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Rule Storm Chaser

Noosa - Storm Chaser - Australian Coast

Noosa, Queensland, 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 88% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover37%
Wind Gusts7.4m/s
Precipitation Chance75%
Air Pressure1018.5hPa
CAPE19
Lifted Index10.0°C
Wind Gusts7.4m/s
Precipitation0.1mm

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Australia/Brisbane

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/Brisbane
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
15:0020%25%39J/kg7.3°C24134m8.6m/s
16:0031%61%47J/kg7.1°C23271m8.9m/s
17:0020%64%28J/kg7.8°C20962m9.9m/s
18:0019%64%19J/kg8.4°C24135m10m/s
19:0027%15%10J/kg9.1°C24134m9.9m/s
20:0018%15%8J/kg9.9°C24134m9.2m/s
21:0015%15%22J/kg10°C24134m9.3m/s
22:0025%15%31J/kg9.7°C24134m8.4m/s
23:0012%15%19J/kg10°C24134m7.4m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:008%15%13J/kg9.8°C24135m4m/s
01:0023%14%7J/kg9.7°C24135m5.7m/s
02:0012%15%6J/kg9.6°C24135m5.3m/s
03:0011%15%6J/kg9.4°C24135m5m/s
04:0024%15%3J/kg9.9°C24134m7.4m/s
05:0011%15%4J/kg10°C24134m8.1m/s
06:0010%62%3J/kg9.7°C24134m8.8m/s
07:0021%62%7J/kg9.5°C24135m8.4m/s
08:0011%49%6J/kg9.6°C24134m9.1m/s
09:0012%24%6J/kg9.8°C24134m8.5m/s
10:0020%24%2J/kg9.9°C24135m7.2m/s
11:0011%85%29J/kg9.1°C24135m6.6m/s
12:0013%68%41J/kg8.6°C19554m6.5m/s
13:0022%37%33J/kg8.5°C24134m6.3m/s
14:0013%55%14J/kg9°C24134m6m/s
15:0017%27%33J/kg8.8°C24134m6.3m/s
16:0026%25%48J/kg8°C24135m6.3m/s
17:0013%23%46J/kg7.7°C24135m7.3m/s
18:0013%23%48J/kg7.2°C24134m5.4m/s
19:0022%12%29J/kg7.3°C24135m6.2m/s
20:0016%15%29J/kg7.1°C22164m6m/s
21:0018%15%43J/kg6.7°C17011m5.3m/s
22:0026%15%42J/kg5.9°C9188m6.5m/s
23:0027%15%37J/kg5.1°C9518m7m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:0022%15%25J/kg5°C15804m8.5m/s
01:0024%12%25J/kg4.4°C20471m7.5m/s
02:0026%11%30J/kg3.2°C9650m5.8m/s
03:0030%9.9%38J/kg2.7°C6762m6.2m/s
04:0038%11%29J/kg2.4°C5522m6m/s
05:0019%12%10J/kg2.4°C7809m7.6m/s
06:0022%96%0J/kg2.1°C22347m9.5m/s
07:0020%29%0J/kg2°C24135m6.9m/s
08:0021%27%0J/kg2°C24135m6.1m/s
09:0020%58%16J/kg2°C24135m7.3m/s
10:0019%54%76J/kg1.8°C24135m6.6m/s
11:0013%32%117J/kg1.5°C24135m5.5m/s
12:0018%52%121J/kg1.4°C16086m5.4m/s
13:0020%51%139J/kg1°C18137m5.8m/s
14:0015%43%110J/kg1°C22352m5.7m/s
15:0015%81%88J/kg1°C24134m5.2m/s
16:0020%33%81J/kg1.1°C13637m5.6m/s
17:0012%46%56J/kg1.4°C21351m4.1m/s
18:0011%42%33J/kg1.8°C24134m2.8m/s
19:0018%11%27J/kg1.9°C24135m2.1m/s
20:000%12%29J/kg1.8°C24134m2.2m/s
21:000%11%22J/kg1.7°C24134m2m/s
22:000%12%26J/kg1.7°C24134m1.8m/s
23:000%11%34J/kg1.5°C24135m1.8m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:000%11%37J/kg1.2°C18002m1.6m/s
01:000%7.8%30J/kg1.3°C24134m1.3m/s
02:000%3.9%24J/kg1.6°C24135m1.2m/s
03:000%4.3%23J/kg2.3°C24135m1.1m/s
04:000%3.8%24J/kg2.5°C24135m1.4m/s
05:000%0%28J/kg2.7°C22066m1.7m/s
06:000%25%32J/kg2.8°C19996m2m/s
07:000%31%36J/kg3°C17927m2.3m/s
08:000%38%52J/kg2.6°C19996m2.7m/s
09:000%30%68J/kg2.3°C22066m3.1m/s
10:000%13%84J/kg2°C24135m3.4m/s
11:000%24%77J/kg2.1°C24135m2.7m/s
12:008%36%71J/kg2.2°C24135m1.9m/s
13:0014%36%64J/kg2.3°C24135m1.1m/s
14:0010%36%59J/kg2.2°C24135m1.2m/s
15:000%47%55J/kg2.2°C24135m1.3m/s
16:000%70%50J/kg2.1°C24135m1.4m/s
17:000%44%43J/kg1.9°C24135m2.3m/s
18:000%31%37J/kg1.7°C24135m3.2m/s
19:000%0%30J/kg1.4°C24135m4m/s
20:000%0%22J/kg2°C24135m3.4m/s
21:0010%0%14J/kg2.5°C24135m2.7m/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/Brisbane
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 06:36 Sunset 17:09
23:00
1019hPa 19J/kg 0.47fraction 0% 10°C 37% 0% 75% 0mm 77% 0.07mm -4.8dBZ -77° 37% 0.06mm - - 1.9m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 06:36 Sunset 17:09
24:00
1018hPa 13J/kg 0.73fraction 0% 9.8°C 68% 0% 57% 0mm 84% 0.04mm -11dBZ -86° 68% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
01:00
1018hPa 7J/kg 1fraction 0% 9.7°C 82% 0% 39% 0mm 80% 0.01mm -17dBZ -74° 82% 0.13mm 10m/s 30m/s 1.8m/s
02:00
1018hPa 6J/kg 0.76fraction 0% 9.6°C 63% 0% 47% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -18dBZ -61° 63% 0.13mm - - 1.5m/s
03:00
1017hPa 6J/kg 0.53fraction 0% 9.4°C 96% 0% 56% 0mm 81% 0mm -19dBZ -47° 96% 0.13mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
1017hPa 3J/kg 0.29fraction 0% 9.9°C 95% 0% 64% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -20dBZ -34° 95% 0.13mm 11m/s 29m/s 1.8m/s
05:00
1017hPa 4J/kg 0.37fraction 0% 10°C 64% 0% 61% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 64% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
06:00
1017hPa 3J/kg 0.45fraction 0% 9.7°C 39% 0% 59% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -8.2° 39% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
07:00
1018hPa 7J/kg 0.53fraction 0% 9.5°C 33% 0% 56% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 4.2° 33% 0mm 11m/s 30m/s 2.2m/s
08:00
1018hPa 6J/kg 0.36fraction 0% 9.6°C 19% 0% 61% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 19% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
09:00
1018hPa 6J/kg 0.19fraction 0% 9.8°C 5% 0% 66% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 5% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
10:00
1018hPa 2J/kg 0.03fraction 0% 9.9°C 5% 4% 72% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 5% 0mm 7.9m/s 27m/s 3.4m/s
11:00
1017hPa 29J/kg 0.02fraction 0% 9.1°C 26% 29% 76% 0mm 60% 0.02mm -13dBZ 40° 48% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
12:00
1017hPa 41J/kg 0.01fraction 0% 8.6°C 58% 85% 79% 0mm 63% 0.17mm -6.8dBZ 41° 85% 0.13mm - - 4m/s
13:00
1016hPa 33J/kg 0fraction 0% 8.5°C 7% 96% 83% 0mm 59% 0.01mm -0.23dBZ 39° 96% 0.19mm 8.7m/s 28m/s 3.8m/s
14:00
1015hPa 14J/kg 0fraction 0% 9°C 5% 29% 88% 0mm 55% 0mm -6.8dBZ 32° 29% 0.19mm - - 3.7m/s
15:00
1015hPa 33J/kg 0fraction 0% 8.8°C 4% 1% 93% 0mm 58% 0.03mm -13dBZ 24° 4% 0.19mm - - 3.7m/s
16:00
1015hPa 48J/kg 0fraction 0% 8°C 0% 0% 97% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 0% 0.25mm 7.4m/s 29m/s 3m/s
17:00
1015hPa 46J/kg 0fraction 0% 7.7°C 0% 0% 97% 0mm 76% 0.02mm -18dBZ 1.5° 0% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
18:00
1016hPa 48J/kg 0fraction 0% 7.2°C 0% 0% 97% 0mm 84% 0.01mm -16dBZ -11° 0% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
19:00
1016hPa 29J/kg 0fraction 0% 7.3°C 0% 0% 97% 0mm 88% 0.01mm -14dBZ -24° 0% 0.06mm 8.2m/s 31m/s 2.1m/s
20:00
1017hPa 29J/kg 0.33fraction 0% 7.1°C 19% 0% 97% 0mm 93% 0.21mm -16dBZ -37° 19% 0.13mm - - 2.1m/s
21:00
1017hPa 43J/kg 0.67fraction 0% 6.7°C 80% 0% 98% 0mm 97% 0.37mm -18dBZ -51° 80% 0.44mm - - 2m/s
22:00
1017hPa 42J/kg 1fraction 0% 5.9°C 93% 2% 98% 0.07mm 97% 0.55mm -20dBZ -64° 93% 1.1mm 6m/s 31m/s 2m/s
23:00
1016hPa 37J/kg 0.97fraction 0% 5.1°C 100% 41% 90% 0.58mm 97% 0.65mm -4.9dBZ -77° 100% 1mm - - 2.1m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 06:36 Sunset 17:09
24:00
1016hPa 25J/kg 0.93fraction 0% 5°C 100% 56% 81% 0.84mm 96% 0.43mm 10dBZ -86° 100% 2.3mm - - 2.3m/s
01:00
1016hPa 25J/kg 0.9fraction 0% 4.4°C 100% 73% 72% 0.56mm 97% 0.24mm 25dBZ -74° 100% 3.3mm 8.4m/s 30m/s 2m/s
02:00
1016hPa 30J/kg 0.69fraction 0% 3.2°C 100% 100% 67% 1.1mm 98% 0.21mm 27dBZ -61° 100% 4.3mm - - 1.7m/s
03:00
1015hPa 38J/kg 0.48fraction 0% 2.7°C 100% 100% 62% 2.3mm 98% 0.17mm 29dBZ -47° 100% 6.2mm - - 1.7m/s
04:00
1015hPa 29J/kg 0.28fraction 0% 2.4°C 100% 100% 57% 2.1mm 98% 0.1mm 31dBZ -34° 100% 8.5mm 7.8m/s 28m/s 1.7m/s
05:00
1016hPa 10J/kg 0.31fraction 0% 2.4°C 94% 91% 59% 1.1mm 98% 0.05mm 30dBZ -21° 94% 1.8mm - - 2.1m/s
06:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 0.33fraction 0% 2.1°C 34% 39% 60% 0.25mm 98% 0mm 29dBZ -8.2° 45% 2.5mm - - 2.6m/s
07:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 0.36fraction 0% 2°C 10% 4% 62% 0.02mm 97% 0mm 28dBZ 4.2° 10% 2.6mm 7.4m/s 19m/s 1.8m/s
08:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 0.25fraction 0% 2°C 7% 9% 65% 0mm 95% 0mm 22dBZ 16° 11% 2.6mm - - 1.3m/s
09:00
1016hPa 16J/kg 0.13fraction 0% 2°C 78% 90% 69% 0mm 89% 0mm 16dBZ 26° 90% 2.6mm - - 2.2m/s
10:00
1016hPa 76J/kg 0.008fraction 0% 1.8°C 98% 88% 73% 0mm 78% 0mm 10dBZ 34° 99% 2.6mm 11m/s 18m/s 2.8m/s
11:00
1015hPa 117J/kg 0.34fraction 0% 1.5°C 88% 7% 61% 0mm 66% 0mm 11dBZ 40° 88% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
12:00
1014hPa 121J/kg 0.67fraction 0% 1.4°C 31% 0% 49% 0mm 62% 0.64mm 11dBZ 41° 31% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
13:00
1014hPa 139J/kg 1fraction 0% 1°C 46% 0% 38% 0mm 84% 0.6mm 12dBZ 39° 46% 0.88mm 14m/s 14m/s 3.1m/s
14:00
1013hPa 110J/kg 1fraction 0% 1°C 28% 2% 37% 0mm 79% 0.29mm 1dBZ 32° 28% 1.4mm - - 2.8m/s
15:00
1012hPa 88J/kg 1fraction 0% 1°C 28% 10% 37% 0mm 72% 0.03mm -9.5dBZ 24° 28% 1.6mm - - 2.7m/s
16:00
1013hPa 81J/kg 1fraction 0% 1.1°C 10% 4% 37% 0mm 79% 0.69mm -20dBZ 13° 10% 1.9mm 11m/s 15m/s 2.3m/s
17:00
1013hPa 56J/kg 0.82fraction 0% 1.4°C 21% 0% 38% 0mm 91% 0.39mm -20dBZ 1.6° 21% 0.38mm - - 1.6m/s
18:00
1014hPa 33J/kg 0.64fraction 0% 1.8°C 22% 0% 38% 0mm 94% 0.14mm -20dBZ -11° 22% 0.63mm - - 1.3m/s
19:00
1014hPa 27J/kg 0.47fraction 0% 1.9°C 15% 0% 39% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 15% 0.69mm 10m/s 16m/s 1.3m/s
20:00
1015hPa 29J/kg 0.31fraction 0% 1.8°C 9% 1% 34% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -37° 9% 0.69mm - - 1.3m/s
21:00
1015hPa 22J/kg 0.16fraction 0% 1.7°C 9% 1% 30% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -51° 9% 0.69mm - - 1.2m/s
22:00
1015hPa 26J/kg 0fraction 0% 1.7°C 12% 3% 26% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -64° 12% 0.69mm 11m/s 17m/s 1.2m/s
23:00
1014hPa 34J/kg 0fraction 0% 1.5°C 19% 2% 17% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -77° 19% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 06:35 Sunset 17:10
24:00
1014hPa 37J/kg 0fraction 0% 1.2°C 22% 3% 9% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -86° 22% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
01:00
1013hPa 30J/kg 0fraction 0% 1.3°C 10% 5% 0% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -74° 10% 0mm 12m/s 16m/s 1.4m/s
02:00
1013hPa 24J/kg 0fraction 0% 1.6°C 5% 4% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -61° 5% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
03:00
1012hPa 23J/kg 0fraction 0% 2.3°C 5% 3% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -47° 5% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
04:00
1012hPa 24J/kg 0fraction 0% 2.5°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 97% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 4% 0mm 9.9m/s 16m/s 1.3m/s
05:00
1012hPa 28J/kg 0fraction 0% 2.7°C 11% 0% 0% 0mm 81% 0.02mm -20dBZ -21° 11% 0.02mm - - 1.4m/s
06:00
1011hPa 32J/kg 0fraction 0% 2.8°C 17% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0.05mm -20dBZ -8.2° 17% 0.04mm - - 1.5m/s
07:00
1010hPa 36J/kg 0fraction 0% 3°C 23% 0% 0% 0mm 51% 0.07mm -20dBZ 4.3° 23% 0.06mm 7.2m/s 22m/s 1.6m/s
08:00
1010hPa 52J/kg 0fraction 0% 2.6°C 49% 0% 6% 0mm 60% 0.05mm -20dBZ 16° 49% 0.08mm - - 1.5m/s
09:00
1010hPa 68J/kg 0fraction 0% 2.3°C 74% 0% 11% 0mm 69% 0.02mm -20dBZ 26° 74% 0.1mm - - 1.5m/s
10:00
1009hPa 84J/kg 0fraction 0% 2°C 100% 0% 17% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 100% 0.13mm 6m/s 22m/s 1.5m/s
11:00
1010hPa 77J/kg 0.33fraction 0% 2.1°C 84% 0% 19% 0mm 78% 0mm -14dBZ 40° 84% 0.08mm - - 1.2m/s
12:00
1010hPa 71J/kg 0.67fraction 0% 2.2°C 68% 0% 20% 0mm 79% 0mm -7.6dBZ 41° 68% 0.04mm - - 0.91m/s
13:00
1010hPa 64J/kg 1fraction 0% 2.3°C 52% 0% 22% 0mm 80% 0mm -1.4dBZ 39° 52% 0mm 5.4m/s 19m/s 0.6m/s
14:00
1011hPa 59J/kg 0.69fraction 0% 2.2°C 50% 4% 22% 0.02mm 86% 0.04mm -7.1dBZ 33° 50% 0.31mm - - 0.8m/s
15:00
1011hPa 55J/kg 0.38fraction 0% 2.2°C 48% 8% 22% 0.05mm 91% 0.09mm -13dBZ 24° 48% 0.63mm - - 0.99m/s
16:00
1011hPa 50J/kg 0.07fraction 0% 2.1°C 47% 12% 22% 0.07mm 96% 0.13mm -19dBZ 13° 47% 0.94mm 9.4m/s 19m/s 1.2m/s
17:00
1011hPa 43J/kg 0.05fraction 0% 1.9°C 35% 8% 15% 0.05mm 96% 0.09mm -19dBZ 1.7° 35% 0.69mm - - 1.3m/s
18:00
1011hPa 37J/kg 0.02fraction 0% 1.7°C 23% 4% 7% 0.02mm 96% 0.04mm -20dBZ -11° 23% 0.44mm - - 1.5m/s
19:00
1010hPa 30J/kg 0fraction 0% 1.4°C 11% 0% 0% 0mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 11% 0.19mm 12m/s 18m/s 1.6m/s
20:00
1010hPa 22J/kg 0.21fraction 0% 2°C 8% 0% 13% 0mm 96% 0mm -15dBZ -37° 8% 0.19mm - - 1.6m/s
21:00
1010hPa 14J/kg 0.43fraction 0% 2.5°C 5% 0% 26% 0mm 97% 0mm -11dBZ -50° 5% 0.19mm - - 1.6m/s
22:00
1009hPa 6J/kg 0.64fraction 0% 3°C 2% 0% 39% 0mm 97% 0mm -6.2dBZ -64° 2% 0.19mm 8.6m/s 12m/s 1.6m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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