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Rule Cloudscapes

Punta Arenas - Cloudscapes - Patagonia

Punta Arenas, Region of Magallanes, Chile

Multi-layered dramatic clouds for striking sky photography

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover5%
Wind Gusts4.0m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure988.5hPa

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in America/Punta_Arenas
cloudscapes weather icon
Next opportunity
Striking Cloud Drama at Sunrise
Punta Arenas
Tomorrow · 09:00–10:00 · 1h window
Medium confidence
60%
☁️Cloud Drama Score77.4%
Cloud Cover: 100%
Wind Gusts: 11.1m/s
Precipitation Chance: 56%
Air Pressure: 991.8hPa
cloudscapes weather icon
Dramatic Cloud Drama
Punta Arenas
Tomorrow · 14:00–15:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:93.6%
Medium
cloudscapes weather icon
Striking Cloud Drama at Sunset
Punta Arenas
Tomorrow · 17:00–18:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:82.2%
Medium
cloudscapes weather icon
Striking Cloud Drama
Punta Arenas
Sun, Jul 12 · 15:00–16:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:76.7%
Medium
cloudscapes weather icon
Striking Cloud Drama at Sunset
Punta Arenas
Sun, Jul 12 · 16:00–17:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:76.7%
Low
cloudscapes weather icon
Dramatic Cloud Drama at Sunrise
Punta Arenas
Thu, Jul 16 · 10:00–11:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:87.1%
Medium
cloudscapes weather icon
Striking Cloud Drama
Punta Arenas
Thu, Jul 16 · 11:00–12:00
☁️Cloud Drama Score:84.5%
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
3matching hours in the next 95 hoursJump to next match
OR logic: one branch per group is enough
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
America/Punta_Arenas
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
10:0067%22%0.2%0%24135m
11:0067%29%0.8%0%24135m
12:0047%91%7.6%0%4934m
13:0083%80%43%0%3347m
14:0069%95%100%0%13870m
15:0078%5.9%69%0%24135m
16:0037%4.9%0%0%24135m
17:0035%5%0%0%24134m
18:0032%5%0%0%24135m
19:0027%5%0%0%24135m
20:009.8%5%0%0%24135m
21:0015%5%0%0%24134m
22:0015%25%0%0%24134m
23:0015%9.1%0%0%24135m
Wed, Jul 8
24:0013%2.9%0%0%24135m
01:0012%3.2%0%0%24135m
02:0010%42%0%0%24134m
03:009.6%2.7%0.4%0%24135m
04:001.4%4.7%0%0%24134m
05:007.4%5%0%0%24135m
06:004.6%5%0%0%24134m
07:000.9%5%0.4%0%24134m
08:008.9%5%2.8%0%24134m
09:0029%8.7%4.8%0%24134m
10:0048%25%4.8%0%24134m
11:0017%5%1.8%0%24135m
12:0021%4.9%0%0%24135m
13:0021%2.9%0%0%24135m
14:0026%2.9%0.9%0.9%24135m
15:0029%2.9%0.9%4.7%24134m
16:0046%1%15%4.8%24134m
17:0058%1%96%69%24134m
18:0058%3.9%96%80%24135m
19:0061%6%89%80%24134m
20:0015%9.9%18%64%24134m
21:0015%12%4.7%20%24135m
22:0015%16%0%37%24135m
23:0015%35%0%29%24135m
Thu, Jul 9
24:0015%64%0%5%24134m
01:0015%64%0%5%24134m
02:0015%55%0%52%24134m
03:0015%48%0%88%24135m
04:0015%15%0%99%24135m
05:0015%39%0%97%24134m
06:0015%98%0%96%24135m
07:0015%75%2.8%43%24134m
08:0015%71%41%93%24135m
09:0077%41%95%100%24135m
10:0064%9.2%44%100%24134m
11:0052%71%7.2%100%24135m
12:0052%84%4.4%90%24135m
13:0074%44%0%73%24134m
14:0094%58%0.8%53%24135m
15:0059%88%4.9%52%17867m
16:0068%85%78%85%24134m
17:0082%70%98%12%24135m
18:0057%29%0.5%0.1%24135m
19:00100%29%4.9%17%24135m
20:0015%5%17%0%24135m
21:0014%5%20%0%24135m
22:0014%4.8%0%0%24135m
23:0014%4.7%0%0%24135m
Fri, Jul 10
24:0014%4.7%0%0%24134m
01:0014%4.7%0%0%24135m
02:0015%4.7%0%0%24134m
03:0014%4.7%0%0%24135m
04:0011%4.7%0%0%24134m
05:009.4%4.7%0%0%24134m
06:008.2%4.7%0%0%24135m
07:007.4%4.8%0%0%24134m
08:006.1%4.7%0%0%24134m
09:0012%4.8%0%0%24134m
10:0013%4.7%0%0%24135m
11:0013%5%0%0%24134m
12:0014%5%0%0%24134m
13:0015%5%0%0%24135m
14:0015%5%0%0%24135m
15:0015%5%0%0%24135m
16:0098%5%33%33%24135m
17:0078%5%67%67%24135m
18:0043%5%100%100%24135m
19:0046%5%100%100%24135m
20:000%5%100%100%24135m
21:000%5%100%100%24135m
22:000%14%100%100%24135m
23:000%23%100%100%24135m
Sat, Jul 11
24:000%33%100%100%24135m
01:000%55%100%100%19234m
02:000%78%100%100%14333m
03:000%100%100%100%9433m
04:000%100%100%100%14333m
05:000%100%100%100%19234m
06:000%100%100%100%24135m
07:000%96%100%100%24135m
08:000%92%100%100%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/Punta_Arenas
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 09:55 Sunset 17:42
11:00
989hPa 0% 2% 0% 82% 6.2° 5% 4m/s 2.3m/s
12:00
988hPa 0% 0% 0% 75% 11° 5% 5.4m/s 2m/s
13:00
988hPa 0% 0% 0% 67% 14° 3% 4.8m/s 1.9m/s
14:00
988hPa 1% 1% 0% 65% 14° 3% 4.1m/s 2.1m/s
15:00
988hPa 5% 1% 0% 65% 13° 5% 3.8m/s 1.8m/s
16:00
988hPa 5% 14% 0% 69% 9.4° 14% 2.7m/s 1.9m/s
17:00
988hPa 69% 96% 0% 74% 4.1° 96% 1.9m/s 1.9m/s
18:00
988hPa 80% 96% 0% 76% -2.8° 96% 1.8m/s 1.7m/s
19:00
988hPa 80% 89% 13% 75% -11° 89% 2m/s 2m/s
20:00
988hPa 64% 18% 26% 74% -19° 64% 3.6m/s 2.4m/s
21:00
989hPa 20% 5% 39% 74% -28° 20% 5.4m/s 2.7m/s
22:00
989hPa 37% 0% 39% 76% -37° 37% 6.3m/s 2.9m/s
23:00
989hPa 29% 0% 39% 78% -46° 35% 6.9m/s 2.9m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 09:55 Sunset 17:43
24:00
989hPa 5% 0% 39% 79% -53° 64% 8m/s 3m/s
01:00
990hPa 5% 0% 45% 81% -58° 64% 8.9m/s 3m/s
02:00
990hPa 52% 0% 50% 84% -59° 56% 9.2m/s 3m/s
03:00
990hPa 88% 0% 56% 89% -56° 88% 9.9m/s 3.3m/s
04:00
990hPa 99% 0% 50% 82% -50° 99% 12m/s 4.2m/s
05:00
990hPa 97% 0% 45% 77% -43° 97% 13m/s 5.6m/s
06:00
991hPa 96% 0% 39% 75% -34° 100% 12m/s 5.6m/s
07:00
991hPa 43% 3% 45% 74% -25° 75% 12m/s 5.5m/s
08:00
991hPa 92% 41% 50% 74% -16° 92% 11m/s 5.3m/s
09:00
992hPa 100% 95% 56% 75% -7.7° 100% 11m/s 4.9m/s
10:00
992hPa 100% 44% 37% 77% 0.31° 100% 11m/s 4.3m/s
11:00
993hPa 100% 7% 19% 79% 6.3° 100% 10m/s 4.1m/s
12:00
994hPa 90% 4% 0% 84% 11° 91% 6.6m/s 2.5m/s
13:00
994hPa 72% 0% 13% 87% 14° 72% 2.8m/s 1.1m/s
14:00
994hPa 53% 1% 26% 82% 15° 58% 3.3m/s 1.2m/s
15:00
995hPa 52% 5% 39% 79% 13° 89% 3.2m/s 1.4m/s
16:00
995hPa 84% 78% 26% 77% 9.5° 88% 3m/s 1.6m/s
17:00
995hPa 12% 98% 13% 80% 4.2° 98% 1.8m/s 1.5m/s
18:00
996hPa 0% 0% 0% 84% -2.7° 28% 1.4m/s 1.3m/s
19:00
997hPa 17% 5% 0% 87% -11° 32% 1.4m/s 1.4m/s
20:00
997hPa 0% 17% 0% 87% -19° 17% 1.7m/s 1.8m/s
21:00
998hPa 0% 20% 0% 86% -28° 20% 2m/s 2.2m/s
22:00
998hPa 0% 0% 0% 84% -37° 5% 2.5m/s 2.3m/s
23:00
998hPa 0% 0% 0% 82% -46° 5% 2.3m/s 2.3m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 09:54 Sunset 17:44
24:00
998hPa 0% 0% 0% 81% -53° 5% 2.2m/s 2.3m/s
01:00
998hPa 0% 0% 0% 81% -58° 5% 2.1m/s 2.3m/s
02:00
998hPa 0% 0% 0% 82% -59° 5% 1.9m/s 2.2m/s
03:00
998hPa 0% 0% 0% 84% -56° 5% 1.9m/s 2.1m/s
04:00
998hPa 0% 0% 0% 86% -50° 5% 1.7m/s 1.8m/s
05:00
998hPa 0% 0% 0% 87% -43° 5% 1.6m/s 1.7m/s
06:00
997hPa 0% 0% 0% 87% -34° 5% 1.5m/s 1.7m/s
07:00
997hPa 0% 0% 0% 86% -25° 5% 1.3m/s 1.4m/s
08:00
997hPa 0% 0% 0% 86% -16° 5% 1.2m/s 1.4m/s
09:00
997hPa 0% 0% 0% 87% -7.6° 5% 1.1m/s 1.3m/s
10:00
997hPa 0% 0% 0% 88% 0.39° 5% 1.2m/s 1.4m/s
11:00
997hPa 0% 0% 0% 88% 6.4° 5% 1.5m/s 1.6m/s
12:00
996hPa 0% 0% 0% 85% 11° 5% 2.6m/s 1.7m/s
13:00
996hPa 0% 0% 0% 82% 14° 5% 2.9m/s 1.9m/s
14:00
995hPa 0% 0% 0% 80% 15° 5% 3.3m/s 1.9m/s
15:00
994hPa 0% 0% 0% 80% 13° 5% 4.1m/s 2.4m/s
16:00
996hPa 33% 33% 0% 82% 9.6° 37% 4.9m/s 2.7m/s
17:00
998hPa 67% 67% 0% 83% 4.3° 68% 5.6m/s 3.1m/s
18:00
1000hPa 100% 100% 0% 85% -2.6° 100% 6.4m/s 3.4m/s
19:00
1000hPa 100% 100% 0% 85% -11° 100% 6.3m/s 3.4m/s
20:00
999hPa 100% 100% 0% 85% -19° 100% 6.1m/s 3.4m/s
21:00
999hPa 100% 100% 0% 85% -28° 100% 5.9m/s 3.3m/s
22:00
998hPa 100% 100% 0% 86% -37° 100% 5.2m/s 3.1m/s
23:00
998hPa 100% 100% 0% 88% -45° 100% 4.5m/s 2.9m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 09:53 Sunset 17:45
24:00
997hPa 100% 100% 0% 90% -53° 100% 3.8m/s 2.6m/s
01:00
997hPa 100% 100% 13% 92% -58° 100% 3.5m/s 2.3m/s
02:00
997hPa 100% 100% 26% 94% -59° 100% 3.2m/s 2m/s
03:00
997hPa 100% 100% 39% 95% -56° 100% 2.9m/s 1.8m/s
04:00
997hPa 100% 100% 32% 94% -50° 100% 2.2m/s 1.4m/s
05:00
997hPa 100% 100% 24% 92% -42° 100% 1.4m/s 1m/s
06:00
997hPa 100% 100% 17% 91% -34° 100% 0.63m/s 0.64m/s
07:00
997hPa 100% 100% 20% 91% -25° 100% 1.3m/s 1.1m/s
08:00
996hPa 100% 100% 23% 91% -16° 100% 1.9m/s 1.6m/s
09:00
996hPa 100% 100% 26% 91% -7.5° 100% 2.5m/s 2m/s
10:00
996hPa 100% 100% 26% 89% 0.47° 100% 3.8m/s 2.8m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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