Storm intensity analysis combining precipitation, wind conditions, atmospheric pressure, visibility, GFS simulated radar reflectivity, and wind shear for enhanced storm organization detection.
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%.
Use these as planning patterns, then adjust thresholds for your subject, season, and location.
The score highlights dramatic potential, but safety, access, and local warnings remain separate decisions.
Instability, wind, pressure, and precipitation signals combined with improving visibility or nearby clearing
Interpreting storm potential as permission to shoot from unsafe positions
Photographic storm drama is strongest when structure and light are visible.
Use with cloud and visibility fields to find storms that may produce shape, contrast, and scale
Chasing severe weather indicators when the scene will be hidden by rain or poor visibility
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.
Target the edge of changing weather, where structure and light are visible from a safe position.
Use storm signals to find shape and scale, not to chase unsafe weather blindly.
Inspect total precipitation as one of the forecast signals behind Storm Intensity.
Inspect rainfall as one of the forecast signals behind Storm Intensity.
Inspect showers as one of the forecast signals behind Storm Intensity.
Inspect wind speed as one of the forecast signals behind Storm Intensity.
Inspect wind gusts as one of the forecast signals behind Storm Intensity.
Storm 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.
In PhotoWeather, Storm Intensity is shown from 0.0% to 100.0%. Use the guide above to choose a narrower range for your subject, season, and location.
Storm Intensity combines forecast signals such as Total Precipitation, Rainfall, Showers, Wind Speed, Wind Gusts into one photography planning cue. Use it as a shortlist, then check the individual fields before committing to a shoot.
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.
Evaluates atmospheric conditions for blue hour photography quality. Scores sky clarity, cloud type suitability (high thin clouds ideal), visibility, and calm conditions.
Predicts the chance of vivid red, orange, and pink sunrise or sunset color. Best when the sun has a clear opening near the horizon, some clouds are ready to catch the light, and low clouds are not blocking the show.
How likely fog is to form. High scores mean misty, atmospheric conditions for moody landscape and sunrise photography.
Atmospheric suitability for golden hour photography across extended time window around golden hour periods
Cloud formation suitability for colorful sunrise and sunset skies around golden hour
Analysis of cloud formations and atmospheric conditions for dramatic sky photography
Frost formation probability combining temperature, dewpoint spread, cloud cover, and wind analysis
Dew formation probability combining overnight radiative cooling, surface temperature, moisture, and wind analysis
Probability of visible rainbow formation based on solar geometry and precipitation patterns
Analysis of coastal drama combining wave dynamics, wind-driven spray and atmospheric cloud structure for seascape photography.
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.
Scores forecast sky quality for deep-sky, starscape, and nightscape photography using darkness, moon interference, clouds, atmospheric transparency, precipitation risk, and forecast confidence. This is not a Bortle class or site-darkness/light-pollution rating.
Scores Milky Way core / Galactic Center shootability using Galactic Center altitude plus dark, clear, transparent, moon-friendly forecast sky conditions. This is not a generic Milky Way band detector or site-darkness rating.
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.
Quality of diffused light for portrait and product photography. High scores indicate soft, even lighting that minimizes harsh shadows - the 'giant softbox' effect.
Rates how visually interesting the clouds are - distinguishing dramatic formations from boring flat overcast. High scores indicate structured clouds with good light transmission.
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.
Convective Available Potential Energy
Temperature difference measure for atmospheric stability
Maximum wind gust speed
Combined rain and snow precipitation
Use Storm Intensity with related photography weather fields to get alerts for your locations, subjects, and shooting windows.
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