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More Dramatic Seascapes in California Coast
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Rule Dramatic Seascapes

Malibu - Dramatic Seascapes - California Coast

Malibu, 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%
Sun, Jan 11
04:007.4%0.33m84100m14m/s0%
05:007.4%0.32m84100m15m/s0%
06:007.3%0.32m83900m16m/s0%
07:0024%0.31m83700m15m/s0%
08:0022%0.31m83000m15m/s0%
09:0018%0.3m83300m14m/s0%
10:0018%0.3m81500m13m/s0%
11:0016%0.3m79100m11m/s0%
12:0016%0.31m80600m12m/s0%
13:0017%0.31m84700m12m/s0%
14:0024%0.31m82900m13m/s0%
15:0020%0.32m83300m14m/s0%
16:0023%0.32m86100m15m/s0%
17:0025%0.33m85000m13m/s0%
18:0022%0.33m87100m12m/s0%
19:007.6%0.34m90000m11m/s0%
20:007.1%0.36m90000m11m/s0%
21:007.5%0.38m90000m12m/s0%
22:007.4%0.4m90000m12m/s0%
23:007.4%0.42m89500m12m/s0%
Mon, Jan 12
24:007.4%0.44m89200m13m/s0%
01:007.4%0.46m89100m12m/s0%
02:0010%0.48m89600m13m/s0%
03:008%0.51m88800m14m/s0%
04:007.5%0.53m88800m13m/s0%
05:007.5%0.56m89100m13m/s0%
06:007.5%0.58m89500m13m/s0%
07:0023%0.61m88800m13m/s0%
08:0024%0.63m85000m12m/s0%
09:0019%0.66m86300m10m/s0%
10:0017%0.68m85800m9.5m/s0%
11:0015%0.69m81700m12m/s0%
12:0017%0.71m83300m13m/s0%
13:0017%0.72m86900m13m/s0%
14:0026%0.73m90000m12m/s0%
15:0021%0.73m90000m11m/s0%
16:0024%0.74m90000m12m/s0%
17:0023%0.74m90000m13m/s0%
18:0020%0.74m90000m13m/s0%
19:007.1%0.74m90000m13m/s0%
20:005.9%0.74m73535m9.8m/s0%
21:005.5%0.73m57070m6.7m/s0%
22:005.5%0.73m40605m4.9m/s0%
23:005.5%0.73m24140m3.5m/s0%
Tue, Jan 13
24:005.1%0.72m24140m3.3m/s0%
01:005.1%0.72m24140m3.4m/s0%
02:005.2%0.71m24140m3.3m/s0%
03:005.1%0.71m24140m3m/s0%
04:005.2%0.7m24140m2.8m/s0%
05:005.2%0.7m24140m2.6m/s0%
06:005.2%0.7m24140m2.8m/s0%
07:0017%0.7m24140m2.8m/s0%
08:0016%0.7m24140m2.7m/s0%
09:0014%0.7m24140m2.7m/s0%
10:0014%0.7m24140m1.9m/s0%
11:0012%0.7m24140m1.8m/s0%
12:0012%0.71m24140m1.9m/s0%
13:0011%0.71m24140m2.1m/s0%
14:0012%0.71m24140m2.3m/s0%
15:0012%0.72m24140m2.7m/s0%
16:0015%0.72m24140m3m/s0%
17:0018%0.73m24140m2.7m/s0%
18:0016%0.73m24140m2.7m/s0%
19:005.5%0.74m24140m2.6m/s0%
20:005.5%0.74m24140m2.5m/s0%
21:005.5%0.74m24140m2.7m/s0%
22:005.5%0.74m24140m2.7m/s0%
23:005.5%0.74m24140m2.5m/s0%
Wed, Jan 14
24:005.5%0.74m24140m2.6m/s0%
01:005.5%0.74m24140m2.7m/s0%
02:005.5%0.73m24140m2.7m/s0%
03:005.5%0.73m24140m2.9m/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
Sun, Jan 11 Sunrise 07:01 Sunset 17:04
05:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.22m 257° 0.003 -25° 0% 30° 11m/s 0.36m 13s
06:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.21m 256° 0.003 -13° 0% 33° 12m/s 0.23m 13s
07:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 255° 0.003 -0.71° 0% 35° 11m/s 0.11m 13s
08:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.2m 255° 0.003 9.8° 0% 36° 11m/s 0.19m 13s
09:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.21m 255° 0.003 19° 0% 37° 11m/s 0.28m 13s
10:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.21m 255° 0.003 27° 100% 34° 10m/s 0.36m 14s
11:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.22m 257° 0.003 32° 100% 34° 8.9m/s 0.36m 14s
12:00 ☾
95% 0% 0% 0.24m 259° 0.003 34° 95% 36° 8.9m/s 0.35m 13s
13:00 ☾
16% 0% 0% 0.25m 260° 0.003 33° 16% 43° 8.3m/s 0.35m 13s
14:00 ☾
63% 0% 0% 0.25m 262° 0.003 28° 63% 45° 8.7m/s 0.27m 13s
15:00 ☾
84% 0% 0% 0.26m 263° 0.003 20° 84% 41° 9.8m/s 0.2m 13s
16:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.26m 264° 0.003 11° 100% 40° 10m/s 0.12m 13s
17:00 ☾
4% 0% 0% 0.27m 265° 0.003 0.64° 4% 43° 10m/s 0.15m 13s
18:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.28m 265° 0.003 -11° 0% 43° 9.5m/s 0.17m 13s
19:00 ☾
2% 0% 0% 0.29m 266° 0.003 -23° 2% 43° 9m/s 0.2m 13s
20:00 ☾
10% 0% 0% 0.29m 267° 0.003 -36° 10% 36° 9.2m/s 0.2m 13s
21:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.29m 269° 0.003 -48° 0% 36° 9.4m/s 0.21m 13s
22:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.29m 270° 0.002 -60° 0% 41° 9.6m/s 0.21m 13s
23:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.3m 271° 0.002 -71° 0% 40° 9.9m/s 0.23m 14s
Mon, Jan 12 Sunrise 07:01 Sunset 17:05
24:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.31m 273° 0.002 -78° 0% 42° 10m/s 0.25m 14s
01:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.32m 275° 0.002 -72° 0% 40° 9.8m/s 0.27m 14s
02:00 ☾
35% 0% 0% 0.35m 275° 0.002 -62° 35% 39° 10m/s 0.29m 14s
03:00 ☾
11% 0% 0% 0.38m 275° 0.002 -49° 11% 36° 11m/s 0.31m 14s
04:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.41m 275° 0.002 -37° 100% 38° 11m/s 0.33m 14s
05:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.44m 275° 0.003 -25° 100% 36° 10m/s 0.33m 14s
06:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.47m 276° 0.003 -13° 100% 37° 11m/s 0.32m 14s
07:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.5m 277° 0.003 -0.68° 100% 36° 11m/s 0.32m 13s
08:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.52m 277° 0.003 9.8° 100% 41° 9.7m/s 0.27m 13s
09:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.55m 277° 0.003 19° 100% 38° 8.8m/s 0.23m 13s
10:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.57m 277° 0.002 27° 100% 36° 8m/s 0.18m 13s
11:00 ☾
100% 0% 2% 0.59m 277° 0.002 32° 100% 36° 8.4m/s 0.2m 13s
12:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.62m 278° 0.002 34° 100% 38° 9.3m/s 0.21m 13s
13:00 ☾
100% 0% 0% 0.64m 279° 0.002 33° 100% 41° 9m/s 0.23m 13s
14:00 ☾
61% 0% 0% 0.65m 279° 0.002 28° 61% 45° 8.1m/s 0.24m 13s
15:00 ☾
11% 0% 0% 0.66m 279° 0.002 20° 11% 43° 7.8m/s 0.24m 13s
16:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 278° 0.002 11° 0% 41° 8.2m/s 0.25m 13s
17:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 278° - 0.79° 0% 41° 9.8m/s 0.24m 12s
18:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 278° - -11° 0% 42° 10m/s 0.24m 12s
19:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.69m 278° - -23° 0% 42° 10m/s 0.23m 12s
20:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.69m 279° - -35° 0% 37° 8.1m/s 0.23m 12s
21:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 279° - -48° 0% 31° 5.8m/s 0.22m 12s
22:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 280° - -60° 0% 29° 4.5m/s 0.22m 12s
23:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 280° - -71° 0% 30° 3.5m/s 0.22m 12s
Tue, Jan 13 Sunrise 07:01 Sunset 17:06
24:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 280° - -77° 0% 27° 3.1m/s 0.21m 12s
01:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 280° - -72° 0% 27° 3.1m/s 0.21m 12s
02:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 280° - -62° 0% 26° 3m/s 0.17m 12s
03:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 280° - -49° 0% 24° 3m/s 0.12m 12s
04:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 280° - -37° 0% 26° 3m/s 0.08m 12s
05:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 279° - -25° 0% 26° 3m/s 0.07m 12s
06:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 279° - -13° 0% 31° 3.1m/s 0.06m 12s
07:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 279° - -0.64° 0% 27° 3.1m/s 0.05m 12s
08:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 279° - 9.9° 0% 29° 2.6m/s 0.09m 12s
09:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 280° - 19° 0% 27° 2m/s 0.12m 12s
10:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 280° - 27° 0% 25° 1.4m/s 0.16m 13s
11:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 279° - 33° 0% 346° 1.2m/s 0.2m 13s
12:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 279° - 35° 0% 319° 1.1m/s 0.23m 14s
13:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 278° - 33° 0% 279° 1.2m/s 0.27m 14s
14:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 278° - 28° 0% 274° 1.6m/s 0.31m 14s
15:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.69m 278° - 21° 0% 278° 2.2m/s 0.34m 14s
16:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.69m 278° - 11° 0% 293° 2.3m/s 0.38m 14s
17:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.69m 277° - 0.94° 0% 324° 2.2m/s 0.28m 14s
18:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.69m 277° - -11° 0% 335° 2.1m/s 0.18m 14s
19:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.69m 277° - -23° 0% 357° 2.2m/s 0.08m 14s
20:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.69m 277° - -35° 0% 15° 2.3m/s 0.15m 14s
21:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.7m 276° - -48° 0% 20° 2.7m/s 0.21m 14s
22:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.7m 276° - -60° 0% 26° 3.2m/s 0.28m 14s
23:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.69m 276° - -71° 0% 27° 3.1m/s 0.21m 13s
Wed, Jan 14 Sunrise 07:00 Sunset 17:07
24:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.69m 276° - -77° 0% 30° 3m/s 0.15m 13s
01:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 276° - -72° 0% 24° 2.4m/s 0.08m 13s
02:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.68m 276° - -61° 0% 17° 2.4m/s 0.08m 13s
03:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 276° - -49° 0% 10° 2.8m/s 0.08m 13s
04:00 ☾
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 276° - -37° 0% 15° 2.7m/s 0.08m 13s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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