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Rule Storm Chaser

Haleakala - Storm Chaser - Hawaii

Makawao, Hawaii, United States

Dramatic storm conditions — from atmospheric builds to active thunderstorms

No opportunities right now
Here’s what usually blocks matches

No Storm Chaser opportunities in the next 14 days

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Rule requirements (key thresholds)
Storm Intensity · ≥ 55.0% Cloud Drama Score · ≥ 55.0% CAPE · ≥ 1200.0J/kg Lifted Index · ≤ -2.0°C

Tip: Scroll down to the 72-hour table to see exactly which condition fails hour by hour.

Most common blockers (next 72 hours)
Storm Intensity 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 83% failing
CAPE 76% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover39%
Wind Gusts3.0m/s
Precipitation Chance92%
Air Pressure897.4hPa
CAPE260
Lifted Index-2.5°C
Wind Gusts3.0m/s
Precipitation0.0mm

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Pacific/Honolulu

No opportunities in the next 10 days

See the blocker timeline below to understand which conditions are preventing matches.

What this forecast looks for

Plain-language explanation from the rule

This forecast tracks Hawaii's tropical storm conditions, focusing on the dramatic convective storms and rain squalls that create spectacular photography opportunities. We monitor atmospheric instability, trade wind patterns, and convective development to predict when tropical storms will produce dramatic skies and lighting conditions.

Hawaii's tropical location means storm systems behave differently than mainland storms. Trade wind showers create brief, intense rain squalls that pass quickly, often producing rainbows. Kona storms—winter low-pressure systems from the southwest—bring more widespread drama. Summer afternoon convection builds towering clouds over island mountains.

What makes Hawaii special for storm photography:

  • Tropical convection - Towering cumulus clouds develop over volcanic peaks in afternoon heat
  • Dramatic cloud formations - Trade winds create lenticular clouds and wave patterns
  • Kona storm drama - Winter southwest storms bring unusual widespread rain and dramatic conditions
  • Rain squalls with rainbows - Brief intense showers followed immediately by sunshine and rainbows

Hawaiian storm photography is unique because storms are rarely dangerous to photographers—most are brief convective cells or passing squalls rather than severe weather. The dramatic part is the towering cloud formations, not dangerous conditions. Afternoon convection over Mauna Kea and Haleakala creates spectacular anvil clouds and light shows. Kona storms, occurring October through April, bring the most widespread dramatic conditions with dark clouds, wind-driven rain, and spectacular clearing. The windward coasts see more frequent trade wind squalls—brief heavy showers that create dramatic light when sun breaks through. The combination of tropical moisture, volcanic terrain, and reliable sunshine means storm photography often includes rainbows as a bonus. Watch for conditions where dark storm clouds contrast with bright sunlit areas.

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72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 95 hours
OR logic: one branch per group is enough
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
Pacific/Honolulu
Storm Intensity
≥ 55.0%
Cloud Drama Score
≥ 55.0%
CAPE
OR1·B1
≥ 1200.0J/kg
Lifted Index
OR1·B2
≤ -2.0°C
Visibility
≥ 2500.0m
Wind Gusts
≤ 22.0m/s
Sat, Feb 21
09:000%53%94J/kg0.6°C15532m3.5m/s
10:000%42%104J/kg0.1°C12526m3.2m/s
11:0017%41%155J/kg-0.1°C5397m3.6m/s
12:0020%45%208J/kg-0.9°C1188m3.9m/s
13:0016%42%250J/kg-0.9°C7663m3.2m/s
14:0027%45%192J/kg-0.9°C8422m3.3m/s
15:000%46%28J/kg0.5°C20305m1.9m/s
16:0018%53%53J/kg0.1°C1445m2.4m/s
17:0026%64%46J/kg0.2°C5520m1.9m/s
18:0024%100%32J/kg0.2°C2711m1.6m/s
19:0029%89%30J/kg0°C490m1m/s
20:0034%11%20J/kg0°C584m0.61m/s
21:0036%13%47J/kg-0.1°C924m1.3m/s
22:0015%14%64J/kg-0.3°C8822m1.2m/s
23:0019%15%68J/kg-0.5°C17273m2.3m/s
Sun, Feb 22
24:0029%15%34J/kg-0.6°C4738m2.8m/s
01:0023%15%59J/kg-0.8°C11926m2.4m/s
02:0023%15%66J/kg-0.8°C12047m2.7m/s
03:000%12%6J/kg-0.3°C24135m1.6m/s
04:000%12%12J/kg-0.3°C21296m2.2m/s
05:000%6.5%37J/kg-0.7°C21145m3.2m/s
06:0014%9.2%54J/kg-0.8°C3311m4m/s
07:0014%65%71J/kg-1.1°C3288m4.2m/s
08:0016%57%119J/kg-1.6°C1409m3.7m/s
09:0014%49%260J/kg-2.5°C2317m3m/s
10:000%41%481J/kg-3.4°C24134m2.9m/s
11:000%42%584J/kg-3.8°C24135m2.9m/s
12:000%43%615J/kg-3.8°C24135m3.5m/s
13:000%44%643J/kg-3.8°C24135m3.6m/s
14:000%46%649J/kg-3.8°C24135m3.5m/s
15:000%48%697J/kg-3.7°C23975m3.3m/s
16:000%51%738J/kg-3.8°C24135m3.4m/s
17:0023%64%564J/kg-3.4°C24135m2.8m/s
18:0015%88%437J/kg-2.9°C4830m1.8m/s
19:000%100%366J/kg-2.6°C8274m1m/s
20:0019%15%234J/kg-1.9°C24134m1.2m/s
21:0014%15%235J/kg-1.9°C4502m1.5m/s
22:000%15%199J/kg-1.6°C21206m1.3m/s
23:0015%15%142J/kg-1°C24135m1.3m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:000%15%140J/kg-1°C9332m1.4m/s
01:000%15%172J/kg-1.3°C5652m1.7m/s
02:000%15%93J/kg-0.8°C24135m1m/s
03:000%15%8J/kg-0.3°C16360m0.71m/s
04:000%15%0J/kg0.2°C14684m0.8m/s
05:000%15%0J/kg0.7°C19853m0.81m/s
06:000%15%0J/kg0.9°C24134m1.2m/s
07:000%63%0J/kg1°C10124m1.2m/s
08:000%66%1J/kg0.8°C8565m1.2m/s
09:000%56%6J/kg0.6°C14838m1.1m/s
10:000%45%14J/kg1°C8787m1.1m/s
11:0019%45%63J/kg0.5°C8437m1.5m/s
12:000%41%109J/kg0.3°C6403m1.7m/s
13:0032%52%101J/kg0.5°C2930m1.5m/s
14:0031%34%151J/kg0.1°C3637m1.6m/s
15:0015%53%233J/kg-0.8°C3347m1.9m/s
16:0033%45%284J/kg-1.4°C3371m2.4m/s
17:0041%63%298J/kg-1.6°C1948m2.8m/s
18:0038%71%256J/kg-1.5°C3452m2.8m/s
19:0045%62%324J/kg-2°C221m3.3m/s
20:0051%13%364J/kg-2.4°C171m3.1m/s
21:0019%13%302J/kg-2.1°C7768m2.7m/s
22:0025%13%354J/kg-2.1°C2450m2.8m/s
23:0034%15%334J/kg-2.4°C6520m2m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:0016%15%236J/kg-2.2°C8894m1.8m/s
01:0015%15%152J/kg-1.1°C8249m1.3m/s
02:0026%15%97J/kg-0.1°C8235m1.2m/s
03:000%13%39J/kg0.7°C10431m1m/s
04:000%14%16J/kg1°C24135m0.91m/s
05:0016%14%11J/kg1.3°C14495m1.1m/s
06:000%15%13J/kg1.5°C14351m0.92m/s
07:0015%67%9J/kg1.3°C4136m1m/s
08:0030%63%8J/kg1.1°C3869m1.5m/s
09:0015%52%31J/kg0.5°C2718m1.8m/s
10:0015%33%46J/kg0.3°C3649m2.1m/s
11:0033%31%32J/kg0.1°C3729m2.2m/s
12:0027%32%13J/kg0.4°C1994m2.4m/s
13:0025%41%20J/kg0.1°C3885m1.9m/s
14:0033%44%36J/kg0.1°C3992m1.5m/s
15:0016%31%35J/kg1.4°C10706m3.2m/s
16:000%32%33J/kg2.6°C17421m4.9m/s
17:000%25%32J/kg3.9°C24135m6.6m/s
18:000%29%31J/kg4.2°C24135m6.6m/s
19:000%35%29J/kg4.5°C24135m6.6m/s
20:0016%0%28J/kg4.8°C24135m6.5m/s
21:000%0%22J/kg5.2°C24135m6.2m/s
22:000%0%17J/kg5.7°C24135m5.8m/s
23:0013%0%11J/kg6.1°C24135m5.4m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:000%0%7.7J/kg6.8°C24135m5.2m/s
01:000%0%4.3J/kg7.4°C24135m5m/s
02:000%0%1J/kg8°C24135m4.8m/s
03:000%0%1J/kg8.4°C24135m4.8m/s
04:000%0%1J/kg8.7°C24135m4.9m/s
05:000%0%1J/kg9°C24135m4.9m/s
06:000%0%0.67J/kg9.2°C24135m5.2m/s
07:000%15%0.33J/kg9.4°C24135m5.5m/s
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
Pacific/Honolulu
Air Pressure
hPa
CAPE
J/kg
High Clouds
%
Lifted Index
°C
Low Clouds
%
Mid-Level Clouds
%
Precipitation Chance
%
Rainfall
mm
Relative Humidity
%
Showers
mm
Simulated Reflectivity
dBZ
Solar Elevation
°
Total Cloud Coverage
%
Total Precipitation
mm
Wind Shear 0-3 km
m/s
Wind Shear 0-6 km
m/s
Wind Speed
m/s
Sun, Feb 22 Sunrise 06:50 Sunset 18:26
09:00
897hPa 260J/kg 0% -2.5°C 39% 0% 92% 0mm 85% 0mm -11dBZ 28° 39% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
10:00
898hPa 481J/kg 0% -3.4°C 47% 0% 88% 0mm 82% 0.05mm -11dBZ 40° 47% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
11:00
897hPa 584J/kg 0% -3.8°C 49% 0% 84% 0mm 79% 0.16mm -11dBZ 51° 49% 0.06mm 4.6m/s 7.1m/s 2.8m/s
12:00
897hPa 615J/kg 0% -3.8°C 58% 0% 83% 0mm 79% 0.04mm -2.6dBZ 58° 58% 0.31mm - - 3.3m/s
13:00
897hPa 643J/kg 0% -3.8°C 50% 0% 82% 0mm 80% 0.18mm 5.4dBZ 59° 50% 0.63mm - - 3.4m/s
14:00
896hPa 649J/kg 0% -3.8°C 60% 0% 81% 0mm 79% 0.15mm 13dBZ 53° 60% 0.88mm 8.3m/s 9.9m/s 3.2m/s
15:00
896hPa 697J/kg 0% -3.7°C 66% 0% 79% 0mm 81% 0.15mm 7dBZ 44° 66% 0.31mm - - 2.9m/s
16:00
896hPa 738J/kg 0% -3.8°C 71% 0% 77% 0mm 84% 0.07mm 0.65dBZ 32° 71% 0.5mm - - 3.1m/s
17:00
896hPa 564J/kg 0% -3.4°C 78% 0% 75% 0mm 87% 0.11mm -5.7dBZ 19° 78% 0.69mm 9.4m/s 12m/s 2.4m/s
18:00
897hPa 437J/kg 6% -2.9°C 45% 2% 77% 0mm 88% 0.13mm -1.7dBZ 5.5° 45% 0.81mm - - 1.5m/s
19:00
897hPa 366J/kg 43% -2.6°C 50% 47% 79% 0mm 91% 0.02mm 2.3dBZ -8.4° 65% 0.88mm - - 0.77m/s
20:00
898hPa 234J/kg 48% -1.9°C 54% 53% 82% 0mm 91% 0mm 6.3dBZ -22° 70% 1mm 11m/s 15m/s 0.93m/s
21:00
899hPa 235J/kg 18% -1.9°C 63% 72% 81% 0mm 92% 0.03mm 3dBZ -36° 79% 0.06mm - - 1.1m/s
22:00
899hPa 199J/kg 7% -1.6°C 69% 65% 80% 0mm 90% 0.01mm -0.29dBZ -50° 71% 0.13mm - - 0.74m/s
23:00
899hPa 142J/kg 5% -1°C 55% 20% 80% 0mm 88% 0.07mm -3.6dBZ -64° 55% 0.19mm 11m/s 13m/s 0.96m/s
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 06:49 Sunset 18:26
24:00
899hPa 140J/kg 4% -1°C 40% 36% 84% 0mm 90% 0.02mm -1.8dBZ -76° 50% 0.25mm - - 0.81m/s
01:00
899hPa 172J/kg 1% -1.3°C 46% 55% 88% 0mm 93% 0.03mm 0.02dBZ -78° 68% 0.31mm - - 1.2m/s
02:00
898hPa 93J/kg 1% -0.8°C 57% 58% 92% 0mm 92% 0.02mm 1.8dBZ -67° 80% 0.31mm 11m/s 8.6m/s 0.62m/s
03:00
898hPa 8J/kg 1% -0.3°C 44% 37% 90% 0mm 89% 0.07mm 2.1dBZ -54° 54% 0.06mm - - 0.55m/s
04:00
898hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.2°C 22% 11% 88% 0mm 90% 0.02mm 2.3dBZ -40° 24% 0.13mm - - 0.44m/s
05:00
898hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.7°C 27% 4% 86% 0mm 91% 0.01mm 2.5dBZ -26° 27% 0.25mm 8.6m/s 6.8m/s 0.45m/s
06:00
899hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.9°C 23% 2% 89% 0.01mm 91% 0.01mm 7.9dBZ -12° 23% 0.31mm - - 0.88m/s
07:00
900hPa 0J/kg 0% 1°C 24% 1% 92% 0mm 92% 0.09mm 13dBZ 1.8° 24% 0.38mm - - 0.93m/s
08:00
900hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.8°C 36% 0% 95% 0mm 89% 0.07mm 19dBZ 15° 36% 0.5mm 7.7m/s 9.8m/s 0.55m/s
09:00
901hPa 6J/kg 0% 0.6°C 38% 1% 92% 0.01mm 82% 0.1mm 20dBZ 28° 38% 0.06mm - - 0.53m/s
10:00
901hPa 14J/kg 0% 1°C 38% 3% 89% 0mm 77% 0.09mm 22dBZ 41° 38% 0.25mm - - 0.36m/s
11:00
901hPa 63J/kg 0% 0.5°C 46% 4% 87% 0mm 75% 0.2mm 24dBZ 51° 46% 0.38mm 9.5m/s 15m/s 0.43m/s
12:00
900hPa 109J/kg 0% 0.3°C 74% 5% 86% 0mm 77% 0.41mm 18dBZ 58° 74% 0.75mm - - 0.65m/s
13:00
900hPa 101J/kg 0% 0.5°C 88% 17% 84% 0mm 82% 0.52mm 12dBZ 59° 88% 1.4mm - - 0.87m/s
14:00
899hPa 151J/kg 0% 0.1°C 86% 5% 83% 0mm 84% 0.4mm 6.2dBZ 54° 86% 1.9mm 9.1m/s 18m/s 1.6m/s
15:00
899hPa 233J/kg 0% -0.8°C 68% 7% 67% 0mm 86% 0.35mm 5.8dBZ 44° 68% 0.63mm - - 1.5m/s
16:00
899hPa 284J/kg 0% -1.4°C 84% 5% 51% 0.01mm 87% 0.52mm 5.5dBZ 32° 84% 1.3mm - - 1.7m/s
17:00
899hPa 298J/kg 0% -1.6°C 79% 9% 35% 0.06mm 91% 1.3mm 5.1dBZ 19° 79% 1.9mm 8.5m/s 17m/s 1.7m/s
18:00
900hPa 256J/kg 3% -1.5°C 80% 42% 40% 0.12mm 94% 0.54mm 8.2dBZ 5.6° 88% 2.9mm - - 1.6m/s
19:00
901hPa 324J/kg 0% -2°C 85% 99% 46% 0.11mm 96% 0.8mm 11dBZ -8.3° 99% 3.8mm - - 1.8m/s
20:00
901hPa 364J/kg 0% -2.4°C 86% 55% 51% 0.01mm 96% 0.56mm 14dBZ -22° 86% 4.3mm 8.5m/s 18m/s 1.9m/s
21:00
902hPa 302J/kg 0% -2.1°C 73% 10% 49% 0mm 93% 0.51mm 12dBZ -36° 73% 0.69mm - - 1.8m/s
22:00
902hPa 354J/kg 0% -2.1°C 59% 7% 48% 0.01mm 94% 0.13mm 9dBZ -50° 59% 1.1mm - - 1.9m/s
23:00
902hPa 334J/kg 0% -2.4°C 63% 4% 46% 0mm 94% 0.55mm 6.4dBZ -64° 63% 1.3mm 8.6m/s 15m/s 1.3m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 06:49 Sunset 18:27
24:00
901hPa 236J/kg 0% -2.2°C 60% 4% 47% 0mm 94% 0.22mm 7.2dBZ -75° 60% 1.4mm - - 1.3m/s
01:00
901hPa 152J/kg 0% -1.1°C 45% 3% 47% 0mm 95% 0.31mm 8.1dBZ -77° 45% 1.8mm - - 0.77m/s
02:00
901hPa 97J/kg 0% -0.1°C 45% 1% 48% 0mm 95% 0.32mm 8.9dBZ -67° 45% 2.1mm 9.5m/s 11m/s 0.8m/s
03:00
900hPa 39J/kg 0% 0.7°C 53% 0% 50% 0mm 94% 0.21mm 8.8dBZ -54° 53% 0.25mm - - 0.66m/s
04:00
900hPa 16J/kg 0% 1°C 31% 0% 51% 0mm 92% 0.14mm 8.8dBZ -40° 31% 0.38mm - - 0.82m/s
05:00
900hPa 11J/kg 0% 1.3°C 24% 0% 53% 0mm 93% 0.03mm 8.7dBZ -26° 24% 0.44mm 11m/s 14m/s 0.98m/s
06:00
901hPa 13J/kg 0% 1.5°C 33% 0% 57% 0.01mm 94% 0.05mm 4.9dBZ -12° 33% 0.5mm - - 0.82m/s
07:00
902hPa 9J/kg 0% 1.3°C 42% 0% 61% 0mm 95% 0.06mm 1.1dBZ 42% 0.63mm - - 0.71m/s
08:00
902hPa 8J/kg 0% 1.1°C 50% 0% 65% 0mm 93% 0.06mm -2.7dBZ 15° 50% 0.69mm 10m/s 16m/s 1.1m/s
09:00
902hPa 31J/kg 0% 0.5°C 71% 0% 71% 0.04mm 89% 0.15mm 1.4dBZ 29° 71% 0.19mm - - 1.2m/s
10:00
902hPa 46J/kg 0% 0.3°C 91% 0% 76% 0.17mm 88% 0.21mm 5.4dBZ 41° 91% 0.63mm - - 1.3m/s
11:00
902hPa 32J/kg 0% 0.1°C 100% 0% 82% 0.18mm 89% 0.11mm 9.4dBZ 51° 100% 1.1mm 13m/s 19m/s 1.6m/s
12:00
902hPa 13J/kg 0% 0.4°C 94% 0% 85% 0.02mm 92% 0.14mm 9dBZ 59° 94% 1.4mm - - 1.6m/s
13:00
901hPa 20J/kg 0% 0.1°C 72% 0% 88% 0mm 86% 0.09mm 8.5dBZ 60° 72% 1.4mm - - 1.4m/s
14:00
901hPa 36J/kg 0% 0.1°C 73% 0% 92% 0.03mm 82% 0.06mm 8dBZ 54° 73% 1.5mm 12m/s 19m/s 1.8m/s
15:00
936hPa 35J/kg 0% 1.4°C 79% 0% 82% 0.02mm 79% 0.06mm 8.3dBZ 44° 79% 1mm - - 3.3m/s
16:00
971hPa 33J/kg 0% 2.6°C 84% 0% 73% 0.01mm 76% 0.06mm 8.6dBZ 32° 84% 0.58mm - - 4.8m/s
17:00
1006hPa 32J/kg 0% 3.9°C 89% 0% 64% 0mm 74% 0.06mm 8.8dBZ 19° 89% 0.13mm 11m/s 18m/s 6.3m/s
18:00
1005hPa 31J/kg 0% 4.2°C 86% 0% 70% 0.01mm 73% 0.04mm 9.5dBZ 5.7° 86% 0.19mm - - 6.5m/s
19:00
1005hPa 29J/kg 0% 4.5°C 82% 0% 77% 0.02mm 73% 0.03mm 10dBZ -8.2° 82% 0.25mm - - 6.6m/s
20:00
1004hPa 28J/kg 0% 4.8°C 78% 0% 83% 0.03mm 72% 0.01mm 11dBZ -22° 78% 0.31mm 9.4m/s 18m/s 6.7m/s
21:00
1004hPa 22J/kg 0% 5.2°C 76% 0% 71% 0.02mm 70% 0.007mm 13dBZ -36° 76% 0.23mm - - 6.4m/s
22:00
1004hPa 17J/kg 0% 5.7°C 74% 0% 58% 0.01mm 67% 0.003mm 14dBZ -50° 74% 0.15mm - - 6m/s
23:00
1004hPa 11J/kg 0% 6.1°C 72% 0% 46% 0mm 65% 0mm 16dBZ -64° 72% 0.06mm 9.5m/s 13m/s 5.6m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 06:48 Sunset 18:27
24:00
1004hPa 7.7J/kg 16% 6.8°C 66% 0% 43% 0mm 63% 0mm 13dBZ -75° 74% 0.06mm - - 5.4m/s
01:00
1005hPa 4.3J/kg 31% 7.4°C 60% 0% 40% 0mm 61% 0mm 11dBZ -77° 76% 0.06mm - - 5.1m/s
02:00
1005hPa 1J/kg 47% 8°C 55% 0% 38% 0mm 59% 0mm 8.2dBZ -67° 78% 0.06mm 10m/s 16m/s 4.9m/s
03:00
1005hPa 1J/kg 64% 8.4°C 38% 0% 38% 0mm 58% 0mm 3.6dBZ -54° 85% 0.04mm - - 5m/s
04:00
1005hPa 1J/kg 82% 8.7°C 21% 0% 39% 0mm 57% 0mm -0.88dBZ -40° 92% 0.02mm - - 5m/s
05:00
1006hPa 1J/kg 99% 9°C 4% 0% 39% 0mm 56% 0mm -5.4dBZ -26° 99% 0mm 9.1m/s 15m/s 5.1m/s
06:00
1005hPa 0.67J/kg 99% 9.2°C 4% 0% 39% 0mm 57% 0mm -10dBZ -12° 99% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
07:00
1004hPa 0.33J/kg 100% 9.4°C 4% 0% 39% 0mm 59% 0mm -15dBZ 2.1° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
08:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.6°C 4% 0% 39% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 100% 0mm 7.5m/s 19m/s 5.5m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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