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More Dramatic Seascapes in California Coast
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Rule Dramatic Seascapes

Laguna Beach - Dramatic Seascapes - California Coast

Laguna Beach, 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

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in America/Los_Angeles

No opportunities in the next 14 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 72 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%
Sat, Jan 10
16:0024%0.68m89400m6.2m/s0%
17:0017%0.69m53800m2.2m/s0%
18:007.5%0.7m88500m5.7m/s0%
19:007.1%0.71m90000m8.4m/s0%
20:007.5%0.67m90000m4.2m/s0%
21:005.9%0.64m90000m1.6m/s0%
22:005.5%0.6m90000m1.9m/s0%
23:006.3%0.56m90000m3.5m/s0%
Sun, Jan 11
24:007.1%0.52m90000m2.3m/s0%
01:006.3%0.48m90000m5m/s0%
02:007.1%0.47m90000m0.8m/s0%
03:007.2%0.47m90000m2.9m/s0%
04:006.4%0.46m90000m3.4m/s0%
05:007.1%0.47m90000m2.8m/s0%
06:0018%0.48m90000m2.7m/s0%
07:0018%0.49m88800m1.4m/s0%
08:0021%0.5m90000m0.7m/s0%
09:0014%0.5m85700m1.3m/s0%
10:0021%0.51m53700m1.9m/s0%
11:0022%0.5m75800m4.9m/s0%
12:0017%0.49m85500m6.1m/s0%
13:0016%0.48m90000m11m/s0%
14:0019%0.48m90000m5.5m/s0%
15:0019%0.47m90000m5.3m/s0%
16:0018%0.47m90000m3.8m/s0%
17:0026%0.46m90000m9.2m/s0%
18:0030%0.45m90000m8.4m/s0%
19:007.6%0.44m90000m12m/s0%
20:007.6%0.44m90000m10m/s0%
21:007.6%0.43m90000m9.2m/s0%
22:007.6%0.43m90000m4.9m/s0%
23:006.8%0.44m90000m5.5m/s0%
Mon, Jan 12
24:006.4%0.46m90000m5.6m/s0%
01:006.4%0.47m90000m3.3m/s0%
02:006.5%0.49m90000m4.6m/s0%
03:0011%0.51m90000m8.3m/s0%
04:007.8%0.53m90000m7.3m/s0%
05:006.4%0.55m90000m6m/s0%
06:0019%0.58m90000m4.6m/s0%
07:0021%0.6m90000m4.9m/s0%
08:0024%0.62m73535m3.7m/s0%
09:0025%0.65m57070m1.9m/s0%
10:0025%0.67m39555m2m/s0%
11:0011%0.69m24140m2.1m/s0%
12:0010%0.7m24140m3m/s0%
13:0010%0.72m24140m3m/s0%
14:0018%0.73m24140m3.5m/s0%
15:0017%0.74m24140m4.1m/s0%
16:0025%0.75m24140m1.5m/s0%
17:0018%0.76m24140m1.1m/s0%
18:0016%0.77m24140m1.5m/s0%
19:006.2%0.78m24140m2.2m/s0%
20:006.2%0.79m24140m2.5m/s0%
21:006.2%0.79m24140m2.5m/s0%
22:006.2%0.8m24140m2.3m/s0%
23:006.2%0.79m24140m2.2m/s0%
Tue, Jan 13
24:006.2%0.78m24140m2.2m/s0%
01:007%0.77m24140m2.3m/s0%
02:006.3%0.76m24140m1.9m/s0%
03:006.3%0.75m24140m1.8m/s0%
04:006.3%0.74m24140m1.7m/s0%
05:006.3%0.74m24140m1.6m/s0%
06:0016%0.73m24140m1.7m/s0%
07:0018%0.73m24140m1.9m/s0%
08:0019%0.72m24140m2.1m/s0%
09:0016%0.72m24140m2.4m/s0%
10:0014%0.71m24140m2.2m/s0%
11:0010%0.71m24140m1.7m/s0%
12:0010%0.7m24140m2.2m/s0%
13:0010%0.7m24140m2.1m/s0%
14:0012%0.7m24140m1.9m/s0%
15:0012%0.7m24140m2.1m/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
Sat, Jan 10 Sunrise 06:56 Sunset 17:01
17:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 289° 0.002 0.05° 0% 273° 2.2m/s 0.49m 8s
18:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.21m 263° 0.002 -12° 0% 50° 3.8m/s 0.4m 11s
19:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.21m 238° 0.002 -24° 0% 114° 5.2m/s 0.32m 14s
20:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 235° 0.002 -37° 0% 83° 3.1m/s 0.37m 14s
21:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 233° 0.002 -49° 0% 338° 1.6m/s 0.43m 13s
22:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.19m 231° 0.002 -61° 0% 354° 1.9m/s 0.48m 13s
23:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.19m 228° 0.002 -72° 0% 12° 3.5m/s 0.45m 13s
Sun, Jan 11 Sunrise 06:56 Sunset 17:01
24:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.19m 225° 0.002 -78° 0% 52° 2.3m/s 0.43m 13s
01:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.19m 222° 0.002 -72° 0% 97° 3.3m/s 0.4m 13s
02:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 218° 0.002 -61° 0% 45° 0.57m/s 0.4m 13s
03:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.21m 215° 0.002 -49° 0% 32° 2.5m/s 0.39m 13s
04:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 211° 0.002 -36° 0% 357° 3.4m/s 0.39m 13s
05:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 209° 0.002 -24° 0% 32° 2.8m/s 0.38m 13s
06:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 207° 0.002 -12° 0% 10° 2.8m/s 0.37m 13s
07:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 204° 0.002 0.42° 0% 318° 1.4m/s 0.36m 13s
08:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 205° 0.002 11° 0% 45° 0.71m/s 0.35m 13s
09:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 206° 0.002 20° 0% 297° 1.3m/s 0.35m 13s
10:00 ☾
38% 0% 0% 0.22m 206° 0.002 28° 38% 291° 0.85m/s 0.34m 13s
11:00 ☾
39% 0% 0% 0.22m 210° 0.003 33° 39% 27° 0.45m/s 0.32m 13s
12:00 ☾
93% 0% 0% 0.21m 213° 0.003 35° 93% 76° 1.6m/s 0.3m 13s
13:00 ☾
91% 0% 0% 0.21m 217° 0.003 33° 91% 87° 6m/s 0.28m 13s
14:00 ☾
99% 0% 0% 0.21m 221° 0.003 28° 99% 64° 2.8m/s 0.29m 13s
15:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.21m 224° 0.003 20° 100% 72° 2.3m/s 0.3m 13s
16:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.21m 228° 0.003 11° 100% 360° 0.6m/s 0.31m 13s
17:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.21m 228° 0.003 0.19° 100% 49° 3m/s 0.28m 13s
18:00 ☾
31% 0% 0% 0.2m 229° 0.003 -12° 31% 86° 5.4m/s 0.26m 13s
19:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 230° 0.003 -24° 0% 85° 7.2m/s 0.23m 13s
20:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 231° 0.003 -36° 0% 81° 6.1m/s 0.21m 13s
21:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 233° 0.002 -49° 0% 66° 5.5m/s 0.19m 13s
22:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 235° 0.002 -61° 0% 68° 2.4m/s 0.17m 13s
23:00 ☾
6% 0% 0% 0.2m 248° 0.002 -72° 6% 49° 3.5m/s 0.19m 15s
Mon, Jan 12 Sunrise 06:56 Sunset 17:02
24:00 ☾
5% 0% 0% 0.21m 262° 0.002 -78° 5% 52° 4.1m/s 0.2m 17s
01:00 ☾
5% 0% 0% 0.21m 276° 0.002 -72° 5% 46° 3m/s 0.22m 19s
02:00 ☾
7% 0% 0% 0.23m 277° 0.002 -61° 7% 49° 4m/s 0.21m 19s
03:00 ☾
57% 0% 0% 0.24m 279° 0.002 -49° 57% 78° 4.8m/s 0.19m 18s
04:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.26m 281° 0.002 -36° 0% 78° 4.9m/s 0.18m 18s
05:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.29m 281° - -24° 100% 81° 4m/s 0.17m 18s
06:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.31m 280° - -12° 100% 77° 3.5m/s 0.17m 18s
07:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.34m 280° - 0.44° 100% 98° 3.5m/s 0.16m 17s
08:00 ☾
78% 0% 0% 0.36m 281° - 11° 78% 94° 2.9m/s 0.17m 17s
09:00 ☾
44% 0% 0% 0.38m 282° - 20° 44% 92° 0.9m/s 0.17m 17s
10:00 ☾
32% 0% 0% 0.4m 283° - 28° 33% 87° 0.56m/s 0.18m 17s
11:00 ☾
5% 0% 0% 0.42m 283° - 33° 7% 252° 0.63m/s 0.18m 17s
12:00 ☾
10% 0% 0% 0.45m 283° - 35° 10% 266° 1.3m/s 0.19m 17s
13:00 ☾
10% 0% 0% 0.47m 283° - 33° 11% 274° 1.5m/s 0.19m 16s
14:00 ☾
69% 0% 0% 0.48m 283° - 28° 69% 274° 1.5m/s 0.22m 16s
15:00 ☾
70% 0% 0% 0.48m 283° - 20° 73% 286° 0.73m/s 0.24m 16s
16:00 ☾
52% 0% 0% 0.49m 283° - 11° 53% 252° 0.63m/s 0.27m 16s
17:00 ☾
10% 0% 0% 0.49m 284° - 0.34° 10% 233° 0.5m/s 0.29m 16s
18:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.5m 285° - -12° 0% 22° 0.54m/s 0.32m 16s
19:00 ☾
5% 0% 0% 0.5m 286° - -24° 6% 55° 1.2m/s 0.34m 16s
20:00 ☾
5% 0% 0% 0.49m 286° - -36° 5% 63° 1.8m/s 0.32m 16s
21:00 ☾
5% 0% 0% 0.48m 286° - -49° 5% 67° 2.1m/s 0.31m 16s
22:00 ☾
5% 0% 5% 0.47m 286° - -61° 5% 72° 2m/s 0.29m 16s
23:00 ☾
5% 0% 5% 0.47m 286° - -72° 6% 75° 2m/s 0.27m 16s
Tue, Jan 13 Sunrise 06:55 Sunset 17:03
24:00 ☾
5% 0% 5% 0.46m 286° - -78° 6% 74° 1.9m/s 0.26m 15s
01:00 ☾
5% 0% 5% 0.46m 286° - -72° 6% 77° 1.8m/s 0.24m 15s
02:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.46m 286° - -61° 0% 72° 1.3m/s 0.23m 15s
03:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.45m 286° - -49° 0% 55° 1.2m/s 0.21m 15s
04:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.45m 286° - -36° 0% 70° 1.2m/s 0.2m 15s
05:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.45m 286° - -24° 0% 63° 1.1m/s 0.21m 15s
06:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.46m 286° - -12° 0% 36° 1.4m/s 0.21m 15s
07:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.46m 286° - 0.46° 0% 45° 1.6m/s 0.22m 15s
08:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.46m 286° - 11° 0% 56° 1.8m/s 0.18m 15s
09:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.46m 287° - 20° 0% 55° 1.2m/s 0.13m 15s
10:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.46m 287° - 28° 0% 45° 0.42m/s 0.09m 15s
11:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.46m 287° - 33° 0% 262° 0.71m/s 0.11m 15s
12:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.45m 287° - 35° 0% 284° 1.2m/s 0.13m 14s
13:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.45m 287° - 33° 0% 273° 1.7m/s 0.15m 14s
14:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.46m 286° - 28° 0% 267° 2.1m/s 0.17m 14s
15:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.46m 286° - 20° 0% 272° 2.4m/s 0.19m 14s
16:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.47m 285° - 11° 0% 265° 2.5m/s 0.21m 14s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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