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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 71% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover33%
Wind Gusts4.5m/s
Precipitation Chance31%
Air Pressure1012.8hPa
CAPE17
Lifted Index3.3°C
Wind Gusts4.5m/s
Precipitation0.0mm

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 86 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
Tue, Apr 21
14:000%8.3%17J/kg2.5°C24135m6.4m/s
15:000%7.3%17J/kg1.8°C24134m5.7m/s
16:000%13%35J/kg1.4°C24135m5.5m/s
17:000%23%41J/kg1.9°C24134m6.8m/s
18:000%24%60J/kg1.4°C22840m9m/s
19:000%8.4%56J/kg1.6°C23794m6.7m/s
20:000%12%45J/kg2.1°C24134m6.4m/s
21:000%9.1%40J/kg2.3°C24135m6.4m/s
22:000%11%40J/kg2.7°C24135m6.4m/s
23:000%12%35J/kg2.3°C24134m4.8m/s
Wed, Apr 22
24:000%13%4J/kg2.6°C24134m5.7m/s
01:000%15%19J/kg2.6°C24134m5.5m/s
02:000%15%16J/kg2.8°C24134m4.9m/s
03:000%15%18J/kg3°C17274m4.8m/s
04:000%13%24J/kg3.2°C17182m4.9m/s
05:000%15%17J/kg3.3°C17188m4.5m/s
06:000%64%9J/kg3.7°C17159m4.1m/s
07:000%52%10J/kg3.6°C17182m5.2m/s
08:000%33%3J/kg3.8°C24134m7m/s
09:000%22%3J/kg3.8°C24135m6.6m/s
10:000%43%39J/kg3.2°C24134m5.3m/s
11:000%24%47J/kg3.2°C24135m5.3m/s
12:000%29%63J/kg3°C24134m5.6m/s
13:000%27%70J/kg2.8°C24135m5.7m/s
14:000%21%47J/kg2.9°C24134m5.5m/s
15:000%26%68J/kg2.4°C24135m5m/s
16:000%29%113J/kg2.1°C24134m6m/s
17:000%18%58J/kg2.4°C24134m7.6m/s
18:000%21%61J/kg2.8°C24134m6.8m/s
19:000%6.3%63J/kg2.7°C24135m6.2m/s
20:000%8.7%122J/kg2.3°C24134m6m/s
21:000%7.3%96J/kg2.6°C24134m6.2m/s
22:000%15%58J/kg3°C24135m6.1m/s
23:000%14%45J/kg3.3°C24135m6.2m/s
Thu, Apr 23
24:000%15%57J/kg3.2°C24135m6.4m/s
01:000%12%44J/kg3.4°C24135m6.1m/s
02:000%15%33J/kg3.4°C24135m6m/s
03:000%15%29J/kg3.4°C24134m6.1m/s
04:000%14%38J/kg3.3°C24134m6.5m/s
05:000%14%28J/kg3.5°C24134m5.7m/s
06:000%64%11J/kg4°C18874m5.9m/s
07:000%83%9J/kg3.8°C24135m7m/s
08:000%40%0J/kg4°C24135m8.1m/s
09:000%52%0J/kg4.7°C24135m7.4m/s
10:000%72%1J/kg4.1°C24134m6.4m/s
11:000%66%20J/kg3.9°C24135m6m/s
12:000%76%27J/kg3.6°C24135m5.9m/s
13:000%79%69J/kg3.1°C24135m6m/s
14:000%54%115J/kg2.3°C21587m6.4m/s
15:000%58%125J/kg2°C24135m6.5m/s
16:000%76%123J/kg2.3°C24135m7.6m/s
17:000%100%74J/kg2.6°C24135m8.6m/s
18:000%86%60J/kg2.5°C24134m6.9m/s
19:000%12%53J/kg2.3°C16327m7m/s
20:000%14%65J/kg1.9°C24135m7m/s
21:000%14%41J/kg2°C24135m6.7m/s
22:000%11%54J/kg1.4°C20411m6.4m/s
23:000%13%35J/kg1.5°C19821m7.5m/s
Fri, Apr 24
24:000%10%27J/kg1.7°C24135m8m/s
01:000%13%32J/kg1.5°C24134m7.6m/s
02:000%11%14J/kg1.6°C19900m7.6m/s
03:000%14%3J/kg1.6°C17329m7.4m/s
04:000%15%1J/kg1.5°C17304m8m/s
05:000%15%3J/kg1.1°C17377m8.2m/s
06:000%100%6J/kg1.1°C24134m7.3m/s
07:000%100%11J/kg1.1°C24134m9.3m/s
08:000%81%11J/kg0.9°C24135m8.9m/s
09:000%90%25J/kg0.8°C24135m7.9m/s
10:000%74%162J/kg-0.1°C17029m7.1m/s
11:000%61%221J/kg-0.43°C19398m8.2m/s
12:000%63%280J/kg-0.76°C21766m9.3m/s
13:0017%32%339J/kg-1.1°C24135m10m/s
14:000%53%299J/kg-1.1°C24135m8.5m/s
15:000%50%259J/kg-1°C24135m6.6m/s
16:0011%59%219J/kg-0.99°C24135m4.7m/s
17:000%92%207J/kg-1°C24135m4.2m/s
18:000%79%194J/kg-1.1°C24135m3.8m/s
19:0010%0%182J/kg-1.1°C24135m3.3m/s
20:000%0%180J/kg-1.1°C21275m4.2m/s
21:000%0%178J/kg-1°C18415m5.2m/s
22:0016%0%176J/kg-0.95°C15554m6.1m/s
23:000%0%240J/kg-1.2°C12143m7.3m/s
Sat, Apr 25
24:000%0%304J/kg-1.5°C8732m8.5m/s
01:000%0%368J/kg-1.8°C5321m9.7m/s
02:000%0%371J/kg-1.7°C5200m10m/s
03:000%0%374J/kg-1.6°C5080m11m/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
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, Apr 22 Sunrise 06:06 Sunset 17:25
05:00
1013hPa 17J/kg 0% 3.3°C 33% 0% 31% 0mm 98% 0.01mm -20dBZ -16° 33% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
06:00
1013hPa 9J/kg 5% 3.7°C 32% 0% 23% 0mm 98% 0mm -20dBZ -2.2° 32% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
07:00
1014hPa 10J/kg 2% 3.6°C 27% 0% 15% 0mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 27% 0mm 8.7m/s 13m/s 1.3m/s
08:00
1014hPa 3J/kg 8% 3.8°C 3% 0% 17% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 8% 0.06mm - - 2.1m/s
09:00
1014hPa 3J/kg 4% 3.8°C 2% 0% 20% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 4% 0.06mm - - 2.8m/s
10:00
1014hPa 39J/kg 5% 3.2°C 23% 0% 22% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 23% 0.06mm 5.4m/s 12m/s 3.1m/s
11:00
1013hPa 47J/kg 5% 3.2°C 4% 0% 37% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 5% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
12:00
1013hPa 63J/kg 0% 3°C 14% 0% 52% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 14% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
13:00
1012hPa 70J/kg 0% 2.8°C 10% 0% 66% 0mm 51% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 10% 0mm 3.3m/s 12m/s 4m/s
14:00
1011hPa 47J/kg 0% 2.9°C 0% 0% 75% 0mm 51% 0mm -20dBZ 40° 0% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
15:00
1011hPa 68J/kg 1% 2.4°C 0% 0% 84% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 1% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
16:00
1011hPa 113J/kg 3% 2.1°C 0% 0% 93% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 3% 0mm 3.5m/s 13m/s 3.4m/s
17:00
1012hPa 58J/kg 0% 2.4°C 0% 0% 89% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 4.8° 0% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
18:00
1012hPa 61J/kg 0% 2.8°C 3% 0% 86% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -8.4° 3% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
19:00
1013hPa 63J/kg 4% 2.7°C 1% 0% 82% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -22° 4% 0mm 5m/s 13m/s 2.4m/s
20:00
1014hPa 122J/kg 38% 2.3°C 5% 0% 87% 0mm 75% 0mm -19dBZ -35° 38% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
21:00
1014hPa 96J/kg 6% 2.6°C 0% 0% 92% 0mm 76% 0.02mm -18dBZ -49° 6% 0.06mm - - 2.5m/s
22:00
1014hPa 58J/kg 55% 3°C 5% 0% 96% 0mm 75% 0mm -16dBZ -61° 55% 0.06mm 5.2m/s 13m/s 2.3m/s
23:00
1014hPa 45J/kg 59% 3.3°C 18% 2% 92% 0mm 77% 0.07mm -18dBZ -72° 59% 0.06mm - - 2.3m/s
Thu, Apr 23 Sunrise 06:07 Sunset 17:25
24:00
1014hPa 57J/kg 0% 3.2°C 9% 8% 87% 0mm 83% 0.06mm -19dBZ -76° 12% 0.13mm - - 2.4m/s
01:00
1014hPa 44J/kg 24% 3.4°C 26% 5% 82% 0mm 87% 0.09mm -20dBZ -68° 40% 0.19mm 5.7m/s 15m/s 2.1m/s
02:00
1013hPa 33J/kg 95% 3.4°C 21% 5% 76% 0mm 91% 0.07mm -20dBZ -56° 95% 0.31mm - - 1.8m/s
03:00
1013hPa 29J/kg 100% 3.4°C 14% 78% 70% 0mm 91% 0.12mm -20dBZ -42° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.7m/s
04:00
1013hPa 38J/kg 100% 3.3°C 26% 74% 64% 0mm 91% 0.08mm -20dBZ -29° 100% 0.44mm 7.4m/s 15m/s 1.8m/s
05:00
1013hPa 28J/kg 4% 3.5°C 1% 82% 56% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 82% 0.06mm - - 1.7m/s
06:00
1014hPa 11J/kg 65% 4°C 10% 96% 47% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -2.3° 99% 0.06mm - - 1.7m/s
07:00
1015hPa 9J/kg 8% 3.8°C 3% 50% 39% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 50% 0.06mm 3.8m/s 13m/s 1.6m/s
08:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 9% 4°C 0% 5% 47% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 9% 0.06mm - - 2.7m/s
09:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 14% 4.7°C 0% 5% 54% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 15% 0.06mm - - 3.3m/s
10:00
1015hPa 1J/kg 56% 4.1°C 0% 15% 62% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ 43° 56% 0.06mm 1.8m/s 6.4m/s 3.6m/s
11:00
1014hPa 20J/kg 68% 3.9°C 5% 75% 66% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 75% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
12:00
1014hPa 27J/kg 56% 3.6°C 0% 62% 70% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 63% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
13:00
1013hPa 69J/kg 15% 3.1°C 0% 58% 74% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 58% 0mm 4m/s 5.1m/s 4.3m/s
14:00
1013hPa 115J/kg 97% 2.3°C 0% 98% 79% 0mm 53% 0.15mm -20dBZ 39° 100% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
15:00
1013hPa 125J/kg 76% 2°C 0% 84% 85% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 92% 0mm - - 4m/s
16:00
1013hPa 123J/kg 71% 2.3°C 0% 72% 90% 0mm 63% 0.06mm -20dBZ 17° 80% 0.19mm 4.6m/s 4.6m/s 3.9m/s
17:00
1014hPa 74J/kg 14% 2.6°C 31% 51% 93% 0mm 71% 0.13mm -18dBZ 4.6° 58% 0.19mm - - 3.2m/s
18:00
1014hPa 60J/kg 75% 2.5°C 0% 63% 96% 0mm 79% 0.09mm -17dBZ -8.6° 78% 0.31mm - - 2.3m/s
19:00
1015hPa 53J/kg 99% 2.3°C 1% 55% 99% 0mm 81% 0.52mm -15dBZ -22° 99% 0.5mm 2.8m/s 6.3m/s 2.2m/s
20:00
1016hPa 65J/kg 99% 1.9°C 0% 68% 99% 0mm 86% 0.05mm -16dBZ -35° 99% 0.56mm - - 2.1m/s
21:00
1016hPa 41J/kg 100% 2°C 1% 96% 100% 0mm 85% 0.12mm -16dBZ -49° 100% 0.69mm - - 2.2m/s
22:00
1016hPa 54J/kg 100% 1.4°C 16% 65% 100% 0mm 92% 0.21mm -16dBZ -62° 100% 0.94mm 2.7m/s 6m/s 2.2m/s
23:00
1016hPa 35J/kg 100% 1.5°C 18% 20% 97% 0mm 97% 0.09mm -6.8dBZ -73° 100% 0.19mm - - 2.3m/s
Fri, Apr 24 Sunrise 06:07 Sunset 17:24
24:00
1016hPa 27J/kg 73% 1.7°C 21% 8% 94% 0mm 95% 0.09mm 2.9dBZ -76° 73% 0.31mm - - 2.4m/s
01:00
1015hPa 32J/kg 43% 1.5°C 23% 12% 92% 0mm 96% 0.09mm 13dBZ -68° 47% 0.38mm 2.7m/s 9.7m/s 2.3m/s
02:00
1015hPa 14J/kg 73% 1.6°C 20% 22% 94% 0mm 97% 0.14mm 3.8dBZ -56° 73% 0.5mm - - 2.1m/s
03:00
1015hPa 3J/kg 54% 1.6°C 24% 5% 97% 0mm 96% 0.02mm -5dBZ -43° 56% 0.56mm - - 2m/s
04:00
1015hPa 1J/kg 29% 1.5°C 25% 7% 100% 0mm 95% 0.02mm -14dBZ -29° 48% 0.56mm 2.7m/s 10m/s 2m/s
05:00
1016hPa 3J/kg 5% 1.1°C 25% 6% 92% 0mm 94% 0.12mm -16dBZ -16° 25% 0.06mm - - 2.1m/s
06:00
1017hPa 6J/kg 29% 1.1°C 46% 58% 84% 0mm 94% 0.09mm -18dBZ -2.4° 64% 0.19mm - - 2.1m/s
07:00
1017hPa 11J/kg 23% 1.1°C 57% 32% 76% 0mm 90% 0.12mm -20dBZ 10° 61% 0.31mm 3.4m/s 11m/s 2.4m/s
08:00
1017hPa 11J/kg 10% 0.9°C 59% 6% 82% 0mm 83% 0.04mm -6.7dBZ 23° 59% 0.38mm - - 2.9m/s
09:00
1018hPa 25J/kg 29% 0.8°C 66% 5% 87% 0.01mm 74% 0.15mm 6.5dBZ 34° 68% 0.56mm - - 3.5m/s
10:00
1018hPa 162J/kg 45% -0.1°C 54% 5% 93% 0mm 74% 0.43mm 20dBZ 43° 63% 0.88mm 2.4m/s 9.6m/s 3.7m/s
11:00
1017hPa 221J/kg 33% -0.43°C 42% 4% 92% 0mm 77% 0.48mm 20dBZ 49° 48% 0.96mm - - 3.5m/s
12:00
1017hPa 280J/kg 22% -0.76°C 29% 3% 91% 0mm 80% 0.54mm 20dBZ 51° 34% 1mm - - 3.4m/s
13:00
1017hPa 339J/kg 10% -1.1°C 17% 3% 90% 0mm 82% 0.59mm 21dBZ 47° 20% 1.1mm 2.2m/s 11m/s 3.2m/s
14:00
1017hPa 299J/kg 7% -1.1°C 25% 4% 92% 0.07mm 86% 0.46mm 16dBZ 39° 26% 1.6mm - - 2.7m/s
15:00
1018hPa 259J/kg 4% -1°C 32% 6% 94% 0.15mm 90% 0.34mm 11dBZ 29° 33% 2.1mm - - 2.2m/s
16:00
1018hPa 219J/kg 2% -0.99°C 40% 8% 96% 0.22mm 94% 0.21mm 5.9dBZ 17° 40% 2.6mm 2.2m/s 13m/s 1.8m/s
17:00
1017hPa 207J/kg 3% -1°C 36% 21% 92% 0.15mm 95% 0.34mm 4.9dBZ 4.4° 46% 2.2mm - - 1.7m/s
18:00
1017hPa 194J/kg 5% -1.1°C 32% 34% 87% 0.07mm 96% 0.48mm 3.9dBZ -8.8° 51% 1.8mm - - 1.6m/s
19:00
1017hPa 182J/kg 6% -1.1°C 28% 47% 83% 0mm 97% 0.61mm 2.8dBZ -22° 57% 1.4mm 2.9m/s 14m/s 1.6m/s
20:00
1016hPa 180J/kg 22% -1.1°C 33% 52% 84% 0.09mm 97% 0.6mm -3.9dBZ -36° 61% 2.1mm - - 1.8m/s
21:00
1016hPa 178J/kg 39% -1°C 38% 57% 85% 0.17mm 97% 0.59mm -11dBZ -49° 65% 2.9mm - - 2m/s
22:00
1016hPa 176J/kg 55% -0.95°C 42% 63% 86% 0.26mm 97% 0.58mm -17dBZ -62° 68% 3.6mm 2.8m/s 10m/s 2.2m/s
23:00
1016hPa 240J/kg 66% -1.2°C 41% 75% 84% 0.17mm 97% 1.1mm -18dBZ -73° 79% 3.8mm - - 2.2m/s
Sat, Apr 25 Sunrise 06:08 Sunset 17:23
24:00
1016hPa 304J/kg 76% -1.5°C 40% 87% 82% 0.09mm 97% 1.5mm -19dBZ -76° 89% 4mm - - 2.3m/s
01:00
1016hPa 368J/kg 87% -1.8°C 40% 99% 80% 0mm 96% 2mm -20dBZ -68° 99% 4.1mm 2.5m/s 7.9m/s 2.3m/s
02:00
1017hPa 371J/kg 92% -1.7°C 60% 100% 82% 0.33mm 96% 1.6mm -10dBZ -56° 100% 6.5mm - - 3.3m/s
03:00
1017hPa 374J/kg 96% -1.6°C 80% 100% 84% 0.67mm 95% 1.1mm -0.01dBZ -43° 100% 8.9mm - - 4.3m/s
04:00
1017hPa 377J/kg 100% -1.5°C 100% 100% 85% 1mm 94% 0.7mm 10dBZ -29° 100% 11mm 4.5m/s 3.4m/s 5.3m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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