Skip to content
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

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 82% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts1.0m/s
Precipitation Chance78%
Air Pressure1003.3hPa
CAPE21
Lifted Index2.8°C
Wind Gusts1.0m/s
Precipitation0.4mm

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.

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/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
Sat, May 23
23:000%1.6%0J/kg8.6°C24134m2.4m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%5.1%0J/kg8.3°C24135m2.1m/s
01:000%8.6%0J/kg8.6°C24134m2.6m/s
02:000%4.5%0J/kg8.5°C24135m2.5m/s
03:000%8.5%0J/kg8.3°C24135m2.5m/s
04:000%8.9%0J/kg8.1°C24134m2.5m/s
05:000%7.6%0J/kg7.6°C24134m2.5m/s
06:000%6.4%0J/kg6.5°C24134m1.9m/s
07:000%28%0J/kg6.7°C24135m2.1m/s
08:000%49%0J/kg6.7°C24135m2.2m/s
09:000%46%0J/kg6°C24135m3.6m/s
10:000%51%0J/kg6.1°C24135m3.1m/s
11:000%60%0J/kg6.2°C24135m4.7m/s
12:000%48%0J/kg4.8°C24135m5m/s
13:000%51%17J/kg4.6°C24135m5.2m/s
14:000%48%8J/kg5.2°C24134m3.1m/s
15:000%57%35J/kg5.8°C24135m3.7m/s
16:000%57%60J/kg5.7°C22748m2.6m/s
17:000%62%42J/kg5.5°C15621m3.2m/s
18:000%50%1J/kg4.6°C24134m0.51m/s
19:0012%0%29J/kg4.1°C24134m0.51m/s
20:000%0%6J/kg3.8°C24135m0.62m/s
21:000%0.1%40J/kg3.1°C23567m0.53m/s
22:000%0%28J/kg2.9°C8166m1.1m/s
23:000%0%21J/kg2.8°C23522m1m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%0%24J/kg2.4°C23916m2.4m/s
01:000%0%33J/kg2.5°C13284m3.6m/s
02:000%0.3%30J/kg2.2°C20324m5.3m/s
03:0011%0.9%10J/kg1.8°C3502m2.8m/s
04:000%3.6%4J/kg2.3°C16701m2.9m/s
05:000%1.8%2J/kg2.8°C24135m2.5m/s
06:000%8%7J/kg3.4°C24134m2.5m/s
07:000%64%12J/kg3.8°C24135m2.4m/s
08:000%62%8J/kg4°C24134m2.2m/s
09:000%58%28J/kg3.7°C24135m2.6m/s
10:0013%57%40J/kg3.6°C6324m3.6m/s
11:009.8%48%38J/kg3.6°C4906m2.5m/s
12:000%46%53J/kg3.3°C22070m1.8m/s
13:0011%61%49J/kg3.1°C10351m3.5m/s
14:000%50%40J/kg3.1°C24134m3m/s
15:000%55%22J/kg2.9°C24134m3.2m/s
16:0013%55%15J/kg3.1°C24134m3.7m/s
17:000%59%13J/kg3.2°C24135m3.4m/s
18:000%48%20J/kg3.2°C24134m3.2m/s
19:009.1%0.6%24J/kg3.2°C20041m2.7m/s
20:000%1.4%28J/kg2.7°C17420m4.4m/s
21:000%2.2%28J/kg2.3°C18626m6m/s
22:0012%0.7%26J/kg2.4°C16406m6.9m/s
23:000%0.7%18J/kg2.5°C24134m9.2m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%2%20J/kg2°C23692m10m/s
01:0014%0.6%52J/kg1.1°C20407m11m/s
02:0015%0.9%60J/kg0.9°C2469m11m/s
03:0017%1%67J/kg1°C3535m11m/s
04:0018%0%69J/kg0.8°C15687m11m/s
05:000%0%70J/kg0.7°C19531m11m/s
06:000%0%72J/kg0.5°C19666m11m/s
07:0017%65%55J/kg0.8°C18330m11m/s
08:000%64%67J/kg0.6°C15590m11m/s
09:000%63%55J/kg0.2°C17141m11m/s
10:0017%67%61J/kg0.3°C18559m12m/s
11:000%54%56J/kg0.4°C19642m12m/s
12:000%53%36J/kg0.5°C19577m12m/s
13:0015%38%39J/kg1.1°C15234m12m/s
14:0015%54%68J/kg1.9°C12024m13m/s
15:0029%63%57J/kg1.9°C883m13m/s
16:0033%64%36J/kg2.6°C2774m14m/s
17:0028%67%18J/kg2.6°C3119m14m/s
18:0028%37%13J/kg2.8°C2992m14m/s
19:0030%0%21J/kg2.9°C3012m12m/s
20:0024%0%23J/kg2.4°C2961m13m/s
21:0020%0%19J/kg2°C962m12m/s
22:0032%0%22J/kg1.4°C536m11m/s
23:0030%0%56J/kg0.5°C229m12m/s
Wed, May 27
24:0031%0%84J/kg0.8°C189m12m/s
01:0022%0%126J/kg0.8°C256m12m/s
02:0022%0%119J/kg0.7°C659m11m/s
03:0032%0.1%84J/kg1.2°C3475m9.9m/s
04:0040%0.4%70J/kg1.5°C1137m8.6m/s
05:0020%0%63J/kg1.6°C8304m6.8m/s
06:0011%0%57J/kg1.7°C15472m5m/s
07:000%49%50J/kg1.8°C22639m3.2m/s
08:000%49%45J/kg1.9°C22690m2.3m/s
09:000%46%41J/kg2.1°C22741m1.5m/s
10:000%48%36J/kg2.2°C22791m0.6m/s
11:000%41%28J/kg2.6°C23239m0.74m/s
12:000%39%21J/kg3°C23687m0.89m/s
13:000%39%13J/kg3.5°C24135m1m/s
14:000%36%11J/kg3.5°C24135m1m/s
15:000%43%8.3J/kg3.5°C24135m0.97m/s
16:000%43%6J/kg3.5°C24135m0.94m/s
17:000%46%5J/kg3.7°C24135m1.3m/s
18:000%42%4J/kg3.9°C24135m1.7m/s
19:000%0%3J/kg4.1°C24135m2.1m/s
20:000%0%3.3J/kg4.2°C22720m2.6m/s
21:000%0%3.7J/kg4.2°C21305m3.2m/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
Sun, May 24 Sunrise 07:26 Sunset 17:15
23:00
1003hPa 21J/kg 100% 2.8°C 100% 100% 78% 0.07mm 95% 0.02mm 22dBZ -65° 100% 0.38mm - - 0.72m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 07:26 Sunset 17:15
24:00
1003hPa 24J/kg 100% 2.4°C 98% 100% 73% 0.02mm 95% 0.12mm 23dBZ -72° 100% 0.44mm - - 1.3m/s
01:00
1003hPa 33J/kg 100% 2.5°C 100% 100% 69% 0mm 96% 0.46mm 23dBZ -70° 100% 0.56mm 4.7m/s 3.1m/s 1.9m/s
02:00
1003hPa 30J/kg 42% 2.2°C 91% 100% 66% 0.03mm 96% 0.11mm 13dBZ -62° 100% 0.88mm - - 2.3m/s
03:00
1002hPa 10J/kg 60% 1.8°C 58% 100% 64% 0mm 96% 0mm 2.8dBZ -52° 100% 0.94mm - - 1.5m/s
04:00
1002hPa 4J/kg 68% 2.3°C 32% 95% 61% 0mm 96% 0mm -7.6dBZ -40° 95% 0.94mm 4.1m/s 2.1m/s 1.7m/s
05:00
1003hPa 2J/kg 0% 2.8°C 31% 99% 68% 0mm 95% 0mm -7.7dBZ -28° 99% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
06:00
1003hPa 7J/kg 5% 3.4°C 20% 71% 75% 0mm 94% 0mm -7.7dBZ -17° 71% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
07:00
1003hPa 12J/kg 100% 3.8°C 99% 98% 82% 0mm 93% 0mm -7.8dBZ -5.6° 100% 0mm 9.6m/s 7m/s 1.8m/s
08:00
1004hPa 8J/kg 99% 4°C 100% 68% 86% 0.03mm 93% 0mm -12dBZ 100% 0.06mm - - 1.6m/s
09:00
1004hPa 28J/kg 99% 3.7°C 97% 49% 91% 0.01mm 95% 0.09mm -15dBZ 14° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.5m/s
10:00
1004hPa 40J/kg 100% 3.6°C 100% 97% 95% 0mm 95% 0.15mm -19dBZ 22° 100% 0.19mm 9.2m/s 12m/s 1.9m/s
11:00
1004hPa 38J/kg 100% 3.6°C 100% 97% 75% 0mm 95% 0mm -15dBZ 28° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.4m/s
12:00
1004hPa 53J/kg 100% 3.3°C 77% 100% 55% 0mm 94% 0.22mm -11dBZ 30° 100% 0.19mm - - 0.96m/s
13:00
1003hPa 49J/kg 36% 3.1°C 100% 100% 36% 0.02mm 90% 0.49mm -6.2dBZ 30° 100% 0.81mm 8.3m/s 13m/s 1.8m/s
14:00
1003hPa 40J/kg 71% 3.1°C 61% 74% 44% 0mm 91% 0mm -8dBZ 26° 88% 1mm - - 1.6m/s
15:00
1003hPa 22J/kg 100% 2.9°C 69% 87% 53% 0mm 88% 0mm -9.8dBZ 20° 100% 1mm - - 1.9m/s
16:00
1003hPa 15J/kg 100% 3.1°C 99% 100% 61% 0mm 89% 0mm -12dBZ 12° 100% 1mm 7.1m/s 12m/s 2m/s
17:00
1003hPa 13J/kg 100% 3.2°C 82% 97% 46% 0mm 91% 0mm -14dBZ 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
18:00
1004hPa 20J/kg 84% 3.2°C 66% 100% 32% 0mm 92% 0mm -17dBZ -8.9° 100% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
19:00
1004hPa 24J/kg 100% 3.2°C 96% 99% 17% 0mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 100% 0.06mm 7.5m/s 11m/s 1.5m/s
20:00
1004hPa 28J/kg 32% 2.7°C 91% 100% 27% 0mm 93% 0.08mm -18dBZ -32° 100% 0.19mm - - 2.1m/s
21:00
1005hPa 28J/kg 70% 2.3°C 78% 87% 36% 0mm 92% 0.12mm -17dBZ -44° 87% 0.31mm - - 2.5m/s
22:00
1005hPa 26J/kg 99% 2.4°C 92% 93% 46% 0mm 93% 0.27mm -15dBZ -55° 100% 0.5mm 7.8m/s 13m/s 3m/s
23:00
1005hPa 18J/kg 100% 2.5°C 77% 99% 38% 0mm 92% 0mm -17dBZ -65° 100% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 07:27 Sunset 17:14
24:00
1005hPa 20J/kg 100% 2°C 37% 100% 29% 0mm 92% 0mm -18dBZ -72° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.9m/s
01:00
1004hPa 52J/kg 100% 1.1°C 94% 99% 21% 0mm 95% 0.02mm -20dBZ -71° 100% 0.06mm 7.5m/s 16m/s 5m/s
02:00
1004hPa 60J/kg 100% 0.9°C 98% 72% 26% 0mm 95% 0.03mm -14dBZ -62° 100% 0.06mm - - 5.7m/s
03:00
1005hPa 67J/kg 100% 1°C 99% 46% 32% 0mm 94% 0.05mm -8.5dBZ -52° 100% 0.13mm - - 5.8m/s
04:00
1004hPa 69J/kg 100% 0.8°C 99% 35% 37% 0mm 94% 0.08mm -2.8dBZ -40° 100% 0.19mm 7.4m/s 16m/s 5.6m/s
05:00
1004hPa 70J/kg 100% 0.7°C 97% 50% 39% 0mm 93% 0.13mm 2.5dBZ -28° 100% 0.13mm - - 5.7m/s
06:00
1004hPa 72J/kg 100% 0.5°C 99% 99% 41% 0mm 93% 0.18mm 7.7dBZ -17° 100% 0.38mm - - 6.1m/s
07:00
1005hPa 55J/kg 100% 0.8°C 100% 76% 44% 0.08mm 94% 0.21mm 13dBZ -5.7° 100% 0.69mm 7.1m/s 13m/s 5.9m/s
08:00
1005hPa 67J/kg 100% 0.6°C 100% 78% 48% 0.12mm 93% 0.24mm 14dBZ 4.8° 100% 1.1mm - - 5.8m/s
09:00
1005hPa 55J/kg 100% 0.2°C 100% 97% 52% 0.07mm 93% 0.14mm 15dBZ 14° 100% 1.3mm - - 6.2m/s
10:00
1005hPa 61J/kg 100% 0.3°C 100% 100% 56% 0.02mm 93% 0.2mm 15dBZ 22° 100% 1.7mm 7.4m/s 12m/s 6.4m/s
11:00
1005hPa 56J/kg 67% 0.4°C 100% 71% 50% 0mm 92% 0.15mm 14dBZ 27° 100% 0.19mm - - 6.6m/s
12:00
1004hPa 36J/kg 98% 0.5°C 100% 72% 45% 0mm 92% 0.19mm 12dBZ 30° 100% 0.31mm - - 6.5m/s
13:00
1003hPa 39J/kg 100% 1.1°C 100% 2% 39% 0.17mm 93% 0.13mm 11dBZ 30° 100% 0.5mm 8.2m/s 8.2m/s 6.7m/s
14:00
1003hPa 68J/kg 100% 1.9°C 100% 59% 41% 0.1mm 94% 0.22mm 11dBZ 26° 100% 0.69mm - - 6.9m/s
15:00
1003hPa 57J/kg 100% 1.9°C 100% 100% 44% 0.04mm 95% 0.14mm 12dBZ 20° 100% 0.88mm - - 7.5m/s
16:00
1003hPa 36J/kg 100% 2.6°C 100% 56% 46% 0.05mm 95% 0.11mm 13dBZ 11° 100% 1mm 6.8m/s 7.6m/s 8m/s
17:00
1002hPa 18J/kg 100% 2.6°C 100% 72% 42% 0.02mm 95% 0.03mm 13dBZ 1.9° 100% 0.13mm - - 8.2m/s
18:00
1003hPa 13J/kg 100% 2.8°C 100% 8% 37% 0.2mm 95% 0.05mm 12dBZ -9° 100% 0.25mm - - 8.4m/s
19:00
1003hPa 21J/kg 100% 2.9°C 100% 90% 33% 0.07mm 95% 0.11mm 11dBZ -20° 100% 0.38mm 5.1m/s 12m/s 8.1m/s
20:00
1003hPa 23J/kg 100% 2.4°C 100% 76% 43% 0.02mm 95% 0.11mm 12dBZ -32° 100% 0.5mm - - 8m/s
21:00
1002hPa 19J/kg 100% 2°C 100% 99% 53% 0mm 96% 0.09mm 13dBZ -44° 100% 0.63mm - - 7.3m/s
22:00
1002hPa 22J/kg 100% 1.4°C 87% 100% 63% 0mm 96% 0.11mm 14dBZ -55° 100% 0.69mm 4.7m/s 11m/s 6.3m/s
23:00
1002hPa 56J/kg 100% 0.5°C 100% 100% 62% 0.05mm 97% 0.12mm 18dBZ -65° 100% 0.13mm - - 6.5m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 07:28 Sunset 17:13
24:00
1001hPa 84J/kg 100% 0.8°C 100% 100% 61% 0.38mm 98% 0.13mm 22dBZ -72° 100% 0.44mm - - 6.8m/s
01:00
1001hPa 126J/kg 100% 0.8°C 100% 100% 61% 0.11mm 97% 0.15mm 26dBZ -71° 100% 0.69mm 5.4m/s 7.5m/s 6.8m/s
02:00
1001hPa 119J/kg 100% 0.7°C 100% 100% 60% 0.01mm 96% 0.43mm 24dBZ -63° 100% 1mm - - 6.2m/s
03:00
1001hPa 84J/kg 69% 1.2°C 100% 100% 59% 0.2mm 96% 0.89mm 23dBZ -52° 100% 1.8mm - - 5.5m/s
04:00
1000hPa 70J/kg 11% 1.5°C 100% 97% 58% 0.09mm 97% 0.81mm 21dBZ -40° 100% 2.8mm 4m/s 5.7m/s 4.6m/s
05:00
1000hPa 63J/kg 7% 1.6°C 78% 66% 47% 0.06mm 94% 0.56mm 20dBZ -29° 78% 1.9mm - - 3.5m/s
06:00
999hPa 57J/kg 4% 1.7°C 56% 36% 35% 0.03mm 91% 0.3mm 18dBZ -17° 56% 1mm - - 2.4m/s
07:00
999hPa 50J/kg 0% 1.8°C 34% 5% 24% 0mm 88% 0.05mm 16dBZ -5.9° 34% 0.19mm 4.5m/s 7.7m/s 1.2m/s
08:00
999hPa 45J/kg 0% 1.9°C 40% 5% 30% 0.01mm 87% 0.08mm 6.8dBZ 4.7° 40% 0.31mm - - 0.84m/s
09:00
999hPa 41J/kg 0% 2.1°C 45% 5% 36% 0.02mm 87% 0.1mm -2.7dBZ 14° 45% 0.44mm - - 0.46m/s
10:00
999hPa 36J/kg 0% 2.2°C 50% 5% 42% 0.03mm 86% 0.13mm -12dBZ 22° 50% 0.56mm 4.2m/s 3.1m/s 0.08m/s
11:00
999hPa 28J/kg 0% 2.6°C 48% 3% 40% 0.02mm 89% 0.09mm -7.6dBZ 27° 48% 0.5mm - - 0.4m/s
12:00
999hPa 21J/kg 0% 3°C 47% 2% 39% 0.02mm 91% 0.04mm -3dBZ 30° 47% 0.44mm - - 0.71m/s
13:00
1000hPa 13J/kg 0% 3.5°C 45% 0% 38% 0.01mm 94% 0mm 1.5dBZ 30° 45% 0.38mm 4.5m/s 6.1m/s 1m/s
14:00
1000hPa 11J/kg 0% 3.5°C 40% 0% 38% 0.007mm 93% 0mm 5.6dBZ 26° 40% 0.4mm - - 1m/s
15:00
1000hPa 8.3J/kg 0% 3.5°C 36% 0% 37% 0.003mm 93% 0mm 9.6dBZ 20° 36% 0.42mm - - 1m/s
16:00
1001hPa 6J/kg 0% 3.5°C 32% 0% 37% 0mm 93% 0mm 14dBZ 11° 32% 0.44mm 3.9m/s 4.1m/s 1m/s
17:00
1000hPa 5J/kg 0% 3.7°C 34% 0% 30% 0mm 93% 0mm 3.6dBZ 1.8° 34% 0.29mm - - 1.2m/s
18:00
1000hPa 4J/kg 0% 3.9°C 37% 0% 23% 0mm 93% 0mm -6.4dBZ -9.1° 37% 0.15mm - - 1.4m/s
19:00
999hPa 3J/kg 0% 4.1°C 40% 0% 15% 0mm 93% 0mm -16dBZ -20° 40% 0mm 3.1m/s 1.4m/s 1.6m/s
20:00
999hPa 3.3J/kg 0% 4.2°C 38% 0% 43% 0mm 94% 0mm -18dBZ -32° 38% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
21:00
999hPa 3.7J/kg 0% 4.2°C 36% 0% 72% 0mm 94% 0mm -19dBZ -44° 36% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
22:00
999hPa 4J/kg 0% 4.3°C 35% 0% 100% 0mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ -55° 35% 0mm 2.6m/s 2.7m/s 1.9m/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