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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 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 93% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover28%
Wind Gusts9.9m/s
Precipitation Chance68%
Air Pressure1008.1hPa
CAPE37
Lifted Index6.5°C
Wind Gusts9.9m/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
Sat, May 23
03:000%10%33J/kg6.5°C24134m12m/s
04:000%15%40J/kg6.1°C18246m11m/s
05:0016%65%51J/kg6.2°C12697m12m/s
06:0013%74%48J/kg6.7°C16639m13m/s
07:0013%56%33J/kg7.4°C16169m13m/s
08:0023%60%34J/kg7.4°C18497m13m/s
09:000%33%39J/kg7.8°C18036m12m/s
10:000%31%23J/kg8.5°C18750m12m/s
11:000%28%7J/kg8.8°C24135m11m/s
12:000%13%2J/kg9°C24135m11m/s
13:000%12%2J/kg8.7°C24135m10m/s
14:0013%6.3%1J/kg8.9°C24135m11m/s
15:000%12%1J/kg8.9°C24134m11m/s
16:000%49%27J/kg6.9°C23519m11m/s
17:000%47%14J/kg7.4°C18679m11m/s
18:000%60%11J/kg7.8°C24134m11m/s
19:000%56%26J/kg7.5°C20135m11m/s
20:0014%10%29J/kg7.3°C24134m11m/s
21:000%11%37J/kg6.4°C24134m9.2m/s
22:000%9.6%40J/kg6.4°C22938m9.8m/s
23:0014%12%43J/kg6.3°C16738m11m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%9.3%38J/kg6.5°C18488m11m/s
01:000%11%45J/kg6.2°C9791m11m/s
02:0022%11%38J/kg6.1°C15335m9.8m/s
03:000%12%37J/kg6.5°C24135m9.9m/s
04:000%12%43J/kg6.2°C20148m9.8m/s
05:000%52%28J/kg6.3°C24134m9.2m/s
06:000%49%24J/kg6.5°C24134m9.8m/s
07:000%54%28J/kg6.2°C24134m10m/s
08:000%48%37J/kg6°C17185m11m/s
09:000%13%22J/kg6.6°C24135m11m/s
10:000%13%24J/kg6.3°C24134m10m/s
11:0013%7.1%7J/kg6.9°C24135m10m/s
12:000%7.2%2J/kg7.4°C24134m10m/s
13:000%11%1J/kg7.6°C24134m9.6m/s
14:000%12%2J/kg7.2°C24135m9.8m/s
15:000%17%0J/kg6.8°C24135m9.9m/s
16:000%15%5J/kg6.8°C24135m10m/s
17:000%25%19J/kg6.9°C24135m10m/s
18:000%24%14J/kg7.3°C24134m10m/s
19:000%27%18J/kg7.3°C24134m11m/s
20:000%9.8%17J/kg7.3°C24134m11m/s
21:000%12%15J/kg7.8°C24135m11m/s
22:000%14%34J/kg7.7°C21997m11m/s
23:0016%15%45J/kg7.4°C13179m11m/s
Mon, May 25
24:0013%9.5%48J/kg7°C17398m11m/s
01:0014%9.7%54J/kg6.8°C15608m10m/s
02:0014%11%40J/kg6.9°C15679m11m/s
03:000%8.1%36J/kg7.3°C18471m11m/s
04:000%11%20J/kg7.6°C18560m9.9m/s
05:000%41%14J/kg7.6°C18674m8.8m/s
06:000%43%8J/kg7.4°C24134m9.6m/s
07:000%43%22J/kg6.9°C19457m9.3m/s
08:000%43%43J/kg6.5°C18526m9.7m/s
09:000%30%43J/kg6.5°C24135m10m/s
10:000%46%35J/kg6.6°C24134m9.7m/s
11:000%18%20J/kg6.8°C22009m9.4m/s
12:000%40%4J/kg7°C24134m9.3m/s
13:000%20%3J/kg6.8°C24134m9.1m/s
14:000%24%6J/kg6.7°C24135m10m/s
15:000%27%15J/kg6.3°C24134m9.7m/s
16:000%47%22J/kg6.1°C18410m10m/s
17:0013%49%32J/kg5.8°C18464m10m/s
18:000%59%27J/kg5.6°C18617m11m/s
19:000%64%39J/kg5.5°C20393m10m/s
20:000%15%32J/kg5.6°C18399m11m/s
21:000%15%44J/kg5.6°C18268m11m/s
22:000%14%48J/kg5.6°C17937m11m/s
23:000%15%50J/kg5.3°C13077m11m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%15%49J/kg5.3°C20053m11m/s
01:0014%14%38J/kg5°C15702m11m/s
02:0015%12%40J/kg5.1°C20372m11m/s
03:000%13%47J/kg5.4°C17436m11m/s
04:000%13%47J/kg5.4°C17408m11m/s
05:000%62%50J/kg5.2°C19078m11m/s
06:000%79%37J/kg5.1°C18360m12m/s
07:0013%63%33J/kg5.1°C19783m12m/s
08:0014%55%21J/kg5°C18713m12m/s
09:000%38%24J/kg4.8°C20520m12m/s
10:000%33%28J/kg4.6°C22328m12m/s
11:000%14%31J/kg4.4°C24135m12m/s
12:000%14%25J/kg4.6°C24135m11m/s
13:000%11%20J/kg4.9°C24135m11m/s
14:0013%5.5%14J/kg5.1°C24135m11m/s
15:000%13%13J/kg5.6°C24135m11m/s
16:000%18%13J/kg6.1°C24135m10m/s
17:000%18%12J/kg6.6°C24135m9.8m/s
18:000%21%11J/kg7°C24135m9.5m/s
19:000%18%9.3J/kg7.4°C24135m9.2m/s
20:000%0%8J/kg7.8°C24135m8.8m/s
21:000%0%6.3J/kg8.2°C24135m8.6m/s
22:000%0%4.7J/kg8.5°C24135m8.3m/s
23:000%0%3J/kg8.9°C24135m8m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%0%2J/kg8.7°C24135m8.4m/s
01:000%0%1J/kg8.4°C24135m8.8m/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
Sun, May 24 Sunrise 05:45 Sunset 18:59
03:00
1008hPa 37J/kg 0% 6.5°C 28% 0% 68% 0.01mm 75% 0.15mm -1.4dBZ -33° 28% 0.19mm - - 8.7m/s
04:00
1008hPa 43J/kg 0% 6.2°C 32% 0% 53% 0mm 76% 0.18mm -5.9dBZ -22° 32% 0.31mm - - 8.6m/s
05:00
1009hPa 28J/kg 0% 6.3°C 45% 0% 39% 0mm 74% 0.15mm -10dBZ -10° 45% 0.5mm 4.6m/s 9.6m/s 8m/s
06:00
1009hPa 24J/kg 0% 6.5°C 29% 0% 39% 0mm 74% 0.14mm -8.2dBZ 2.7° 29% 0.63mm - - 8.5m/s
07:00
1009hPa 28J/kg 0% 6.2°C 53% 0% 39% 0mm 74% 0.15mm -5.9dBZ 16° 53% 0.75mm - - 8.7m/s
08:00
1009hPa 37J/kg 0% 6°C 43% 0% 39% 0mm 77% 0.2mm -3.7dBZ 29° 43% 1mm 4.7m/s 8.9m/s 9.7m/s
09:00
1010hPa 22J/kg 0% 6.6°C 5% 0% 31% 0.01mm 73% 0.02mm -8.3dBZ 43° 5% 0.06mm - - 9.1m/s
10:00
1010hPa 24J/kg 0% 6.3°C 3% 0% 23% 0mm 71% 0.01mm -13dBZ 57° 3% 0.06mm - - 9m/s
11:00
1010hPa 7J/kg 0% 6.9°C 1% 0% 15% 0mm 69% 0mm -18dBZ 71° 1% 0.13mm 5m/s 10m/s 9.3m/s
12:00
1009hPa 2J/kg 0% 7.4°C 0% 0% 23% 0mm 68% 0mm -18dBZ 85° 0% 0.13mm - - 9m/s
13:00
1009hPa 1J/kg 0% 7.6°C 1% 0% 31% 0mm 67% 0mm -19dBZ 81° 1% 0.13mm - - 8.9m/s
14:00
1009hPa 2J/kg 0% 7.2°C 1% 0% 39% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 67° 1% 0.13mm 4m/s 9.5m/s 9m/s
15:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.8°C 2% 0% 43% 0mm 69% 0mm -19dBZ 53° 2% 0mm - - 8.9m/s
16:00
1008hPa 5J/kg 0% 6.8°C 1% 0% 48% 0.01mm 70% 0mm -18dBZ 39° 1% 0mm - - 9.4m/s
17:00
1009hPa 19J/kg 0% 6.9°C 6% 0% 52% 0mm 71% 0.03mm -17dBZ 26° 6% 0mm 4.3m/s 9.2m/s 9m/s
18:00
1009hPa 14J/kg 0% 7.3°C 4% 0% 62% 0mm 70% 0.02mm -17dBZ 12° 4% 0.06mm - - 9m/s
19:00
1009hPa 18J/kg 0% 7.3°C 1% 0% 72% 0mm 71% 0.01mm -17dBZ -0.46° 1% 0.06mm - - 9m/s
20:00
1010hPa 17J/kg 0% 7.3°C 2% 0% 82% 0mm 72% 0.06mm -17dBZ -13° 2% 0.06mm 4.8m/s 9.7m/s 8.8m/s
21:00
1010hPa 15J/kg 0% 7.8°C 30% 0% 68% 0.01mm 73% 0.17mm -11dBZ -25° 30% 0.13mm - - 9.1m/s
22:00
1011hPa 34J/kg 0% 7.7°C 46% 0% 53% 0.01mm 76% 0.26mm -5.4dBZ -36° 46% 0.38mm - - 9.4m/s
23:00
1011hPa 45J/kg 4% 7.4°C 55% 0% 39% 0.05mm 78% 0.53mm 0.59dBZ -44° 55% 0.75mm 3.7m/s 6.6m/s 9.5m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 05:45 Sunset 19:00
24:00
1010hPa 48J/kg 5% 7°C 52% 0% 53% 0.01mm 79% 0.32mm 6.3dBZ -48° 52% 1.2mm - - 9m/s
01:00
1010hPa 54J/kg 0% 6.8°C 51% 0% 67% 0mm 79% 0.36mm 12dBZ -47° 51% 1.5mm - - 9.2m/s
02:00
1009hPa 40J/kg 0% 6.9°C 33% 0% 82% 0mm 79% 0.35mm 18dBZ -42° 33% 1.9mm 3.5m/s 4.8m/s 9.5m/s
03:00
1009hPa 36J/kg 1% 7.3°C 27% 0% 67% 0mm 77% 0.09mm 14dBZ -33° 27% 0.25mm - - 9.4m/s
04:00
1009hPa 20J/kg 18% 7.6°C 25% 0% 53% 0mm 74% 0.02mm 10dBZ -22° 25% 0.31mm - - 9.1m/s
05:00
1009hPa 14J/kg 2% 7.6°C 12% 0% 39% 0mm 72% 0.02mm 6.2dBZ -10° 12% 0.38mm 3m/s 4.4m/s 8.2m/s
06:00
1009hPa 8J/kg 5% 7.4°C 9% 0% 45% 0mm 73% 0.01mm 8.5dBZ 2.7° 11% 0.38mm - - 8.7m/s
07:00
1010hPa 22J/kg 4% 6.9°C 13% 0% 50% 0.01mm 74% 0.02mm 11dBZ 16° 14% 0.44mm - - 8.6m/s
08:00
1011hPa 43J/kg 0% 6.5°C 17% 0% 56% 0mm 76% 0.14mm 13dBZ 29° 17% 0.5mm 2.9m/s 4.2m/s 9m/s
09:00
1011hPa 43J/kg 0% 6.5°C 11% 0% 49% 0mm 75% 0.08mm 8.4dBZ 43° 11% 0.13mm - - 9.4m/s
10:00
1011hPa 35J/kg 84% 6.6°C 15% 0% 42% 0mm 74% 0.02mm 3.8dBZ 57° 84% 0.19mm - - 8.9m/s
11:00
1011hPa 20J/kg 0% 6.8°C 8% 0% 35% 0mm 73% 0.01mm -0.8dBZ 71° 8% 0.25mm 3m/s 6m/s 8.7m/s
12:00
1011hPa 4J/kg 16% 7°C 6% 0% 42% 0.01mm 72% 0mm 4dBZ 85° 20% 0.25mm - - 8.5m/s
13:00
1010hPa 3J/kg 100% 6.8°C 4% 0% 49% 0mm 71% 0mm 8.8dBZ 81° 100% 0.25mm - - 8.3m/s
14:00
1010hPa 6J/kg 87% 6.7°C 4% 0% 56% 0.01mm 71% 0mm 14dBZ 67° 87% 0.25mm 3.2m/s 8.2m/s 9.1m/s
15:00
1010hPa 15J/kg 100% 6.3°C 9% 0% 56% 0mm 73% 0.01mm 8.7dBZ 53° 100% 0mm - - 9m/s
16:00
1009hPa 22J/kg 89% 6.1°C 16% 0% 56% 0mm 75% 0.01mm 3.8dBZ 40° 89% 0.06mm - - 9.3m/s
17:00
1009hPa 32J/kg 91% 5.8°C 24% 0% 56% 0mm 76% 0.09mm -1.2dBZ 26° 91% 0.13mm 3.8m/s 11m/s 9m/s
18:00
1010hPa 27J/kg 0% 5.6°C 36% 0% 60% 0mm 76% 0.08mm 2.8dBZ 12° 36% 0.19mm - - 9.3m/s
19:00
1010hPa 39J/kg 0% 5.5°C 43% 0% 64% 0mm 77% 0.13mm 6.8dBZ -0.33° 43% 0.31mm - - 8.9m/s
20:00
1011hPa 32J/kg 13% 5.6°C 40% 0% 69% 0mm 79% 0.09mm 11dBZ -13° 44% 0.44mm 2.5m/s 9.7m/s 9.6m/s
21:00
1011hPa 44J/kg 52% 5.6°C 58% 0% 64% 0mm 79% 0.2mm 10dBZ -25° 69% 0.19mm - - 9.7m/s
22:00
1011hPa 48J/kg 0% 5.6°C 37% 0% 60% 0mm 79% 0.23mm 9.7dBZ -35° 37% 0.44mm - - 9.7m/s
23:00
1011hPa 50J/kg 99% 5.3°C 32% 0% 56% 0mm 80% 0.2mm 9.1dBZ -43° 99% 0.69mm 2.9m/s 9.8m/s 9.9m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 05:44 Sunset 19:00
24:00
1011hPa 49J/kg 11% 5.3°C 63% 0% 59% 0mm 80% 0.24mm 9.8dBZ -48° 63% 0.94mm - - 9.9m/s
01:00
1010hPa 38J/kg 99% 5°C 60% 0% 61% 0.01mm 79% 0.16mm 11dBZ -47° 99% 1.3mm - - 9.5m/s
02:00
1009hPa 40J/kg 5% 5.1°C 62% 0% 64% 0mm 79% 0.12mm 11dBZ -42° 62% 1.4mm 3m/s 9.3m/s 9.8m/s
03:00
1009hPa 47J/kg 56% 5.4°C 65% 0% 56% 0mm 79% 0.19mm 11dBZ -33° 74% 0.25mm - - 9.7m/s
04:00
1009hPa 47J/kg 62% 5.4°C 65% 0% 47% 0mm 79% 0.15mm 11dBZ -22° 79% 0.44mm - - 9.6m/s
05:00
1010hPa 50J/kg 3% 5.2°C 39% 0% 39% 0.01mm 80% 0.17mm 11dBZ -10° 39% 0.63mm 3.3m/s 7.7m/s 9.9m/s
06:00
1010hPa 37J/kg 5% 5.1°C 38% 0% 39% 0mm 80% 0.15mm 9.1dBZ 2.7° 38% 0.88mm - - 10m/s
07:00
1010hPa 33J/kg 4% 5.1°C 50% 0% 39% 0mm 78% 0.24mm 7.3dBZ 16° 50% 1.1mm - - 11m/s
08:00
1011hPa 21J/kg 2% 5°C 60% 0% 39% 0mm 77% 0.09mm 5.6dBZ 29° 60% 1.2mm 3m/s 9.3m/s 11m/s
09:00
1009hPa 24J/kg 1% 4.8°C 48% 0% 26% 0mm 78% 0.1mm -0.14dBZ 43° 48% 0.83mm - - 10m/s
10:00
1007hPa 28J/kg 1% 4.6°C 37% 0% 13% 0mm 79% 0.1mm -5.9dBZ 57° 37% 0.48mm - - 10m/s
11:00
1005hPa 31J/kg 0% 4.4°C 26% 0% 0% 0mm 80% 0.11mm -12dBZ 71° 26% 0.13mm 2.9m/s 9m/s 9.6m/s
12:00
1006hPa 25J/kg 0% 4.6°C 18% 0% 13% 0.003mm 79% 0.07mm -14dBZ 85° 19% 0.19mm - - 9.5m/s
13:00
1006hPa 20J/kg 0% 4.9°C 11% 0% 26% 0.007mm 78% 0.04mm -16dBZ 81° 12% 0.25mm - - 9.4m/s
14:00
1007hPa 14J/kg 0% 5.1°C 4% 0% 39% 0.01mm 78% 0mm -18dBZ 67° 5% 0.31mm 4.1m/s 10m/s 9.3m/s
15:00
1007hPa 13J/kg 2% 5.6°C 5% 0% 39% 0.007mm 76% 0mm -13dBZ 53° 6% 0.23mm - - 8.8m/s
16:00
1007hPa 13J/kg 3% 6.1°C 5% 0% 39% 0.003mm 75% 0mm -9.2dBZ 40° 7% 0.15mm - - 8.2m/s
17:00
1007hPa 12J/kg 5% 6.6°C 6% 0% 39% 0mm 73% 0mm -5dBZ 26° 8% 0.06mm 5.5m/s 11m/s 7.7m/s
18:00
1007hPa 11J/kg 3% 7°C 4% 0% 45% 0mm 72% 0mm -6.6dBZ 13° 6% 0.06mm - - 7.6m/s
19:00
1006hPa 9.3J/kg 2% 7.4°C 3% 0% 50% 0mm 71% 0mm -8.1dBZ -0.18° 4% 0.06mm - - 7.4m/s
20:00
1005hPa 8J/kg 0% 7.8°C 1% 0% 56% 0mm 69% 0mm -9.7dBZ -13° 1% 0.06mm 5.4m/s 12m/s 7.3m/s
21:00
1005hPa 6.3J/kg 2% 8.2°C 1% 0% 47% 0mm 68% 0mm -11dBZ -25° 2% 0.04mm - - 7.2m/s
22:00
1005hPa 4.7J/kg 3% 8.5°C 0% 0% 37% 0mm 67% 0mm -11dBZ -35° 3% 0.02mm - - 7m/s
23:00
1005hPa 3J/kg 4% 8.9°C 0% 0% 28% 0mm 66% 0mm -12dBZ -43° 4% 0mm 4m/s 10m/s 6.8m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 05:44 Sunset 19:00
24:00
1005hPa 2J/kg 3% 8.7°C 0% 0% 37% 0.003mm 65% 0mm -15dBZ -47° 3% 0mm - - 6.9m/s
01:00
1006hPa 1J/kg 1% 8.4°C 0% 0% 47% 0.007mm 64% 0mm -17dBZ -47° 1% 0mm - - 7m/s
02:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.2°C 0% 0% 56% 0.01mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 0% 0mm 3.4m/s 10m/s 7.1m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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