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Rule Dramatic Seascapes

Bar Harbor - Dramatic Seascapes - New England, USA

Bar Harbor, Maine, 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
Precipitation Chance 65% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Wave Height0.3m
Swell Height0.2m
Wind Speed5.3m/s (moderate winds)
Cloud Cover96%

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in America/New_York

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 tracks the dramatic conditions that make the Maine coast and Cape Cod world-class seascape photography destinations. We combine wave height, wind patterns, and storm systems to predict when the rocky New England shoreline will come alive with crashing waves and moody atmosphere.

New England's coastline—especially Maine's rocky shores—creates some of North America's most dramatic seascapes. Cold North Atlantic waters meet granite cliffs, creating powerful wave action. Historic lighthouses perched on headlands add iconic human elements to wild natural drama.

What makes New England coastal photography exceptional:

  • Acadia granite coast - Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, and Schoodic Point where waves explode against pink granite
  • Lighthouse drama - Portland Head Light, Nubble Light, and dozens more frame seascapes with maritime history
  • Nor'easter storms - Autumn and winter storms bring massive waves and dramatic skies to the entire coastline
  • Cape Cod exposure - The Cape juts far into the Atlantic, catching dramatic weather from all directions

Best conditions occur during and after nor'easter storms, typically October through March. These powerful low-pressure systems bring huge waves, dramatic skies, and often spectacular light during clearing phases. Safety is critical—rogue waves can sweep exposed rocks. Our forecast helps you time visits for drama without excessive danger.

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72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 86 hours
AND logic: all conditions required
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
America/New_York
Coastal Drama Score
≥ 75.0%
Significant Wave Height
≥ 1.5m
Visibility
≥ 5000.0m
Wind Gusts
≤ 22.0m/s
Precipitation Chance
≤ 30.0%
Tue, Apr 21
24:002.9%0.38m24135m5.3m/s0%
01:002.9%0.32m24134m4.7m/s0%
02:004.7%0.44m24135m5.3m/s0%
03:003.6%0.41m24134m2.7m/s0%
04:003.6%0.39m24135m2.6m/s0%
05:0010%0.36m24135m2.2m/s0%
06:0012%0.34m24134m2.4m/s0%
07:0011%0.33m24135m2.5m/s0%
08:009%0.61m24135m2m/s0%
09:008.7%0.57m24134m1.8m/s0%
10:007.6%0.54m24134m2.5m/s0%
11:006.9%0.5m24134m2.7m/s0%
12:007.7%0.48m24134m3.6m/s0%
13:004.8%0.45m24135m4.4m/s0%
14:004.9%0.34m24134m4.9m/s0%
15:005.9%0.34m24134m5.5m/s0%
16:005.9%0.35m24134m5.2m/s0%
17:008.3%0.35m24134m5.5m/s0%
18:008.1%0.35m24134m5.8m/s0%
19:0011%0.36m24135m7.1m/s0%
20:0013%0.36m24134m7.3m/s0%
21:003.3%0.35m24135m6.4m/s0%
22:003.2%0.33m24134m5m/s0%
23:002.9%0.32m24135m3.7m/s0%
Wed, Apr 22
24:002.9%0.31m24134m3.9m/s0%
01:002.9%0.3m24135m3.9m/s0%
02:002.9%0.29m24134m3.7m/s0%
03:002.6%0.29m24134m2.6m/s0%
04:003.4%0.28m24134m2.7m/s0%
05:0011%0.28m24135m2.8m/s0%
06:009.2%0.32m24134m4m/s17%
07:0011%0.35m24134m7.2m/s33%
08:007.4%0.39m24135m7.2m/s50%
09:006.2%0.45m24135m7.4m/s42%
10:005.7%0.5m23942m7.4m/s34%
11:005.1%0.56m20446m7.3m/s26%
12:004.5%0.59m10885m7.6m/s30%
13:005.1%0.62m14258m8m/s33%
14:004.5%0.65m14482m8.6m/s37%
15:005.5%0.65m12706m8.8m/s46%
16:003.7%0.65m695m9.3m/s55%
17:004.4%0.65m235m8.3m/s64%
18:005.9%0.64m117m8.5m/s66%
19:006.4%0.63m161m8.5m/s69%
20:005%0.62m927m7.8m/s72%
21:002%0.65m14301m6.4m/s66%
22:002.9%0.67m21028m5.3m/s61%
23:003.3%0.7m24135m4.6m/s56%
Thu, Apr 23
24:003.3%0.74m24135m4.7m/s66%
01:002.9%0.78m24135m4.4m/s76%
02:002.9%0.82m24135m4m/s86%
03:002.9%0.8m24135m4.2m/s82%
04:002.9%0.79m24134m3.9m/s77%
05:007.8%0.77m24135m3m/s73%
06:008.8%0.71m24135m2.4m/s80%
07:007.8%0.66m23114m3.4m/s87%
08:0013%0.6m24134m4.4m/s94%
09:009.8%0.56m16520m4.8m/s94%
10:005.1%0.51m753m5.8m/s94%
11:002.1%0.47m95m6.6m/s94%
12:006.5%0.45m24135m6.7m/s95%
13:002.5%0.42m3404m6.5m/s96%
14:006.3%0.4m22535m7.4m/s97%
15:006.9%0.39m17073m7.3m/s83%
16:008.1%0.38m19319m8.8m/s70%
17:009%0.37m24134m9.3m/s56%
18:0016%0.36m24135m10m/s50%
19:0012%0.36m24135m11m/s44%
20:009.6%0.35m24135m2.8m/s39%
21:004.2%0.33m24135m3.1m/s26%
22:004.2%0.31m24135m3.3m/s13%
23:003.7%0.29m24135m3.6m/s0%
Fri, Apr 24
24:003.6%0.27m24135m4.3m/s7.4%
01:004.3%0.26m24135m5m/s15%
02:003.8%0.24m24135m5.6m/s22%
03:003.4%0.24m17139m5.2m/s32%
04:002.9%0.23m10143m4.7m/s42%
05:005.9%0.23m3147m4.3m/s52%
06:007.8%0.24m5628m4.4m/s63%
07:007.2%0.24m8109m4.4m/s73%
08:007.8%0.25m10589m4.5m/s83%
09:007.2%0.26m15104m5.1m/s76%
10:007.2%0.27m19620m5.7m/s69%
11:007.2%0.28m24135m6.2m/s62%
12:008.1%0.27m24135m5.7m/s64%
13:009%0.27m24135m5.2m/s66%
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/New_York
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
Tue, Apr 21 Sunrise 05:39 Sunset 19:24
15:00
0% 96% 71% 0.25m 169° 0.006 45° 96% 180° 5.3m/s 0.32m 6.7s
16:00
0% 57% 96% 0.23m 170° 0.006 35° 100% 183° 5.2m/s 0.31m 6.7s
17:00
0% 17% 92% 0.2m 170° 0.006 25° 92% 192° 5m/s 0.29m 6.6s
18:00
0% 2% 100% 0.19m 170° 0.006 14° 100% 197° 4.6m/s 0.3m 6.6s
19:00
0% 3% 95% 0.19m 170° 0.006 3.6° 95% 204° 4.1m/s 0.3m 6.6s
20:00
0% 5% 45% 0.18m 170° 0.005 -6.6° 45% 210° 3.2m/s 0.31m 6.5s
21:00
0% 5% 0% 0.17m 176° 0.005 -16° 5% 220° 2.6m/s 0.3m 5.7s
22:00
0% 5% 0% 0.17m 183° 0.006 -24° 5% 227° 2.3m/s 0.29m 4.8s
23:00
0% 5% 0% 0.16m 190° 0.006 -30° 5% 234° 2.1m/s 0.28m 3.9s
Wed, Apr 22 Sunrise 05:37 Sunset 19:25
24:00
0% 3% 0% 0.15m 190° 0.007 -33° 3% 241° 2m/s 0.27m 3.9s
01:00
0% 5% 0% 0.15m 190° 0.007 -33° 5% 239° 2m/s 0.26m 3.9s
02:00
0% 5% 0% 0.14m 190° 0.008 -30° 5% 223° 1.8m/s 0.25m 3.9s
03:00
0% 5% 3% 0.13m 190° 0.009 -24° 5% 202° 1.5m/s 0.25m 3.9s
04:00
0% 4% 29% 0.13m 190° 0.01 -16° 29% 188° 1.5m/s 0.24m 4s
05:00
0% 5% 70% 0.12m 189° 0.01 -7° 70% 180° 1.5m/s 0.24m 4s
06:00
0% 58% 97% 0.13m 193° 0.01 3.3° 97% 167° 1.9m/s 0.28m 3.6s
07:00
0% 93% 88% 0.14m 196° 0.01 14° 93% 175° 2.6m/s 0.32m 3.2s
08:00
0% 100% 100% 0.15m 200° 0.01 24° 100% 194° 4.5m/s 0.36m 2.8s
09:00
0% 84% 100% 0.15m 200° 0.01 35° 100% 199° 5.2m/s 0.42m 3s
10:00
0% 100% 100% 0.15m 200° 0.02 45° 100% 204° 5.5m/s 0.48m 3.2s
11:00
0% 97% 100% 0.15m 199° 0.03 52° 100% 210° 5.4m/s 0.54m 3.5s
12:00
0% 100% 91% 0.15m 199° 0.03 57° 100% 214° 5.4m/s 0.57m 3.6s
13:00
0% 95% 2% 0.15m 198° 0.03 57° 95% 216° 5.6m/s 0.6m 3.8s
14:00
0% 97% 5% 0.15m 198° 0.03 53° 97% 203° 5.5m/s 0.63m 3.9s
15:00
2% 100% 5% 0.15m 198° 0.02 45° 100% 201° 6.1m/s 0.63m 4s
16:00
0% 100% 8% 0.15m 198° 0.02 35° 100% 200° 5.4m/s 0.63m 4.1s
17:00
0% 100% 4% 0.15m 197° 0.02 25° 100% 195° 3.8m/s 0.63m 4.2s
18:00
0% 100% 4% 0.15m 197° 0.03 14° 100% 205° 3.2m/s 0.62m 4.2s
19:00
0% 100% 1% 0.15m 196° 0.03 3.8° 100% 210° 3.4m/s 0.61m 4.2s
20:00
0% 100% 98% 0.15m 196° 0.03 -6.4° 100% 215° 3.2m/s 0.6m 4.2s
21:00
0% 100% 86% 0.15m 197° - -16° 100% 215° 2.5m/s 0.63m 4.2s
22:00
1% 100% 87% 0.14m 198° - -24° 100% 238° 1.7m/s 0.66m 4.2s
23:00
10% 100% 83% 0.14m 199° - -29° 100% 261° 1.4m/s 0.69m 4.2s
Thu, Apr 23 Sunrise 05:35 Sunset 19:27
24:00
14% 100% 49% 0.15m 198° - -33° 100% 271° 1.8m/s 0.73m 4.3s
01:00
5% 100% 84% 0.17m 198° - -33° 100% 277° 1.9m/s 0.78m 4.5s
02:00
0% 100% 100% 0.18m 197° - -30° 100% 275° 1.8m/s 0.82m 4.6s
03:00
0% 99% 88% 0.18m 196° - -24° 100% 270° 1.9m/s 0.8m 4.6s
04:00
0% 100% 100% 0.17m 195° - -16° 100% 275° 1.9m/s 0.79m 4.6s
05:00
0% 100% 100% 0.17m 194° - -6.7° 100% 270° 1.8m/s 0.77m 4.7s
06:00
0% 100% 100% 0.31m 192° - 3.5° 100% 263° 1.4m/s 0.81m 4.6s
07:00
0% 100% 100% 0.46m 191° - 14° 100% 252° 1.6m/s 0.84m 4.6s
08:00
0% 100% 100% 0.6m 189° - 25° 100% 255° 1.6m/s 0.88m 4.6s
09:00
0% 100% 100% 0.56m 189° - 35° 100% 272° 1.8m/s 0.65m 4.6s
10:00
0% 100% 45% 0.51m 188° - 45° 100% 285° 2.4m/s 0.41m 4.6s
11:00
0% 100% 31% 0.47m 187° - 53° 100% 286° 1.9m/s 0.18m 4.6s
12:00
0% 83% 35% 0.44m 187° - 58° 83% 310° 2.9m/s 0.15m 4.6s
13:00
0% 100% 89% 0.41m 187° - 58° 100% 332° 4.6m/s 0.12m 4.6s
14:00
0% 100% 98% 0.38m 187° - 53° 100% 350° 4.8m/s 0.09m 4.6s
15:00
0% 93% 90% 0.36m 187° - 45° 96% 5m/s 0.12m 4.6s
16:00
0% 74% 76% 0.33m 187° - 36° 83% 4.7m/s 0.14m 4.7s
17:00
0% 50% 99% 0.31m 187° - 25° 99% 5.1m/s 0.17m 4.7s
18:00
0% 11% 51% 0.29m 187° - 14° 51% 4.5m/s 0.19m 4.7s
19:00
0% 5% 5% 0.27m 187° - 5% 4.1m/s 0.2m 4.7s
20:00
0% 5% 5% 0.25m 187° - -6.2° 5% 351° 2.1m/s 0.22m 4.7s
21:00
0% 5% 30% 0.24m 187° - -15° 30% 339° 2.2m/s 0.2m 4.7s
22:00
0% 5% 55% 0.22m 187° - -23° 55% 327° 2.3m/s 0.19m 4.7s
23:00
0% 5% 79% 0.21m 187° - -29° 79% 315° 2.5m/s 0.17m 4.7s
Fri, Apr 24 Sunrise 05:34 Sunset 19:28
24:00
0% 35% 86% 0.2m 183° - -32° 86% 325° 2.6m/s 0.15m 5.1s
01:00
0% 65% 92% 0.19m 179° - -32° 92% 335° 2.8m/s 0.12m 5.5s
02:00
0% 95% 98% 0.18m 175° - -29° 98% 344° 3m/s 0.1m 5.9s
03:00
0% 96% 67% 0.17m 172° - -23° 98% 342° 3.1m/s 0.1m 6.3s
04:00
0% 96% 36% 0.17m 168° - -16° 97% 341° 3.2m/s 0.11m 6.8s
05:00
0% 97% 5% 0.16m 165° - -6.4° 97% 339° 3.3m/s 0.11m 7.3s
06:00
0% 98% 4% 0.16m 167° - 3.8° 98% 342° 3m/s 0.11m 7.3s
07:00
0% 99% 2% 0.17m 169° - 14° 99% 345° 2.7m/s 0.12m 7.2s
08:00
0% 100% 1% 0.17m 170° - 25° 100% 348° 2.4m/s 0.12m 7.1s
09:00
0% 98% 1% 0.19m 172° - 35° 98% 345° 2.8m/s 0.13m 7.1s
10:00
0% 96% 0% 0.2m 173° - 45° 96% 341° 3.1m/s 0.15m 7.1s
11:00
0% 94% 0% 0.22m 174° - 53° 94% 338° 3.5m/s 0.16m 7.1s
12:00
0% 76% 0% 0.23m 175° - 58° 76% 342° 3.2m/s 0.14m 7.1s
13:00
0% 58% 0% 0.24m 176° - 58° 58% 347° 2.9m/s 0.11m 7.1s
14:00
0% 39% 0% 0.25m 177° - 53° 39% 352° 2.7m/s 0.09m 7.2s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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