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Rule Dramatic Seascapes

Bodega Bay - Dramatic Seascapes - California Coast

Bodega Bay, California, United States

Dramatic coastal photography conditions - powerful waves combined with atmospheric drama and good visibility for seascape shots.

No opportunities right now
Here’s what usually blocks matches

No Dramatic Seascapes opportunities in the next 14 days

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Rule requirements (key thresholds)
Coastal Drama Score · ≥ 75.0% Significant Wave Height · ≥ 1.5m Visibility · ≥ 5000.0m Wind Gusts · ≤ 22.0m/s

Tip: Scroll down to the 72-hour table to see exactly which condition fails hour by hour.

Most common blockers (next 72 hours)
Coastal Drama Score 100% failing
Significant Wave Height 100% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Coastal Drama Score
11%
Wave Height0.7m
Swell Height0.2m
Wind Speed4.9m/s (calm conditions)
Cloud Cover0%

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in America/Los_Angeles

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 identifies when dramatic conditions align for coastal photography along California's legendary shoreline. We track cloud drama, visibility, and wind patterns to predict when the coast will come alive with photogenic conditions.

California's 840-mile coastline offers endless variety—from the towering cliffs of Big Sur to the sea stacks of Mendocino to the coves of Laguna Beach. The interplay between Pacific weather systems and the coastal mountains creates ever-changing conditions that can transform familiar locations.

What makes the California coast special for dramatic photography:

  • Dynamic weather - Pacific storms bring dramatic skies, and clearing conditions create spectacular light
  • Diverse geography - Sea stacks, arches, waterfalls, cliffs, and beaches in endless variety
  • Fog and mist - Marine layer creates moody atmosphere, especially summer mornings
  • Year-round access - Mild climate means photography opportunities in every season

The best dramatic conditions often occur during and after winter storms (November-March), when clearing skies can produce spectacular light. Summer brings reliable morning fog that burns off by midday, creating soft, ethereal conditions. Wind patterns affect wave action—some drama is good, but excessive gusts make shooting difficult. Check our forecast to time your coastal adventures.

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72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 95 hours
AND logic: all conditions required
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
America/Los_Angeles
Coastal Drama Score
≥ 75.0%
Significant Wave Height
≥ 1.5m
Visibility
≥ 5000.0m
Wind Gusts
≤ 22.0m/s
Precipitation Chance
≤ 30.0%
Mon, Apr 27
19:0015%0.41m24135m9.2m/s0%
20:0010%0.41m24135m9.6m/s0%
21:009.5%0.39m24135m8.9m/s0%
22:003.9%0.35m24135m8m/s0%
23:003.7%0.8m24135m6.4m/s0%
Tue, Apr 28
24:003.2%0.75m24135m3.7m/s0%
01:003.2%0.71m24135m3.1m/s0%
02:003.2%0.66m24135m2.1m/s0%
03:003.2%0.63m24135m1.8m/s0%
04:005%0.61m24134m2m/s0%
05:005%0.43m24134m1.7m/s0%
06:0013%0.43m24135m1.1m/s0%
07:008.6%0.44m24135m1.4m/s0%
08:007.2%0.44m24135m1.6m/s0%
09:006.1%0.45m24134m2m/s0%
10:006%0.46m24135m1.3m/s0%
11:0011%0.35m24135m1m/s0%
12:0013%0.37m24134m1.7m/s0%
13:0013%0.4m24134m2.7m/s0%
14:0012%0.42m24134m3.4m/s0%
15:0012%0.44m24135m5.5m/s0%
16:008.9%0.47m24135m7.4m/s0%
17:008.8%0.3m24135m7.8m/s0%
18:008.2%0.66m24135m7.4m/s0%
19:0011%0.66m24135m7.2m/s0%
20:0011%0.67m24135m6.5m/s0%
21:009.1%0.64m24134m5.2m/s0%
22:003.7%0.6m24134m4.5m/s0%
23:003.2%0.57m24134m4.5m/s0%
Wed, Apr 29
24:003.3%0.54m24134m3m/s0%
01:003.7%0.51m24135m3.2m/s0%
02:003.7%0.48m24134m2.9m/s0%
03:003.1%0.48m24134m2m/s0%
04:003.1%0.49m24135m1.2m/s0%
05:002.9%0.49m24135m1.8m/s0%
06:009.2%0.53m24134m2.4m/s0%
07:009.9%0.57m24135m1.2m/s0%
08:008.2%0.61m24135m1.3m/s0%
09:008%0.61m24134m1.2m/s0%
10:008%0.61m24134m0.62m/s0%
11:005.8%0.61m24134m1.1m/s0%
12:005.8%0.58m24134m2.5m/s0%
13:005.8%0.55m24135m3.4m/s0%
14:005.8%0.52m14914m5m/s0%
15:006%0.5m24135m6.1m/s0%
16:006.5%0.48m24135m6.7m/s0%
17:006.5%0.46m24135m6.8m/s0%
18:007.6%0.44m24135m8.1m/s0%
19:0011%0.43m24135m8.9m/s0%
20:0012%0.41m24135m10m/s0%
21:009.1%0.42m24134m8.7m/s0%
22:003.1%0.43m24134m6.2m/s0%
23:003.1%0.44m24134m4.8m/s0%
Thu, Apr 30
24:003.1%0.43m24134m3.2m/s0%
01:003.1%0.42m24134m2.3m/s0%
02:003.1%0.41m24134m1.7m/s0%
03:003.1%0.41m24135m1.6m/s0%
04:003.1%0.4m24135m2.2m/s0%
05:003.1%0.4m24135m2.1m/s0%
06:006.8%0.41m24135m1.9m/s0%
07:006.3%0.41m24134m1.4m/s0%
08:005.2%0.42m24135m1m/s0%
09:005.2%0.4m24135m0.8m/s0%
10:005.2%0.38m24134m0.82m/s0%
11:004.3%0.36m24134m1m/s0%
12:004.3%0.34m24135m1.6m/s0%
13:003%0.33m9681m3.5m/s0%
14:006.6%0.31m10046m4.5m/s0%
15:005.4%0.3m10575m4.7m/s0%
16:006.6%0.29m10161m6.4m/s0%
17:006.8%0.28m24134m7.9m/s0%
18:006.6%0.27m24134m8.7m/s0%
19:007.9%0.25m24135m9m/s0%
20:008.5%0.24m24135m9.1m/s0%
21:007.5%0.23m24134m8m/s0%
22:002.4%0.22m24135m6.2m/s0%
23:002.6%0.21m24134m4.5m/s0%
Fri, May 1
24:003%0.21m24134m3.7m/s0%
01:003%0.2m24135m2.8m/s0%
02:002.6%0.2m24135m2m/s0%
03:002.2%0.21m24135m1.1m/s0%
04:002.4%0.23m24135m1m/s0%
05:002.4%0.24m24135m1m/s0%
06:0014%0.22m24135m1.1m/s0%
07:0012%0.21m24135m1.3m/s0%
08:007.1%0.19m24135m1.4m/s0%
09:006.4%0.18m24135m2m/s0%
10:006.4%0.16m24135m2.6m/s0%
11:005.2%0.15m24135m3.2m/s0%
12:004.4%0.14m24135m2.4m/s0%
13:004.4%0.13m24135m1.5m/s0%
14:004.5%0.12m24135m0.7m/s0%
15:005.3%0.12m24135m0.71m/s0%
16:007.5%0.12m24135m0.72m/s0%
17:005.4%0.12m24135m0.73m/s0%
How to read: colored cells show whether each predicate requirement is met; highlighted rows mean the full rule matched (an opportunity).

What does Coastal 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
America/Los_Angeles
High Clouds
%
Low Clouds
%
Mid-Level Clouds
%
Primary Swell Height
m
Primary Wave Direction
°
Sea Salt AOD (550nm)
Solar Elevation
°
Total Cloud Coverage
%
Wind Direction
°
Wind Speed
m/s
Wind Wave Height
m
Wind Wave Period
s
Tue, Apr 28 Sunrise 06:17 Sunset 20:01
19:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.23m 46° 0.02 11° 0% 297° 4.9m/s 0.63m 4.5s
20:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.23m 47° 0.02 -0.11° 0% 297° 4.5m/s 0.64m 4.5s
21:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.23m 52° 0.02 -11° 0% 297° 4m/s 0.61m 4.7s
22:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.23m 56° 0.02 -21° 0% 294° 3.6m/s 0.58m 4.8s
23:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.23m 61° 0.02 -29° 0% 307° 3.6m/s 0.55m 4.9s
Wed, Apr 29 Sunrise 06:17 Sunset 20:01
24:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.23m 68° 0.02 -35° 0% 314° 2.5m/s 0.52m 6.5s
01:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 74° 0.02 -37° 0% 306° 2.7m/s 0.48m 8s
02:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 81° 0.02 -36° 0% 310° 2.5m/s 0.45m 9.6s
03:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 71° 0.02 -31° 0% 336° 1.7m/s 0.45m 8s
04:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.21m 62° 0.02 -24° 0% 353° 0.97m/s 0.46m 6.4s
05:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.21m 52° 0.02 -15° 0% 2° 1.7m/s 0.46m 4.8s
06:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.21m 42° 0.02 -4° 0% 22° 2.2m/s 0.5m 4.3s
07:00
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 31° 0.01 7.3° 0% 63° 1.2m/s 0.54m 3.9s
08:00
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 21° 0.01 19° 0% 111° 1.3m/s 0.58m 3.5s
09:00
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 22° 0.01 31° 0% 153° 1.2m/s 0.58m 3.4s
10:00
0% 0% 0% 0.19m 23° 0.01 42° 0% 237° 0.96m/s 0.58m 3.4s
11:00
0% 0% 0% 0.19m 24° 0.01 53° 0% 266° 1.9m/s 0.58m 3.4s
12:00
0% 0% 0% 0.19m 25° 0.01 62° 0% 268° 3.6m/s 0.55m 3.3s
13:00
0% 3% 0% 0.2m 26° 0.01 66° 3% 278° 4m/s 0.51m 3.2s
14:00
0% 23% 0% 0.2m 28° 0.02 64° 23% 285° 5m/s 0.48m 3.2s
15:00
0% 19% 0% 0.19m 31° 0.01 56° 19% 287° 5.4m/s 0.46m 3.3s
16:00
0% 2% 0% 0.19m 34° 0.01 46° 2% 289° 5.8m/s 0.43m 3.3s
17:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.18m 36° 0.01 34° 0% 289° 5.8m/s 0.41m 3.4s
18:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.17m 43° 0.01 23° 0% 289° 6.4m/s 0.4m 3.7s
19:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.17m 50° 0.02 11° 0% 288° 6.7m/s 0.38m 4.1s
20:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.16m 57° 0.02 0.1° 0% 294° 6.8m/s 0.37m 4.4s
21:00 ☾
0% 1% 0% 0.16m 47° 0.02 -11° 1% 301° 6m/s 0.39m 4s
22:00 ☾
0% 2% 0% 0.16m 37° 0.02 -21° 2% 306° 5m/s 0.4m 3.6s
23:00 ☾
0% 2% 0% 0.16m 27° 0.02 -29° 2% 312° 4.3m/s 0.42m 3.1s
Thu, Apr 30 Sunrise 06:16 Sunset 20:02
24:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.16m 25° 0.02 -34° 0% 321° 2.9m/s 0.4m 3.1s
01:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.15m 22° 0.02 -37° 0% 328° 2m/s 0.39m 3.2s
02:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.15m 20° 0.02 -36° 0% 349° 1.5m/s 0.37m 3.2s
03:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.15m 19° 0.02 -31° 0% 327° 1.4m/s 0.37m 3.1s
04:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.15m 18° 0.02 -23° 0% 320° 1.8m/s 0.37m 3.1s
05:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.15m 17° 0.02 -14° 0% 335° 1.6m/s 0.37m 3.1s
06:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.15m 16° - -3.7° 0% 353° 1.4m/s 0.38m 3.1s
07:00
5% 0% 0% 0.15m 15° - 7.5° 5% 357° 1m/s 0.38m 3.1s
08:00
5% 0% 0% 0.15m 14° - 19° 5% 23° 0.69m/s 0.39m 3.2s
09:00
5% 0% 0% 0.15m 13° - 31° 5% 296° 0.72m/s 0.37m 3.1s
10:00
6% 0% 0% 0.14m 11° - 42° 6% 286° 0.75m/s 0.35m 3.1s
11:00
99% 0% 5% 0.14m 9.7° - 53° 99% 255° 1.4m/s 0.33m 3.1s
12:00
100% 1% 6% 0.15m 10° - 62° 100% 271° 3.3m/s 0.32m 3.1s
13:00
100% 49% 100% 0.15m 11° - 67° 100% 283° 4.7m/s 0.3m 3.1s
14:00
50% 40% 17% 0.16m 11° - 64° 80% 292° 4.9m/s 0.29m 3.1s
15:00
2% 34% 4% 0.19m 21° - 56° 36% 289° 4.4m/s 0.26m 3.4s
16:00
0% 34% 0% 0.21m 30° - 46° 34% 289° 5.5m/s 0.24m 3.7s
17:00 ☾
0% 26% 0% 0.24m 39° - 34° 26% 292° 6.2m/s 0.21m 4s
18:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.23m 44° - 23° 0% 293° 6.5m/s 0.2m 4.2s
19:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.21m 48° - 11° 0% 299° 5.9m/s 0.19m 4.3s
20:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 53° - 0.24° 0% 299° 6.2m/s 0.18m 4.5s
21:00 ☾
0% 1% 0% 0.19m 57° - -11° 1% 301° 5.7m/s 0.15m 4.6s
22:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.17m 61° - -21° 0% 304° 4.8m/s 0.12m 4.8s
23:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.16m 65° - -29° 0% 310° 3.7m/s 0.09m 5s
Fri, May 1 Sunrise 06:15 Sunset 20:03
24:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.16m 70° - -34° 0% 306° 3.1m/s 0.08m 5.7s
01:00 ☾
5% 0% 0% 0.15m 76° - -36° 5% 314° 2.5m/s 0.06m 6.4s
02:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.15m 82° - -35° 0% 341° 1.5m/s 0.05m 7.2s
03:00 ☾
5% 0% 0% 0.16m 58° - -31° 5% 30° 0.58m/s 0.06m 5.8s
04:00 ☾
5% 0% 0% 0.18m 35° - -23° 5% 70° 0.95m/s 0.07m 4.4s
05:00 ☾
5% 0% 0% 0.19m 11° - -14° 5% 75° 0.96m/s 0.08m 3.1s
06:00 ☾
37% 0% 33% 0.17m 28° - -3.5° 37% 113° 1.4m/s 0.08m 3.6s
07:00
68% 0% 67% 0.16m 45° - 7.7° 68% 151° 1.9m/s 0.07m 4.2s
08:00
100% 0% 100% 0.14m 62° - 19° 100% 189° 2.4m/s 0.07m 4.8s
09:00
100% 0% 100% 0.13m 69° - 31° 100% 196° 2.4m/s 0.06m 5.6s
10:00
100% 0% 100% 0.11m 76° - 43° 100% 202° 2.3m/s 0.06m 6.4s
11:00
100% 0% 100% 0.1m 83° - 53° 100% 209° 2.3m/s 0.05m 7.2s
12:00
100% 0% 100% 0.1m 83° - 62° 100% 191° 1.6m/s 0.05m 7.1s
13:00
100% 0% 100% 0.09m 83° - 67° 100% 173° 1m/s 0.06m 7.1s
14:00
100% 0% 100% 0.09m 82° - 64° 100% 155° 0.36m/s 0.06m 7s
15:00
100% 0% 99% 0.09m 82° - 56° 100% 220° 0.49m/s 0.06m 7s
16:00
100% 0% 99% 0.09m 82° - 46° 100% 285° 0.61m/s 0.07m 7s
17:00 ☾
100% 0% 98% 0.09m 82° - 35° 100% 351° 0.73m/s 0.07m 6.9s
18:00 ☾
100% 0% 99% 0.09m 82° - 23° 100% 335° 0.73m/s 0.07m 6.9s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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