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Rule Cloudscapes

El Calafate - Cloudscapes - Patagonia

El Calafate, Santa Cruz, Argentina

Multi-layered dramatic clouds for striking sky photography

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Drama Score
7%
Cloud Cover2%
Wind Gusts3.2m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure976.9hPa

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in America/Argentina/Rio_Gallegos
cloudscapes weather icon
Next opportunity
Dramatic Cloud Drama
El Calafate
Fri, Jul 10 · 16:00–17:00 · 1h window
Medium confidence
48%
☁️Cloud Drama Score100%
Cloud Cover: 40%
Wind Gusts: 0.8m/s
Precipitation Chance: 0%
Air Pressure: 957.8hPa
cloudscapes weather icon
Striking Cloud Drama at Sunset
El Calafate
Fri, Jul 10 · 17:00–18:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:84.5%
Medium

What this forecast looks for

Plain-language explanation from the rule

This forecast tracks the dramatic cloud formations that make Patagonia one of Earth's premier cloudscape photography destinations. We monitor wind patterns, mountain wave activity, and atmospheric conditions to predict when lenticular clouds will cap the peaks and windswept formations will create visual drama.

Patagonia sits in the path of the Roaring Forties—relentless westerly winds that sweep across the Southern Ocean. When these winds encounter the Andes, they create spectacular lenticular clouds that hover over peaks like UFO motherships. The region's changeable weather means cloud formations can evolve rapidly, creating ever-changing compositions.

What makes Patagonian cloudscapes exceptional:

  • Lenticular clouds - Lens-shaped clouds form over Torres, Fitzroy, and Cerro Torre when conditions align
  • Wind-driven drama - Horizontal cloud formations streak across the sky, showing wind's incredible force
  • Rapid changes - Weather can shift from clear to overcast to dramatic in hours, creating diverse shooting opportunities
  • Mountain wave clouds - The Andes generate standing wave clouds visible for hundreds of kilometers

Best cloudscapes occur during transitional weather when winds are strong but visibility remains good. Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May) bring the most varied conditions. The famous "Patagonian flag" clouds—horizontal streamers flowing from peaks—occur during high wind events. Don't dismiss bad weather forecasts entirely; some of Patagonia's most dramatic images happen during marginal conditions.

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72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
2matching hours in the next 95 hoursJump to next match
OR logic: one branch per group is enough
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
America/Argentina/Rio_Gallegos
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
Tue, Jul 7
10:0018%0%0%0%24135m
11:0022%0%0%0%24135m
12:0024%0%0%0%24135m
13:0025%0%0%0%24135m
14:0027%0%0%0%24135m
15:0029%0%0%0%24135m
16:0027%0%0%0%24135m
17:0094%32%25%0%24134m
18:0045%17%7.6%0%24135m
19:0051%22%0%0%24135m
20:0015%29%0%0%24135m
21:0011%16%0%0%24134m
22:0013%10%0%0%24134m
23:0012%4.8%0%0%24135m
Wed, Jul 8
24:008.7%4.1%0%0%24135m
01:007.8%3.2%0%0%24135m
02:006.5%2.6%0%0%24134m
03:004.7%3%0%0%24135m
04:005.9%1.6%0%0%24134m
05:003.7%0.7%0%0%24135m
06:002.9%0.6%0%0%24134m
07:001.5%0.8%0%0%24134m
08:001.6%2.1%0%0%24134m
09:008.2%1.7%0%0%24134m
10:008.9%1.9%0%0%24134m
11:009.1%1.9%0%0%24135m
12:007.4%1.6%0%0%24135m
13:007.4%0.4%0%0%24135m
14:007.4%0.6%0%0%24135m
15:007.3%0.6%0%0%24134m
16:007.4%0.6%0%0%24134m
17:007.4%0%0%0%24134m
18:007.4%0%0%0%24135m
19:007.4%0%0%0%24134m
20:000.8%0%0%0%24134m
21:000.8%0%0%0%24135m
22:000.5%0.6%0%0%24135m
23:000.5%0.6%0%0%24135m
Thu, Jul 9
24:000.5%0%0%0%24134m
01:000.4%0%0%0%24134m
02:000.5%0%0%0%24134m
03:000.5%0%0%0%24135m
04:000.4%0%0%0%24135m
05:000.4%0%0%0%24134m
06:000.4%0%0%0%24135m
07:000.4%0%0%0%24134m
08:000.5%0%0%0%24135m
09:007.1%0%0%0%24135m
10:007.3%0%0%0%24134m
11:007.4%0%0%0%24135m
12:007.5%0%0%0%24135m
13:009.6%0%0%0%24134m
14:0014%0%0%0%24135m
15:0014%0%0%0%24135m
16:0017%0%1.9%3.4%24134m
17:0020%0%2.8%5%24135m
18:0019%0%5%5%24135m
19:0014%0%1%2.8%24135m
20:001.7%0%0%0%24135m
21:001.6%0%0%0%24135m
22:001.4%0%0%0%24135m
23:000.7%0%0%0%24135m
Fri, Jul 10
24:000.6%0.6%0%0%24134m
01:000.6%0.6%0%0%24135m
02:000.6%0.6%0%0%24134m
03:000.6%0%0%0%24135m
04:000.6%0%0%0%24134m
05:000.6%0%0%0%24134m
06:000.6%0%0%0%24135m
07:000.7%0%0%0%24134m
08:000.7%0%0%0%24134m
09:007.3%0%0%0%24134m
10:007.4%0.6%0%0%24135m
11:007.4%3.8%0%0%24134m
12:007.4%5%0%0%24134m
13:009.1%5%0%0%24135m
14:0017%5%0%0%24135m
15:0029%9.7%0%4.4%24135m
16:00100%31%33%36%18199m
17:0085%53%67%68%12264m
18:0052%75%100%100%6328m
19:0052%78%98%100%5116m
20:000%82%96%100%3903m
21:000%85%93%100%2690m
22:000%86%93%98%4560m
23:000%86%92%96%6429m
Sat, Jul 11
24:000%86%91%94%8299m
01:000%76%94%87%9168m
02:000%67%97%80%10037m
03:000%57%100%72%10906m
04:000%48%97%75%15315m
05:000%40%94%79%19725m
06:000%31%91%82%24135m
07:000%22%87%83%24135m
08:000%12%83%83%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 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/Argentina/Rio_Gallegos
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
Wed, Jul 8 Sunrise 09:47 Sunset 18:01
11:00
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 72% 7.8° 2% 3.2m/s 3.1m/s
12:00
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 69% 13° 2% 2.6m/s 2.6m/s
13:00
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 67% 16° 0% 2.3m/s 2.3m/s
14:00
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 64% 17° 1% 1.4m/s 1.4m/s
15:00
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 64% 16° 1% 1.2m/s 1.2m/s
16:00
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 64% 12° 1% 1.1m/s 1.2m/s
17:00
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 64% 6.6° 0% 1.3m/s 1.4m/s
18:00
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 65% -0.11° 0% 1.6m/s 1.6m/s
19:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 63% -8.9° 0% 1.5m/s 1.4m/s
20:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 62% -18° 0% 1.7m/s 1.6m/s
21:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 62% -27° 0% 2.3m/s 2.3m/s
22:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 63% -37° 1% 2.8m/s 2.7m/s
23:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 64% -46° 1% 3m/s 2.9m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 09:46 Sunset 18:02
24:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 64% -54° 0% 3.1m/s 3m/s
01:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 62% -60° 0% 3.2m/s 3m/s
02:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 60% -62° 0% 3m/s 2.8m/s
03:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 57% -59° 0% 2.6m/s 2.4m/s
04:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 54% -53° 0% 1.9m/s 1.6m/s
05:00 ☾
977hPa 0% 0% 0% 52% -44° 0% 1.1m/s 0.82m/s
06:00 ☾
978hPa 0% 0% 0% 51% -35° 0% 0.8m/s 0.6m/s
07:00 ☾
978hPa 0% 0% 0% 50% -26° 0% 0.6m/s 0.45m/s
08:00 ☾
978hPa 0% 0% 0% 50% -16° 0% 0.64m/s 0.68m/s
09:00 ☾
979hPa 0% 0% 0% 51% -7.2° 0% 1m/s 1m/s
10:00
980hPa 0% 0% 0% 51% 1.3° 0% 0.72m/s 0.71m/s
11:00
981hPa 0% 0% 0% 50% 7.9° 0% 0.52m/s 0.52m/s
12:00
981hPa 0% 0% 0% 50% 13° 0% 0.72m/s 0.8m/s
13:00
981hPa 0% 0% 0% 51% 16° 0% 0.9m/s 0.98m/s
14:00
981hPa 0% 0% 0% 51% 17° 0% 1.1m/s 1.2m/s
15:00
981hPa 0% 0% 0% 52% 16° 0% 1.3m/s 1.3m/s
16:00
981hPa 3% 2% 0% 53% 12° 3% 1.3m/s 1.4m/s
17:00
981hPa 5% 3% 0% 52% 6.8° 5% 0.91m/s 0.92m/s
18:00
982hPa 5% 5% 0% 51% 0.05° 5% 0.8m/s 0.76m/s
19:00 ☾
982hPa 3% 1% 0% 50% -8.7° 3% 0.61m/s 0.53m/s
20:00 ☾
983hPa 0% 0% 0% 50% -18° 0% 0.5m/s 0.45m/s
21:00 ☾
983hPa 0% 0% 0% 50% -27° 0% 0.82m/s 0.68m/s
22:00 ☾
984hPa 0% 0% 0% 52% -37° 0% 0.71m/s 0.85m/s
23:00 ☾
984hPa 0% 0% 0% 54% -46° 0% 1m/s 1.2m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 09:46 Sunset 18:03
24:00 ☾
984hPa 0% 0% 0% 57% -54° 1% 1.2m/s 1.3m/s
01:00 ☾
984hPa 0% 0% 0% 59% -60° 1% 1.5m/s 1.7m/s
02:00 ☾
984hPa 0% 0% 0% 62% -62° 1% 2m/s 2.1m/s
03:00 ☾
984hPa 0% 0% 0% 63% -59° 0% 1.9m/s 2m/s
04:00 ☾
983hPa 0% 0% 0% 63% -53° 0% 1.4m/s 1.5m/s
05:00 ☾
983hPa 0% 0% 0% 63% -44° 0% 1.2m/s 1.3m/s
06:00 ☾
982hPa 0% 0% 0% 63% -35° 0% 1m/s 1m/s
07:00 ☾
982hPa 0% 0% 0% 64% -25° 0% 1.1m/s 1.2m/s
08:00 ☾
982hPa 0% 0% 0% 64% -16° 0% 1.2m/s 1.1m/s
09:00 ☾
982hPa 0% 0% 0% 65% -7.1° 0% 1.2m/s 1.2m/s
10:00
981hPa 0% 0% 0% 66% 1.3° 1% 1.1m/s 1.2m/s
11:00
981hPa 0% 0% 0% 67% 8° 4% 0.91m/s 1.1m/s
12:00
981hPa 0% 0% 0% 68% 13° 5% 0.91m/s 1.4m/s
13:00
980hPa 0% 0% 0% 68% 17° 5% 0.9m/s 1.2m/s
14:00
979hPa 0% 0% 0% 68% 18° 5% 0.83m/s 0.73m/s
15:00
978hPa 4% 0% 0% 69% 16° 10% 0.71m/s 0.19m/s
16:00
958hPa 36% 33% 0% 76% 12° 40% 0.84m/s 0.33m/s
17:00
938hPa 68% 67% 0% 84% 6.9° 70% 0.98m/s 0.48m/s
18:00
918hPa 100% 100% 0% 92% 0.15° 100% 1.1m/s 0.62m/s
19:00 ☾
917hPa 100% 98% 13% 93% -8.6° 100% 1.2m/s 0.5m/s
20:00 ☾
916hPa 100% 96% 26% 95% -18° 100% 1.3m/s 0.37m/s
21:00 ☾
916hPa 100% 93% 39% 96% -27° 100% 1.3m/s 0.25m/s
22:00 ☾
916hPa 98% 93% 26% 96% -37° 98% 1.3m/s 0.27m/s
23:00 ☾
915hPa 96% 92% 13% 95% -46° 97% 1.2m/s 0.29m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 09:45 Sunset 18:04
24:00 ☾
915hPa 94% 91% 0% 95% -54° 95% 1.1m/s 0.31m/s
01:00 ☾
915hPa 87% 94% 0% 94% -60° 97% 1.1m/s 0.52m/s
02:00 ☾
915hPa 80% 97% 0% 93% -62° 98% 1.1m/s 0.72m/s
03:00 ☾
915hPa 72% 100% 0% 93% -59° 100% 1.1m/s 0.93m/s
04:00 ☾
916hPa 75% 97% 0% 91% -53° 97% 1.1m/s 0.94m/s
05:00 ☾
916hPa 78% 94% 0% 90% -44° 94% 0.99m/s 0.95m/s
06:00 ☾
916hPa 82% 91% 0% 89% -35° 91% 0.93m/s 0.96m/s
07:00 ☾
916hPa 82% 87% 0% 86% -25° 92% 0.83m/s 0.86m/s
08:00 ☾
916hPa 83% 83% 0% 82% -16° 94% 0.73m/s 0.75m/s
09:00 ☾
916hPa 84% 80% 0% 79% -7° 95% 0.64m/s 0.65m/s
10:00
916hPa 90% 86% 0% 76% 1.4° 97% 1.2m/s 1.3m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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