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Rule Storm Chaser

Lorne - Storm Chaser - Australian Coast

Lorne, 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 90% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover4%
Wind Gusts9.4m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure1007.4hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index7.1°C
Wind Gusts9.4m/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
Mon, Jun 8
24:000%12%0J/kg6.5°C24134m4.3m/s
01:000%11%0J/kg6.6°C24134m3.9m/s
02:000%4.9%0J/kg6.5°C24135m4m/s
03:000%1.3%0J/kg6.4°C24135m4m/s
04:000%1%0J/kg6.5°C24135m3.8m/s
05:000%4.8%0J/kg6.6°C24134m4.2m/s
06:000%2.1%0J/kg6.6°C24135m3.9m/s
07:000%2.8%0J/kg6.6°C24135m3.4m/s
08:000%1.9%0J/kg6.7°C24134m3.1m/s
09:000%1.3%0J/kg6.8°C24134m4.2m/s
10:000%3.9%0J/kg6.7°C24135m6m/s
11:000%3.8%0J/kg7.1°C24134m6.6m/s
12:000%5.6%0J/kg6.4°C24135m6.2m/s
13:000%15%0J/kg5.7°C24134m6.1m/s
14:000%26%0J/kg5.1°C24134m6.1m/s
15:000%62%0J/kg4.5°C24135m6.1m/s
16:000%62%0J/kg4.3°C24134m6m/s
17:000%100%0J/kg4.9°C24134m1.9m/s
18:000%75%0J/kg4.6°C24135m4.2m/s
19:000%12%0J/kg4.5°C24135m5.5m/s
20:000%8.6%0J/kg4.9°C24135m8.6m/s
21:000%4.8%0J/kg5.3°C24134m9.2m/s
22:000%1.9%0J/kg6°C24135m9m/s
23:000%2.3%0J/kg6.4°C24134m9.4m/s
Tue, Jun 9
24:000%2.2%0J/kg7.1°C24134m9.4m/s
01:000%5.1%0J/kg7.5°C24134m8.7m/s
02:000%8.1%0J/kg6.9°C24135m7.9m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg6.2°C24135m7m/s
04:000%13%0J/kg4.9°C24134m7.2m/s
05:000%15%0J/kg3.8°C24134m6.5m/s
06:000%15%0J/kg3.1°C24134m6.9m/s
07:000%37%0J/kg2.7°C24135m6.8m/s
08:000%41%0J/kg3°C24134m8m/s
09:0012%42%0J/kg2.2°C24135m14m/s
10:0013%44%0J/kg1.7°C24135m15m/s
11:0013%58%0J/kg1.1°C24135m14m/s
12:0013%51%2J/kg0.4°C24135m15m/s
13:0011%26%33J/kg-0.8°C24135m13m/s
14:0011%38%41J/kg-1.1°C24134m14m/s
15:0011%41%42J/kg-1.2°C24135m14m/s
16:0015%35%50J/kg-1.1°C24135m13m/s
17:0013%33%28J/kg-0.1°C24135m14m/s
18:0013%51%19J/kg1.5°C24134m15m/s
19:0022%8%14J/kg2.2°C24135m14m/s
20:0013%14%18J/kg2.5°C24135m15m/s
21:0013%13%22J/kg3.8°C24134m15m/s
22:0022%9.4%16J/kg3.3°C24134m14m/s
23:0013%14%21J/kg2.9°C24134m15m/s
Wed, Jun 10
24:0013%15%0J/kg3°C24135m15m/s
01:0024%12%0J/kg2.9°C24134m16m/s
02:0013%11%1J/kg3.2°C24135m17m/s
03:0014%1%0J/kg3.5°C24135m17m/s
04:0024%2.2%0J/kg2.6°C24134m18m/s
05:0014%0.2%8J/kg2.7°C24135m18m/s
06:0014%1%0J/kg3.4°C24134m18m/s
07:0015%78%0J/kg3.6°C24134m17m/s
08:0013%100%1J/kg4.1°C24134m17m/s
09:0016%73%2J/kg4.6°C24134m17m/s
10:0017%38%4J/kg3.2°C22541m15m/s
11:0013%49%1J/kg3.6°C24134m12m/s
12:000%36%10J/kg3.7°C24134m11m/s
13:000%29%16J/kg3.3°C18579m9.7m/s
14:000%36%13J/kg3.5°C24134m8.8m/s
15:000%33%18J/kg3.7°C24134m8.4m/s
16:000%39%40J/kg4°C23078m7.8m/s
17:000%65%34J/kg4.5°C19027m5.2m/s
18:000%49%23J/kg5.1°C24135m4.8m/s
19:000%11%5J/kg6°C24134m2.7m/s
20:000%4.7%5J/kg6.5°C24134m2.3m/s
21:000%4.7%10J/kg7.1°C24135m2.5m/s
22:000%0.3%15J/kg7.2°C24135m2.7m/s
23:000%4.2%27J/kg7.5°C24134m2.5m/s
Thu, Jun 11
24:000%11%33J/kg7.6°C24134m2.6m/s
01:000%13%38J/kg7.5°C24135m2.4m/s
02:000%12%39J/kg7.8°C24134m2m/s
03:000%15%25J/kg8.3°C24135m1.7m/s
04:000%14%6J/kg8.8°C24134m2.4m/s
05:000%15%10J/kg8.5°C24135m3.1m/s
06:000%10%10J/kg8.2°C24134m2.8m/s
07:000%12%9J/kg8.7°C24135m2.8m/s
08:000%14%7J/kg8.8°C24135m2.6m/s
09:000%18%1J/kg9.1°C24134m2.4m/s
10:000%41%1J/kg8.5°C24134m2.2m/s
11:000%73%1J/kg7.8°C24134m2.2m/s
12:000%56%1J/kg7.1°C24135m2.1m/s
13:000%32%1J/kg6.4°C24135m2.1m/s
14:000%38%0.67J/kg6.1°C24135m2.5m/s
15:000%38%0.33J/kg5.8°C24135m2.9m/s
16:000%38%0J/kg5.5°C24135m3.3m/s
17:000%41%0J/kg5.3°C24135m3.6m/s
18:000%37%0J/kg5.1°C24135m3.9m/s
19:000%0%0J/kg4.8°C24135m4.1m/s
20:000%0%0J/kg5.1°C24135m7.4m/s
21:000%0%0J/kg5.4°C24135m11m/s
22:0013%0%0J/kg5.7°C24135m14m/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
Tue, Jun 9 Sunrise 07:36 Sunset 17:09
24:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.1°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -74° 4% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
01:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.5°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 5% 0mm 5.5m/s 4.5m/s 3.2m/s
02:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.9°C 0% 16% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -64° 16% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
03:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.2°C 0% 18% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -53° 18% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
04:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.9°C 0% 8% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 8% 0mm 4.6m/s 3.5m/s 3.3m/s
05:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.8°C 0% 69% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 69% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
06:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.1°C 0% 97% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 97% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
07:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.7°C 0% 92% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -7.3° 92% 0mm 5.8m/s 4.7m/s 3m/s
08:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 3°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 3.2° 100% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
09:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.2°C 0% 98% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 98% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
10:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.7°C 0% 91% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 91% 0mm 6.2m/s 5.1m/s 4.8m/s
11:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.1°C 0% 36% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 36% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
12:00
1002hPa 2J/kg 0% 0.4°C 0% 77% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 77% 0mm - - 5.7m/s
13:00
1001hPa 33J/kg 0% -0.8°C 0% 7% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 7% 0mm 9.3m/s 4.6m/s 5.2m/s
14:00
1000hPa 41J/kg 5% -1.1°C 1% 6% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 7% 0mm - - 5.3m/s
15:00
1000hPa 42J/kg 5% -1.2°C 0% 8% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 8% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
16:00
1000hPa 50J/kg 99% -1.1°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 10° 99% 0mm 10m/s 9.2m/s 5.7m/s
17:00
999hPa 28J/kg 100% -0.1°C 0% 3% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 1.2° 100% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
18:00
999hPa 19J/kg 100% 1.5°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -9.7° 100% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
19:00
1000hPa 14J/kg 100% 2.2°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 100% 0mm 9.6m/s 12m/s 5.7m/s
20:00
1000hPa 18J/kg 95% 2.5°C 0% 99% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
21:00
1000hPa 22J/kg 100% 3.8°C 0% 94% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -44° 100% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
22:00
999hPa 16J/kg 100% 3.3°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -56° 100% 0mm 6.6m/s 12m/s 6m/s
23:00
999hPa 21J/kg 97% 2.9°C 0% 85% 3% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -66° 97% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
Wed, Jun 10 Sunrise 07:37 Sunset 17:09
24:00
999hPa 0J/kg 100% 3°C 1% 64% 6% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -74° 100% 0mm - - 6.3m/s
01:00
998hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.9°C 0% 16% 9% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -73° 100% 0mm 10m/s 11m/s 6.6m/s
02:00
998hPa 1J/kg 100% 3.2°C 7% 51% 29% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -64° 100% 0mm - - 7m/s
03:00
997hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.5°C 11% 100% 49% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -53° 100% 0mm - - 6.8m/s
04:00
997hPa 0J/kg 76% 2.6°C 17% 100% 69% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 100% 0mm 9.2m/s 11m/s 6.8m/s
05:00
997hPa 8J/kg 92% 2.7°C 20% 18% 64% 0mm 80% 0mm -13dBZ -30° 92% 0mm - - 7.6m/s
06:00
997hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.4°C 42% 59% 60% 0mm 80% 0mm -6.9dBZ -18° 100% 0mm - - 7.3m/s
07:00
998hPa 0J/kg 12% 3.6°C 17% 92% 56% 0mm 79% 0mm -0.35dBZ -7.4° 92% 0mm 10m/s 9.7m/s 7.6m/s
08:00
998hPa 1J/kg 51% 4.1°C 22% 42% 65% 0mm 74% 0mm 7.5dBZ 3.2° 53% 0mm - - 6.9m/s
09:00
999hPa 2J/kg 2% 4.6°C 100% 76% 73% 0.11mm 77% 0mm 15dBZ 12° 100% 0.06mm - - 6.4m/s
10:00
1000hPa 4J/kg 0% 3.2°C 100% 5% 82% 0.31mm 76% 0mm 23dBZ 20° 100% 0.19mm 6.6m/s 9.8m/s 6.2m/s
11:00
1001hPa 1J/kg 0% 3.6°C 62% 0% 75% 0.02mm 88% 0mm 22dBZ 25° 62% 0.44mm - - 5.3m/s
12:00
1001hPa 10J/kg 0% 3.7°C 93% 0% 69% 0mm 82% 0.06mm 20dBZ 28° 93% 0.44mm - - 4.9m/s
13:00
1001hPa 16J/kg 0% 3.3°C 100% 0% 62% 0.42mm 87% 0.02mm 19dBZ 28° 100% 0.63mm 9.7m/s 8.5m/s 4.2m/s
14:00
1002hPa 13J/kg 0% 3.5°C 91% 0% 64% 0mm 87% 0.01mm 8dBZ 24° 91% 0.75mm - - 3.7m/s
15:00
1002hPa 18J/kg 0% 3.7°C 100% 0% 66% 0.01mm 86% 0.01mm -2.5dBZ 18° 100% 0.75mm - - 3.7m/s
16:00
1003hPa 40J/kg 0% 4°C 14% 0% 69% 0mm 86% 0.15mm -13dBZ 10° 14% 0.88mm 9.5m/s 9.8m/s 3.1m/s
17:00
1004hPa 34J/kg 0% 4.5°C 55% 0% 46% 0mm 90% 0.23mm -15dBZ 1.1° 55% 0.25mm - - 2.3m/s
18:00
1005hPa 23J/kg 0% 5.1°C 70% 0% 23% 0mm 90% 0.05mm -18dBZ -9.7° 70% 0.38mm - - 1.8m/s
19:00
1006hPa 5J/kg 0% 6°C 40% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 40% 0.38mm 12m/s 15m/s 1.6m/s
20:00
1007hPa 5J/kg 0% 6.5°C 80% 0% 0% 0mm 89% 0mm -15dBZ -33° 80% 0.38mm - - 1.7m/s
21:00
1008hPa 10J/kg 0% 7.1°C 100% 0% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -10dBZ -44° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.7m/s
22:00
1008hPa 15J/kg 0% 7.2°C 100% 0% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -5.5dBZ -56° 100% 0.38mm 11m/s 16m/s 1.8m/s
23:00
1008hPa 27J/kg 0% 7.5°C 80% 0% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -7.1dBZ -66° 80% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
Thu, Jun 11 Sunrise 07:37 Sunset 17:09
24:00
1009hPa 33J/kg 0% 7.6°C 97% 0% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -8.7dBZ -74° 97% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
01:00
1009hPa 38J/kg 0% 7.5°C 96% 0% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -10dBZ -73° 96% 0mm 9.5m/s 15m/s 1.8m/s
02:00
1009hPa 39J/kg 0% 7.8°C 97% 0% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -14dBZ -64° 97% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
03:00
1009hPa 25J/kg 0% 8.3°C 10% 0% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -17dBZ -53° 10% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
1010hPa 6J/kg 0% 8.8°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 5% 0mm 9.6m/s 14m/s 2.1m/s
05:00
1010hPa 10J/kg 0% 8.5°C 10% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 10% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
06:00
1011hPa 10J/kg 0% 8.2°C 10% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -19° 10% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
07:00
1011hPa 9J/kg 0% 8.7°C 9% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -7.4° 9% 0mm 7.5m/s 12m/s 2.4m/s
08:00
1012hPa 7J/kg 0% 8.8°C 8% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ 3.1° 8% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
09:00
1012hPa 1J/kg 1% 9.1°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 2% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
10:00
1012hPa 1J/kg 11% 8.5°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 11% 0mm 6.9m/s 11m/s 1.6m/s
11:00
1012hPa 1J/kg 41% 7.8°C 0% 32% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 41% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
12:00
1011hPa 1J/kg 70% 7.1°C 0% 63% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 70% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
13:00
1011hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.4°C 0% 95% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 100% 0mm 7m/s 9.6m/s 1.7m/s
14:00
1011hPa 0.67J/kg 100% 6.1°C 0% 83% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
15:00
1011hPa 0.33J/kg 100% 5.8°C 0% 70% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
16:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.5°C 0% 58% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 10° 100% 0mm 6.1m/s 11m/s 2.4m/s
17:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.3°C 0% 49% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 1.1° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
18:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.1°C 0% 41% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -9.8° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
19:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.8°C 0% 32% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 100% 0mm 9.1m/s 14m/s 2.3m/s
20:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.1°C 0% 40% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
21:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.4°C 0% 47% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -44° 100% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
22:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.7°C 0% 54% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -56° 100% 0mm 6.3m/s 12m/s 3.4m/s
23:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.9°C 0% 69% 17% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -66° 100% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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