% 0mm 8.5m/s 13m/s 2.3m/s
20:00
995hPa 24J/kg 5% 0.2°C 2% 5% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 5% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
21:00
995hPa 2J/kg 4% -0.1°C 1% 5% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -41° 6% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
22:00
995hPa 0J/kg 4% 0.3°C 3% 5% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -52° 5% 0mm 9.4m/s 18m/s 2.2m/s
23:00
994hPa 5J/kg 9% 0.1°C 3% 2% 21% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -60° 9% 0mm - - 2m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:15 Sunset 17:40
24:00
993hPa 1J/kg 11% -0.3°C 2% 15% 43% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -63° 16% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
01:00
993hPa 1J/kg 93% 0.3°C 0% 99% 64% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -60° 99% 0mm 14m/s 17m/s 2.6m/s
02:00
992hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.2°C 5% 71% 70% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -51° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
03:00
992hPa 2J/kg 100% 0.5°C 4% 100% 76% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -40° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
04:00
992hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.4°C 5% 100% 83% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 100% 0mm 5.6m/s 7.4m/s 1.7m/s
05:00
993hPa 0J/kg 100% 1°C 5% 90% 55% 0mm 64% 0mm -16dBZ -16° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
06:00
993hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.7°C 4% 29% 28% 0mm 61% 0mm -13dBZ -4° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
07:00
994hPa 4J/kg 100% 0.5°C 4% 100% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -9.1dBZ 8.2° 100% 0mm 11m/s 13m/s 2.8m/s
08:00
994hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.4°C 6% 100% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -13dBZ 20° 100% 0mm - - 3m/s
09:00
993hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.5°C 4% 95% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -16dBZ 30° 100% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
10:00
991hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.9°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 44% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 100% 0mm 20m/s 14m/s 3.1m/s
11:00
991hPa 2J/kg 100% 0.6°C 2% 83% 0% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 100% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
12:00
990hPa 75J/kg 100% 0.3°C 24% 43% 0% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 100% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
13:00
989hPa 231J/kg 100% -1.2°C 0% 56% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 100% 0mm 11m/s 13m/s 2.9m/s
14:00
988hPa 224J/kg 100% -1.5°C 0% 1% 13% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 100% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
15:00
987hPa 310J/kg 100% -1.8°C 0% 0% 26% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 100% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
16:00
987hPa 519J/kg 100% -2.2°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 100% 0mm 7.7m/s 7.5m/s 1.4m/s
17:00
987hPa 320J/kg 100% -1.4°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 7.3° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
18:00
988hPa 242J/kg 83% -1.3°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ -4.9° 83% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
19:00
989hPa 252J/kg 42% -1.7°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 42% 0mm 12m/s 9.2m/s 2.1m/s
20:00
989hPa 234J/kg 0% -1.8°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 0% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
21:00
989hPa 178J/kg 3% -1.2°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -41° 3% 0mm - - 3m/s
22:00
990hPa 161J/kg 80% -1°C 1% 2% 39% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -52° 80% 0mm 12m/s 13m/s 3.2m/s
23:00
990hPa 115J/kg 7% -0.9°C 0% 0% 26% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ -60° 7% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:16 Sunset 17:39
24:00
989hPa 2J/kg 100% 0.6°C 0% 0% 13% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ -63° 100% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
01:00
989hPa 2J/kg 96% 0.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ -60° 96% 0mm 12m/s 14m/s 3.6m/s
02:00
989hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ -51° 0% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
03:00
989hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ -41° 0% 0mm - - 3m/s
04:00
989hPa 0J/kg 0% 9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 0% 0mm 12m/s 14m/s 3.1m/s
05:00
990hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 0% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
06:00
991hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ -4.1° 0% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
07:00
991hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ 0% 0mm 22m/s 23m/s 3.6m/s
08:00
992hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 0% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
09:00
992hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 0% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
10:00
991hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 1% 0mm 21m/s 25m/s 4.9m/s
11:00
990hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 0% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
12:00
990hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 2% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 2% 0mm - - 5.3m/s
13:00
989hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 0% 0mm 15m/s 24m/s 5.3m/s
14:00
988hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 26% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 0% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
15:00
988hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 0% 0mm - - 4.9m/s
16:00
989hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 0% 0mm 5.7m/s 21m/s 5m/s
17:00
989hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 0% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
18:00
990hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ -5.2° 0% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
19:00
990hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 0% 0mm 5.3m/s 18m/s 5.9m/s
20:00
991hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 0% 0mm - - 6m/s
21:00
992hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 2% 0% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 2% 0mm - - 5.8m/s
22:00
992hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 1% 0% 0mm 41% 0mm -20dBZ -52° 1% 0mm 4.6m/s 16m/s 4.7m/s
23:00
998hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 8% 0% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ -61° 8% 0mm - - 7.3m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:17 Sunset 17:38
24:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 15% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ -64° 15% 0mm - - 10m/s
01:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 22% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ -60° 22% 0mm 4.6m/s 16m/s 13m/s
02:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 14% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ -52° 14% 0mm - - 12m/s
03:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.7°C 0% 7% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ -41° 7% 0mm - - 11m/s
04:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 0% 0mm 5.9m/s 18m/s 11m/s
05:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 9°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 2% 0mm - - 11m/s
06:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.6°C 3% 0% 0% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ -4.3° 3% 0mm - - 10m/s
07:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.2°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ 7.8° 5% 0mm 7.1m/s 14m/s 10m/s
08:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.1°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 4% 0mm - - 11m/s
09:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.9°C 3% 0% 0% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 3% 0mm - - 12m/s
10:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.8°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 44% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 2% 0mm 2.1m/s 10m/s 13m/s
11:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.3°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 1% 0mm - - 12m/s
12:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.8°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 1% 0mm - - 12m/s
13:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 0% 0mm 0.57m/s 9.5m/s 12m/s
14:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.9°C 0% 0% 10% 0mm 51% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 0% 0mm - - 11m/s
15:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 20% 0mm 51% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 0% 0mm - - 11m/s
16:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 30% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 0% 0mm 6.2m/s 8.7m/s 10m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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