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Rule Storm Chaser

Newcastle - Storm Chaser - Australian Coast

Newcastle, 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 92% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts3.1m/s
Precipitation Chance76%
Air Pressure1029.4hPa
CAPE17
Lifted Index1.1°C
Wind Gusts3.1m/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 81 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
Mon, Jun 8
14:000%26%1J/kg2.5°C24134m3.1m/s
15:000%21%4J/kg2.3°C24135m3.4m/s
16:000%41%7J/kg2.4°C24134m4.4m/s
17:000%63%16J/kg1.9°C24134m5.9m/s
18:000%14%12J/kg1.7°C24135m6.4m/s
19:000%15%12J/kg1.8°C24135m6.1m/s
20:000%14%22J/kg1.6°C24135m6.1m/s
21:000%12%26J/kg1.2°C24134m6.5m/s
22:000%14%21J/kg1.4°C24135m6.2m/s
23:000%14%12J/kg1.1°C24134m3.8m/s
Tue, Jun 9
24:000%11%17J/kg1.1°C24134m3.1m/s
01:000%12%40J/kg0.8°C24134m2.4m/s
02:000%13%82J/kg0.3°C24135m1.5m/s
03:000%9.3%51J/kg0.6°C21955m1.5m/s
04:000%13%30J/kg0.7°C24134m1.7m/s
05:000%10%11J/kg1°C24134m2.4m/s
06:000%45%7J/kg1.4°C24134m2.7m/s
07:000%88%1J/kg1.5°C24135m3m/s
08:000%83%0J/kg1.6°C24134m3.3m/s
09:000%85%0J/kg1.7°C24135m3.5m/s
10:000%26%0J/kg1.6°C24135m4.4m/s
11:000%30%0J/kg1.7°C24135m5.2m/s
12:000%47%5J/kg0.9°C24135m4.9m/s
13:000%17%16J/kg0.3°C24135m4.5m/s
14:000%52%28J/kg-0.3°C24134m4.6m/s
15:000%17%89J/kg-1.1°C24135m5.4m/s
16:000%40%156J/kg-1.8°C24135m7.3m/s
17:000%44%232J/kg-1.8°C24135m7.8m/s
18:000%7.7%167J/kg-0.9°C24134m8m/s
19:000%5.7%60J/kg0.4°C24135m8.6m/s
20:000%11%35J/kg0.7°C24135m10m/s
21:000%15%5J/kg1.5°C24134m12m/s
22:000%15%1J/kg1.8°C24134m11m/s
23:000%15%3J/kg1.6°C24134m9.9m/s
Wed, Jun 10
24:000%14%8J/kg1.7°C24135m9.1m/s
01:000%11%1J/kg1.8°C24134m7m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg1.9°C24135m4.9m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg1.7°C24135m4.8m/s
04:000%14%0J/kg1.9°C24134m4.6m/s
05:000%9.7%0J/kg1.8°C24135m4m/s
06:000%15%0J/kg1.9°C24134m3.9m/s
07:000%9.7%0J/kg2.6°C24134m4.4m/s
08:000%27%0J/kg3°C24134m4.7m/s
09:000%49%0J/kg3.1°C24134m4.4m/s
10:000%16%0J/kg2.9°C24135m4.2m/s
11:000%14%0J/kg3°C24134m4m/s
12:000%44%0J/kg2.9°C24134m3.8m/s
13:000%43%0J/kg2.4°C24134m3.2m/s
14:000%43%0J/kg2.3°C24134m3.2m/s
15:000%53%0J/kg2°C24134m2.9m/s
16:000%53%0J/kg2°C24134m2.1m/s
17:000%54%0J/kg2°C24134m2.1m/s
18:000%1.5%0J/kg1.9°C24135m2.1m/s
19:000%2.7%0J/kg1.9°C24134m1.8m/s
20:000%1.6%0J/kg1.8°C24134m2m/s
21:000%2.7%0J/kg2.4°C24135m2.2m/s
22:000%0.4%1J/kg2.3°C24135m2.3m/s
23:000%1.2%0J/kg2.1°C24134m2.4m/s
Thu, Jun 11
24:000%1%0J/kg2.5°C24134m1.8m/s
01:000%6.7%0J/kg2.8°C24135m2.4m/s
02:000%8.7%0J/kg2.6°C24134m2.6m/s
03:000%9.9%0J/kg2.5°C24135m2.6m/s
04:000%8.6%0J/kg2.5°C24134m2.6m/s
05:000%13%0J/kg2.4°C24135m2.4m/s
06:000%69%0J/kg2.5°C24134m2.1m/s
07:000%46%0J/kg2.6°C24135m2.2m/s
08:000%42%0J/kg2.7°C24135m2.6m/s
09:000%46%0J/kg2.6°C24134m1.6m/s
10:000%34%0J/kg2.5°C24134m1.9m/s
11:000%35%17J/kg1.8°C24134m1.5m/s
12:000%73%35J/kg1.2°C24135m1.2m/s
13:000%75%52J/kg0.55°C24135m0.8m/s
14:000%54%57J/kg0.41°C24135m1.1m/s
15:000%43%63J/kg0.27°C24135m1.5m/s
16:000%2.8%68J/kg0.13°C24135m1.8m/s
17:000%2.8%53J/kg0.17°C24135m2m/s
18:000%0%39J/kg0.21°C24135m2.1m/s
19:000%0%24J/kg0.25°C24135m2.2m/s
20:000%0%28J/kg0.36°C24135m2.9m/s
21:000%0%33J/kg0.47°C24135m3.6m/s
22:000%0%37J/kg0.58°C24135m4.3m/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
Tue, Jun 9 Sunrise 06:50 Sunset 16:52
24:00
1029hPa 17J/kg 5% 1.1°C 5% 100% 76% 0mm 83% 0mm 10dBZ -80° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
01:00
1029hPa 40J/kg 0% 0.8°C 5% 100% 74% 0mm 84% 0mm 25dBZ -72° 100% 0.06mm 6.1m/s 9.7m/s 1.8m/s
02:00
1029hPa 82J/kg 0% 0.3°C 5% 98% 75% 0mm 83% 0.04mm 13dBZ -60° 98% 0.06mm - - 1.3m/s
03:00
1029hPa 51J/kg 0% 0.6°C 5% 66% 75% 0mm 85% 0.27mm 1.3dBZ -48° 66% 0.25mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
1029hPa 30J/kg 0% 0.7°C 9% 5% 76% 0mm 86% 0.05mm -11dBZ -35° 9% 0.38mm 1.6m/s 5.5m/s 1.8m/s
05:00
1029hPa 11J/kg 0% 1°C 6% 93% 51% 0mm 86% 0mm -14dBZ -23° 93% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
06:00
1029hPa 7J/kg 0% 1.4°C 12% 100% 25% 0mm 87% 0mm -17dBZ -11° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
07:00
1030hPa 1J/kg 0% 1.5°C 17% 50% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 1.2° 50% 0mm 4.8m/s 6.3m/s 2.5m/s
08:00
1030hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.6°C 18% 62% 0% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 62% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
09:00
1030hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.7°C 21% 43% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 44% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
10:00
1030hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.6°C 8% 98% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 98% 0mm 2.4m/s 5.1m/s 2.7m/s
11:00
1029hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.7°C 4% 99% 11% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 99% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
12:00
1028hPa 5J/kg 0% 0.9°C 2% 74% 21% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 74% 0mm - - 3m/s
13:00
1027hPa 16J/kg 0% 0.3°C 1% 5% 32% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 5% 0mm 0.97m/s 6.8m/s 3m/s
14:00
1026hPa 28J/kg 0% -0.3°C 0% 36% 35% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 36% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
15:00
1026hPa 89J/kg 0% -1.1°C 0% 5% 39% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 5% 0mm - - 4.9m/s
16:00
1026hPa 156J/kg 0% -1.8°C 0% 100% 43% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 8.8° 100% 0.06mm 4.1m/s 9.9m/s 6.3m/s
17:00
1026hPa 232J/kg 0% -1.8°C 0% 13% 42% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -2° 13% 0.06mm - - 6.5m/s
18:00
1027hPa 167J/kg 0% -0.9°C 0% 1% 40% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 1% 0.06mm - - 6.2m/s
19:00
1027hPa 60J/kg 0% 0.4°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -26° 0% 0.06mm 5.6m/s 11m/s 5.3m/s
20:00
1027hPa 35J/kg 0% 0.7°C 0% 0% 45% 0mm 80% 0.01mm -20dBZ -38° 0% 0.06mm - - 5.1m/s
21:00
1027hPa 5J/kg 0% 1.5°C 0% 0% 50% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -51° 0% 0.06mm - - 5.4m/s
22:00
1027hPa 1J/kg 0% 1.8°C 3% 0% 56% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -63° 3% 0.06mm 11m/s 15m/s 5.6m/s
23:00
1027hPa 3J/kg 2% 1.6°C 5% 0% 39% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -75° 5% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
Wed, Jun 10 Sunrise 06:51 Sunset 16:52
24:00
1027hPa 8J/kg 5% 1.7°C 5% 0% 22% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -80° 5% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
01:00
1027hPa 1J/kg 5% 1.8°C 6% 0% 5% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 6% 0mm 5.8m/s 13m/s 4.3m/s
02:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 13% 1.9°C 5% 0% 3% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -60° 13% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
03:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 29% 1.7°C 6% 2% 2% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -48° 29% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
04:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 5% 1.9°C 7% 5% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 7% 0mm 4.3m/s 8.7m/s 3.7m/s
05:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 5% 1.8°C 4% 5% 0% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -23° 5% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
06:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 5% 1.9°C 2% 5% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 5% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
07:00
1028hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.6°C 4% 5% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 1.1° 5% 0mm 6m/s 6.6m/s 3.6m/s
08:00
1028hPa 0J/kg 5% 3°C 0% 1% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 5% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
09:00
1028hPa 0J/kg 69% 3.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 69% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
10:00
1028hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 100% 0mm 6.1m/s 8.1m/s 3.2m/s
11:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 100% 3°C 0% 6% 13% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 100% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
12:00
1026hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.9°C 3% 100% 25% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 100% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
13:00
1026hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.4°C 1% 100% 38% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 100% 0mm 3.7m/s 8.3m/s 2.4m/s
14:00
1026hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.3°C 5% 84% 47% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 100% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
15:00
1025hPa 0J/kg 98% 2°C 5% 83% 55% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 98% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
16:00
1025hPa 0J/kg 98% 2°C 5% 70% 64% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 8.8° 98% 0mm 4.9m/s 8.3m/s 2m/s
17:00
1026hPa 0J/kg 100% 2°C 5% 40% 56% 0mm 69% 0mm -4.8dBZ -2° 100% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
18:00
1026hPa 0J/kg 99% 1.9°C 5% 78% 47% 0mm 69% 0mm 10dBZ -14° 99% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
19:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.9°C 5% 100% 39% 0mm 68% 0mm 26dBZ -26° 100% 0mm 6.4m/s 10m/s 1.8m/s
20:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.8°C 5% 50% 45% 0mm 68% 0mm 10dBZ -38° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
21:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.4°C 5% 100% 50% 0mm 71% 0mm -4.8dBZ -51° 100% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
22:00
1027hPa 1J/kg 100% 2.3°C 5% 100% 56% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -63° 100% 0mm 5.2m/s 9.7m/s 2.2m/s
23:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.1°C 5% 100% 44% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -75° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
Thu, Jun 11 Sunrise 06:51 Sunset 16:52
24:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.5°C 2% 100% 33% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -80° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
01:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.8°C 3% 100% 21% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 100% 0mm 4.7m/s 6.9m/s 2.2m/s
02:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.6°C 2% 31% 23% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -60° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
03:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 83% 2.5°C 0% 9% 25% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -48° 83% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
04:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 97% 2.5°C 0% 5% 26% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 97% 0mm 4.5m/s 2.1m/s 2.3m/s
05:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 69% 2.4°C 0% 6% 30% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -23° 69% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
06:00
1028hPa 0J/kg 70% 2.5°C 0% 46% 35% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 78% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
07:00
1029hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.6°C 0% 22% 39% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 1.1° 100% 0mm 7.2m/s 6.4m/s 2m/s
08:00
1029hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.7°C 0% 47% 35% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
09:00
1029hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.6°C 0% 79% 30% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
10:00
1030hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.5°C 1% 87% 26% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 100% 0mm 8.9m/s 8.7m/s 1.5m/s
11:00
1030hPa 17J/kg 70% 1.8°C 2% 77% 34% 0.02mm 71% 0.03mm -20dBZ 33° 85% 0.27mm - - 1.3m/s
12:00
1030hPa 35J/kg 40% 1.2°C 4% 67% 42% 0.05mm 73% 0.05mm -20dBZ 34° 71% 0.54mm - - 1m/s
13:00
1031hPa 52J/kg 10% 0.55°C 5% 56% 50% 0.07mm 74% 0.08mm -20dBZ 32° 56% 0.81mm 6.3m/s 9.2m/s 0.75m/s
14:00
1031hPa 57J/kg 7% 0.41°C 5% 38% 40% 0.06mm 74% 0.06mm -20dBZ 26° 39% 0.83mm - - 1.3m/s
15:00
1031hPa 63J/kg 4% 0.27°C 5% 20% 31% 0.06mm 75% 0.03mm -20dBZ 18° 22% 0.85mm - - 1.9m/s
16:00
1031hPa 68J/kg 0% 0.13°C 5% 2% 21% 0.05mm 76% 0.01mm -20dBZ 8.8° 5% 0.88mm 5.2m/s 8.3m/s 2.5m/s
17:00
1031hPa 53J/kg 0% 0.17°C 3% 1% 31% 0.03mm 78% 0.007mm -20dBZ -2° 3% 0.65mm - - 2.5m/s
18:00
1031hPa 39J/kg 0% 0.21°C 2% 1% 40% 0.02mm 79% 0.003mm -20dBZ -14° 2% 0.42mm - - 2.6m/s
19:00
1031hPa 24J/kg 0% 0.25°C 0% 0% 50% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -26° 0% 0.19mm 3.3m/s 7.7m/s 2.6m/s
20:00
1031hPa 28J/kg 1% 0.36°C 1% 0% 42% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -38° 2% 0.19mm - - 3.3m/s
21:00
1031hPa 33J/kg 3% 0.47°C 2% 0% 34% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -51° 3% 0.19mm - - 3.9m/s
22:00
1031hPa 37J/kg 4% 0.58°C 3% 0% 26% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -63° 5% 0.19mm 2.6m/s 4.8m/s 4.6m/s
23:00
1031hPa 25J/kg 3% 0.55°C 5% 0% 30% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -75° 6% 0.13mm - - 3.7m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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