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Rule Storm Chaser

Sydney - Storm Chaser - Australian Coast

Sydney, 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 78% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover99%
Wind Gusts1.9m/s
Precipitation Chance81%
Air Pressure1015.5hPa
CAPE3
Lifted Index4.8°C
Wind Gusts1.9m/s
Precipitation0.1mm

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 95 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
Sat, May 23
23:000%5.7%22J/kg7.7°C24134m7m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%2.2%7J/kg8.4°C24135m7.4m/s
01:000%4.9%2J/kg9.8°C24134m7m/s
02:000%7.7%5J/kg9.6°C24135m4.7m/s
03:000%13%19J/kg9°C24135m4.1m/s
04:000%13%20J/kg9.4°C24134m3.9m/s
05:000%6.6%11J/kg11°C24134m3.5m/s
06:000%25%8J/kg10°C24134m3.7m/s
07:000%30%13J/kg9.8°C24135m3.5m/s
08:000%45%21J/kg9.1°C24135m4.7m/s
09:000%34%32J/kg8.4°C24135m4.8m/s
10:000%33%30J/kg8.2°C24135m4.4m/s
11:000%33%15J/kg8.2°C24135m2.1m/s
12:000%32%2J/kg8.2°C24135m2.9m/s
13:000%30%2J/kg8.1°C24135m2.3m/s
14:000%31%7J/kg7.6°C24134m3m/s
15:000%35%23J/kg7°C24135m3.7m/s
16:000%58%31J/kg6.5°C24134m4.9m/s
17:000%58%33J/kg6.6°C16444m2m/s
18:000%0.3%34J/kg6.1°C22241m2.2m/s
19:000%1.4%22J/kg5.2°C24134m2.8m/s
20:000%0%40J/kg4.9°C24135m2.6m/s
21:000%0.2%55J/kg4°C24134m1.2m/s
22:000%6%44J/kg5.3°C20214m0.82m/s
23:000%7.1%3J/kg4.8°C24135m1.9m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%7.2%0J/kg3.9°C24135m2.1m/s
01:000%2.8%35J/kg2.9°C15946m1.2m/s
02:000%4.6%44J/kg3.2°C14910m2.1m/s
03:000%5.6%51J/kg2.8°C15370m3.6m/s
04:0011%5.9%48J/kg2.6°C15808m3.3m/s
05:000%7.1%45J/kg2.3°C24135m2.4m/s
06:000%53%43J/kg1.9°C16519m1.9m/s
07:000%62%48J/kg1.7°C19015m1.7m/s
08:000%79%58J/kg2.4°C20210m1.5m/s
09:000%34%55J/kg3.1°C24135m1.3m/s
10:008.4%46%35J/kg3.5°C24135m1.4m/s
11:000%47%41J/kg3.6°C24135m1.9m/s
12:000%56%54J/kg2.9°C24135m1.6m/s
13:000%41%80J/kg2.7°C24135m1.9m/s
14:000%34%81J/kg3.1°C24134m2.7m/s
15:000%99%70J/kg3.1°C24134m3m/s
16:000%50%73J/kg3.1°C24134m2.9m/s
17:000%47%58J/kg3.1°C24135m2.9m/s
18:000%15%61J/kg2.6°C24134m2.7m/s
19:000%15%66J/kg2.5°C24135m2.7m/s
20:000%14%79J/kg2.5°C24135m3m/s
21:000%15%90J/kg1.9°C24134m2.3m/s
22:000%12%65J/kg1.7°C24135m2.4m/s
23:000%1.4%51J/kg1.5°C24134m2.1m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%0.3%89J/kg1.2°C24134m2.8m/s
01:000%1.5%109J/kg1.5°C24134m2.5m/s
02:000%2.1%134J/kg1.6°C19874m1.6m/s
03:000%1.5%83J/kg1.6°C24135m2.7m/s
04:000%3%109J/kg1.2°C17747m2m/s
05:000%2.6%75J/kg1.1°C16498m2.7m/s
06:000%46%48J/kg1.2°C18707m2.5m/s
07:0013%53%24J/kg0.8°C19714m3.4m/s
08:000%51%18J/kg0.1°C24134m5m/s
09:000%59%77J/kg-0.1°C17840m3.4m/s
10:0021%72%129J/kg-0.8°C15459m2.9m/s
11:000%45%233J/kg-1.1°C6703m5.7m/s
12:000%46%226J/kg-1.4°C9915m7.6m/s
13:0024%48%259J/kg-1°C6511m8.3m/s
14:000%56%276J/kg-0.9°C11473m8.6m/s
15:000%74%334J/kg-1.5°C6716m8.9m/s
16:000%69%319J/kg-1.8°C6574m8.6m/s
17:000%66%230J/kg-1.8°C11630m8.4m/s
18:0024%6.8%193J/kg-1.6°C8258m8.8m/s
19:0036%5.5%204J/kg-1.8°C6639m8.4m/s
20:000%5.1%176J/kg-0.6°C6925m7.8m/s
21:000%2.8%157J/kg-0.7°C18075m9.2m/s
22:000%7%156J/kg-1°C11478m7.7m/s
23:000%13%146J/kg-0.9°C24134m7.9m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%15%155J/kg-0.8°C24135m8.3m/s
01:0010%14%160J/kg-0.3°C16372m4.6m/s
02:000%9.2%171J/kg0.3°C19106m3.7m/s
03:0011%11%147J/kg0.7°C3525m1.7m/s
04:0026%14%139J/kg1°C1042m1.1m/s
05:000%0%98J/kg0.74°C8740m1m/s
06:000%50%56J/kg0.49°C16437m0.98m/s
07:000%49%15J/kg0.23°C24135m0.9m/s
08:000%55%18J/kg0.28°C22347m2m/s
09:000%73%22J/kg0.33°C20559m3m/s
10:000%65%25J/kg0.38°C18770m4.1m/s
11:000%62%87J/kg0.009°C15626m3.9m/s
12:000%48%150J/kg-0.37°C12482m3.7m/s
13:0016%51%212J/kg-0.74°C9337m3.4m/s
14:000%48%176J/kg-0.76°C13799m2.9m/s
15:000%57%139J/kg-0.78°C18262m2.4m/s
16:0018%62%103J/kg-0.8°C22724m1.9m/s
17:000%62%120J/kg-0.7°C21994m2.7m/s
18:000%0%136J/kg-0.6°C21264m3.5m/s
19:000%0%153J/kg-0.5°C20535m4.2m/s
20:0014%0%132J/kg-0.34°C19339m5m/s
21:0016%0%112J/kg-0.17°C18144m5.7m/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/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
Sun, May 24 Sunrise 06:46 Sunset 16:57
23:00
1016hPa 3J/kg 95% 4.8°C 20% 99% 81% 0mm 88% 0mm -18dBZ -73° 99% 0.13mm - - 1.1m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 06:46 Sunset 16:57
24:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 88% 3.9°C 3% 61% 66% 0mm 89% 0mm -19dBZ -77° 88% 0.13mm - - 0.75m/s
01:00
1015hPa 35J/kg 100% 2.9°C 52% 100% 50% 0mm 90% 0.39mm -20dBZ -70° 100% 0.19mm 6.4m/s 16m/s 0.94m/s
02:00
1015hPa 44J/kg 15% 3.2°C 75% 100% 53% 0.07mm 93% 0.47mm -20dBZ -59° 100% 0.56mm - - 1.6m/s
03:00
1015hPa 51J/kg 34% 2.8°C 99% 89% 56% 0.03mm 95% 0.46mm -20dBZ -47° 99% 1.1mm - - 2.3m/s
04:00
1014hPa 48J/kg 89% 2.6°C 95% 5% 59% 0.07mm 95% 0.35mm -20dBZ -34° 97% 1.7mm 2.4m/s 19m/s 2.1m/s
05:00
1014hPa 45J/kg 97% 2.3°C 97% 5% 58% 0.01mm 93% 0.1mm -15dBZ -22° 98% 0.19mm - - 1.6m/s
06:00
1015hPa 43J/kg 98% 1.9°C 100% 14% 58% 0.02mm 92% 0.37mm -9.1dBZ -9.9° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.4m/s
07:00
1015hPa 48J/kg 62% 1.7°C 100% 37% 57% 0.03mm 92% 0.24mm -3.7dBZ 1.9° 100% 0.63mm 2.1m/s 18m/s 1.4m/s
08:00
1015hPa 58J/kg 46% 2.4°C 86% 26% 57% 0.06mm 92% 0.17mm -9.1dBZ 12° 86% 0.88mm - - 1.3m/s
09:00
1015hPa 55J/kg 7% 3.1°C 99% 4% 56% 0mm 89% 0.15mm -15dBZ 22° 99% 1.1mm - - 1.2m/s
10:00
1015hPa 35J/kg 40% 3.5°C 99% 1% 56% 0.01mm 87% 0.07mm -20dBZ 29° 99% 1.1mm 2.1m/s 14m/s 1.3m/s
11:00
1015hPa 41J/kg 50% 3.6°C 100% 0% 51% 0mm 86% 0.08mm -18dBZ 34° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
12:00
1014hPa 54J/kg 18% 2.9°C 98% 0% 47% 0mm 84% 0.04mm -16dBZ 35° 98% 0.13mm - - 0.77m/s
13:00
1013hPa 80J/kg 67% 2.7°C 90% 0% 42% 0mm 81% 0.04mm -14dBZ 33° 92% 0.19mm 2.8m/s 12m/s 0.77m/s
14:00
1013hPa 81J/kg 100% 3.1°C 28% 0% 52% 0mm 79% 0.04mm -2.4dBZ 27° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.5m/s
15:00
1013hPa 70J/kg 31% 3.1°C 18% 0% 62% 0mm 78% 0.02mm 9.4dBZ 19° 31% 0.5mm - - 1.8m/s
16:00
1013hPa 73J/kg 97% 3.1°C 76% 0% 72% 0mm 80% 0mm 21dBZ 9.6° 97% 0.5mm 3m/s 13m/s 1.8m/s
17:00
1013hPa 58J/kg 5% 3.1°C 87% 0% 61% 0mm 85% 0mm 9.4dBZ -1.2° 87% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
18:00
1013hPa 61J/kg 4% 2.6°C 87% 0% 50% 0mm 85% 0mm -2.3dBZ -13° 87% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
19:00
1014hPa 66J/kg 10% 2.5°C 73% 0% 39% 0mm 84% 0mm -14dBZ -25° 73% 0mm 1.5m/s 14m/s 1.6m/s
20:00
1014hPa 79J/kg 3% 2.5°C 50% 0% 50% 0mm 85% 0mm -14dBZ -38° 50% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
21:00
1015hPa 90J/kg 39% 1.9°C 20% 52% 61% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -15dBZ -50° 61% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
22:00
1014hPa 65J/kg 100% 1.7°C 4% 87% 72% 0mm 88% 0.02mm -15dBZ -62° 100% 0mm 0.5m/s 16m/s 1.3m/s
23:00
1014hPa 51J/kg 100% 1.5°C 6% 100% 71% 0mm 88% 0.01mm -12dBZ -73° 100% 0mm - - 0.79m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 06:47 Sunset 16:56
24:00
1014hPa 89J/kg 99% 1.2°C 12% 84% 70% 0mm 86% 0.05mm -8.8dBZ -77° 99% 0.06mm - - 1.3m/s
01:00
1013hPa 109J/kg 100% 1.5°C 20% 89% 69% 0mm 87% 0.05mm -5.8dBZ -70° 100% 0.06mm 1.7m/s 9.8m/s 0.49m/s
02:00
1013hPa 134J/kg 100% 1.6°C 29% 100% 76% 0mm 88% 0.29mm -1.9dBZ -59° 100% 0.25mm - - 0.26m/s
03:00
1013hPa 83J/kg 98% 1.6°C 14% 100% 84% 0.04mm 89% 0.03mm 2dBZ -47° 100% 0.56mm - - 1.5m/s
04:00
1013hPa 109J/kg 14% 1.2°C 26% 98% 91% 0mm 90% 0.47mm 5.9dBZ -34° 98% 0.81mm 4.7m/s 21m/s 1.3m/s
05:00
1013hPa 75J/kg 0% 1.1°C 48% 98% 92% 0mm 91% 0.89mm -2.7dBZ -22° 98% 0.56mm - - 1.7m/s
06:00
1013hPa 48J/kg 0% 1.2°C 100% 100% 93% 0mm 92% 0.29mm -11dBZ -10° 100% 0.88mm - - 1.7m/s
07:00
1014hPa 24J/kg 0% 0.8°C 100% 99% 94% 0.16mm 93% 0.32mm -20dBZ 1.8° 100% 1.1mm 5.3m/s 21m/s 1.8m/s
08:00
1014hPa 18J/kg 0% 0.1°C 42% 100% 96% 0.52mm 92% 0.04mm -7.4dBZ 12° 100% 1.7mm - - 2.4m/s
09:00
1014hPa 77J/kg 0% -0.1°C 41% 10% 97% 0.17mm 88% 0.41mm 5.2dBZ 21° 41% 2.1mm - - 2.1m/s
10:00
1013hPa 129J/kg 0% -0.8°C 64% 49% 99% 0.01mm 84% 0.53mm 18dBZ 29° 64% 2.4mm 12m/s 22m/s 1.7m/s
11:00
1013hPa 233J/kg 0% -1.1°C 100% 100% 99% 0.32mm 85% 1mm 20dBZ 34° 100% 0.81mm - - 3.4m/s
12:00
1012hPa 226J/kg 0% -1.4°C 98% 70% 99% 0mm 90% 0.92mm 21dBZ 35° 98% 1.8mm - - 4.1m/s
13:00
1011hPa 259J/kg 3% -1°C 100% 100% 99% 0.79mm 90% 0.96mm 23dBZ 33° 100% 2.8mm 9.4m/s 13m/s 4.7m/s
14:00
1011hPa 276J/kg 5% -0.9°C 86% 42% 99% 0.68mm 94% 0.82mm 25dBZ 27° 86% 5.3mm - - 4.1m/s
15:00
1010hPa 334J/kg 3% -1.5°C 80% 59% 99% 0.1mm 90% 1.4mm 26dBZ 19° 80% 6.6mm - - 4.9m/s
16:00
1011hPa 319J/kg 99% -1.8°C 63% 18% 99% 0mm 90% 1.6mm 28dBZ 9.5° 99% 7.9mm 6.7m/s 9m/s 4.6m/s
17:00
1011hPa 230J/kg 100% -1.8°C 49% 28% 88% 0.01mm 90% 1.2mm 29dBZ -1.3° 100% 1.6mm - - 3.9m/s
18:00
1011hPa 193J/kg 100% -1.6°C 88% 76% 76% 0mm 91% 1.2mm 31dBZ -13° 100% 2.8mm - - 3.7m/s
19:00
1012hPa 204J/kg 77% -1.8°C 99% 94% 65% 0.03mm 91% 1.7mm 33dBZ -25° 100% 4.2mm 5.8m/s 11m/s 3.6m/s
20:00
1012hPa 176J/kg 5% -0.6°C 99% 52% 69% 0.15mm 91% 1.5mm 15dBZ -38° 99% 5.9mm - - 3.4m/s
21:00
1012hPa 157J/kg 0% -0.7°C 93% 94% 74% 0.44mm 93% 0.91mm -2.5dBZ -50° 94% 7.4mm - - 4.8m/s
22:00
1012hPa 156J/kg 0% -1°C 100% 99% 79% 0.91mm 95% 0.24mm -20dBZ -62° 100% 9.4mm 7.9m/s 5.8m/s 3.7m/s
23:00
1011hPa 146J/kg 0% -0.9°C 71% 91% 67% 0.02mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ -73° 91% 0.38mm - - 4.3m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 06:47 Sunset 16:56
24:00
1011hPa 155J/kg 0% -0.8°C 5% 10% 54% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -77° 10% 0.38mm - - 3.9m/s
01:00
1011hPa 160J/kg 0% -0.3°C 17% 71% 42% 0mm 93% 0.73mm -20dBZ -70° 71% 0.44mm 7.6m/s 14m/s 2m/s
02:00
1011hPa 171J/kg 5% 0.3°C 47% 28% 46% 0mm 95% 0.39mm -20dBZ -59° 50% 0.88mm - - 1.8m/s
03:00
1011hPa 147J/kg 4% 0.7°C 51% 16% 49% 0mm 96% 0.26mm -20dBZ -47° 51% 1.2mm - - 1.5m/s
04:00
1011hPa 139J/kg 5% 1°C 55% 94% 52% 0mm 96% 0.27mm -20dBZ -34° 94% 1.3mm 10m/s 15m/s 1.1m/s
05:00
1010hPa 98J/kg 37% 0.74°C 38% 96% 55% 0mm 85% 0.18mm -20dBZ -22° 96% 0.83mm - - 1m/s
06:00
1009hPa 56J/kg 68% 0.49°C 20% 98% 58% 0mm 75% 0.09mm -20dBZ -10° 98% 0.42mm - - 0.96m/s
07:00
1007hPa 15J/kg 100% 0.23°C 3% 100% 62% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 1.7° 100% 0mm 9.2m/s 14m/s 0.89m/s
08:00
1007hPa 18J/kg 72% 0.28°C 20% 98% 68% 0mm 69% 0.05mm -20dBZ 12° 98% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
09:00
1007hPa 22J/kg 43% 0.33°C 36% 97% 74% 0mm 74% 0.09mm -20dBZ 21° 97% 0.13mm - - 2.1m/s
10:00
1007hPa 25J/kg 15% 0.38°C 53% 95% 80% 0mm 78% 0.14mm -20dBZ 29° 95% 0.19mm 6.7m/s 12m/s 2.8m/s
11:00
1007hPa 87J/kg 43% 0.009°C 68% 97% 84% 0mm 84% 0.37mm -20dBZ 33° 97% 0.75mm - - 2.3m/s
12:00
1007hPa 150J/kg 72% -0.37°C 84% 98% 87% 0mm 90% 0.6mm -20dBZ 35° 98% 1.3mm - - 1.8m/s
13:00
1007hPa 212J/kg 100% -0.74°C 99% 100% 90% 0mm 95% 0.83mm -20dBZ 33° 100% 1.9mm 7.6m/s 10m/s 1.3m/s
14:00
1007hPa 176J/kg 100% -0.76°C 77% 100% 92% 0.07mm 96% 0.55mm -14dBZ 27° 100% 3mm - - 1.3m/s
15:00
1007hPa 139J/kg 100% -0.78°C 55% 100% 94% 0.14mm 97% 0.28mm -8.8dBZ 19° 100% 4.2mm - - 1.4m/s
16:00
1007hPa 103J/kg 100% -0.8°C 34% 100% 95% 0.21mm 98% 0mm -3.2dBZ 9.4° 100% 5.3mm 8.2m/s 15m/s 1.4m/s
17:00
1006hPa 120J/kg 99% -0.7°C 43% 73% 95% 0.14mm 98% 0.16mm 6.1dBZ -1.4° 99% 3.8mm - - 1.5m/s
18:00
1006hPa 136J/kg 98% -0.6°C 52% 46% 95% 0.07mm 97% 0.32mm 15dBZ -13° 98% 2.4mm - - 1.7m/s
19:00
1005hPa 153J/kg 98% -0.5°C 62% 20% 95% 0mm 97% 0.48mm 25dBZ -25° 98% 0.88mm 2.1m/s 9.3m/s 1.9m/s
20:00
1005hPa 132J/kg 98% -0.34°C 56% 15% 96% 0mm 96% 0.57mm 22dBZ -38° 98% 1.3mm - - 2.2m/s
21:00
1004hPa 112J/kg 99% -0.17°C 49% 10% 97% 0mm 96% 0.66mm 20dBZ -50° 99% 1.6mm - - 2.4m/s
22:00
1003hPa 91J/kg 100% -0.01°C 43% 5% 98% 0mm 95% 0.75mm 18dBZ -62° 100% 2mm 10m/s 4.5m/s 2.7m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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