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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
CAPE 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 71% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover18%
Wind Gusts4.0m/s
Precipitation Chance94%
Air Pressure1012.2hPa
CAPE10
Lifted Index5.5°C
Wind Gusts4.0m/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 79 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, Jul 8
15:0013%23%11J/kg5.4°C24134m4.5m/s
16:0013%22%8J/kg5.6°C24135m4.4m/s
17:0011%23%0J/kg6.7°C24134m2.3m/s
18:0011%14%0J/kg7.6°C24135m2.5m/s
19:0014%14%0J/kg7.6°C24134m2.9m/s
20:0014%14%0J/kg7.1°C24134m2.4m/s
21:0016%15%0J/kg6.9°C24134m2.7m/s
22:0014%15%1J/kg6.1°C24134m3.8m/s
23:0015%15%10J/kg5.5°C24134m4m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:0014%13%17J/kg5.2°C24135m4m/s
01:0018%12%16J/kg4.9°C20055m4m/s
02:0017%13%23J/kg4.7°C23079m3.3m/s
03:0017%13%19J/kg5.2°C24135m3.2m/s
04:0021%14%26J/kg5.3°C24134m3.8m/s
05:0014%13%25J/kg5.1°C24134m4.2m/s
06:0015%11%19J/kg5.3°C24134m4.1m/s
07:0016%100%14J/kg5.5°C24135m3.2m/s
08:0015%69%11J/kg5.8°C24134m3.3m/s
09:0014%62%14J/kg5.7°C24134m3.6m/s
10:0016%42%14J/kg5.7°C24135m3.1m/s
11:0013%78%30J/kg5.3°C24135m2.6m/s
12:0014%55%42J/kg4.9°C23162m2.6m/s
13:0013%56%42J/kg4.8°C23121m2.6m/s
14:0011%58%31J/kg4.6°C23785m3.1m/s
15:000%57%29J/kg4.6°C24134m3m/s
16:000%57%25J/kg4.8°C24135m2.4m/s
17:000%61%21J/kg5.2°C24135m1.9m/s
18:000%6.2%20J/kg5.2°C24134m1.8m/s
19:000%7.3%16J/kg5.3°C24135m1.9m/s
20:000%3.6%11J/kg5.2°C24134m1.7m/s
21:009%7.9%7J/kg5.2°C22317m1.3m/s
22:0011%11%8J/kg4.9°C24135m1.4m/s
23:0011%7.5%13J/kg4.9°C24134m1.6m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:0010%4.9%9J/kg5°C24135m1.6m/s
01:0013%4.8%4J/kg5°C24135m1.8m/s
02:0012%2.8%0J/kg5.1°C24134m1.9m/s
03:0013%10%0J/kg5°C24135m1.8m/s
04:0017%14%0J/kg5°C24135m1.9m/s
05:0013%15%0J/kg5.1°C24134m1.9m/s
06:0011%15%0J/kg5.1°C24135m1.9m/s
07:0012%67%0J/kg4.8°C24135m1.8m/s
08:0010%61%1J/kg4.7°C24135m1.8m/s
09:0010%75%0J/kg4.5°C24135m1.9m/s
10:0011%53%0J/kg4.3°C24135m1m/s
11:0010%87%0J/kg4.1°C24135m0.91m/s
12:0010%89%0J/kg3.9°C24135m1.4m/s
13:0013%76%4J/kg3.7°C24134m2.1m/s
14:0012%30%7J/kg3.5°C24135m2m/s
15:0012%100%5J/kg3.3°C24134m1.7m/s
16:000%63%3J/kg3.5°C24135m2.5m/s
17:000%48%1J/kg3.8°C24134m1.6m/s
18:000%12%0J/kg3.6°C24134m1.8m/s
19:000%5.5%0J/kg3.6°C24135m1.8m/s
20:000%4.9%0J/kg3.5°C24134m1.9m/s
21:000%7.2%0J/kg3.4°C24134m1.8m/s
22:000%3.3%0J/kg3.2°C24134m1.8m/s
23:000%4.7%8J/kg3.1°C24135m1.7m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:000%9.4%5J/kg3°C24134m1.7m/s
01:000%9.1%1J/kg3.3°C24134m1.6m/s
02:000%12%0J/kg3.5°C24135m1.6m/s
03:000%10%0J/kg3.5°C24135m1.5m/s
04:000%12%0J/kg3.6°C24135m1.5m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg3.5°C24135m2.3m/s
06:000%0%0J/kg3.4°C24135m3.1m/s
07:000%1.3%0J/kg3.3°C24135m3.9m/s
08:000%30%11J/kg2.8°C24135m4.9m/s
09:000%36%22J/kg2.4°C24135m5.8m/s
10:000%43%33J/kg2°C24135m6.7m/s
11:000%87%25J/kg2.2°C24135m6.6m/s
12:000%83%16J/kg2.5°C24135m6.5m/s
13:000%38%8J/kg2.7°C24135m6.3m/s
14:000%58%5.3J/kg2.7°C24135m7.2m/s
15:000%72%2.7J/kg2.6°C24135m8.1m/s
16:000%52%0J/kg2.6°C24135m9m/s
17:000%49%0J/kg2.4°C24135m9.9m/s
18:000%52%0J/kg2.2°C24135m11m/s
19:000%0%0J/kg2°C24135m12m/s
20:000%0%3J/kg2.2°C24135m12m/s
21:000%0%6J/kg2.4°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
Convective Precip Fraction
fraction
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
Wed, Jul 8 Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 16:59
23:00
1012hPa 10J/kg 0.41fraction 0% 5.5°C 18% 3% 94% 0.01mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 18% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 16:59
24:00
1012hPa 17J/kg 0.7fraction 0% 5.2°C 86% 30% 89% 0mm 90% 0.01mm -20dBZ -78° 86% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
01:00
1012hPa 16J/kg 1fraction 0% 4.9°C 100% 19% 84% 0.17mm 86% 0.05mm -20dBZ -72° 100% 0.19mm 3.2m/s 9.5m/s 2m/s
02:00
1011hPa 23J/kg 0.91fraction 0% 4.7°C 100% 84% 85% 0.18mm 90% 0.03mm -7.9dBZ -61° 100% 0.44mm - - 1.8m/s
03:00
1011hPa 19J/kg 0.81fraction 0% 5.2°C 100% 99% 86% 0.17mm 92% 0.03mm 4.1dBZ -49° 100% 0.63mm - - 1.9m/s
04:00
1011hPa 26J/kg 0.72fraction 0% 5.3°C 89% 87% 87% 0.01mm 93% 0.01mm 16dBZ -37° 92% 0.69mm 6.9m/s 10m/s 2.2m/s
05:00
1011hPa 25J/kg 0.76fraction 3% 5.1°C 87% 97% 86% 0mm 94% 0mm 5.3dBZ -25° 99% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
06:00
1011hPa 19J/kg 0.81fraction 33% 5.3°C 65% 91% 86% 0mm 94% 0mm -5.5dBZ -13° 91% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
07:00
1012hPa 14J/kg 0.85fraction 59% 5.5°C 59% 66% 85% 0mm 94% 0mm -16dBZ -1.2° 70% 0.06mm 5.8m/s 8.6m/s 2.1m/s
08:00
1012hPa 11J/kg 0.8fraction 76% 5.8°C 80% 51% 84% 0mm 92% 0mm -5.8dBZ 9.2° 88% 0.06mm - - 1.8m/s
09:00
1012hPa 14J/kg 0.75fraction 97% 5.7°C 82% 92% 84% 0mm 88% 0.01mm 4.8dBZ 19° 98% 0.06mm - - 2m/s
10:00
1012hPa 14J/kg 0.69fraction 89% 5.7°C 69% 8% 84% 0mm 84% 0.01mm 15dBZ 26° 89% 0.06mm 4.5m/s 8.4m/s 1.8m/s
11:00
1012hPa 30J/kg 0.7fraction 44% 5.3°C 59% 5% 72% 0mm 78% 0.08mm 12dBZ 31° 72% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
12:00
1011hPa 42J/kg 0.71fraction 100% 4.9°C 58% 44% 61% 0mm 74% 0.17mm 8.2dBZ 33° 100% 0.19mm - - 1.5m/s
13:00
1010hPa 42J/kg 0.72fraction 100% 4.8°C 16% 100% 49% 0mm 73% 0.19mm 4.5dBZ 31° 100% 0.44mm 4m/s 8.3m/s 1.4m/s
14:00
1009hPa 31J/kg 0.51fraction 87% 4.6°C 15% 89% 47% 0mm 73% 0.08mm -0.66dBZ 26° 89% 0.63mm - - 1.7m/s
15:00
1009hPa 29J/kg 0.3fraction 94% 4.6°C 20% 92% 45% 0mm 71% 0.08mm -5.9dBZ 19° 97% 0.69mm - - 1.5m/s
16:00
1009hPa 25J/kg 0.1fraction 90% 4.8°C 30% 73% 43% 0mm 77% 0.1mm -11dBZ 9.8° 95% 0.81mm 2.8m/s 9.7m/s 1.2m/s
17:00
1009hPa 21J/kg 0.06fraction 92% 5.2°C 63% 68% 39% 0mm 83% 0.02mm -14dBZ -0.34° 92% 0.06mm - - 0.91m/s
18:00
1010hPa 20J/kg 0.03fraction 39% 5.2°C 68% 40% 36% 0mm 83% 0.01mm -17dBZ -12° 80% 0.06mm - - 0.88m/s
19:00
1010hPa 16J/kg 0fraction 70% 5.3°C 80% 51% 32% 0mm 84% 0.01mm -20dBZ -24° 82% 0.06mm 3.4m/s 8m/s 0.96m/s
20:00
1010hPa 11J/kg 0.33fraction 34% 5.2°C 79% 8% 33% 0mm 83% 0.01mm -20dBZ -36° 83% 0.06mm - - 1.1m/s
21:00
1010hPa 7J/kg 0.67fraction 87% 5.2°C 54% 29% 34% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -49° 87% 0.06mm - - 1.2m/s
22:00
1010hPa 8J/kg 1fraction 75% 4.9°C 9% 64% 35% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -61° 78% 0.06mm 4.2m/s 7.4m/s 1.4m/s
23:00
1009hPa 13J/kg 0.86fraction 100% 4.9°C 5% 100% 44% 0mm 91% 0mm -19dBZ -72° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 17:00
24:00
1009hPa 9J/kg 0.72fraction 100% 5°C 5% 100% 53% 0mm 90% 0mm -17dBZ -78° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
01:00
1009hPa 4J/kg 0.58fraction 100% 5°C 5% 100% 62% 0mm 89% 0mm -16dBZ -72° 100% 0mm 6.2m/s 6.5m/s 1.8m/s
02:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0.72fraction 100% 5.1°C 5% 100% 66% 0mm 90% 0mm -13dBZ -61° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
03:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0.86fraction 38% 5°C 5% 100% 71% 0mm 90% 0mm -11dBZ -49° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
04:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 1fraction 16% 5°C 2% 73% 76% 0mm 91% 0mm -8.6dBZ -37° 73% 0mm 8m/s 6.3m/s 1.7m/s
05:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 1fraction 30% 5.1°C 1% 80% 62% 0mm 92% 0mm -12dBZ -25° 80% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
06:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 1fraction 5% 5.1°C 1% 10% 47% 0mm 91% 0mm -16dBZ -13° 10% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
07:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 1fraction 5% 4.8°C 1% 26% 33% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -1.2° 26% 0mm 8.1m/s 7.2m/s 1.8m/s
08:00
1008hPa 1J/kg 0.9fraction 16% 4.7°C 0% 9% 31% 0mm 87% 0mm -18dBZ 9.3° 20% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
09:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0.81fraction 9% 4.5°C 0% 21% 30% 0mm 75% 0mm -17dBZ 19° 24% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
10:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0.71fraction 96% 4.3°C 0% 42% 29% 0mm 65% 0mm -15dBZ 26° 96% 0mm 7.3m/s 6.1m/s 1.3m/s
11:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0.81fraction 53% 4.1°C 0% 71% 32% 0mm 57% 0mm -17dBZ 31° 71% 0mm - - 1m/s
12:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0.9fraction 14% 3.9°C 2% 60% 34% 0mm 53% 0mm -18dBZ 33° 60% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
13:00
1005hPa 4J/kg 1fraction 72% 3.7°C 7% 45% 37% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 72% 0mm 5.2m/s 5.3m/s 1.7m/s
14:00
1004hPa 7J/kg 0.72fraction 9% 3.5°C 7% 5% 39% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ 27° 9% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
15:00
1003hPa 5J/kg 0.43fraction 14% 3.3°C 4% 48% 40% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 53% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
16:00
1004hPa 3J/kg 0.15fraction 69% 3.5°C 4% 89% 42% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 9.9° 90% 0mm 4.8m/s 7.5m/s 1.5m/s
17:00
1004hPa 1J/kg 0.1fraction 14% 3.8°C 5% 5% 41% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -0.18° 14% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
18:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0.05fraction 49% 3.6°C 4% 56% 39% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 65% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
19:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 37% 3.6°C 2% 70% 38% 0mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 70% 0mm 3.8m/s 8.3m/s 1.7m/s
20:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 56% 3.5°C 9% 87% 33% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -36° 87% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
21:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 32% 3.4°C 2% 100% 28% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -48° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
22:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 5% 3.2°C 1% 100% 24% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -61° 100% 0mm 2.5m/s 8.1m/s 1.8m/s
23:00
1003hPa 8J/kg 0fraction 6% 3.1°C 0% 100% 16% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 17:00
24:00
1002hPa 5J/kg 0fraction 5% 3°C 2% 97% 8% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -78° 97% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
1002hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 19% 3.3°C 1% 90% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 90% 0mm 0.98m/s 6.8m/s 1.6m/s
02:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 14% 3.5°C 4% 75% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -61° 75% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
03:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 12% 3.5°C 5% 73% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -49° 73% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 60% 3.6°C 5% 98% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -37° 98% 0mm 0.76m/s 8m/s 1.6m/s
05:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 40% 3.5°C 5% 65% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -25° 67% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
06:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 20% 3.4°C 5% 33% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 36% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
07:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 3.3°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ -1.1° 5% 0mm 1m/s 7.5m/s 4m/s
08:00
1013hPa 11J/kg 0fraction 2% 2.8°C 15% 0% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 9.3° 15% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
09:00
1012hPa 22J/kg 0fraction 3% 2.4°C 25% 0% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 25% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
10:00
1011hPa 33J/kg 0fraction 5% 2°C 36% 0% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 36% 0mm 1.1m/s 7.3m/s 5.7m/s
11:00
1011hPa 25J/kg 0fraction 25% 2.2°C 25% 33% 17% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 57% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
12:00
1011hPa 16J/kg 0fraction 44% 2.5°C 15% 67% 33% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 79% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
13:00
1012hPa 8J/kg 0fraction 64% 2.7°C 5% 100% 50% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 100% 0mm 4.3m/s 7.6m/s 5m/s
14:00
1011hPa 5.3J/kg 0fraction 44% 2.7°C 17% 100% 39% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 27° 100% 0mm - - 5.3m/s
15:00
1011hPa 2.7J/kg 0fraction 25% 2.6°C 29% 100% 28% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 100% 0mm - - 5.7m/s
16:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 5% 2.6°C 41% 100% 17% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 10° 100% 0mm 5.4m/s 6.1m/s 6m/s
17:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 3% 2.4°C 35% 100% 11% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 0.007° 100% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
18:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 2% 2.2°C 29% 99% 6% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 99% 0mm - - 6.5m/s
19:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 2°C 24% 99% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 99% 0mm 5.9m/s 7.5m/s 6.7m/s
20:00
1009hPa 3J/kg 0fraction 0% 2.2°C 49% 68% 13% 0.007mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -36° 99% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
21:00
1009hPa 6J/kg 0fraction 0% 2.4°C 74% 36% 26% 0.01mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -48° 100% 0mm - - 7.5m/s
22:00
1009hPa 9J/kg 0fraction 0% 2.5°C 100% 5% 39% 0.02mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -60° 100% 0mm 2.6m/s 7.6m/s 7.9m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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