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Rule Cloudscapes

El Chaltén - Cloudscapes - Patagonia

El Chaltén, Santa Cruz, Argentina

Multi-layered dramatic clouds for striking sky photography

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts4.2m/s
Precipitation Chance77%
Air Pressure877.8hPa

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 at Sunrise
El Chaltén
Thu, May 28 · 10:00–11:00 · 1h window
Medium confidence
44%
☁️Cloud Drama Score99.4%
Cloud Cover: 50%
Wind Gusts: 1.4m/s
Precipitation Chance: 51%
Air Pressure: 917.6hPa
cloudscapes weather icon
Dramatic Cloud Drama
El Chaltén
Thu, May 28 · 11:00–14:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:100%
Low
cloudscapes weather icon
Striking Cloud Drama at Sunrise
El Chaltén
Tue, Jun 2 · 10:00–11:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:75.6%
Low
cloudscapes weather icon
Dramatic Cloud Drama
El Chaltén
Tue, Jun 2 · 11:00–12:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:100%
Medium
cloudscapes weather icon
Dramatic Cloud Drama
El Chaltén
Tue, Jun 2 · 14:00–16:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:76.7-87.1%
Low

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
0matching hours in the next 80 hours
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
Sun, May 24
01:004.4%0%100%86%24134m
02:004.7%0%100%100%24135m
03:003.4%0.8%100%80%24134m
04:004.6%3.8%100%100%24135m
05:001.3%0.8%100%100%24134m
06:000.3%1%100%100%24134m
07:000%13%100%100%24135m
08:000%22%56%100%24134m
09:0062%26%100%100%24135m
10:0065%71%100%100%24135m
11:0060%54%100%100%24135m
12:0060%31%85%100%21986m
13:0060%18%100%100%22007m
14:0060%23%100%100%21963m
15:0060%56%100%100%218m
16:0060%74%100%87%86m
17:0073%84%17%0%51m
18:0038%98%3.8%0%67m
19:0059%93%11%0%4378m
20:0015%69%12%0.1%1889m
21:0015%72%10%0%511m
22:0015%82%2.6%4.2%776m
23:0015%75%4.1%49%1313m
Mon, May 25
24:0015%15%7.1%80%21816m
01:0014%13%4%100%20585m
02:0014%13%4.6%100%21849m
03:008.2%12%98%100%21982m
04:000%15%100%100%24135m
05:000%5.2%100%100%24134m
06:000.1%3.6%100%100%24135m
07:000.5%3.7%6.2%100%24135m
08:004.6%4.7%6.8%78%24134m
09:0046%4.7%26%100%24135m
10:0026%4.9%5%93%24134m
11:0024%3.7%5%100%24134m
12:0067%3.2%5%27%24134m
13:0031%7.8%5.5%98%24134m
14:0025%5%5%100%24135m
15:0075%7%6.3%60%24134m
16:0066%8.3%4.1%62%24135m
17:00100%63%4.9%17%24134m
18:0065%11%12%100%24135m
19:0038%74%5.9%100%24134m
20:000.2%61%5.3%100%21978m
21:002%65%13%100%20467m
22:000%100%96%100%7866m
23:000%98%76%100%305m
Tue, May 26
24:000%89%78%100%233m
01:000%100%100%100%153m
02:000%100%99%100%142m
03:000%100%99%100%132m
04:000%100%100%100%135m
05:000.2%100%100%100%148m
06:000.2%100%100%100%89m
07:000%100%100%100%95m
08:000.4%100%100%100%51m
09:0064%100%100%100%25m
10:0065%100%100%100%24m
11:0060%100%96%100%24m
12:0058%100%99%100%23m
13:0057%100%100%90%22m
14:0057%100%100%97%24m
15:0057%100%98%100%27m
16:0057%100%98%100%33m
17:0062%100%99%100%38m
18:0059%100%100%100%44m
19:0050%100%100%100%63m
20:000%100%100%100%83m
21:000%100%100%100%102m
22:000%100%98%100%134m
23:000%100%97%100%167m
Wed, May 27
24:000%100%96%100%199m
01:000%100%97%100%621m
02:000%100%99%100%1043m
03:000%100%100%100%1465m
04:000%100%100%100%1571m
05:000%100%100%100%1676m
06:000%100%100%100%1782m
07:000%100%92%67%1723m
08:000%100%84%33%1665m
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
Sun, May 24 Sunrise 09:27 Sunset 18:08
10:00
878hPa 100% 100% 77% 82% 3.7° 100% 4.2m/s 4.2m/s
11:00
878hPa 100% 100% 86% 84% 11° 100% 5.1m/s 4.5m/s
12:00
878hPa 100% 85% 95% 86% 16° 100% 4.2m/s 3.9m/s
13:00
878hPa 100% 100% 96% 86% 19° 100% 4.3m/s 4.3m/s
14:00
878hPa 100% 100% 97% 88% 20° 100% 4.4m/s 4.5m/s
15:00
877hPa 100% 100% 99% 94% 18° 100% 4.6m/s 4.1m/s
16:00
877hPa 87% 100% 83% 95% 14° 100% 4.9m/s 4m/s
17:00
878hPa 0% 17% 68% 97% 84% 4.8m/s 3.8m/s
18:00
878hPa 0% 4% 52% 98% 0.83° 98% 4.1m/s 3.8m/s
19:00
878hPa 0% 11% 54% 92% -8.2° 93% 3.8m/s 3.7m/s
20:00
879hPa 0% 12% 55% 95% -18° 69% 4m/s 3.7m/s
21:00
879hPa 0% 10% 56% 96% -27° 72% 4m/s 3.6m/s
22:00
879hPa 4% 3% 43% 96% -37° 82% 4.6m/s 3.9m/s
23:00
880hPa 49% 4% 30% 96% -46° 75% 3.8m/s 3.6m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 09:28 Sunset 18:07
24:00
880hPa 80% 7% 17% 93% -54° 82% 4.3m/s 3.9m/s
01:00
880hPa 100% 4% 19% 92% -60° 100% 4.1m/s 4.1m/s
02:00
880hPa 100% 5% 20% 90% -62° 100% 3.8m/s 3.8m/s
03:00
880hPa 100% 98% 22% 90% -58° 100% 3.9m/s 4m/s
04:00
880hPa 100% 100% 28% 90% -51° 100% 3.3m/s 3.5m/s
05:00
880hPa 100% 100% 33% 88% -43° 100% 2.8m/s 3.4m/s
06:00
880hPa 100% 100% 39% 85% -33° 100% 2.7m/s 3.3m/s
07:00
881hPa 100% 6% 32% 82% -24° 100% 2.6m/s 3.3m/s
08:00
881hPa 78% 7% 24% 82% -14° 78% 2.7m/s 3.5m/s
09:00
882hPa 100% 26% 17% 82% -4.8° 100% 2.8m/s 3.5m/s
10:00
882hPa 92% 5% 24% 82% 3.6° 92% 2.7m/s 3.4m/s
11:00
882hPa 100% 5% 32% 80% 10° 100% 2.9m/s 3.1m/s
12:00
882hPa 26% 5% 39% 78% 16° 28% 2.7m/s 2.9m/s
13:00
882hPa 98% 6% 48% 75% 19° 98% 2.4m/s 2.5m/s
14:00
882hPa 100% 5% 58% 74% 20° 100% 2.2m/s 2.2m/s
15:00
882hPa 60% 6% 67% 75% 18° 60% 1.9m/s 1.8m/s
16:00
881hPa 62% 4% 73% 79% 14° 62% 1.8m/s 1.9m/s
17:00
882hPa 17% 5% 79% 82% 7.9° 63% 1.7m/s 2.1m/s
18:00
882hPa 100% 12% 85% 85% 0.71° 100% 1.7m/s 2m/s
19:00
882hPa 100% 6% 88% 85% -8.3° 100% 2.2m/s 2.5m/s
20:00
882hPa 100% 5% 92% 87% -18° 100% 3.3m/s 3m/s
21:00
882hPa 100% 12% 95% 92% -27° 100% 3.3m/s 3m/s
22:00
882hPa 100% 96% 96% 95% -37° 100% 3.5m/s 2.9m/s
23:00
882hPa 100% 76% 97% 97% -46° 100% 2m/s 2m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 09:30 Sunset 18:06
24:00
882hPa 100% 78% 98% 98% -55° 100% 1.4m/s 1.5m/s
01:00
882hPa 100% 100% 99% 98% -60° 100% 2m/s 2m/s
02:00
882hPa 100% 99% 99% 98% -62° 100% 1.4m/s 1.4m/s
03:00
882hPa 100% 98% 100% 99% -58° 100% 1.4m/s 1.5m/s
04:00
882hPa 100% 100% 99% 99% -52° 100% 1m/s 1.1m/s
05:00
882hPa 100% 100% 97% 100% -43° 100% 0.32m/s 0.36m/s
06:00
881hPa 100% 100% 96% 100% -33° 100% 0.2m/s 0.22m/s
07:00
882hPa 100% 100% 96% 100% -24° 100% 0.22m/s 0.32m/s
08:00
882hPa 100% 100% 95% 100% -14° 100% 0.4m/s 0.25m/s
09:00
882hPa 100% 100% 95% 100% -5° 100% 0.42m/s 0.14m/s
10:00
883hPa 100% 100% 84% 100% 3.4° 100% 0.5m/s 0.48m/s
11:00
883hPa 100% 96% 74% 100% 10° 100% 0.73m/s 0.76m/s
12:00
884hPa 100% 99% 64% 100% 16° 100% 1.3m/s 1.4m/s
13:00
884hPa 90% 100% 64% 100% 19° 100% 1.7m/s 1.8m/s
14:00
884hPa 97% 100% 64% 100% 19° 100% 1.6m/s 1.6m/s
15:00
884hPa 100% 98% 65% 100% 18° 100% 1.2m/s 1.3m/s
16:00
901hPa 100% 98% 56% 99% 14° 100% 1.1m/s 0.97m/s
17:00
918hPa 100% 99% 47% 98% 7.8° 100% 1.1m/s 0.64m/s
18:00
935hPa 100% 100% 38% 98% 0.61° 100% 1m/s 0.31m/s
19:00
934hPa 100% 100% 40% 98% -8.4° 100% 0.97m/s 0.24m/s
20:00
934hPa 100% 100% 42% 98% -18° 100% 0.93m/s 0.18m/s
21:00
934hPa 100% 100% 44% 98% -27° 100% 0.9m/s 0.12m/s
22:00
934hPa 100% 98% 40% 97% -37° 100% 0.68m/s 0.22m/s
23:00
933hPa 100% 97% 35% 97% -46° 100% 0.45m/s 0.32m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 09:31 Sunset 18:05
24:00
933hPa 100% 96% 30% 96% -55° 100% 0.23m/s 0.41m/s
01:00
933hPa 100% 97% 37% 95% -60° 100% 0.4m/s 0.58m/s
02:00
932hPa 100% 99% 43% 94% -62° 100% 0.57m/s 0.74m/s
03:00
932hPa 100% 100% 49% 93% -59° 100% 0.74m/s 0.91m/s
04:00
932hPa 100% 100% 39% 93% -52° 100% 0.67m/s 0.84m/s
05:00
932hPa 100% 100% 30% 93% -43° 100% 0.6m/s 0.78m/s
06:00
932hPa 100% 100% 20% 93% -34° 100% 0.53m/s 0.71m/s
07:00
931hPa 67% 92% 19% 94% -24° 100% 0.71m/s 0.76m/s
08:00
931hPa 33% 84% 18% 95% -14° 100% 0.89m/s 0.82m/s
09:00
930hPa 0% 76% 17% 96% -5.1° 100% 1.1m/s 0.88m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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