Rule
Cloudscapes
Funchal - Cloudscapes - Madeira
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Multi-layered dramatic clouds for striking sky photography
Currently
Real-time conditionsCloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts5.2m/s
Precipitation Chance5%
Air Pressure926.7hPa
Upcoming Opportunities
When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.
Times shown in Atlantic/Madeira
Next opportunity
Striking Cloud Drama
Funchal
Tue, Apr 21 · 09:00–10:00 · 1h window
Medium confidence
41%
☁️Cloud Drama Score75.4%
Cloud Cover: 65%
Wind Gusts: 4.0m/s
Precipitation Chance: 13%
Air Pressure: 1010.1hPa
What this forecast looks for
Plain-language explanation from the ruleThis forecast tracks dramatic cloud conditions over Madeira's volcanic landscapes, sea cliffs, and Atlantic coastline. We analyze cloud types, coverage patterns, Atlantic weather systems, and trade wind interactions to predict when sky drama combines with the island's distinctive volcanic features.
Madeira's position 600 kilometers from Morocco means frequent interaction with weather systems, while its topography—rising steeply to 1,862-meter peaks—forces clouds into spectacular patterns. Prevailing northeast trade winds create predictable formations and dramatic rain shadow effects between north and south coasts.
What makes Madeira cloudscape photography special:
- Trade wind clouds - Predictable northeast winds create stable formations that cling to peaks and northern slopes
- Volcanic peaks - Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo pierce dramatic cloud systems, creating island-above-clouds compositions
- Coastal contrast - North coast receives Atlantic weather while south coast often remains sunny beneath clouds
- Atlantic drama - Winter storms bring towering cumulus and clearing conditions over volcanic cliffs and natural pools
Porto Moniz offers the most powerful cloudscape location—natural volcanic swimming pools on the northwest coast under turbulent Atlantic skies create raw drama, especially when waves crash over black lava formations. Cabo Girão's sea cliff provides epic compositions when clouds build over the Atlantic beyond Europe's highest cliff. Pico do Arieiro becomes extraordinary under dramatic clouds—photograph from the peak as systems move through valleys below. Santana's traditional triangular houses gain moody atmosphere under heavy cloud. Funchal's amphitheater harbour creates compelling urban cloudscapes when storms approach. Ponta de São Lourenço's barren headland takes on Mars-like quality under dark storm clouds. Autumn and winter bring the most spectacular conditions. Monitor conditions carefully—weather changes rapidly.
Create your own Cloudscapes alerts
Get notified when these conditions match at your own locations.
72-hour requirements breakdown
What passed or failed, hour by hourOR logic: one branch per group is enough
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time Atlantic/Madeira | Cloud Drama Score ≥ 75.0% | Low Clouds ≥ 20.0% | Mid-Level Clouds OR1·B1≥ 30.0% | High Clouds OR1·B2≥ 40.0% | Visibility ≥ 5000.0m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Apr 17 | |||||
| 20:00 | 66% | 52% | 100% | 100% | 87m |
| 21:00 | 57% | 51% | 100% | 100% | 115m |
| 22:00 | 0% | 51% | 100% | 100% | 117m |
| 23:00 | 2.4% | 49% | 83% | 93% | 10677m |
| Sat, Apr 18 | |||||
| 24:00 | 0.7% | 27% | 60% | 99% | 24134m |
| 01:00 | 2.4% | 47% | 58% | 100% | 139m |
| 02:00 | 8% | 45% | 34% | 100% | 280m |
| 03:00 | 8.1% | 50% | 89% | 100% | 125m |
| 04:00 | 8.7% | 50% | 78% | 33% | 1499m |
| 05:00 | 11% | 50% | 57% | 97% | 1172m |
| 06:00 | 9.5% | 50% | 60% | 100% | 212m |
| 07:00 | 82% | 50% | 10% | 76% | 193m |
| 08:00 | 67% | 50% | 33% | 100% | 95m |
| 09:00 | 61% | 50% | 52% | 100% | 217m |
| 10:00 | 46% | 3.6% | 35% | 90% | 24135m |
| 11:00 | 42% | 0.1% | 41% | 98% | 24134m |
| 12:00 | 34% | 0% | 74% | 100% | 24135m |
| 13:00 | 11% | 0.1% | 2.8% | 99% | 24134m |
| 14:00 | 28% | 0.1% | 99% | 100% | 24134m |
| 15:00 | 17% | 0.1% | 86% | 100% | 24134m |
| 16:00 | 31% | 0% | 32% | 100% | 24134m |
| 17:00 | 9.9% | 0.1% | 4.1% | 100% | 24135m |
| 18:00 | 42% | 0% | 52% | 99% | 24135m |
| 19:00 | 52% | 0.1% | 36% | 100% | 24134m |
| 20:00 | 51% | 0.1% | 53% | 100% | 24135m |
| 21:00 | 46% | 1.4% | 94% | 100% | 24134m |
| 22:00 | 1.2% | 0.1% | 100% | 100% | 24135m |
| 23:00 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 79% | 97% | 24135m |
| Sun, Apr 19 | |||||
| 24:00 | 0.1% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 24134m |
| 01:00 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 80% | 95% | 24135m |
| 02:00 | 0% | 2.6% | 100% | 100% | 24135m |
| 03:00 | 0.1% | 5.8% | 95% | 100% | 24134m |
| 04:00 | 0.1% | 4.8% | 94% | 100% | 24134m |
| 05:00 | 0% | 29% | 100% | 99% | 24135m |
| 06:00 | 0.5% | 3.3% | 100% | 99% | 24134m |
| 07:00 | 49% | 5.9% | 100% | 88% | 22789m |
| 08:00 | 57% | 3.8% | 99% | 100% | 24135m |
| 09:00 | 56% | 1.4% | 86% | 80% | 24135m |
| 10:00 | 50% | 30% | 100% | 100% | 23042m |
| 11:00 | 36% | 2.3% | 100% | 100% | 23194m |
| 12:00 | 42% | 40% | 100% | 100% | 23019m |
| 13:00 | 28% | 9.5% | 99% | 59% | 24135m |
| 14:00 | 48% | 12% | 71% | 27% | 21772m |
| 15:00 | 28% | 6.8% | 81% | 4.8% | 24134m |
| 16:00 | 78% | 4.2% | 76% | 31% | 24134m |
| 17:00 | 57% | 7.3% | 65% | 3.7% | 24135m |
| 18:00 | 44% | 2.6% | 89% | 0.6% | 24134m |
| 19:00 | 67% | 0.1% | 46% | 0% | 14215m |
| 20:00 | 75% | 2.5% | 37% | 1.2% | 11912m |
| 21:00 | 100% | 17% | 53% | 0% | 3647m |
| 22:00 | 15% | 25% | 48% | 0% | 2032m |
| 23:00 | 15% | 17% | 28% | 0% | 11288m |
| Mon, Apr 20 | |||||
| 24:00 | 15% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 24134m |
| 01:00 | 15% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 24135m |
| 02:00 | 9.2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 24134m |
| 03:00 | 8.6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 24135m |
| 04:00 | 3.1% | 0% | 0% | 3.4% | 24135m |
| 05:00 | 2.9% | 0% | 0% | 5% | 24135m |
| 06:00 | 4.8% | 0% | 0% | 35% | 24134m |
| 07:00 | 64% | 0% | 0% | 30% | 24134m |
| 08:00 | 33% | 0% | 0% | 91% | 24135m |
| 09:00 | 29% | 0% | 0.1% | 99% | 24135m |
| 10:00 | 51% | 0% | 6.2% | 74% | 24134m |
| 11:00 | 45% | 0% | 72% | 97% | 24135m |
| 12:00 | 52% | 0% | 94% | 54% | 24134m |
| 13:00 | 35% | 0% | 100% | 53% | 24135m |
| 14:00 | 40% | 0% | 86% | 25% | 24134m |
| 15:00 | 34% | 0.9% | 46% | 0% | 24135m |
| 16:00 | 44% | 1.8% | 29% | 0% | 24135m |
| 17:00 | 41% | 21% | 1.3% | 0% | 24135m |
| 18:00 | 52% | 23% | 0% | 0.3% | 1717m |
| 19:00 | 98% | 23% | 13% | 79% | 2356m |
| 20:00 | 52% | 23% | 2.4% | 99% | 24134m |
| 21:00 | 53% | 15% | 0% | 2.4% | 24134m |
| 22:00 | 15% | 15% | 0% | 0% | 24134m |
| 23:00 | 15% | 4.2% | 0% | 0% | 24135m |
| Tue, Apr 21 | |||||
| 24:00 | 14% | 43% | 0% | 0% | 2361m |
| 01:00 | 14% | 74% | 0% | 0% | 3840m |
| 02:00 | 0% | 49% | 0% | 0% | 10605m |
| 03:00 | 0% | 25% | 0% | 0% | 17370m |
| 04:00 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 24135m |
| 05:00 | 0% | 21% | 0% | 1.1% | 24135m |
| 06:00 | 0% | 42% | 0% | 2.2% | 24135m |
| 07:00 | 44% | 63% | 0% | 3.3% | 24135m |
| 08:00 | 91% | 58% | 0% | 23% | 24135m |
| 09:00 | 75% | 52% | 0% | 43% | 24135m |
| 10:00 | 51% | 47% | 0% | 62% | 24135m |
| 11:00 | 50% | 63% | 0% | 43% | 24135m |
| 12:00 | 43% | 78% | 0% | 24% | 24135m |
| 13:00 | 8.5% | 94% | 0% | 4.9% | 24135m |
| 14:00 | 7.5% | 96% | 0% | 3.3% | 24135m |
| 15:00 | 7.5% | 98% | 0% | 1.6% | 24135m |
| 16:00 | 9.9% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 24135m |
| 17:00 | 9.9% | 97% | 0% | 0% | 24135m |
| 18:00 | 14% | 93% | 0% | 0% | 24135m |
How to read: colored cells show whether each predicate requirement is met; highlighted rows mean the full rule matched (an opportunity). For OR groups, only one branch is required, so some OR-branch predicates can be ✕ even in a matching hour.
What does Cloud 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 Atlantic/Madeira | Air Pressure hPa | High Clouds % | Mid-Level Clouds % | Precipitation Chance % | Relative Humidity % | Solar Elevation ° | Total Cloud Coverage % | Wind Gusts m/s | Wind Speed m/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Apr 18
Sunrise 07:34
Sunset 20:39 | |||||||||
| 20:00 | 927hPa | 100% | 53% | 5% | 46% | 7.5° | 100% | 5.2m/s | 2.8m/s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 927hPa | 100% | 94% | 11% | 54% | -4.9° | 100% | 2.8m/s | 1.6m/s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 927hPa | 100% | 100% | 16% | 46% | -17° | 100% | 5.1m/s | 2.9m/s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 928hPa | 97% | 79% | 24% | 44% | -28° | 100% | 5.2m/s | 2.8m/s |
| Sun, Apr 19
Sunrise 07:34
Sunset 20:39 | |||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 927hPa | 100% | 100% | 31% | 45% | -37° | 100% | 5.2m/s | 3m/s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 927hPa | 95% | 80% | 39% | 51% | -43° | 95% | 6m/s | 3m/s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 926hPa | 100% | 100% | 44% | 46% | -46° | 100% | 4.7m/s | 2.6m/s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 925hPa | 100% | 95% | 50% | 43% | -44° | 100% | 6.9m/s | 3.7m/s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 925hPa | 100% | 94% | 56% | 57% | -39° | 100% | 6.7m/s | 3.3m/s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 925hPa | 99% | 100% | 60% | 59% | -30° | 100% | 3.9m/s | 1.8m/s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 925hPa | 98% | 100% | 64% | 53% | -19° | 100% | 9m/s | 2.9m/s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 924hPa | 88% | 100% | 69% | 46% | -7.6° | 100% | 9.9m/s | 3.9m/s |
| 08:00 | 925hPa | 100% | 99% | 59% | 55% | 4.8° | 100% | 8.7m/s | 3.3m/s |
| 09:00 | 925hPa | 80% | 86% | 49% | 54% | 17° | 86% | 8m/s | 3.9m/s |
| 10:00 | 925hPa | 100% | 100% | 39% | 39% | 30° | 100% | 8.9m/s | 4m/s |
| 11:00 | 925hPa | 100% | 100% | 47% | 35% | 42° | 100% | 8.8m/s | 5.2m/s |
| 12:00 | 925hPa | 100% | 100% | 55% | 37% | 54° | 100% | 7.6m/s | 3.5m/s |
| 13:00 | 925hPa | 59% | 99% | 64% | 28% | 64° | 99% | 8.2m/s | 3.6m/s |
| 14:00 | 924hPa | 27% | 71% | 50% | 29% | 69° | 71% | 12m/s | 4.4m/s |
| 15:00 | 923hPa | 5% | 81% | 36% | 31% | 65° | 81% | 12m/s | 4.9m/s |
| 16:00 | 923hPa | 31% | 76% | 22% | 32% | 56° | 76% | 14m/s | 5.8m/s |
| 17:00 | 923hPa | 4% | 65% | 22% | 29% | 45° | 65% | 14m/s | 5.3m/s |
| 18:00 | 923hPa | 1% | 89% | 22% | 34% | 33° | 89% | 9.2m/s | 4.3m/s |
| 19:00 | 922hPa | 0% | 46% | 22% | 43% | 20° | 46% | 7.2m/s | 2.8m/s |
| 20:00 | 922hPa | 1% | 37% | 15% | 61% | 7.6° | 37% | 5.5m/s | 3.1m/s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 922hPa | 0% | 53% | 7% | 80% | -4.7° | 53% | 5.5m/s | 2.9m/s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 922hPa | 0% | 48% | 0% | 78% | -17° | 48% | 7.7m/s | 3.6m/s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 921hPa | 0% | 28% | 0% | 77% | -27° | 28% | 6.2m/s | 3.1m/s |
| Mon, Apr 20
Sunrise 07:33
Sunset 20:40 | |||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 921hPa | 0% | 0% | 0% | 74% | -37° | 0% | 5m/s | 2.8m/s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 920hPa | 0% | 0% | 0% | 73% | -43° | 0% | 4.1m/s | 2.7m/s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 920hPa | 0% | 0% | 0% | 68% | -46° | 0% | 2.9m/s | 2m/s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 919hPa | 0% | 0% | 0% | 66% | -44° | 0% | 2.4m/s | 1.6m/s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 919hPa | 3% | 0% | 0% | 64% | -38° | 3% | 1.7m/s | 1.8m/s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 919hPa | 5% | 0% | 0% | 65% | -29° | 5% | 1.8m/s | 1.9m/s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 918hPa | 35% | 0% | 0% | 66% | -19° | 35% | 1.5m/s | 1.5m/s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 918hPa | 30% | 0% | 0% | 67% | -7.3° | 30% | 1.3m/s | 1.2m/s |
| 08:00 | 918hPa | 91% | 0% | 0% | 65% | 5° | 91% | 1.6m/s | 1.6m/s |
| 09:00 | 918hPa | 99% | 0% | 0% | 62% | 17° | 99% | 2.7m/s | 1.6m/s |
| 10:00 | 918hPa | 74% | 6% | 0% | 51% | 30° | 74% | 2.2m/s | 1.4m/s |
| 11:00 | 918hPa | 97% | 72% | 0% | 48% | 42° | 97% | 2.4m/s | 1.4m/s |
| 12:00 | 918hPa | 54% | 94% | 0% | 47% | 54° | 94% | 2.6m/s | 1.5m/s |
| 13:00 | 918hPa | 53% | 100% | 0% | 48% | 64° | 100% | 2.5m/s | 1.3m/s |
| 14:00 | 918hPa | 25% | 86% | 5% | 52% | 69° | 86% | 2.4m/s | 0.99m/s |
| 15:00 | 917hPa | 0% | 46% | 9% | 52% | 66° | 46% | 2.6m/s | 1.1m/s |
| 16:00 | 917hPa | 0% | 29% | 14% | 50% | 57° | 29% | 2.9m/s | 1.5m/s |
| 17:00 | 917hPa | 0% | 1% | 22% | 54% | 45° | 21% | 2.6m/s | 1.4m/s |
| 18:00 | 917hPa | 0% | 0% | 31% | 58% | 33° | 23% | 2.7m/s | 1.9m/s |
| 19:00 | 917hPa | 79% | 13% | 39% | 65% | 20° | 79% | 2.8m/s | 1.7m/s |
| 20:00 | 917hPa | 99% | 2% | 26% | 74% | 7.8° | 99% | 2.7m/s | 1.6m/s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 918hPa | 2% | 0% | 13% | 83% | -4.6° | 15% | 1.7m/s | 1.1m/s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 918hPa | 0% | 0% | 0% | 84% | -16° | 15% | 2.1m/s | 1.6m/s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 919hPa | 0% | 0% | 13% | 86% | -27° | 4% | 2.3m/s | 1.6m/s |
| Tue, Apr 21
Sunrise 07:32
Sunset 20:41 | |||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 919hPa | 0% | 0% | 26% | 94% | -36° | 43% | 2.3m/s | 1.6m/s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 919hPa | 0% | 0% | 39% | 94% | -43° | 74% | 4m/s | 2.7m/s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 949hPa | 0% | 0% | 39% | 89% | -45° | 49% | 3.7m/s | 2.8m/s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 979hPa | 0% | 0% | 39% | 83% | -44° | 25% | 3.4m/s | 2.9m/s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 1009hPa | 0% | 0% | 39% | 78% | -38° | 0% | 3.1m/s | 3.1m/s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 1009hPa | 1% | 0% | 39% | 78% | -29° | 21% | 3.7m/s | 3.6m/s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 1009hPa | 2% | 0% | 39% | 78% | -19° | 42% | 4.2m/s | 4.1m/s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 1010hPa | 3% | 0% | 39% | 79% | -7.1° | 63% | 4.7m/s | 4.6m/s |
| 08:00 | 1010hPa | 23% | 0% | 26% | 78% | 5.2° | 64% | 4.4m/s | 4.5m/s |
| 09:00 | 1010hPa | 43% | 0% | 13% | 77% | 18° | 65% | 4m/s | 4.3m/s |
| 10:00 | 1010hPa | 62% | 0% | 0% | 77% | 30° | 66% | 3.6m/s | 4.2m/s |
| 11:00 | 1011hPa | 43% | 0% | 13% | 77% | 43° | 75% | 4m/s | 4.1m/s |
| 12:00 | 1011hPa | 24% | 0% | 26% | 77% | 54° | 84% | 4.4m/s | 4.1m/s |
| 13:00 | 1011hPa | 5% | 0% | 39% | 77% | 64° | 94% | 4.7m/s | 4m/s |
| 14:00 | 1012hPa | 3% | 0% | 39% | 77% | 69° | 96% | 3.9m/s | 3.6m/s |
| 15:00 | 1012hPa | 2% | 0% | 39% | 76% | 66° | 98% | 3.1m/s | 3.1m/s |
| 16:00 | 1013hPa | 0% | 0% | 39% | 76% | 57° | 100% | 2.3m/s | 2.7m/s |
| 17:00 | 1013hPa | 0% | 0% | 39% | 76% | 45° | 97% | 2.1m/s | 2.3m/s |
| 18:00 | 1013hPa | 0% | 0% | 39% | 76% | 33° | 93% | 1.8m/s | 1.9m/s |
| 19:00 | 1013hPa | 0% | 0% | 39% | 76% | 20° | 90% | 1.6m/s | 1.5m/s |
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.
Get Notified of Opportunities
Create your own custom alerts for this location and more.
Create Free Account