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Rule Storm Chaser

Hana Highway - Storm Chaser - Hawaii

Paia, 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
CAPE 89% failing
Cloud Drama Score 88% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts7.0m/s
Precipitation Chance97%
Air Pressure1003.7hPa
CAPE399
Lifted Index-3.6°C
Wind Gusts7.0m/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
15:0015%38%407J/kg-1.6°C22233m8.9m/s
16:0032%35%327J/kg-1.7°C12301m8.4m/s
17:0044%70%404J/kg-1.8°C15085m7.7m/s
18:0022%34%337J/kg-1.2°C14696m7m/s
19:000%39%250J/kg-1°C14163m5.6m/s
20:0016%15%290J/kg-0.8°C24135m5m/s
21:000%15%160J/kg0.2°C24135m4.6m/s
22:000%15%127J/kg0.3°C14547m4.1m/s
23:0012%15%153J/kg0°C24135m3.4m/s
Wed, Apr 8
24:000%15%170J/kg0°C24134m3m/s
01:009.8%15%127J/kg0.1°C24135m2.8m/s
02:0020%15%228J/kg0°C24134m3.3m/s
03:000%15%279J/kg-0.1°C24134m2m/s
04:000%15%165J/kg0.5°C24134m0.91m/s
05:009.1%11%152J/kg0.7°C24135m0.62m/s
06:000%21%144J/kg0.4°C24135m0.91m/s
07:000%20%128J/kg-0.1°C24134m0.91m/s
08:000%20%104J/kg0.1°C24135m1.3m/s
09:000%17%241J/kg-1.1°C24135m2.6m/s
10:000%14%313J/kg-1.3°C15803m2m/s
11:000%7.5%309J/kg-1.4°C24134m3.5m/s
12:000%22%399J/kg-2.2°C24135m4.1m/s
13:000%22%404J/kg-2.6°C24135m4.9m/s
14:0014%20%438J/kg-3.7°C24135m6.6m/s
15:0015%35%399J/kg-3.6°C21078m7m/s
16:0014%43%413J/kg-3.2°C24135m6.9m/s
17:0022%51%373J/kg-2.6°C20812m7.1m/s
18:0023%55%400J/kg-2.7°C13489m7.6m/s
19:000%64%381J/kg-2.4°C16092m7m/s
20:0020%0%397J/kg-2.2°C24134m6.5m/s
21:000%0%373J/kg-2°C13766m5.9m/s
22:000%0%334J/kg-1.9°C17548m6.2m/s
23:0011%0%314J/kg-1.6°C23201m3m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%0%262J/kg-1.1°C24135m2m/s
01:0011%0%186J/kg-0.3°C24135m1.8m/s
02:0022%0%180J/kg-0.2°C24135m2.2m/s
03:0011%0%120J/kg0.2°C15770m2.4m/s
04:000%0%91J/kg0.3°C24134m2.1m/s
05:0013%0%79J/kg0.4°C24135m1.2m/s
06:000%56%87J/kg0.1°C24134m1.4m/s
07:000%52%69J/kg0°C24134m1.5m/s
08:000%55%25J/kg0.5°C24135m4.7m/s
09:000%48%35J/kg0.3°C24135m8.7m/s
10:0012%42%20J/kg0.2°C24134m11m/s
11:0015%26%3J/kg1°C24134m13m/s
12:0012%25%1J/kg0.7°C24135m11m/s
13:0012%23%3J/kg0.3°C24134m9.3m/s
14:000%23%27J/kg0°C24135m8m/s
15:000%41%18J/kg0.4°C24134m6.1m/s
16:000%41%21J/kg0.2°C24134m5.6m/s
17:000%57%29J/kg0.7°C24135m3.8m/s
18:000%62%21J/kg1°C13456m3.5m/s
19:0017%62%22J/kg2°C7601m2.9m/s
20:0029%0%9J/kg2.2°C15384m4.1m/s
21:000%0%0J/kg2.5°C23670m2.1m/s
22:000%0%0J/kg2.4°C14968m1.7m/s
23:0015%0%0J/kg2.4°C24135m2.1m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:0012%0%0J/kg2.7°C11189m2.2m/s
01:0016%0%0J/kg2.6°C14345m4.5m/s
02:0038%0%0J/kg2.5°C7747m5.7m/s
03:0020%0%7J/kg1.6°C6797m8.4m/s
04:0031%0%29J/kg1.1°C9444m10m/s
05:0049%0%9J/kg1.3°C3702m12m/s
06:0054%69%45J/kg-0.3°C6428m15m/s
07:0039%68%40J/kg-0.6°C18467m16m/s
08:0048%64%7J/kg-0.5°C20418m14m/s
09:0015%54%80J/kg-1°C24135m11m/s
10:0013%46%100J/kg-1°C20599m11m/s
11:0030%48%156J/kg-0.9°C16640m9m/s
12:0018%25%219J/kg-1.5°C12732m7.7m/s
13:0017%29%246J/kg-1.3°C11114m8.3m/s
14:0041%43%252J/kg-1.1°C11089m9.5m/s
15:0018%33%203J/kg-1.1°C11511m8.3m/s
16:0013%32%224J/kg-1.2°C21203m8.9m/s
17:0029%25%143J/kg-0.7°C24135m8.7m/s
18:0016%58%99J/kg-0.2°C24135m8.9m/s
19:0016%31%75J/kg0.4°C24135m8.1m/s
20:0015%7.3%58J/kg0.2°C24135m5.9m/s
21:0011%0%39J/kg1.4°C24135m6.4m/s
22:000%0%19J/kg2.6°C24135m6.9m/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 18:42
15:00
1004hPa 399J/kg 100% -3.6°C 9% 100% 97% 0mm 85% 0.76mm 8.1dBZ 51° 100% 0.75mm - - 6.7m/s
16:00
1004hPa 413J/kg 100% -3.2°C 10% 100% 95% 0mm 85% 0.27mm 13dBZ 37° 100% 1.5mm - - 7m/s
17:00
1004hPa 373J/kg 100% -2.6°C 10% 100% 94% 0mm 85% 1mm 19dBZ 23° 100% 2.4mm 3.2m/s 6.5m/s 7.1m/s
18:00
1004hPa 400J/kg 100% -2.7°C 6% 100% 96% 0mm 87% 1.5mm 19dBZ 9.1° 100% 2.9mm - - 7.4m/s
19:00
1005hPa 381J/kg 100% -2.4°C 49% 100% 97% 0.01mm 86% 1.1mm 19dBZ -4.8° 100% 4.9mm - - 7m/s
20:00
1006hPa 397J/kg 100% -2.2°C 95% 100% 98% 0.05mm 86% 0.47mm 19dBZ -19° 100% 6.2mm 4m/s 11m/s 6.5m/s
21:00
1006hPa 373J/kg 100% -2°C 82% 100% 93% 0.05mm 88% 1.2mm 22dBZ -32° 100% 0.5mm - - 5.2m/s
22:00
1006hPa 334J/kg 100% -1.9°C 100% 100% 87% 0.01mm 86% 1.3mm 25dBZ -44° 100% 0.81mm - - 5.3m/s
23:00
1006hPa 314J/kg 100% -1.6°C 100% 100% 81% 0.24mm 87% 0.09mm 28dBZ -54° 100% 1.3mm 4.7m/s 12m/s 2.1m/s
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:11 Sunset 18:42
24:00
1005hPa 262J/kg 100% -1.1°C 99% 100% 82% 0.11mm 86% 0.18mm 29dBZ -61° 100% 1.6mm - - 0.94m/s
01:00
1005hPa 186J/kg 100% -0.3°C 96% 100% 83% 0.05mm 85% 0.02mm 30dBZ -60° 100% 2.1mm - - 1.8m/s
02:00
1004hPa 180J/kg 100% -0.2°C 98% 100% 85% 0.07mm 86% 0.02mm 30dBZ -53° 100% 2.2mm 7.9m/s 13m/s 2.4m/s
03:00
1004hPa 120J/kg 100% 0.2°C 95% 100% 66% 0.17mm 88% 0.57mm 16dBZ -43° 100% 0.44mm - - 2.5m/s
04:00
1004hPa 91J/kg 100% 0.3°C 95% 100% 48% 0.05mm 86% 0mm 2.7dBZ -30° 100% 0.63mm - - 2.2m/s
05:00
1004hPa 79J/kg 100% 0.4°C 95% 100% 30% 0.08mm 86% 0mm -11dBZ -17° 100% 0.75mm 13m/s 17m/s 1.1m/s
06:00
1004hPa 87J/kg 100% 0.1°C 89% 100% 35% 0.02mm 86% 0mm -13dBZ -3.4° 100% 0.75mm - - 1.3m/s
07:00
1005hPa 69J/kg 100% 0°C 81% 100% 40% 0.01mm 85% 0mm -16dBZ 11° 100% 0.81mm - - 1.3m/s
08:00
1005hPa 25J/kg 100% 0.5°C 41% 100% 45% 0.01mm 84% 0mm -18dBZ 24° 100% 0.81mm 12m/s 11m/s 3m/s
09:00
1005hPa 35J/kg 100% 0.3°C 19% 96% 56% 0mm 84% 0mm -13dBZ 38° 100% 0mm - - 5.7m/s
10:00
1005hPa 20J/kg 100% 0.2°C 26% 100% 67% 0.01mm 80% 0mm -9dBZ 52° 100% 0mm - - 8.6m/s
11:00
1004hPa 3J/kg 100% 1°C 22% 92% 78% 0.01mm 80% 0mm -4.6dBZ 65° 100% 0.06mm 14m/s 9m/s 10m/s
12:00
1003hPa 1J/kg 100% 0.7°C 12% 92% 81% 0mm 79% 0mm -0.95dBZ 75° 100% 0.06mm - - 9.3m/s
13:00
1002hPa 3J/kg 100% 0.3°C 90% 94% 85% 0mm 79% 0mm 2.7dBZ 75° 100% 0.06mm - - 8.6m/s
14:00
1001hPa 27J/kg 100% 0°C 71% 87% 89% 0mm 80% 0mm 6.4dBZ 64° 100% 0.13mm 20m/s 9.1m/s 7.5m/s
15:00
1000hPa 18J/kg 100% 0.4°C 39% 86% 87% 0mm 79% 0mm 12dBZ 51° 100% 0.06mm - - 6.1m/s
16:00
1000hPa 21J/kg 100% 0.2°C 7% 82% 85% 0mm 79% 0mm 18dBZ 37° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.5m/s
17:00
1001hPa 29J/kg 100% 0.7°C 45% 100% 83% 0mm 76% 0.01mm 24dBZ 23° 100% 0.06mm 6.2m/s 4.2m/s 2.2m/s
18:00
1002hPa 21J/kg 98% 1°C 100% 100% 87% 0.51mm 80% 0.12mm 20dBZ 9.2° 100% 0.44mm - - 2.6m/s
19:00
1004hPa 22J/kg 100% 2°C 100% 100% 91% 2.7mm 85% 0.14mm 15dBZ -4.8° 100% 3.2mm - - 3.4m/s
20:00
1004hPa 9J/kg 100% 2.2°C 94% 100% 96% 0.62mm 88% 0.02mm 11dBZ -18° 100% 5.1mm 4.7m/s 10m/s 4.1m/s
21:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.5°C 95% 100% 96% 0.13mm 84% 0mm 15dBZ -32° 100% 0.31mm - - 1.5m/s
22:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.4°C 98% 100% 97% 0.65mm 84% 0mm 18dBZ -44° 100% 0.75mm - - 1.1m/s
23:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.4°C 59% 100% 97% 0.11mm 86% 0mm 22dBZ -54° 100% 1.2mm 6.1m/s 16m/s 2.3m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:10 Sunset 18:42
24:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.7°C 100% 100% 98% 0.87mm 86% 0mm 25dBZ -60° 100% 1.5mm - - 2.4m/s
01:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.6°C 87% 100% 99% 0.78mm 90% 0mm 28dBZ -60° 100% 3.1mm - - 4.2m/s
02:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.5°C 99% 100% 99% 1.8mm 90% 0mm 31dBZ -53° 100% 4.3mm 21m/s 21m/s 4.8m/s
03:00
1002hPa 7J/kg 100% 1.6°C 99% 100% 93% 2.2mm 92% 0.01mm 30dBZ -42° 100% 2.7mm - - 7.7m/s
04:00
1001hPa 29J/kg 100% 1.1°C 97% 100% 87% 1.4mm 90% 0.02mm 28dBZ -30° 100% 4.6mm - - 9.4m/s
05:00
1001hPa 9J/kg 100% 1.3°C 99% 100% 81% 4.5mm 93% 0.11mm 27dBZ -17° 100% 7.7mm 18m/s 22m/s 12m/s
06:00
1001hPa 45J/kg 97% -0.3°C 76% 100% 83% 1.1mm 93% 0.58mm 28dBZ -3.2° 100% 11mm - - 14m/s
07:00
1001hPa 40J/kg 85% -0.6°C 42% 100% 84% 0.29mm 92% 0.14mm 29dBZ 11° 100% 13mm - - 16m/s
08:00
1001hPa 7J/kg 100% -0.5°C 48% 89% 86% 0mm 88% 0.03mm 30dBZ 25° 100% 13mm 20m/s 20m/s 14m/s
09:00
1002hPa 80J/kg 100% -1°C 22% 19% 81% 0.02mm 88% 0.08mm 20dBZ 39° 100% 0.31mm - - 12m/s
10:00
1002hPa 100J/kg 98% -1°C 17% 19% 76% 0.01mm 87% 0.27mm 9.5dBZ 52° 98% 0.75mm - - 11m/s
11:00
1002hPa 156J/kg 29% -0.9°C 22% 2% 70% 0mm 85% 0.27mm -0.68dBZ 66° 32% 1.1mm 14m/s 17m/s 8.9m/s
12:00
1002hPa 219J/kg 99% -1.5°C 19% 7% 71% 0mm 82% 0.55mm -1.7dBZ 76° 99% 1.4mm - - 6.2m/s
13:00
1002hPa 246J/kg 86% -1.3°C 20% 12% 73% 0.01mm 83% 1mm -2.7dBZ 75° 86% 2.1mm - - 4.3m/s
14:00
1002hPa 252J/kg 46% -1.1°C 39% 3% 74% 0mm 78% 1.3mm -3.7dBZ 64° 58% 3mm 16m/s 11m/s 6.5m/s
15:00
1002hPa 203J/kg 87% -1.1°C 33% 3% 71% 0.02mm 81% 1.1mm -7.8dBZ 51° 87% 1.1mm - - 5.7m/s
16:00
1002hPa 224J/kg 100% -1.2°C 15% 10% 68% 0mm 82% 0.41mm -12dBZ 37° 100% 2.2mm - - 6m/s
17:00
1002hPa 143J/kg 99% -0.7°C 8% 4% 65% 0mm 82% 0.2mm -16dBZ 23° 99% 2.8mm 12m/s 11m/s 6.3m/s
18:00
1002hPa 99J/kg 100% -0.2°C 5% 11% 60% 0mm 82% 0.01mm -17dBZ 9.2° 100% 2.8mm - - 6.2m/s
19:00
1002hPa 75J/kg 89% 0.4°C 1% 5% 54% 0mm 82% 0.01mm -19dBZ -4.7° 89% 2.8mm - - 6.3m/s
20:00
1003hPa 58J/kg 100% 0.2°C 1% 0% 49% 0mm 82% 0.05mm -20dBZ -18° 100% 2.9mm 9.4m/s 8.5m/s 5m/s
21:00
1002hPa 39J/kg 100% 1.4°C 2% 0% 46% 0mm 83% 0.03mm -19dBZ -31° 100% 1.9mm - - 5.2m/s
22:00
1002hPa 19J/kg 100% 2.6°C 3% 0% 42% 0mm 83% 0.02mm -18dBZ -44° 100% 0.96mm - - 5.5m/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 -3° 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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