Storm Intensity
Storm intensity analysis combining precipitation, wind conditions, atmospheric pressure, visibility, GFS simulated radar reflectivity, and wind shear for enhanced storm organization detection.
What is Storm Intensity?
Technical detailsStorm Intensity quantifies the photographic potential of storm conditions by analyzing precipitation intensity, wind speed and gusts, atmospheric pressure, visibility, GFS simulated radar reflectivity, and wind shear. The algorithm identifies organized storm systems with dramatic visual elements like lightning potential, heavy precipitation curtains, and dynamic cloud structures. It distinguishes between weak drizzle and powerful convective storms, helping photographers safely capture storm photography when conditions are both intense and visually compelling.
Templates using this field
Related rule templatesPhotography tip
How to use this conditionStorm intensity using GFS radar reflectivity and wind shear. High shear (>15 m/s) indicates organized/supercell storms with dramatic structure. Higher values indicate more intense, photogenic storm conditions. Use caution above 70%.
Storm Intensity in photography
In depthStorm Intensity is PhotoWeather's Pro-tier metric for forecasting photogenic storm conditions, designed for photographers who chase dramatic weather but need to assess both visual potential and practical safety. Storm photography captures nature's raw power—lightning bolts, heavy rain curtains, towering cumulonimbus clouds, and dynamic skies—but requires precise timing and situational awareness. Not all storms are photographable: light drizzle lacks visual impact, while extremely severe storms are too dangerous to approach. PhotoWeather's Storm Intensity algorithm identifies the sweet spot: organized storm systems with strong visual elements but manageable conditions.
The score combines multiple meteorological factors: precipitation intensity indicates storm strength and the presence of visible rain curtains (heavy rain creates dramatic visual effects), wind speed and gusts signal storm dynamics (strong winds indicate active convection and can reveal storm structure), and surface pressure helps identify low-pressure systems and frontal boundaries that organize storms. Visibility during storms affects how well you can capture detail—extremely low visibility obscures storm structure, while moderate visibility (5-15km) often accompanies photogenic storms. The algorithm also incorporates GFS simulated radar reflectivity data, which predicts precipitation intensity and storm organization at higher resolution than surface precipitation alone. Wind shear between the surface and 6km altitude indicates storm organization potential—high shear favors rotating supercells and organized convection that produce the most dramatic storm structures.
Scores above 80% indicate intense, organized storm systems with strong visual potential, including possible lightning, heavy rain curtains, and dramatic cloud formations. Photographers typically set thresholds of 70-80% and combine this condition with time-of-day filters to catch storms during golden hour or blue hour when dramatic skies are backlit. Safety is paramount: this metric helps identify photogenic storms but should never override safety considerations like lightning risk, flash flooding, or tornado potential. This derived field is essential for storm photographers who need to forecast when conditions will produce visually compelling storms worth chasing.
Frequently asked questions
Common questionsWhat is Storm Intensity?
Storm Intensity quantifies the photographic potential of storm conditions by analyzing precipitation intensity, wind speed and gusts, atmospheric pressure, visibility, GFS simulated radar reflectivity, and wind shear. The algorithm identifies organized storm systems with dramatic visual elements like lightning potential, heavy precipitation curtains, and dynamic cloud structures. It distinguishes between weak drizzle and powerful convective storms, helping photographers safely capture storm photography when conditions are both intense and visually compelling.
How does Storm Intensity affect photography?
Storm intensity using GFS radar reflectivity and wind shear. High shear (>15 m/s) indicates organized/supercell storms with dramatic structure. Higher values indicate more intense, photogenic storm conditions. Use caution above 70%.
What values are typical for Storm Intensity?
Storm Intensity typically ranges from 0.0% to 100.0%. PhotoWeather monitors these values to help you identify ideal conditions for your photography goals.
How is Storm Intensity calculated?
Storm Intensity is an advanced derived condition calculated from multiple weather parameters including Total Precipitation, Rainfall, Showers, Wind Speed, Wind Gusts. PhotoWeather's algorithms analyze these factors to provide a single, easy-to-understand score for this photography opportunity.
Typical values
Value rangeRelated fields
Similar weather conditionsAurora Quality
Combines aurora activity with viewing conditions (darkness, cloud cover, visibility) to provide photography-ready aurora quality scores. Aurora activity is OVATION-aware from the compute step.
Blue Hour Quality
Evaluates atmospheric conditions for blue hour photography quality. Scores sky clarity, cloud type suitability (high thin clouds ideal), visibility, and calm conditions.
Fiery Red Sky Potential
Atmospheric suitability for fiery red sky conditions across extended time window around sunrise/sunset periods. Enhanced with CAMS aerosol data (AOD, particle composition, Ångström exponent) and GFS upper-air humidity for improved color prediction.
Fog Probability
Multi-factor fog formation likelihood combining visibility, dewpoint spread, humidity, and time-of-day analysis
Golden Hour Potential
Atmospheric suitability for golden hour photography across extended time window around golden hour periods
Golden Clouds Potential
Cloud formation suitability for golden hour photography across extended time window around golden hour periods
Cloud Drama Score
Analysis of cloud formations and atmospheric conditions for dramatic sky photography
Frost Probability
Frost formation probability combining temperature, dewpoint spread, cloud cover, and wind analysis
Rainbow Probability
Probability of visible rainbow formation based on solar geometry and precipitation patterns
Coastal Drama Score
Analysis of coastal conditions combining wave dynamics, atmospheric conditions, and lighting for dramatic seascape photography. Evaluates wave height, swell patterns, spray potential, and atmospheric drama factors.
Atmospheric Clarity Score
Comprehensive atmospheric clarity analysis for landscape and astrophotography using CAMS aerosol optical depth, particle composition (dust, smoke, sea salt), particle size distribution (Ångström exponent), and visibility conditions.
Light Breakthrough Potential
Likelihood of sun breaking through clouds creating dramatic rays and dappled light patterns. Best with partial cloud cover (40-70%) and some sunshine reaching the surface.
Soft Light Index
Quality of diffused light for portrait and product photography. High scores indicate soft, even lighting that minimizes harsh shadows - the 'giant softbox' effect.
Cloud Texture Score
Rates how visually interesting the clouds are - distinguishing dramatic formations from boring flat overcast. High scores indicate structured clouds with good light transmission.
Overcast Flatness
How flat and boring the overcast is. HIGH scores indicate uniform gray sky with no breaks or texture - generally unfavorable for most photography. LOW scores indicate breaks, texture, or clearing.
CAPE
Convective Available Potential Energy
Lifted Index
Temperature difference measure for atmospheric stability
Wind Gusts
Maximum wind gust speed
Total Precipitation
Combined rain and snow precipitation
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