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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)
CAPE 96% failing
Storm Intensity 89% failing
Cloud Drama Score 81% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts2.1m/s
Precipitation Chance97%
Air Pressure900.6hPa
CAPE297
Lifted Index-2.7°C
Wind Gusts2.1m/s
Precipitation0.8mm

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
Tue, Apr 7
15:0037%60%161J/kg-0.8°C367m4.5m/s
16:0041%100%137J/kg-0.6°C229m3.8m/s
17:0040%55%158J/kg-0.8°C175m3m/s
18:0044%54%185J/kg-0.9°C133m3.2m/s
19:0034%58%141J/kg-0.5°C103m2.7m/s
20:0039%15%140J/kg-0.1°C126m2.1m/s
21:0021%15%70J/kg0.2°C6671m1.3m/s
22:0021%15%52J/kg0.1°C6606m1.7m/s
23:0026%15%50J/kg0.3°C24135m1.5m/s
Wed, Apr 8
24:0016%15%50J/kg0.3°C8477m1.6m/s
01:0014%15%36J/kg0.5°C16488m1.3m/s
02:0028%15%51J/kg0.6°C22464m1.3m/s
03:000%15%49J/kg0.6°C16371m2m/s
04:000%15%59J/kg0.9°C17905m2.1m/s
05:0014%8.7%59J/kg1.1°C17932m1.4m/s
06:0014%24%65J/kg-0.1°C24135m1.3m/s
07:0013%22%47J/kg0.3°C24134m1m/s
08:0015%22%61J/kg0.3°C24135m1.3m/s
09:0016%43%221J/kg-0.9°C12958m1.9m/s
10:0019%41%311J/kg-1.3°C10649m3.1m/s
11:0023%23%367J/kg-1.8°C24134m1.5m/s
12:0023%23%349J/kg-2.1°C10521m2.6m/s
13:0022%23%347J/kg-2.9°C24135m2.3m/s
14:0037%23%314J/kg-3.1°C3007m1.8m/s
15:0038%41%297J/kg-2.7°C663m2.1m/s
16:0030%51%282J/kg-2°C756m2.2m/s
17:0044%60%263J/kg-1.7°C745m2.2m/s
18:0017%64%240J/kg-1.7°C15179m2m/s
19:0040%64%208J/kg-1.1°C1439m2.1m/s
20:0043%0%162J/kg-0.7°C1239m1.5m/s
21:000%0%129J/kg-0.2°C22254m1.9m/s
22:0022%0%71J/kg0.1°C8497m2.2m/s
23:0039%0%72J/kg0.5°C8632m1.6m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:0018%0%62J/kg1.1°C16946m2.1m/s
01:0018%0%26J/kg1.9°C20341m1.5m/s
02:0032%0%2J/kg2.4°C23087m1.3m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg2.7°C22336m1m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg2.7°C19446m1.1m/s
05:0018%0%0J/kg2.4°C23726m1.4m/s
06:000%59%0J/kg2.1°C24134m2.3m/s
07:000%55%0J/kg1.9°C24134m2.1m/s
08:0016%57%0J/kg2.1°C24135m3.2m/s
09:000%48%4J/kg1.4°C8429m3.9m/s
10:000%40%11J/kg0.7°C24134m3.4m/s
11:000%23%27J/kg0.5°C19217m2.5m/s
12:000%24%36J/kg0.1°C24135m3m/s
13:000%23%26J/kg0.3°C24134m2.9m/s
14:000%23%10J/kg1°C24135m1.9m/s
15:000%41%0J/kg1.9°C24134m4.4m/s
16:000%51%13J/kg0.8°C19489m5.4m/s
17:0019%60%26J/kg0.6°C2581m5.7m/s
18:0036%64%9J/kg0.7°C622m5.6m/s
19:0034%67%3J/kg1.6°C1849m5.2m/s
20:0035%0%2J/kg1.7°C18924m4.6m/s
21:0019%0%12J/kg1.3°C1680m4.7m/s
22:0028%0%26J/kg1°C1420m4.2m/s
23:0028%0%30J/kg1°C20030m3.6m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:0031%0%3J/kg1.2°C4551m2.9m/s
01:0022%0%3J/kg1.7°C12261m2.8m/s
02:0051%0%4J/kg1.3°C1394m3m/s
03:0033%0%54J/kg0.4°C1646m3m/s
04:0038%0%60J/kg0.4°C1191m3.8m/s
05:0077%0%57J/kg-0.3°C217m4.9m/s
06:0066%65%136J/kg-1.9°C187m5.2m/s
07:0066%60%120J/kg-1.7°C126m6.5m/s
08:0075%63%106J/kg-1.5°C67m7.9m/s
09:0043%51%137J/kg-1.3°C72m6.1m/s
10:0047%45%219J/kg-1.7°C66m6.2m/s
11:0055%43%282J/kg-1.7°C75m7.5m/s
12:0056%31%316J/kg-1.8°C152m9.3m/s
13:0056%29%298J/kg-1.5°C125m9.4m/s
14:0063%23%303J/kg-1.4°C70m7.9m/s
15:0049%45%186J/kg-0.9°C58m7m/s
16:0053%51%275J/kg-1.4°C52m6.7m/s
17:0059%63%231J/kg-0.9°C42m7.4m/s
18:0041%71%220J/kg-0.8°C46m6.6m/s
19:0053%69%110J/kg0°C47m6.2m/s
20:0043%5.2%69J/kg0°C45m5.6m/s
21:0024%0%46J/kg1.3°C8075m6.2m/s
22:0018%0%23J/kg2.6°C16105m6.8m/s
23:000%0%0J/kg3.9°C24135m7.4m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%0%0J/kg3.9°C24135m7m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg4°C24135m6.6m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg4°C24135m6.2m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg3.6°C24135m5.5m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg3.1°C24135m4.8m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg2.6°C24135m4.1m/s
06:000%21%0.33J/kg2.4°C24135m3.8m/s
07:000%17%0.67J/kg2.2°C24135m3.5m/s
08:000%14%1J/kg2°C24135m3.2m/s
09:000%28%1.7J/kg1.5°C24135m3.2m/s
10:000%23%2.3J/kg1.1°C24135m3.2m/s
11:000%13%3J/kg0.65°C24135m3.2m/s
12:000%14%4.7J/kg0.69°C23278m2.9m/s
13:000%14%6.3J/kg0.74°C22421m2.5m/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
Wed, Apr 8 Sunrise 06:11 Sunset 18:41
15:00
901hPa 297J/kg 100% -2.7°C 64% 100% 97% 0mm 84% 1.1mm 8.1dBZ 51° 100% 0.81mm - - 1.2m/s
16:00
901hPa 282J/kg 100% -2°C 57% 100% 95% 0.03mm 85% 0.3mm 13dBZ 37° 100% 1.8mm - - 1.2m/s
17:00
901hPa 263J/kg 100% -1.7°C 65% 100% 94% 0.05mm 88% 0.63mm 19dBZ 23° 100% 2.5mm 3.2m/s 6.5m/s 0.99m/s
18:00
901hPa 240J/kg 100% -1.7°C 36% 100% 96% 0.03mm 90% 0.31mm 19dBZ 100% 2.8mm - - 0.97m/s
19:00
902hPa 208J/kg 100% -1.1°C 53% 100% 97% 0.1mm 92% 0.68mm 19dBZ -4.9° 100% 3.5mm - - 0.86m/s
20:00
903hPa 162J/kg 100% -0.7°C 53% 100% 98% 0.2mm 92% 0.6mm 19dBZ -19° 100% 4.4mm 4m/s 11m/s 0.86m/s
21:00
903hPa 129J/kg 100% -0.2°C 53% 100% 93% 0.23mm 90% 0.1mm 22dBZ -32° 100% 0.63mm - - 1.6m/s
22:00
903hPa 71J/kg 100% 0.1°C 80% 100% 87% 0.19mm 90% 1.1mm 25dBZ -44° 100% 1.3mm - - 1.9m/s
23:00
903hPa 72J/kg 100% 0.5°C 89% 100% 81% 0.91mm 88% 0.64mm 28dBZ -54° 100% 2.4mm 4.7m/s 12m/s 0.75m/s
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:11 Sunset 18:41
24:00
902hPa 62J/kg 100% 1.1°C 91% 100% 82% 0.51mm 89% 0.02mm 29dBZ -61° 100% 3.3mm - - 1.7m/s
01:00
901hPa 26J/kg 100% 1.9°C 87% 100% 83% 0.34mm 89% 0.03mm 30dBZ -60° 100% 3.6mm - - 1.3m/s
02:00
901hPa 2J/kg 100% 2.4°C 79% 100% 85% 0.25mm 89% 0.01mm 30dBZ -53° 100% 3.9mm 7.9m/s 13m/s 1.2m/s
03:00
900hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.7°C 66% 100% 66% 0.29mm 90% 0mm 16dBZ -43° 100% 0.25mm - - 0.69m/s
04:00
900hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.7°C 76% 100% 48% 0.39mm 87% 0mm 2.7dBZ -30° 100% 0.5mm - - 0.89m/s
05:00
900hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.4°C 70% 100% 30% 0.16mm 85% 0mm -11dBZ -17° 100% 0.81mm 13m/s 17m/s 1.1m/s
06:00
901hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.1°C 61% 100% 35% 0.04mm 84% 0mm -13dBZ -3.3° 100% 0.88mm - - 1.9m/s
07:00
901hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.9°C 72% 100% 40% 0.03mm 85% 0mm -16dBZ 11° 100% 0.94mm - - 1.6m/s
08:00
901hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.1°C 59% 98% 45% 0.01mm 87% 0mm -18dBZ 25° 100% 0.94mm 12m/s 11m/s 1.9m/s
09:00
901hPa 4J/kg 100% 1.4°C 48% 99% 56% 0.01mm 87% 0mm -13dBZ 39° 100% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
10:00
901hPa 11J/kg 97% 0.7°C 64% 100% 67% 0.05mm 83% 0mm -9dBZ 52° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
11:00
901hPa 27J/kg 100% 0.5°C 46% 95% 78% 0.02mm 82% 0.19mm -4.6dBZ 65° 100% 0.06mm 14m/s 9m/s 0.83m/s
12:00
900hPa 36J/kg 100% 0.1°C 74% 97% 81% 0.08mm 84% 0.02mm -0.95dBZ 75° 100% 0.19mm - - 1.4m/s
13:00
899hPa 26J/kg 100% 0.3°C 79% 99% 85% 0.01mm 87% 0mm 2.7dBZ 75° 100% 0.31mm - - 2m/s
14:00
898hPa 10J/kg 100% 1°C 75% 90% 89% 0mm 80% 0.02mm 6.4dBZ 64° 100% 0.38mm 20m/s 9.1m/s 1.6m/s
15:00
898hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.9°C 64% 100% 87% 0mm 73% 0mm 12dBZ 51° 100% 0.06mm - - 3m/s
16:00
898hPa 13J/kg 100% 0.8°C 79% 91% 85% 0.06mm 75% 0.2mm 18dBZ 37° 100% 0.13mm - - 3.9m/s
17:00
899hPa 26J/kg 100% 0.6°C 98% 99% 83% 0.01mm 82% 0.22mm 24dBZ 23° 100% 0.25mm 6.2m/s 4.2m/s 4.2m/s
18:00
899hPa 9J/kg 93% 0.7°C 100% 100% 87% 2.9mm 92% 0.06mm 20dBZ 9.1° 100% 1.6mm - - 3.7m/s
19:00
900hPa 3J/kg 100% 1.6°C 100% 100% 91% 1.1mm 91% 0.03mm 15dBZ -4.8° 100% 4.2mm - - 3m/s
20:00
901hPa 2J/kg 100% 1.7°C 96% 100% 96% 0.36mm 87% 0mm 11dBZ -18° 100% 5mm 4.7m/s 10m/s 3.1m/s
21:00
901hPa 12J/kg 100% 1.3°C 100% 100% 96% 0.75mm 89% 0.01mm 15dBZ -32° 100% 0.44mm - - 3.2m/s
22:00
902hPa 26J/kg 100% 1°C 96% 100% 97% 0.99mm 92% 0mm 18dBZ -44° 100% 1.4mm - - 2.9m/s
23:00
901hPa 30J/kg 100% 1°C 95% 100% 97% 0.28mm 91% 0.05mm 22dBZ -54° 100% 2mm 6.1m/s 16m/s 2.7m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:10 Sunset 18:42
24:00
901hPa 3J/kg 100% 1.2°C 100% 100% 98% 2.4mm 93% 0mm 25dBZ -60° 100% 3mm - - 2.1m/s
01:00
900hPa 3J/kg 100% 1.7°C 98% 100% 99% 0.89mm 92% 0mm 28dBZ -60° 100% 5mm - - 1.7m/s
02:00
899hPa 4J/kg 100% 1.3°C 99% 100% 99% 3.6mm 95% 0mm 31dBZ -53° 100% 7.7mm 21m/s 21m/s 2.1m/s
03:00
898hPa 54J/kg 100% 0.4°C 97% 100% 93% 3.5mm 95% 0.32mm 30dBZ -42° 100% 4.8mm - - 2.3m/s
04:00
898hPa 60J/kg 100% 0.4°C 100% 100% 87% 3.6mm 96% 0.47mm 28dBZ -30° 100% 8.3mm - - 2.6m/s
05:00
898hPa 57J/kg 95% -0.3°C 100% 100% 81% 4.6mm 98% 0.55mm 27dBZ -17° 100% 15mm 18m/s 22m/s 3.8m/s
06:00
898hPa 136J/kg 98% -1.9°C 100% 100% 83% 3.4mm 97% 1.3mm 28dBZ -3.1° 100% 19mm - - 4.6m/s
07:00
898hPa 120J/kg 76% -1.7°C 76% 98% 84% 0.59mm 96% 1.1mm 29dBZ 11° 98% 22mm - - 5m/s
08:00
899hPa 106J/kg 100% -1.5°C 84% 100% 86% 0.2mm 96% 0.81mm 30dBZ 25° 100% 22mm 20m/s 20m/s 5.4m/s
09:00
899hPa 137J/kg 100% -1.3°C 71% 68% 81% 0.11mm 94% 1.1mm 20dBZ 39° 100% 1.4mm - - 4.6m/s
10:00
900hPa 219J/kg 78% -1.7°C 78% 73% 76% 0.35mm 91% 1.5mm 9.5dBZ 52° 86% 3.2mm - - 4.2m/s
11:00
900hPa 282J/kg 48% -1.7°C 87% 13% 70% 0.08mm 89% 1.5mm -0.68dBZ 66° 87% 4.5mm 14m/s 17m/s 4.5m/s
12:00
900hPa 316J/kg 100% -1.8°C 94% 24% 71% 0.34mm 92% 1.3mm -1.7dBZ 76° 100% 5.8mm - - 5m/s
13:00
900hPa 298J/kg 100% -1.5°C 83% 41% 73% 0.21mm 94% 1.2mm -2.7dBZ 75° 100% 7.6mm - - 5.2m/s
14:00
899hPa 303J/kg 100% -1.4°C 97% 5% 74% 0.46mm 93% 1.3mm -3.7dBZ 64° 100% 8.8mm 16m/s 11m/s 4.1m/s
15:00
899hPa 186J/kg 100% -0.9°C 82% 14% 71% 0.52mm 95% 2mm -7.8dBZ 51° 100% 2.3mm - - 3.8m/s
16:00
899hPa 275J/kg 100% -1.4°C 82% 10% 68% 0.2mm 94% 1.6mm -12dBZ 37° 100% 4.6mm - - 4.5m/s
17:00
899hPa 231J/kg 100% -0.9°C 80% 21% 65% 0.02mm 96% 0.57mm -16dBZ 23° 100% 5.7mm 12m/s 11m/s 5.2m/s
18:00
900hPa 220J/kg 100% -0.8°C 81% 15% 60% 0.01mm 97% 0.35mm -17dBZ 9.2° 100% 6.4mm - - 5.1m/s
19:00
900hPa 110J/kg 99% 0°C 78% 11% 54% 0mm 96% 0.61mm -19dBZ -4.7° 100% 7.2mm - - 4.6m/s
20:00
901hPa 69J/kg 100% 0°C 78% 2% 49% 0mm 96% 0.37mm -20dBZ -18° 100% 7.6mm 9.4m/s 8.5m/s 4.3m/s
21:00
934hPa 46J/kg 100% 1.3°C 53% 1% 46% 0mm 92% 0.25mm -19dBZ -32° 100% 5mm - - 4.8m/s
22:00
967hPa 23J/kg 100% 2.6°C 28% 1% 42% 0mm 88% 0.12mm -18dBZ -44° 100% 2.5mm - - 5.2m/s
23:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.9°C 4% 0% 38% 0mm 84% 0mm -17dBZ -54° 100% 0mm 11m/s 8.6m/s 5.7m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:09 Sunset 18:42
24:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.9°C 2% 0% 38% 0mm 82% 0mm -18dBZ -60° 100% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
01:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 100% 4°C 1% 0% 37% 0mm 81% 0mm -19dBZ -60° 100% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
02:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 100% 4°C 0% 0% 37% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -53° 100% 0mm 10m/s 6.9m/s 5m/s
03:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.6°C 0% 0% 58% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 100% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
04:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.1°C 0% 0% 79% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 100% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
05:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.6°C 0% 0% 100% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 100% 0mm 9.3m/s 5.5m/s 3.2m/s
06:00
1003hPa 0.33J/kg 100% 2.4°C 0% 0% 75% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -2.9° 100% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
07:00
1002hPa 0.67J/kg 100% 2.2°C 1% 0% 50% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 100% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
08:00
1002hPa 1J/kg 100% 2°C 1% 0% 25% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 100% 0mm 10m/s 4.8m/s 3.6m/s
09:00
1002hPa 1.7J/kg 99% 1.5°C 12% 0% 28% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 99% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
10:00
1002hPa 2.3J/kg 99% 1.1°C 23% 0% 32% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 99% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
11:00
1002hPa 3J/kg 98% 0.65°C 33% 0% 35% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 66° 98% 0mm 11m/s 7.5m/s 3.6m/s
12:00
1003hPa 4.7J/kg 99% 0.69°C 52% 0% 42% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 76° 99% 0mm - - 3m/s
13:00
1003hPa 6.3J/kg 99% 0.74°C 71% 0% 48% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 75° 99% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
14:00
1004hPa 8J/kg 100% 0.78°C 89% 0% 55% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 64° 100% 0mm 13m/s 8.4m/s 1.8m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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