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Rule Dramatic Seascapes

Durdle Door - Dramatic Seascapes - Dorset & Jurassic Coast

Wool, England, United Kingdom

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
Precipitation Chance 39% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Wave Height0.5m
Swell Height0.7m
Wind Speed2.0m/s (calm conditions)
Cloud Cover22%

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Europe/London

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 weather conditions align for photography along the Jurassic Coast's UNESCO World Heritage geology. We track cloud patterns, visibility, and wind conditions to predict when storms and clearing weather create photogenic drama.

The Jurassic Coast's layered geology—185 million years exposed in cliffs and sea stacks—becomes even more powerful under dramatic skies. From the golden sandstone cliffs at West Bay to the white chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks, this coastline offers geological diversity unmatched in Britain, and dramatic weather amplifies these natural features.

What makes the Jurassic Coast special for dramatic coastal photography:

  • Geological drama - 185 million years of Earth history exposed in colorful cliff layers
  • Natural arches - Durdle Door's limestone arch creates iconic silhouettes under storm skies
  • Exposed headlands - Portland Bill's tidal race and lighthouse face the full force of Channel weather
  • Golden cliffs - West Bay's sandstone cliffs (famous from Broadchurch) glow dramatically in storm light

The most dramatic conditions occur during autumn and winter frontal systems (October-March). Portland Bill's tidal race creates spectacular wave action when strong winds oppose tidal currents. Post-storm clearing often produces rainbow opportunities as sun breaks through over dramatic geology. The golden sandstone at West Bay becomes even more vivid when lit by low-angle storm light. Durdle Door's limestone arch creates powerful silhouettes against turbulent skies. Always respect cliff edges—the Jurassic Coast's soft geology means active erosion and landslips are common.

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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
Europe/London
Coastal Drama Score
≥ 75.0%
Significant Wave Height
≥ 1.5m
Visibility
≥ 5000.0m
Wind Gusts
≤ 22.0m/s
Precipitation Chance
≤ 30.0%
Wed, Apr 8
02:009%0.42m24135m1.6m/s0%
03:006%0.4m24134m1.5m/s0%
04:008.8%0.37m24135m1.5m/s0%
05:004.7%0.13m24134m1.6m/s0%
06:007.9%0.17m24134m1.7m/s0%
07:0018%0.37m24135m1.5m/s0%
08:0016%0.44m24135m1.8m/s0%
09:0014%0.52m24134m2.2m/s0%
10:006.9%0.59m24135m1.8m/s0%
11:006%0.59m24134m1.8m/s0%
12:006%0.6m24135m1.3m/s0%
13:007.1%0.66m24134m1.1m/s0%
14:007.8%0.69m24135m1.4m/s0%
15:009.8%0.73m24134m3.4m/s0%
16:0011%0.76m24135m3.7m/s0%
17:0013%0.76m24135m4.5m/s0%
18:008.2%0.77m24134m4.8m/s0%
19:0011%0.79m24135m4.4m/s0%
20:0019%0.63m24135m2.4m/s0%
21:0018%0.59m24134m2.1m/s0%
22:005.6%0.54m24134m2.5m/s0%
23:003.1%0.38m24135m2.3m/s0%
Thu, Apr 9
24:007.3%0.67m24135m1.9m/s0%
01:007.4%0.69m24135m1.9m/s0%
02:009.9%0.76m24134m1.8m/s0%
03:009.8%0.84m24135m2.1m/s0%
04:007.2%0.91m24135m1.7m/s0%
05:007.1%0.94m24135m1.7m/s0%
06:0020%0.97m24134m2.3m/s0%
07:0031%1m24134m1.6m/s0%
08:0021%0.99m24134m7.4m/s0%
09:0017%0.99m24135m7.6m/s0%
10:0016%0.98m24134m7.2m/s0%
11:0014%0.96m24135m8.3m/s0%
12:0014%0.94m24135m8.2m/s0%
13:0016%0.92m24135m8.7m/s0%
14:0016%0.92m24135m9.7m/s0%
15:0015%0.93m24134m9.6m/s0%
16:0015%0.93m24135m10m/s0%
17:0018%0.89m24134m11m/s0%
18:0021%0.84m24134m11m/s0%
19:0026%0.8m24135m11m/s0%
20:0030%0.78m24135m13m/s0%
21:0026%0.77m24134m12m/s0%
22:009.1%0.75m24134m12m/s0%
23:009.9%0.76m24135m12m/s0%
Fri, Apr 10
24:0010%0.77m24134m12m/s0%
01:0014%0.78m24135m11m/s0%
02:0013%0.79m24134m11m/s0%
03:0012%0.79m24134m9m/s0%
04:0011%0.8m24135m3.6m/s0%
05:0011%0.79m24134m1.4m/s0%
06:0029%0.79m24134m0.6m/s0%
07:0033%0.78m24135m0.42m/s0%
08:0025%0.77m24134m0.41m/s13%
09:0018%0.75m24134m2.1m/s26%
10:0015%0.74m24135m3.3m/s39%
11:0014%0.74m24135m3.7m/s39%
12:0013%0.75m24134m5m/s39%
13:0012%0.75m24134m5.5m/s39%
14:009.9%0.77m24134m5.5m/s26%
15:0012%0.79m24036m6m/s13%
16:009.7%0.81m12198m4.7m/s0%
17:005.3%0.83m11738m2.9m/s17%
18:006.8%0.86m24135m6.3m/s33%
19:008.8%0.88m24135m9.2m/s50%
20:009.2%0.81m24135m12m/s38%
21:008.1%0.73m24134m14m/s25%
22:002.6%0.66m24135m16m/s13%
23:002.6%0.63m24134m16m/s16%
Sat, Apr 11
24:002.6%0.6m24135m16m/s18%
01:004.8%0.57m24134m15m/s21%
02:005.4%0.55m24134m14m/s33%
03:006.1%0.54m24134m14m/s44%
04:006.1%0.52m24135m14m/s56%
05:005.7%0.5m24135m11m/s60%
06:0019%0.49m24135m9.7m/s64%
07:0020%0.47m22848m11m/s69%
08:0026%0.46m23277m12m/s59%
09:0024%0.44m23706m14m/s49%
10:0012%0.43m24135m15m/s39%
11:0013%0.42m23673m16m/s33%
12:0013%0.41m23210m17m/s28%
13:0013%0.4m22748m18m/s22%
14:0013%0.4m23210m18m/s32%
15:0013%0.39m23673m17m/s42%
16:0013%0.39m24135m17m/s52%
17:008.3%0.39m24135m17m/s60%
18:008.2%0.39m24135m17m/s68%
19:009.3%0.39m24135m17m/s76%
20:0010%0.38m24135m17m/s72%
21:008.9%0.37m24135m17m/s68%
22:003.1%0.36m24135m17m/s64%
23:003.3%0.37m24135m17m/s69%
Sun, Apr 12
24:005.8%0.37m24135m17m/s75%
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
Europe/London
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
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:27 Sunset 19:53
02:00
22% 1% 0% 0.72m 105° 0.003 -31° 22% 301° 2m/s 0.11m 4.3s
03:00
43% 1% 0% 1m 123° 0.004 -27° 43% 303° 2.2m/s 0.1m 4.9s
04:00
100% 4% 0% 1.3m 141° 0.006 -21° 100% 311° 1.7m/s 0.09m 5.5s
05:00
100% 5% 0% 1.2m 120° 0.007 -14° 100% 302° 1.8m/s 0.11m 4.4s
06:00
100% 5% 11% 1.1m 98° 0.008 -5° 100% 308° 2.4m/s 0.14m 3.4s
07:00
100% 5% 100% 1.1m 76° 0.009 4.4° 100% 283° 1.5m/s 0.16m 2.3s
08:00
100% 5% 100% 1.1m 79° 0.009 14° 100% 290° 2m/s 0.19m 2.5s
09:00
100% 5% 74% 1.1m 82° 0.01 23° 100% 284° 3.6m/s 0.21m 2.7s
10:00
90% 1% 27% 1.1m 85° 0.01 32° 90% 276° 4.4m/s 0.24m 2.9s
11:00
100% 4% 94% 1.1m 109° 0.01 39° 100% 279° 5.7m/s 0.2m 3.5s
12:00
100% 3% 100% 1.1m 133° 0.02 45° 100% 280° 5.7m/s 0.15m 4s
13:00
100% 35% 100% 1.1m 158° 0.02 47° 100% 276° 6.4m/s 0.11m 4.6s
14:00
100% 100% 100% 1.1m 159° 0.02 46° 100% 287° 8.2m/s 0.09m 4.2s
15:00
100% 2% 100% 1.1m 160° 0.02 41° 100% 287° 5.9m/s 0.08m 3.7s
16:00
100% 4% 100% 1.1m 161° 0.03 35° 100% 293° 6.4m/s 0.06m 3.3s
17:00
100% 2% 100% 1.1m 163° 0.03 26° 100% 291° 6.4m/s 0.95m 3.1s
18:00
100% 3% 39% 1m 164° 0.02 17° 100% 294° 6.3m/s 1.8m 3s
19:00
100% 5% 5% 0.98m 166° 0.01 7.8° 100% 298° 6.7m/s 2.7m 2.9s
20:00
100% 3% 6% 0.97m 171° 0.01 -1.5° 100% 305° 6.8m/s 2.6m 2.9s
21:00
100% 3% 5% 0.96m 176° 0.01 -11° 100% 309° 5.6m/s 2.4m 2.8s
22:00
100% 0% 98% 0.95m 180° 0.02 -19° 100% 310° 5.3m/s 2.3m 2.8s
23:00
100% 0% 100% 0.99m 182° 0.02 -25° 100% 315° 5.7m/s 2.2m 2.8s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:27 Sunset 19:53
24:00
100% 0% 100% 1m 183° 0.02 -30° 100% 324° 6.2m/s 2.1m 2.8s
01:00
100% 0% 94% 1.1m 184° 0.02 -31° 100% 327° 5.7m/s 2.1m 2.8s
02:00
100% 0% 100% 1.1m 193° 0.02 -30° 100% 335° 4.7m/s 1.4m 2.8s
03:00
100% 0% 98% 1.1m 201° 0.02 -27° 100% 343° 3.5m/s 0.74m 2.8s
04:00
100% 24% 100% 1.1m 209° 0.02 -21° 100% 337° 1.8m/s 0.07m 2.8s
05:00
98% 97% 100% 1.1m 211° 0.02 -13° 100% 320° 1.3m/s 0.06m 2.8s
06:00
84% 100% 100% 1.1m 213° 0.02 -4.7° 100% 302° 0.56m/s 0.06m 2.8s
07:00
98% 100% 100% 1.1m 215° 0.02 4.7° 100% 265° 0.34m/s 0.05m 2.8s
08:00
64% 86% 74% 1m 169° 0.02 14° 86% 74° 0.15m/s 0.07m 2.5s
09:00
100% 64% 100% 1m 123° 0.02 23° 100% 150° 1.6m/s 0.09m 2.1s
10:00
100% 56% 100% 0.98m 77° 0.02 32° 100% 155° 2.7m/s 0.11m 1.8s
11:00
100% 64% 100% 0.93m 77° 0.02 40° 100% 158° 3m/s 0.21m 2.4s
12:00
100% 72% 100% 0.89m 77° 0.02 45° 100% 172° 4.2m/s 0.3m 3s
13:00
100% 44% 100% 0.84m 77° 0.02 47° 100% 180° 4.6m/s 0.4m 3.6s
14:00
100% 18% 100% 0.79m 79° - 46° 100% 177° 4.8m/s 0.47m 3.8s
15:00
100% 80% 100% 0.75m 80° - 42° 100% 179° 5.3m/s 0.53m 4.1s
16:00
100% 100% 100% 0.7m 82° - 35° 100% 171° 4.1m/s 0.6m 4.3s
17:00
100% 100% 100% 0.63m 84° - 27° 100% 139° 2.6m/s 0.61m 4.4s
18:00
100% 73% 100% 0.55m 85° - 17° 100% 127° 4.4m/s 0.62m 4.5s
19:00
100% 45% 100% 0.48m 87° - 100% 126° 5.2m/s 0.63m 4.6s
20:00
100% 7% 100% 0.49m 88° - -1.2° 100% 129° 5.9m/s 0.54m 4.4s
21:00
100% 5% 100% 0.49m 89° - -10° 100% 131° 6.5m/s 0.45m 4.2s
22:00
100% 5% 100% 0.5m 90° - -18° 100% 137° 7.7m/s 0.36m 4s
23:00
100% 5% 100% 0.58m 90° - -25° 100% 142° 7.7m/s 0.3m 3.7s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:25 Sunset 19:55
24:00
100% 0% 64% 0.67m 89° - -29° 100% 157° 7.4m/s 0.24m 3.5s
01:00
100% 4% 18% 0.75m 89° - -31° 100% 180° 7.3m/s 0.18m 3.3s
02:00
100% 6% 100% 0.63m 90° - -30° 100% 203° 7m/s 0.14m 3.1s
03:00
100% 100% 100% 0.52m 90° - -26° 100% 208° 6.9m/s 0.11m 3s
04:00
100% 100% 100% 0.4m 91° - -21° 100% 207° 7.2m/s 0.07m 2.9s
05:00
100% 100% 100% 0.49m 107° - -13° 100% 241° 6.7m/s 0.25m 3s
06:00
100% 100% 100% 0.58m 124° - -4.3° 100% 319° 5.7m/s 0.42m 3.2s
07:00
100% 100% 100% 0.67m 140° - 100% 274° 6.7m/s 0.6m 3.4s
08:00
67% 68% 67% 0.65m 141° - 14° 68% 265° 8.3m/s 0.42m 3.1s
09:00
34% 37% 33% 0.64m 142° - 24° 37% 256° 9.9m/s 0.25m 2.9s
10:00
0% 5% 0% 0.62m 143° - 32° 5% 247° 11m/s 0.07m 2.6s
11:00
0% 5% 2% 0.6m 144° - 40° 5% 241° 12m/s 0.07m 2.6s
12:00
0% 5% 3% 0.59m 145° - 45° 5% 234° 13m/s 0.08m 2.6s
13:00
0% 5% 5% 0.57m 146° - 48° 5% 227° 15m/s 0.08m 2.6s
14:00
0% 5% 3% 0.55m 120° - 47° 5% 227° 14m/s 0.09m 2.4s
15:00
0% 5% 2% 0.53m 94° - 42° 5% 227° 14m/s 0.11m 2.2s
16:00
0% 5% 0% 0.51m 68° - 35° 5% 227° 14m/s 0.12m 2s
17:00
0% 5% 0% 0.49m 72° - 27° 5% 228° 14m/s 0.14m 2.2s
18:00
0% 5% 0% 0.48m 77° - 18° 5% 229° 14m/s 0.16m 2.4s
19:00
0% 5% 0% 0.46m 82° - 8.2° 5% 230° 14m/s 0.18m 2.5s
20:00
0% 5% 1% 0.43m 84° - -0.95° 5% 231° 14m/s 0.16m 2.6s
21:00
0% 5% 2% 0.41m 86° - -10° 5% 232° 14m/s 0.15m 2.7s
22:00
0% 5% 3% 0.38m 88° - -18° 5% 233° 14m/s 0.13m 2.7s
23:00
0% 5% 4% 0.32m 83° - -24° 5% 234° 14m/s 0.1m 2.6s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:23 Sunset 19:57
24:00
0% 5% 4% 0.26m 79° - -29° 5% 235° 15m/s 0.08m 2.4s
01:00
0% 5% 5% 0.2m 74° - -31° 5% 237° 15m/s 0.05m 2.2s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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