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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 85% failing
CAPE 82% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover88%
Wind Gusts3.5m/s
Precipitation Chance69%
Air Pressure903.8hPa
CAPE210
Lifted Index-1.2°C
Wind Gusts3.5m/s
Precipitation0.2mm

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
Fri, Apr 10
09:000%51%10J/kg-0.5°C12938m1.9m/s
10:0034%41%57J/kg-0.8°C2732m3.6m/s
11:0053%23%149J/kg-1.2°C235m5.2m/s
12:0053%24%168J/kg-1.3°C256m6.1m/s
13:0059%24%134J/kg-1.7°C198m6.3m/s
14:0063%24%134J/kg-2°C222m5.7m/s
15:0047%43%101J/kg-2.1°C195m6.3m/s
16:0048%51%107J/kg-1.2°C231m4.7m/s
17:0058%62%101J/kg-0.8°C229m5.3m/s
18:0051%64%93J/kg-1.1°C221m4.5m/s
19:0053%46%100J/kg-0.9°C124m5.8m/s
20:0049%0.8%131J/kg-1.1°C144m5.1m/s
21:0018%14%117J/kg-1.1°C1942m4.5m/s
22:0039%14%93J/kg-1°C358m4m/s
23:0041%10%168J/kg-1.4°C340m4m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:0031%13%120J/kg-1°C1963m4.6m/s
01:0044%14%96J/kg-0.8°C234m3.9m/s
02:0018%14%122J/kg-0.9°C10232m4.3m/s
03:0019%5.3%142J/kg-0.6°C66m5.4m/s
04:0019%7.7%131J/kg-0.8°C61m4.9m/s
05:0040%14%118J/kg-0.7°C93m4.2m/s
06:0019%100%124J/kg-0.9°C326m3.2m/s
07:0018%54%146J/kg-1°C818m2.9m/s
08:0017%51%152J/kg-1°C24135m2.7m/s
09:0015%45%210J/kg-1.2°C2760m3.5m/s
10:0018%37%281J/kg-1.1°C1928m3.5m/s
11:0032%17%369J/kg-2°C847m3.4m/s
12:0018%15%380J/kg-2.1°C1186m3.1m/s
13:0029%16%449J/kg-2.4°C1604m3m/s
14:0026%16%510J/kg-2.6°C17878m2.7m/s
15:0024%28%559J/kg-2.6°C3768m2.5m/s
16:0024%37%520J/kg-2.5°C3221m2.6m/s
17:0028%41%449J/kg-2.2°C651m0.91m/s
18:0019%51%428J/kg-2.1°C413m1.1m/s
19:0029%49%364J/kg-2.1°C246m0.91m/s
20:0029%6.7%291J/kg-2°C623m1m/s
21:0027%13%250J/kg-1.7°C3949m0.7m/s
22:000%11%223J/kg-1.7°C8595m0.91m/s
23:0015%8.4%227J/kg-1.9°C7226m0.9m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%10%217J/kg-1.9°C5730m1.2m/s
01:0019%15%216J/kg-1.9°C352m2.2m/s
02:0033%13%218J/kg-2°C227m2.2m/s
03:0015%15%173J/kg-2°C2914m2.3m/s
04:000%15%162J/kg-2°C15207m2m/s
05:0014%15%116J/kg-1.5°C20357m2m/s
06:000%100%89J/kg-1.3°C24135m2.6m/s
07:0015%100%114J/kg-1.4°C4710m2.1m/s
08:0015%64%183J/kg-1.7°C6668m1.1m/s
09:000%56%218J/kg-1.9°C7478m1.3m/s
10:0033%51%175J/kg-1.4°C3847m1.6m/s
11:0033%31%199J/kg-1.5°C201m2.6m/s
12:0031%40%221J/kg-1.3°C146m3.8m/s
13:0036%25%170J/kg-0.9°C96m3.8m/s
14:0050%24%178J/kg-0.6°C69m3.3m/s
15:0032%53%134J/kg-0.3°C87m2.5m/s
16:0046%53%87J/kg0°C143m2.9m/s
17:0046%60%125J/kg-0.6°C114m3m/s
18:0040%65%111J/kg-0.2°C91m3.1m/s
19:0040%65%95J/kg0°C101m2.2m/s
20:0048%1%82J/kg0°C131m2m/s
21:0018%2%100J/kg-0.1°C76m1.6m/s
22:0018%5.3%110J/kg-0.4°C79m1.3m/s
23:0036%6.7%110J/kg-0.1°C88m1.5m/s
Mon, Apr 13
24:0039%4.5%89J/kg-0.1°C91m2.8m/s
01:0040%1.4%72J/kg0°C103m3.7m/s
02:0049%2%47J/kg0.2°C102m4.1m/s
03:0019%5.7%28J/kg1°C198m3.5m/s
04:0019%0.6%33J/kg0.4°C262m2.8m/s
05:0033%2.7%26J/kg0.3°C366m2.6m/s
06:0015%69%30J/kg0.5°C2119m1.9m/s
07:000%56%19J/kg0.5°C20983m1.8m/s
08:0015%45%9J/kg1.1°C24135m2.6m/s
09:000%48%10J/kg1.5°C24134m3.4m/s
10:000%43%1J/kg2°C24135m4.6m/s
11:0019%29%0J/kg2°C24134m4.3m/s
12:000%28%5J/kg2.4°C24135m4.2m/s
13:000%29%5J/kg1.5°C24135m3.7m/s
14:0020%24%22J/kg1.3°C24134m4.3m/s
15:000%36%46J/kg0.72°C23312m3.8m/s
16:000%44%70J/kg0.14°C22491m3.3m/s
17:000%49%94J/kg-0.45°C21669m2.8m/s
18:000%53%88J/kg-0.28°C22491m2.4m/s
19:000%56%82J/kg-0.11°C23313m2m/s
20:000%0%76J/kg0.06°C24135m1.6m/s
21:000%0%68J/kg0.12°C24135m1.7m/s
22:000%0%59J/kg0.18°C24135m1.9m/s
23:0012%0%51J/kg0.23°C24135m2m/s
Tue, Apr 14
24:000%0%45J/kg0.23°C24135m1.8m/s
01:000%0%40J/kg0.23°C24135m1.6m/s
02:000%0%34J/kg0.22°C24135m1.4m/s
03:000%0%39J/kg0.03°C24135m1.8m/s
04:000%0%45J/kg-0.16°C24135m2.2m/s
05:000%0%50J/kg-0.35°C24135m2.6m/s
06:000%56%55J/kg-0.45°C24135m2.7m/s
07:000%52%59J/kg-0.55°C24135m2.8m/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
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:09 Sunset 18:42
09:00
904hPa 210J/kg 87% -1.2°C 50% 2% 69% 0mm 87% 0.33mm -15dBZ 39° 88% 0.19mm - - 2.6m/s
10:00
904hPa 281J/kg 98% -1.1°C 54% 0% 59% 0mm 85% 0.26mm -9.5dBZ 53° 98% 0.38mm - - 3.1m/s
11:00
904hPa 369J/kg 100% -2°C 54% 0% 49% 0mm 84% 0.23mm -4.2dBZ 66° 100% 0.69mm 9.3m/s 10m/s 3.1m/s
12:00
903hPa 380J/kg 100% -2.1°C 48% 0% 60% 0mm 82% 0.23mm -0.89dBZ 76° 100% 0.94mm - - 3.1m/s
13:00
903hPa 449J/kg 100% -2.4°C 45% 0% 71% 0mm 80% 0.1mm 2.5dBZ 75° 100% 1.3mm - - 3m/s
14:00
902hPa 510J/kg 100% -2.6°C 50% 0% 82% 0mm 80% 0.28mm 5.8dBZ 64° 100% 1.6mm 7.4m/s 11m/s 2.8m/s
15:00
902hPa 559J/kg 100% -2.6°C 68% 0% 85% 0mm 83% 0.05mm -2.2dBZ 51° 100% 0.19mm - - 2.4m/s
16:00
902hPa 520J/kg 100% -2.5°C 77% 0% 88% 0mm 88% 0.2mm -10dBZ 37° 100% 0.31mm - - 2.1m/s
17:00
902hPa 449J/kg 100% -2.2°C 81% 0% 91% 0.02mm 92% 0.1mm -18dBZ 23° 100% 0.63mm 3.9m/s 10m/s 0.87m/s
18:00
903hPa 428J/kg 85% -2.1°C 83% 0% 93% 0.02mm 94% 0.22mm -19dBZ 9.2° 91% 0.81mm - - 1.1m/s
19:00
904hPa 364J/kg 100% -2.1°C 78% 1% 95% 0mm 95% 0.09mm -19dBZ -4.7° 100% 1.1mm - - 0.75m/s
20:00
904hPa 291J/kg 66% -2°C 66% 0% 96% 0mm 94% 0.08mm -20dBZ -18° 76% 1.3mm 2.1m/s 8.8m/s 0.65m/s
21:00
904hPa 250J/kg 48% -1.7°C 44% 4% 94% 0mm 93% 0.55mm -20dBZ -31° 50% 0.19mm - - 0.44m/s
22:00
904hPa 223J/kg 99% -1.7°C 42% 40% 92% 0mm 95% 0.04mm -20dBZ -43° 99% 0.31mm - - 0.68m/s
23:00
904hPa 227J/kg 100% -1.9°C 46% 24% 90% 0mm 96% 0.02mm -20dBZ -54° 100% 0.38mm 1.5m/s 10m/s 0.42m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:08 Sunset 18:42
24:00
904hPa 217J/kg 77% -1.9°C 56% 16% 92% 0mm 96% 0.07mm -20dBZ -60° 85% 0.5mm - - 0.57m/s
01:00
903hPa 216J/kg 65% -1.9°C 52% 5% 94% 0mm 96% 0.09mm -20dBZ -59° 79% 0.63mm - - 1.3m/s
02:00
903hPa 218J/kg 2% -2°C 68% 18% 96% 0mm 97% 0.17mm -20dBZ -52° 68% 1.2mm 2.6m/s 10m/s 1.3m/s
03:00
902hPa 173J/kg 5% -2°C 62% 5% 97% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 62% 0.19mm - - 1.9m/s
04:00
902hPa 162J/kg 3% -2°C 42% 19% 98% 0mm 94% 0.01mm -20dBZ -30° 42% 0.25mm - - 1.5m/s
05:00
902hPa 116J/kg 4% -1.5°C 49% 32% 100% 0mm 94% 0.1mm -19dBZ -16° 53% 0.31mm 3.5m/s 14m/s 1.7m/s
06:00
903hPa 89J/kg 22% -1.3°C 53% 55% 100% 0mm 94% 0.01mm -19dBZ -2.7° 60% 0.38mm - - 2.2m/s
07:00
903hPa 114J/kg 5% -1.4°C 49% 43% 100% 0mm 94% 0.02mm -19dBZ 11° 49% 0.44mm - - 1.5m/s
08:00
904hPa 183J/kg 94% -1.7°C 76% 44% 100% 0mm 92% 0.07mm -19dBZ 25° 98% 0.5mm 4.6m/s 14m/s 0.56m/s
09:00
904hPa 218J/kg 100% -1.9°C 86% 52% 94% 0mm 91% 0.16mm -9.7dBZ 39° 100% 0.19mm - - 0.69m/s
10:00
904hPa 175J/kg 6% -1.4°C 97% 81% 89% 0.06mm 90% 0.97mm 0.06dBZ 53° 97% 0.81mm - - 1.1m/s
11:00
904hPa 199J/kg 3% -1.5°C 96% 84% 84% 0.05mm 91% 0.43mm 9.8dBZ 66° 96% 1.6mm 5.8m/s 14m/s 1.7m/s
12:00
904hPa 221J/kg 20% -1.3°C 96% 96% 87% 0.02mm 94% 0.5mm 16dBZ 77° 97% 2.2mm - - 2.9m/s
13:00
903hPa 170J/kg 100% -0.9°C 91% 91% 90% 0.01mm 94% 0.48mm 22dBZ 76° 100% 2.7mm - - 3m/s
14:00
903hPa 178J/kg 96% -0.6°C 89% 99% 94% 0.39mm 95% 0.54mm 29dBZ 64° 99% 3.3mm 9.5m/s 13m/s 2.7m/s
15:00
902hPa 134J/kg 60% -0.3°C 86% 100% 92% 0.67mm 95% 0.25mm 25dBZ 51° 100% 1.3mm - - 1.8m/s
16:00
902hPa 87J/kg 100% 0°C 91% 100% 91% 0.61mm 96% 0.56mm 22dBZ 37° 100% 2.7mm - - 1.4m/s
17:00
902hPa 125J/kg 87% -0.6°C 90% 98% 90% 0.74mm 98% 0.17mm 19dBZ 23° 99% 4.2mm 16m/s 24m/s 1.5m/s
18:00
903hPa 111J/kg 100% -0.2°C 86% 95% 92% 0.28mm 97% 0.15mm 16dBZ 9.3° 100% 5.1mm - - 2.1m/s
19:00
903hPa 95J/kg 100% 0°C 87% 80% 93% 0.19mm 97% 0.42mm 12dBZ -4.6° 100% 5.9mm - - 1.5m/s
20:00
904hPa 82J/kg 100% 0°C 93% 79% 95% 0.03mm 98% 0.28mm 9.4dBZ -18° 100% 6.3mm 14m/s 21m/s 0.91m/s
21:00
904hPa 100J/kg 48% -0.1°C 96% 91% 92% 0mm 98% 0.11mm 8.3dBZ -31° 97% 0.19mm - - 0.1m/s
22:00
904hPa 110J/kg 33% -0.4°C 95% 88% 89% 0mm 98% 0.26mm 7.3dBZ -43° 97% 0.44mm - - 0.53m/s
23:00
904hPa 110J/kg 97% -0.1°C 99% 72% 86% 0mm 98% 0.14mm 6.2dBZ -53° 100% 0.69mm 12m/s 20m/s 0.96m/s
Mon, Apr 13 Sunrise 06:08 Sunset 18:43
24:00
904hPa 89J/kg 100% -0.1°C 100% 64% 80% 0.19mm 98% 0.64mm 8.4dBZ -59° 100% 1.1mm - - 2m/s
01:00
903hPa 72J/kg 71% 0°C 99% 75% 75% 0.09mm 98% 0.58mm 10dBZ -59° 99% 1.8mm - - 2.4m/s
02:00
903hPa 47J/kg 30% 0.2°C 90% 99% 69% 0.01mm 97% 0.63mm 13dBZ -52° 99% 2.3mm 9.9m/s 18m/s 3.1m/s
03:00
902hPa 28J/kg 100% 1°C 64% 79% 79% 0mm 96% 0.31mm 6.4dBZ -42° 100% 0.31mm - - 2.5m/s
04:00
902hPa 33J/kg 100% 0.4°C 63% 59% 90% 0mm 96% 0.02mm 0.18dBZ -29° 100% 0.44mm - - 2.3m/s
05:00
902hPa 26J/kg 39% 0.3°C 59% 88% 100% 0.02mm 96% 0.01mm -6dBZ -16° 88% 0.5mm 8.2m/s 18m/s 2.2m/s
06:00
903hPa 30J/kg 88% 0.5°C 49% 90% 70% 0mm 96% 0mm -10dBZ -2.5° 94% 0.56mm - - 1.4m/s
07:00
903hPa 19J/kg 95% 0.5°C 27% 94% 40% 0mm 94% 0.17mm -15dBZ 11° 100% 0.63mm - - 0.76m/s
08:00
904hPa 9J/kg 94% 1.1°C 25% 91% 10% 0mm 91% 0mm -19dBZ 25° 98% 0.63mm 5.1m/s 16m/s 1.6m/s
09:00
904hPa 10J/kg 98% 1.5°C 22% 56% 14% 0mm 87% 0.01mm -19dBZ 39° 98% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
10:00
904hPa 1J/kg 98% 2°C 34% 35% 18% 0mm 82% 0.06mm -20dBZ 53° 98% 0.06mm - - 3.5m/s
11:00
904hPa 0J/kg 98% 2°C 21% 63% 22% 0mm 75% 0.12mm -20dBZ 66° 98% 0.13mm 11m/s 19m/s 3.2m/s
12:00
904hPa 5J/kg 98% 2.4°C 27% 32% 23% 0mm 73% 0.02mm -20dBZ 77° 98% 0.19mm - - 2.9m/s
13:00
903hPa 5J/kg 97% 1.5°C 28% 30% 25% 0mm 70% 0.03mm -20dBZ 76° 97% 0.25mm - - 2.8m/s
14:00
903hPa 22J/kg 98% 1.3°C 36% 40% 26% 0mm 74% 0.08mm -20dBZ 65° 98% 0.31mm 11m/s 21m/s 3.7m/s
15:00
937hPa 46J/kg 99% 0.72°C 28% 50% 17% 0.003mm 78% 0.05mm -18dBZ 51° 99% 0.23mm - - 3.3m/s
16:00
972hPa 70J/kg 99% 0.14°C 20% 59% 9% 0.007mm 83% 0.03mm -15dBZ 37° 99% 0.15mm - - 2.8m/s
17:00
1007hPa 94J/kg 100% -0.45°C 13% 68% 0% 0.01mm 88% 0mm -13dBZ 23° 100% 0.06mm 10m/s 18m/s 2.3m/s
18:00
1006hPa 88J/kg 100% -0.28°C 16% 78% 13% 0.007mm 87% 0mm -11dBZ 9.4° 100% 0.06mm - - 2m/s
19:00
1006hPa 82J/kg 100% -0.11°C 19% 88% 26% 0.003mm 87% 0mm -9.6dBZ -4.5° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.7m/s
20:00
1006hPa 76J/kg 100% 0.06°C 22% 98% 39% 0mm 87% 0mm -8dBZ -18° 100% 0.06mm 9.8m/s 19m/s 1.4m/s
21:00
1005hPa 68J/kg 100% 0.12°C 22% 86% 33% 0mm 87% 0mm -11dBZ -31° 100% 0.04mm - - 1.5m/s
22:00
1005hPa 59J/kg 100% 0.18°C 22% 73% 28% 0mm 86% 0mm -14dBZ -43° 100% 0.02mm - - 1.7m/s
23:00
1005hPa 51J/kg 100% 0.23°C 22% 61% 22% 0mm 86% 0mm -17dBZ -53° 100% 0mm 8.1m/s 22m/s 1.9m/s
Tue, Apr 14 Sunrise 06:07 Sunset 18:43
24:00
1005hPa 45J/kg 100% 0.23°C 15% 53% 28% 0mm 85% 0mm -16dBZ -59° 100% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
1006hPa 40J/kg 100% 0.23°C 7% 46% 33% 0mm 84% 0mm -14dBZ -58° 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
02:00
1006hPa 34J/kg 100% 0.22°C 0% 38% 39% 0mm 82% 0mm -13dBZ -52° 100% 0mm 6.7m/s 20m/s 1.1m/s
03:00
1006hPa 39J/kg 100% 0.03°C 11% 41% 33% 0mm 83% 0mm -15dBZ -41° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
04:00
1006hPa 45J/kg 100% -0.16°C 22% 45% 28% 0mm 84% 0mm -18dBZ -29° 100% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
05:00
1006hPa 50J/kg 100% -0.35°C 32% 48% 23% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 100% 0mm 5.5m/s 20m/s 3.4m/s
06:00
1006hPa 55J/kg 100% -0.45°C 27% 65% 25% 0mm 85% 0.02mm -20dBZ -2.3° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.3m/s
07:00
1005hPa 59J/kg 100% -0.55°C 21% 81% 28% 0mm 85% 0.05mm -20dBZ 11° 100% 0.13mm - - 3.2m/s
08:00
1005hPa 64J/kg 100% -0.65°C 16% 98% 30% 0mm 85% 0.07mm -20dBZ 25° 100% 0.19mm 4.3m/s 17m/s 3.1m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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