Likely forecast: 100/30 (potential 100%, chance of skunk 30%)

Cloud height: mid

Cloud cover: 90-100%

Description: A beautiful mid-level cloud deck will catch areas of color and light. Check nearby areas for better conditions. 

The sky tried and sort of delivered. We weren't jumping up and down and high fiving each other, but we definitely didn't get skunked, either. 

Likely forecast: 100/0 (potential 100%, chance of skunk 0%)

Cloud height: mid

Cloud cover: 90-100%

Description: We're expecting a very colorful, dramatic mid-level cloud deck.

Likely forecast: 30/0 (30% potential, 0% chance of skunk)

Cloud height: very high

Description: Wispy, very high clouds should turn pink and add pleasant bits of color to an otherwise blue sky.

We have pretty tough standards for #escaype! When you're shooting a long distance from home, a 30/0 sky may be all you need to capture your scene. When we're in our own backyard, though, we can be more picky.

Likely forecast: 80/0 (potential 80%, chance of skunk 0%)

Cloud cover: 70-80%

Cloud height: high

Description: Excellent conditions for a very colorful golden hour are expected, as a beautiful mass of high clouds lights up. 

Won't be the most amazing sky you'll see in your life, but you probably won't regret skipping dinner or bolting work a few minutes early to catch it. 

Likely forecast: 40-50/0 (potential 40-50, chance of skunk 0%)

Cloud height: high

Cloud cover: 40-50%

Description: Good conditions for a colorful golden hour are expected, as a collection of high clouds lights up.

Note that our forecast only reports the high clouds, even though there is a lower cloud in the mix -- this is because we report the "main", or most dominant, cloud deck. 

Escaype forecast: 100/10 (potential 100%, chance of skunk 10%)

Verified at: 100/20-30 (potential 100%, chance of skunk 20-30%)

Cloud height: mid

Cloud cover: 90-100%

Description: A beautiful mid-level cloud deck will catch areas of color and light. Check nearby areas for better conditions.

It's very important to notice the difference and relationship between potential and chance of skunk. On this morning, the clouds were amazing, and IF they had fully burned, it would have been insane. That's potential 100. The 20% chance of skunk reflects the fact that only part of the sky burned. Not epic, but probably still worth the $6 to cross the bridge. 

Likely forecast: 70/0 (potential: 70%, chance of skunk 0%)

Cloud height: high

Cloud cover: 70-80%

Description: Excellent conditions for a very colorful golden hour are expected, as a beautiful mass of high clouds lights up.

This one was a very late burn -- it faded to complete dark grey, everyone else left, and then the color finally emerged 15 minutes after sunset. Check the "best time" before you pack up -- if Escaype forecasted a late burn, don't leave too soon!

Likely forecast: 90/70 (potential 90%, chance of skunk 70%)

Cloud height: high

Cloud cover: 80-90%

Description: A collection of high clouds will catch only hints of color and light. Check nearby areas for better conditions. 

This was a beautiful sky, but it didn't burn. 

Forecast: 30/0 (potential 30%, chance of skunk 0%)

Cloud height: high

Cloud cover: 20-30%

Description: Good conditions for a colorful golden hour are expected, as a collection of high clouds lights up. 

Note that I was able to fill the frame with this 30/0. The rest of the sky was pretty clear. These kinds of skies may be decent, but often only in part of the sky. Takes a little luck, but still can be worthwhile. 

Likely forecast: 80/100 (potential 80%, chance of skunk 100%)

Cloud height: very low

Cloud cover: 70-80%

Description: Full low cloud cover is likely. Above the low clouds: Very few clouds are expected to light up. 

It's definitely still possible to shoot with an Escaype 100% skunk, but don't plan on having color in the sky. 

Escaype forecast: 80 0 (potential 80%, chance of skunk 0%)

Cloud height: high

Cloud cover: 70-80%

Description: Excellent conditions for a very colorful golden hour are expected, as a beautiful mass of high clouds lights up. 

Not earth-shatteringly epic, but you'll probably be happy you went out!

Escaype forecast: 80/10 (potential 80%, chance of skunk 10%)

Cloud height: mid

Cloud cover: 70-80%

Description: We're expecting a very colorful, dramatic cloud deck. 

There wasn't much going on in the other direction -- there were a bunch of high clouds that disappeared just before sunset. (This is a real phenomenon that you'll learn about, and it is considered in our Chance of Skunk ratings.) The 80 potential easily filled the frame with color. 

Likely forecast: 80/0 (80 potential, 0 skunk). 

Cloud height: low

Cloud cover: 90-100%

Relatively low clouds and dramatic light are likely.

(Note that this kind of sky usually only earns a potential 70-80, because it's rare that low clouds put on this great of a show. If we see a real gem with low clouds, we'll usually raise it manually. We call this a "low cloud blow". The models tend to have a bit of trouble pinpointing exactly where low clouds are, because they can be very localized. Real-time reports are key.)

Escaype forecast: 100/0 (potential 100%, chance of skunk 0%)

Cloud height: high

Cloud cover: 90-100%

Description: Excellent conditions for a very colorful golden hour are expected, as a beautiful mass of high clouds lights up. 

Note that it doesn't have to be the absolute most epic sky of the century to earn a score of 100. We'll usually shout at you in caps lock if it's truly one for the record books. But we doubt you'd be disappointed with a sky like this!

Likely forecast: 70/50 (potential 70%, chance of skunk 50%)

Cloud height: high

Cloud cover: 60-70%

Description: Low clouds and fog are likely. Above the low clouds: Excellent conditions for a very colorful golden hour are expected, as a beautiful mass of high clouds lights up.

This forecast described would have been for down in the foggy valley. A forecast for where we were standing would likely have been 70/0, because we were above the fog (and the Escaype models are terrain-aware). 

Escaype forecast: 100/0 (potential 100%, chance of skunk 0%)

Cloud height: mid

Cloud cover: 90-100%

Description: We're expecting a very colorful, mid-level cloud deck. May also be good while the sun is above the horizon. 

The last line of the description refers to the large visible opening on the horizon, which the sun can shine through to make a sunstar and provide strong, intense golden light. You'll see this line in our descriptions fairly often (you may even see it on days with high chance of skunk scores, when it'll say "may be better while the sun is above the horizon", indicating that you might get some really nice light just before sunset, but it'll die before it burns). We realize that not all 100/0 skies are created equal, and when we see something like this, we'll be yelling at you in caps lock to get your butt out of the office or wherever you are. 

Likely forecast: 80/40 (potential 70%, chance of skunk 40%)

Cloud height: low

Cloud cover: 90-100%

Description: Relatively low clouds may pick up bits of color and light. 

Once you're up into the 30-40%, skunk range, we're definitely not expecting a full sky blowup. This one burned near the horizon but that was it. Could work if you had a long lens pointed in that direction, though!