Rule
Dramatic Seascapes
Portland Bill - Dramatic Seascapes - Dorset & Jurassic Coast
Portland, England, United Kingdom
Dramatic coastal photography conditions - powerful waves combined with atmospheric drama and good visibility for seascape shots.
Currently
Real-time conditionsWave Height2.4m
Swell Height1.4m
Wind Speed8.7m/s (moderate winds)
Cloud Cover34%
Upcoming Opportunities
When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.
Times shown in Europe/London
Next opportunity
Powerful Seascape at Sunset
Portland Bill
Sat, May 23 · 20:00–22:00 · 2h window
Low confidence
27%
🌊Coastal Drama Score75.1-76.6%
Wave Height: 3.3m
Swell Height: 1.0m
Wind Speed: 5.7m/s (moderate winds)
Cloud Cover: 50%
What this forecast looks for
Plain-language explanation from the ruleThis 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 hour0matching 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, May 17 | |||||
| 15:00 | 29% | 2.4m | 24135m | 6.8m/s | 99% |
| 16:00 | 37% | 2.3m | 20733m | 8.1m/s | 99% |
| 17:00 | 33% | 2.3m | 19065m | 7.4m/s | 99% |
| 18:00 | 39% | 2.3m | 17768m | 7.6m/s | 100% |
| 19:00 | 28% | 2m | 19212m | 9.2m/s | 100% |
| 20:00 | 38% | 1.9m | 24135m | 8.5m/s | 99% |
| 21:00 | 39% | 1.9m | 21007m | 7.8m/s | 93% |
| 22:00 | 32% | 1.9m | 22925m | 7.5m/s | 90% |
| 23:00 | 10% | 1.9m | 19383m | 8m/s | 93% |
| Mon, May 18 | |||||
| 24:00 | 10% | 1.9m | 19213m | 8.4m/s | 95% |
| 01:00 | 10% | 1.9m | 13625m | 7.8m/s | 98% |
| 02:00 | 11% | 1.8m | 19337m | 7.3m/s | 93% |
| 03:00 | 13% | 1.8m | 24135m | 10m/s | 96% |
| 04:00 | 37% | 1.8m | 22687m | 10m/s | 93% |
| 05:00 | 43% | 1.8m | 23776m | 10m/s | 95% |
| 06:00 | 45% | 2m | 23233m | 10m/s | 96% |
| 07:00 | 46% | 2m | 24135m | 9.5m/s | 98% |
| 08:00 | 42% | 2.1m | 24135m | 8.5m/s | 78% |
| 09:00 | 26% | 1.9m | 24135m | 8.3m/s | 57% |
| 10:00 | 27% | 2m | 24135m | 8.9m/s | 39% |
| 11:00 | 20% | 2m | 24134m | 9.2m/s | 45% |
| 12:00 | 32% | 2m | 24135m | 9.6m/s | 50% |
| 13:00 | 30% | 2.2m | 24134m | 9.3m/s | 56% |
| 14:00 | 32% | 2.3m | 24134m | 9.4m/s | 68% |
| 15:00 | 38% | 2.4m | 24134m | 9.8m/s | 79% |
| 16:00 | 39% | 2.5m | 24134m | 9.3m/s | 91% |
| 17:00 | 37% | 2.6m | 24134m | 9.4m/s | 94% |
| 18:00 | 47% | 2.7m | 24134m | 9.1m/s | 97% |
| 19:00 | 43% | 2.8m | 24135m | 9.3m/s | 100% |
| 20:00 | 55% | 2.8m | 24135m | 10m/s | 99% |
| 21:00 | 58% | 2.8m | 17001m | 10m/s | 99% |
| 22:00 | 57% | 2.7m | 13361m | 11m/s | 99% |
| 23:00 | 19% | 2.7m | 14908m | 12m/s | 99% |
| Tue, May 19 | |||||
| 24:00 | 19% | 2.7m | 24134m | 14m/s | 99% |
| 01:00 | 20% | 2.7m | 24134m | 14m/s | 100% |
| 02:00 | 16% | 2.7m | 9505m | 15m/s | 97% |
| 03:00 | 18% | 2.7m | 8528m | 17m/s | 94% |
| 04:00 | 63% | 2.7m | 22079m | 19m/s | 92% |
| 05:00 | 59% | 2.7m | 17651m | 18m/s | 94% |
| 06:00 | 64% | 2.7m | 24134m | 14m/s | 97% |
| 07:00 | 54% | 2.7m | 24134m | 14m/s | 100% |
| 08:00 | 45% | 2.7m | 24134m | 14m/s | 90% |
| 09:00 | 35% | 2.7m | 24135m | 14m/s | 79% |
| 10:00 | 35% | 2.7m | 24135m | 15m/s | 69% |
| 11:00 | 25% | 2.7m | 24135m | 16m/s | 73% |
| 12:00 | 27% | 2.6m | 24134m | 15m/s | 77% |
| 13:00 | 27% | 2.6m | 24134m | 15m/s | 82% |
| 14:00 | 29% | 2.6m | 24134m | 15m/s | 67% |
| 15:00 | 28% | 2.5m | 24134m | 16m/s | 53% |
| 16:00 | 36% | 2.5m | 24134m | 17m/s | 39% |
| 17:00 | 36% | 2.4m | 24135m | 17m/s | 39% |
| 18:00 | 42% | 2.4m | 24134m | 17m/s | 39% |
| 19:00 | 42% | 2.3m | 24135m | 17m/s | 39% |
| 20:00 | 67% | 2.2m | 24134m | 17m/s | 42% |
| 21:00 | 68% | 2.2m | 24134m | 16m/s | 46% |
| 22:00 | 55% | 2.1m | 24135m | 16m/s | 49% |
| 23:00 | 16% | 2.1m | 24135m | 17m/s | 57% |
| Wed, May 20 | |||||
| 24:00 | 17% | 2m | 24134m | 17m/s | 64% |
| 01:00 | 17% | 2m | 24134m | 17m/s | 72% |
| 02:00 | 14% | 2m | 24135m | 15m/s | 55% |
| 03:00 | 13% | 1.9m | 24135m | 15m/s | 39% |
| 04:00 | 32% | 1.9m | 24135m | 17m/s | 22% |
| 05:00 | 43% | 1.8m | 24135m | 17m/s | 28% |
| 06:00 | 33% | 1.8m | 24135m | 16m/s | 33% |
| 07:00 | 30% | 1.8m | 24134m | 15m/s | 39% |
| 08:00 | 31% | 1.8m | 24134m | 14m/s | 26% |
| 09:00 | 25% | 1.7m | 24134m | 13m/s | 13% |
| 10:00 | 21% | 1.7m | 24135m | 13m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | 19% | 1.7m | 24135m | 13m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | 24% | 1.6m | 24135m | 13m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 17% | 1.6m | 24134m | 12m/s | 0% |
| 14:00 | 16% | 1.6m | 24135m | 12m/s | 0% |
| 15:00 | 16% | 1.5m | 24135m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 13% | 1.5m | 24134m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 13% | 1.4m | 24135m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 15% | 1.4m | 24135m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 23% | 1.4m | 24134m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 26% | 1.4m | 24134m | 9.3m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 23% | 1.4m | 24135m | 8m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 18% | 1.4m | 24135m | 6.7m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | 6.1% | 1.5m | 24135m | 6.5m/s | 0% |
| Thu, May 21 | |||||
| 24:00 | 6.1% | 1.5m | 24135m | 6.3m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | 6.1% | 1.5m | 24135m | 6.1m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | 5.7% | 1.5m | 24135m | 5.6m/s | 0% |
| 03:00 | 5.7% | 1.5m | 24135m | 5.1m/s | 0% |
| 04:00 | 16% | 1.5m | 24135m | 4.5m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | 19% | 1.4m | 24135m | 4.5m/s | 0% |
| 06:00 | 19% | 1.4m | 24135m | 4.5m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | 19% | 1.4m | 24135m | 4.4m/s | 0% |
| 08:00 | 17% | 1.4m | 24135m | 4.6m/s | 0% |
| 09:00 | 19% | 1.4m | 24135m | 4.8m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | 17% | 1.4m | 24135m | 5m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | 16% | 1.4m | 24135m | 5.2m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | 11% | 1.4m | 24135m | 5.4m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 9.1% | 1.4m | 24135m | 5.6m/s | 0% |
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 scoreThis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, May 18
Sunrise 05:18
Sunset 20:55 | ||||||||||||
| 15:00 | 5% | 31% | 14% | 1.4m | 115° | 0.06 | 52° | 34% | 213° | 8.7m/s | 1.8m | 7.7s |
| 16:00 | 0% | 7% | 86% | 1.4m | 111° | 0.06 | 44° | 86% | 209° | 7.9m/s | 2m | 7.8s |
| 17:00 | 4% | 77% | 99% | 1.5m | 106° | 0.06 | 35° | 99% | 209° | 8m/s | 2.1m | 7.9s |
| 18:00 | 97% | 99% | 100% | 1.5m | 101° | 0.06 | 26° | 100% | 209° | 8m/s | 2.1m | 7.9s |
| 19:00 | 5% | 100% | 99% | 1.5m | 96° | 0.05 | 16° | 100% | 201° | 7.7m/s | 2.2m | 7.9s |
| 20:00 | 5% | 100% | 98% | 1.6m | 102° | 0.05 | 7.1° | 100% | 188° | 8.1m/s | 2.1m | 8.1s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 10% | 100% | 100% | 1.6m | 109° | 0.04 | -1.2° | 100% | 185° | 8.4m/s | 2.1m | 8.2s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 36% | 100% | 100% | 1.6m | 115° | 0.03 | -8.6° | 100% | 187° | 8.2m/s | 2m | 8.3s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 1.6m | 121° | 0.03 | -14° | 100% | 180° | 8.9m/s | 2m | 8.5s |
| Tue, May 19
Sunrise 05:18
Sunset 20:55 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 1.6m | 127° | 0.04 | -18° | 100% | 173° | 11m/s | 2m | 8.7s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 1.6m | 133° | 0.05 | -20° | 100% | 173° | 12m/s | 1.9m | 9s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 1.7m | 131° | 0.04 | -19° | 100% | 178° | 12m/s | 1.9m | 9s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 1.7m | 129° | 0.03 | -15° | 100% | 180° | 13m/s | 1.9m | 9.1s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 34% | 100% | 0% | 1.8m | 128° | 0.02 | -9.9° | 100% | 185° | 13m/s | 1.9m | 9.2s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 9% | 100% | 14% | 1.8m | 130° | 0.03 | -2.9° | 100% | 187° | 13m/s | 1.8m | 9.3s |
| 06:00 | 100% | 46% | 100% | 1.8m | 133° | 0.04 | 5.4° | 100% | 212° | 11m/s | 1.7m | 9.3s |
| 07:00 | 100% | 1% | 100% | 1.8m | 135° | 0.05 | 14° | 100% | 218° | 10m/s | 1.6m | 9.4s |
| 08:00 | 90% | 1% | 100% | 1.8m | 135° | 0.06 | 24° | 100% | 222° | 10m/s | 1.6m | 9.5s |
| 09:00 | 0% | 100% | 100% | 1.8m | 136° | 0.1 | 33° | 100% | 209° | 9.4m/s | 1.6m | 9.5s |
| 10:00 | 3% | 100% | 100% | 1.8m | 136° | 0.13 | 42° | 100% | 210° | 10m/s | 1.5m | 9.6s |
| 11:00 | 0% | 94% | 100% | 1.8m | 136° | 0.15 | 50° | 100% | 218° | 11m/s | 1.5m | 9.6s |
| 12:00 | 0% | 31% | 100% | 1.7m | 137° | 0.14 | 57° | 100% | 222° | 11m/s | 1.4m | 9.6s |
| 13:00 | 4% | 97% | 5% | 1.7m | 138° | 0.11 | 59° | 97% | 230° | 11m/s | 1.4m | 9.6s |
| 14:00 | 0% | 5% | 4% | 1.6m | 138° | - | 57° | 5% | 232° | 11m/s | 1.4m | 9.7s |
| 15:00 | 0% | 5% | 5% | 1.6m | 139° | - | 52° | 5% | 233° | 12m/s | 1.3m | 9.7s |
| 16:00 | 0% | 5% | 5% | 1.5m | 140° | - | 44° | 5% | 234° | 12m/s | 1.3m | 9.7s |
| 17:00 | 0% | 5% | 5% | 1.5m | 162° | - | 35° | 5% | 235° | 12m/s | 1.3m | 10s |
| 18:00 | 0% | 7% | 5% | 1.5m | 184° | - | 26° | 7% | 235° | 12m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 19:00 | 0% | 14% | 5% | 1.4m | 206° | - | 16° | 14% | 235° | 12m/s | 1.2m | 12s |
| 20:00 | 41% | 9% | 5% | 1.4m | 207° | - | 7.3° | 41% | 239° | 12m/s | 1.2m | 12s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 0% | 5% | 39% | 1.3m | 207° | - | -0.95° | 39% | 241° | 12m/s | 1.2m | 12s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 0% | 61% | 2% | 1.3m | 208° | - | -8.4° | 61% | 236° | 11m/s | 1.2m | 12s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 0% | 100% | 0% | 1.2m | 206° | - | -14° | 100% | 230° | 11m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| Wed, May 20
Sunrise 05:16
Sunset 20:56 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 0% | 9% | 5% | 1.2m | 205° | - | -18° | 9% | 234° | 12m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 0% | 14% | 3% | 1.1m | 203° | - | -19° | 14% | 238° | 12m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 0% | 72% | 36% | 1.1m | 204° | - | -18° | 72% | 240° | 11m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 0% | 78% | 5% | 1.1m | 204° | - | -15° | 78% | 235° | 10m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 3% | 100% | 11% | 1m | 204° | - | -9.7° | 100% | 231° | 10m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 0% | 73% | 5% | 1m | 206° | - | -2.7° | 73% | 232° | 11m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 06:00 | 5% | 100% | 0% | 0.99m | 207° | - | 5.5° | 100% | 235° | 11m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 07:00 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0.96m | 209° | - | 14° | 100% | 238° | 10m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 08:00 | 66% | 67% | 5% | 0.94m | 207° | - | 24° | 90% | 238° | 9.9m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 09:00 | 88% | 100% | 75% | 0.92m | 205° | - | 33° | 100% | 238° | 9.7m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 10:00 | 6% | 100% | 42% | 0.9m | 204° | - | 42° | 100% | 232° | 9.3m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 11:00 | 32% | 99% | 5% | 0.86m | 205° | - | 51° | 99% | 229° | 8.8m/s | 1.2m | 11s |
| 12:00 | 23% | 76% | 2% | 0.83m | 206° | - | 57° | 76% | 231° | 8.7m/s | 1.1m | 10s |
| 13:00 | 96% | 0% | 0% | 0.79m | 207° | - | 59° | 96% | 231° | 8.2m/s | 1.1m | 10s |
| 14:00 | 9% | 1% | 3% | 0.76m | 208° | - | 58° | 9% | 227° | 7.6m/s | 1.1m | 10s |
| 15:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.72m | 209° | - | 52° | 5% | 226° | 7.4m/s | 1.1m | 10s |
| 16:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.69m | 210° | - | 44° | 5% | 225° | 7.3m/s | 1m | 10s |
| 17:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.71m | 209° | - | 35° | 5% | 224° | 7.4m/s | 1m | 10s |
| 18:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.74m | 209° | - | 26° | 5% | 227° | 7.1m/s | 1m | 10s |
| 19:00 | 45% | 0% | 0% | 0.76m | 209° | - | 16° | 45% | 227° | 6.9m/s | 1m | 10s |
| 20:00 | 63% | 0% | 26% | 0.75m | 204° | - | 7.4° | 63% | 217° | 6.1m/s | 1.1m | 10s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 82% | 0% | 52% | 0.73m | 200° | - | -0.73° | 82% | 207° | 5.2m/s | 1.1m | 9.9s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 78% | 0.72m | 195° | - | -8.3° | 100% | 197° | 4.4m/s | 1.1m | 9.8s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 52% | 0.71m | 195° | - | -14° | 100% | 196° | 4.3m/s | 1.2m | 9.8s |
| Thu, May 21
Sunrise 05:15
Sunset 20:58 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 26% | 0.7m | 194° | - | -18° | 100% | 195° | 4.2m/s | 1.2m | 9.7s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0.69m | 194° | - | -19° | 100% | 194° | 4.1m/s | 1.2m | 9.7s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 4% | 0.66m | 193° | - | -18° | 100% | 191° | 3.9m/s | 1.2m | 9.7s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 8% | 0.64m | 192° | - | -15° | 100% | 189° | 3.6m/s | 1.2m | 9.7s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 12% | 0.61m | 191° | - | -9.6° | 100% | 186° | 3.4m/s | 1.1m | 9.6s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 32% | 0.62m | 189° | - | -2.5° | 100% | 174° | 3.5m/s | 1.1m | 9.6s |
| 06:00 | 99% | 0% | 52% | 0.63m | 187° | - | 5.7° | 99% | 162° | 3.6m/s | 1.1m | 9.6s |
| 07:00 | 99% | 0% | 72% | 0.64m | 185° | - | 15° | 99% | 150° | 3.8m/s | 1.1m | 9.5s |
| 08:00 | 67% | 0% | 64% | 0.66m | 173° | - | 24° | 82% | 145° | 3.9m/s | 1.1m | 9.5s |
| 09:00 | 36% | 0% | 56% | 0.67m | 162° | - | 33° | 65% | 139° | 4.1m/s | 1.1m | 9.5s |
| 10:00 | 5% | 0% | 48% | 0.69m | 150° | - | 43° | 48% | 134° | 4.3m/s | 1.1m | 9.4s |
| 11:00 | 36% | 2% | 34% | 0.75m | 139° | - | 51° | 65% | 126° | 4.5m/s | 1m | 9.3s |
| 12:00 | 68% | 3% | 19% | 0.8m | 128° | - | 57° | 82% | 118° | 4.7m/s | 0.95m | 9.2s |
| 13:00 | 99% | 5% | 5% | 0.86m | 116° | - | 60° | 99% | 110° | 4.9m/s | 0.89m | 9.1s |
| 14:00 | 68% | 5% | 5% | 0.86m | 114° | - | 58° | 68% | 110° | 5.4m/s | 0.86m | 9s |
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.
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