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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 76% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover96%
Wind Gusts10.9m/s
Precipitation Chance13%
Air Pressure1007.9hPa
CAPE42
Lifted Index4.7°C
Wind Gusts10.9m/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 79 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, Jul 7
19:0021%60%50J/kg3.9°C23392m11m/s
20:0022%100%43J/kg4.3°C24135m11m/s
21:0020%15%43J/kg4.6°C24134m11m/s
22:0019%15%52J/kg4.8°C17660m11m/s
23:0021%15%55J/kg4.7°C18452m11m/s
Wed, Jul 8
24:0018%14%41J/kg4.7°C18630m11m/s
01:000%13%37J/kg4.9°C24134m11m/s
02:000%15%40J/kg4.7°C24134m11m/s
03:000%15%45J/kg4.8°C24134m10m/s
04:000%15%42J/kg4.7°C19751m11m/s
05:0020%42%24J/kg4.7°C18562m11m/s
06:0019%76%8J/kg4.8°C24135m11m/s
07:0020%31%11J/kg4.3°C24135m11m/s
08:0022%23%18J/kg4.2°C24134m11m/s
09:0018%44%33J/kg4.1°C24134m11m/s
10:0017%40%30J/kg4.2°C18410m11m/s
11:0021%25%8J/kg4.5°C24135m11m/s
12:0020%27%11J/kg4.4°C24134m12m/s
13:0025%29%21J/kg3.6°C24134m11m/s
14:0029%41%26J/kg3.1°C24135m12m/s
15:0023%66%26J/kg3°C24135m12m/s
16:0021%79%35J/kg3.1°C20982m11m/s
17:0018%69%40J/kg2.7°C23065m11m/s
18:0024%81%50J/kg2.4°C20376m11m/s
19:0024%64%54J/kg2.7°C10604m12m/s
20:0021%79%62J/kg2.6°C15123m12m/s
21:0022%11%57J/kg2.6°C20384m12m/s
22:0022%11%66J/kg2.5°C18502m12m/s
23:0015%10%63J/kg2.6°C24135m12m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:000%7.3%63J/kg2.9°C23010m12m/s
01:0023%12%59J/kg3°C17586m11m/s
02:0025%10%63J/kg2.7°C24135m11m/s
03:0019%9.6%73J/kg2.8°C20539m11m/s
04:0020%11%54J/kg2.8°C24135m10m/s
05:0016%38%58J/kg3.2°C24134m10m/s
06:0020%36%57J/kg3.3°C24134m10m/s
07:0021%51%46J/kg3.1°C24135m10m/s
08:0018%35%51J/kg3°C23636m10m/s
09:0022%30%55J/kg3.2°C24134m10m/s
10:0023%32%40J/kg3°C24135m10m/s
11:0019%26%28J/kg3°C24135m10m/s
12:0024%25%18J/kg2.4°C24135m10m/s
13:0027%21%20J/kg2.3°C24135m11m/s
14:0022%20%27J/kg2.2°C24135m11m/s
15:0025%75%52J/kg2°C24135m11m/s
16:0022%90%54J/kg1.8°C24135m11m/s
17:0021%97%50J/kg1.7°C24073m10m/s
18:0023%63%54J/kg1.5°C20353m10m/s
19:0023%47%67J/kg1.4°C18380m11m/s
20:0022%28%70J/kg1.3°C18383m11m/s
21:0025%4%66J/kg1.2°C7034m11m/s
22:0017%11%77J/kg1.1°C16009m11m/s
23:0033%7.6%76J/kg1.1°C12017m11m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:0018%9.1%84J/kg1.1°C15898m11m/s
01:0020%10%73J/kg1°C20312m11m/s
02:0038%10%73J/kg1.1°C20328m11m/s
03:0025%13%78J/kg1.1°C20329m11m/s
04:0026%12%91J/kg1.1°C17398m11m/s
05:0023%65%75J/kg1.1°C18359m11m/s
06:0020%100%54J/kg1°C20325m11m/s
07:0019%100%75J/kg1.1°C20373m11m/s
08:0034%74%65J/kg1.2°C20410m11m/s
09:0022%74%63J/kg0.95°C18974m11m/s
10:0021%59%60J/kg0.71°C17538m11m/s
11:0018%28%58J/kg0.46°C16101m11m/s
12:0022%28%59J/kg0.52°C18184m11m/s
13:0023%28%60J/kg0.59°C20267m11m/s
14:0022%28%61J/kg0.65°C22350m11m/s
15:0023%40%62J/kg0.74°C21329m11m/s
16:0023%38%62J/kg0.82°C20308m11m/s
17:0019%47%63J/kg0.91°C19288m11m/s
18:0023%43%66J/kg1°C20342m11m/s
19:0025%46%70J/kg1.1°C21396m11m/s
20:0022%40%73J/kg1.2°C22450m11m/s
21:0022%0%72J/kg1.4°C18889m11m/s
22:0020%0%72J/kg1.6°C15328m10m/s
23:0019%0%71J/kg1.7°C11767m10m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:0020%0%60J/kg2°C10855m10m/s
01:0022%0%48J/kg2.2°C9943m10m/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
Convective Precip Fraction
fraction
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, Jul 8 Sunrise 05:50 Sunset 19:10
04:00
1008hPa 42J/kg 0.4fraction 96% 4.7°C 22% 0% 13% 0mm 77% 0.03mm -5.8dBZ -23° 96% 0.25mm - - 9.6m/s
05:00
1008hPa 24J/kg 0.53fraction 83% 4.7°C 8% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0.01mm -1.1dBZ -11° 83% 0.25mm 6.9m/s 9m/s 9.5m/s
06:00
1008hPa 8J/kg 0.68fraction 47% 4.8°C 6% 0% 13% 0mm 75% 0.01mm 0.19dBZ 1.5° 47% 0.31mm - - 9.6m/s
07:00
1009hPa 11J/kg 0.84fraction 5% 4.3°C 7% 0% 26% 0mm 76% 0.02mm 1.5dBZ 14° 11% 0.31mm - - 9.9m/s
08:00
1009hPa 18J/kg 1fraction 5% 4.2°C 9% 0% 39% 0mm 76% 0.02mm 2.8dBZ 28° 11% 0.31mm 6.6m/s 9.5m/s 9.9m/s
09:00
1009hPa 33J/kg 0.88fraction 5% 4.1°C 18% 0% 39% 0mm 77% 0.04mm -2.7dBZ 41° 18% 0.06mm - - 9.4m/s
10:00
1009hPa 30J/kg 0.76fraction 4% 4.2°C 20% 0% 39% 0.01mm 76% 0.02mm -8.3dBZ 55° 20% 0.06mm - - 9.3m/s
11:00
1009hPa 8J/kg 0.64fraction 5% 4.5°C 7% 0% 39% 0mm 74% 0.01mm -14dBZ 69° 11% 0.13mm 6.8m/s 9m/s 9.8m/s
12:00
1009hPa 11J/kg 0.74fraction 5% 4.4°C 0% 0% 59% 0mm 74% 0.02mm -13dBZ 83° 5% 0.19mm - - 10m/s
13:00
1009hPa 21J/kg 0.84fraction 5% 3.6°C 1% 0% 79% 0mm 74% 0.02mm -12dBZ 83° 5% 0.19mm - - 10m/s
14:00
1008hPa 26J/kg 0.94fraction 71% 3.1°C 2% 0% 98% 0mm 76% 0.03mm -10dBZ 69° 71% 0.19mm 8m/s 9.9m/s 11m/s
15:00
1008hPa 26J/kg 0.96fraction 16% 3°C 2% 0% 84% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -3.9dBZ 55° 16% 0.06mm - - 11m/s
16:00
1008hPa 35J/kg 0.98fraction 11% 3.1°C 13% 0% 70% 0mm 78% 0.04mm 2.8dBZ 42° 20% 0.06mm - - 10m/s
17:00
1008hPa 40J/kg 1fraction 5% 2.7°C 26% 0% 56% 0mm 79% 0.1mm 9.4dBZ 28° 26% 0.19mm 7.3m/s 10m/s 10m/s
18:00
1008hPa 50J/kg 0.87fraction 5% 2.4°C 37% 0% 61% 0mm 80% 0.18mm 11dBZ 15° 37% 0.38mm - - 10m/s
19:00
1009hPa 54J/kg 0.75fraction 5% 2.7°C 20% 0% 66% 0mm 81% 0.44mm 13dBZ 1.8° 20% 0.69mm - - 10m/s
20:00
1009hPa 62J/kg 0.62fraction 5% 2.6°C 30% 0% 72% 0mm 82% 0.23mm 15dBZ -11° 30% 1mm 6.8m/s 11m/s 10m/s
21:00
1010hPa 57J/kg 0.56fraction 5% 2.6°C 28% 0% 66% 0mm 81% 0.19mm 13dBZ -23° 28% 0.31mm - - 10m/s
22:00
1010hPa 66J/kg 0.49fraction 3% 2.5°C 20% 0% 61% 0mm 81% 0.13mm 11dBZ -33° 20% 0.56mm - - 10m/s
23:00
1010hPa 63J/kg 0.43fraction 5% 2.6°C 14% 0% 56% 0mm 81% 0.05mm 8.8dBZ -41° 14% 0.75mm 5.7m/s 12m/s 10m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 05:51 Sunset 19:10
24:00
1010hPa 63J/kg 0.35fraction 5% 2.9°C 21% 0% 59% 0mm 81% 0.07mm 3.3dBZ -46° 21% 0.81mm - - 10m/s
01:00
1009hPa 59J/kg 0.26fraction 5% 3°C 36% 0% 61% 0mm 81% 0.12mm -2.2dBZ -46° 36% 1mm - - 9.9m/s
02:00
1009hPa 63J/kg 0.17fraction 5% 2.7°C 16% 0% 64% 0mm 81% 0.11mm -7.7dBZ -42° 16% 1.3mm 5m/s 12m/s 9.8m/s
03:00
1009hPa 73J/kg 0.45fraction 5% 2.8°C 10% 0% 56% 0mm 81% 0.05mm -3.9dBZ -33° 11% 0.13mm - - 9.8m/s
04:00
1009hPa 54J/kg 0.72fraction 5% 2.8°C 8% 0% 47% 0mm 80% 0.03mm -0.07dBZ -23° 11% 0.19mm - - 9.2m/s
05:00
1009hPa 58J/kg 1fraction 5% 3.2°C 14% 0% 39% 0mm 79% 0.06mm 3.8dBZ -11° 14% 0.25mm 4.3m/s 14m/s 9.3m/s
06:00
1009hPa 57J/kg 0.76fraction 4% 3.3°C 9% 0% 53% 0mm 79% 0.03mm -0.42dBZ 1.5° 11% 0.31mm - - 9.2m/s
07:00
1010hPa 46J/kg 0.51fraction 6% 3.1°C 10% 0% 67% 0mm 79% 0.02mm -4.6dBZ 14° 11% 0.31mm - - 9m/s
08:00
1010hPa 51J/kg 0.27fraction 100% 3°C 9% 0% 82% 0mm 79% 0.08mm -8.8dBZ 28° 100% 0.38mm 5.2m/s 14m/s 8.9m/s
09:00
1010hPa 55J/kg 0.37fraction 100% 3.2°C 2% 0% 82% 0mm 79% 0.06mm -8.5dBZ 41° 100% 0.13mm - - 9.2m/s
10:00
1010hPa 40J/kg 0.48fraction 100% 3°C 2% 0% 82% 0mm 78% 0.02mm -8.2dBZ 55° 100% 0.13mm - - 9.3m/s
11:00
1010hPa 28J/kg 0.58fraction 100% 3°C 2% 0% 82% 0mm 79% 0.01mm -8dBZ 69° 100% 0.19mm 6.8m/s 14m/s 9.7m/s
12:00
1010hPa 18J/kg 0.72fraction 100% 2.4°C 2% 0% 86% 0mm 79% 0mm -6.5dBZ 83° 100% 0.19mm - - 9.7m/s
13:00
1010hPa 20J/kg 0.86fraction 100% 2.3°C 2% 0% 90% 0mm 80% 0mm -5dBZ 83° 100% 0.19mm - - 9.9m/s
14:00
1009hPa 27J/kg 1fraction 100% 2.2°C 6% 0% 95% 0mm 81% 0.01mm -3.5dBZ 69° 100% 0.19mm 9m/s 14m/s 10m/s
15:00
1009hPa 52J/kg 0.87fraction 28% 2°C 9% 0% 90% 0mm 82% 0mm -2.8dBZ 55° 28% 0mm - - 9.8m/s
16:00
1009hPa 54J/kg 0.75fraction 14% 1.8°C 18% 0% 86% 0mm 83% 0.03mm -2.1dBZ 42° 24% 0.06mm - - 9.4m/s
17:00
1009hPa 50J/kg 0.63fraction 23% 1.7°C 21% 0% 82% 0mm 83% 0.07mm -1.4dBZ 28° 34% 0.13mm 11m/s 14m/s 9.1m/s
18:00
1009hPa 54J/kg 0.55fraction 5% 1.5°C 18% 0% 86% 0mm 84% 0.01mm 2.2dBZ 15° 18% 0.19mm - - 9m/s
19:00
1009hPa 67J/kg 0.48fraction 87% 1.4°C 12% 0% 89% 0mm 85% 0.07mm 5.7dBZ 1.8° 87% 0.31mm - - 9m/s
20:00
1010hPa 70J/kg 0.4fraction 100% 1.3°C 9% 0% 93% 0mm 85% 0.18mm 9.3dBZ -11° 100% 0.44mm 14m/s 15m/s 9m/s
21:00
1010hPa 66J/kg 0.47fraction 96% 1.2°C 7% 0% 83% 0mm 85% 0.92mm 4.2dBZ -23° 96% 0.5mm - - 9.7m/s
22:00
1011hPa 77J/kg 0.53fraction 95% 1.1°C 8% 0% 73% 0mm 85% 0.5mm -0.99dBZ -33° 95% 1.1mm - - 9.8m/s
23:00
1011hPa 76J/kg 0.59fraction 94% 1.1°C 13% 0% 64% 0mm 85% 0.39mm -6.1dBZ -42° 94% 1.6mm 12m/s 16m/s 9.7m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 05:51 Sunset 19:10
24:00
1010hPa 84J/kg 0.73fraction 100% 1.1°C 18% 0% 70% 0mm 85% 0.26mm -4.9dBZ -46° 100% 1.9mm - - 9.5m/s
01:00
1009hPa 73J/kg 0.86fraction 100% 1°C 22% 0% 77% 0mm 85% 0.24mm -3.7dBZ -46° 100% 2.3mm - - 9.6m/s
02:00
1009hPa 73J/kg 1fraction 100% 1.1°C 39% 0% 83% 0mm 85% 0.15mm -2.5dBZ -42° 100% 2.5mm 8.8m/s 16m/s 9.7m/s
03:00
1008hPa 78J/kg 1fraction 18% 1.1°C 53% 0% 83% 0mm 85% 0.2mm 5.8dBZ -34° 53% 0.25mm - - 9.5m/s
04:00
1008hPa 91J/kg 1fraction 66% 1.1°C 43% 1% 82% 0mm 85% 0.34mm 14dBZ -23° 66% 0.69mm - - 9.6m/s
05:00
1008hPa 75J/kg 1fraction 81% 1.1°C 37% 0% 82% 0mm 85% 0.07mm 22dBZ -11° 81% 0.94mm 7.2m/s 16m/s 9.3m/s
06:00
1009hPa 54J/kg 0.76fraction 18% 1°C 31% 0% 85% 0mm 84% 0.03mm 19dBZ 1.4° 32% 1.1mm - - 9.5m/s
07:00
1009hPa 75J/kg 0.51fraction 38% 1.1°C 14% 0% 89% 0mm 84% 0.09mm 16dBZ 14° 40% 1.2mm - - 9.4m/s
08:00
1010hPa 65J/kg 0.27fraction 42% 1.2°C 8% 0% 93% 0mm 84% 0.01mm 13dBZ 28° 45% 1.2mm 7m/s 17m/s 9.4m/s
09:00
1008hPa 63J/kg 0.37fraction 59% 0.95°C 12% 0% 80% 0.007mm 84% 0.03mm 5.4dBZ 41° 61% 0.9mm - - 9.1m/s
10:00
1007hPa 60J/kg 0.47fraction 77% 0.71°C 16% 0% 68% 0.01mm 84% 0.05mm -2dBZ 55° 78% 0.6mm - - 8.9m/s
11:00
1006hPa 58J/kg 0.57fraction 94% 0.46°C 20% 0% 56% 0.02mm 84% 0.07mm -9.5dBZ 69° 94% 0.31mm 7.2m/s 16m/s 8.6m/s
12:00
1006hPa 59J/kg 0.71fraction 95% 0.52°C 23% 0% 65% 0.03mm 85% 0.1mm -6.8dBZ 83° 95% 0.46mm - - 8.6m/s
13:00
1006hPa 60J/kg 0.86fraction 96% 0.59°C 26% 0% 73% 0.03mm 86% 0.13mm -4.2dBZ 83° 96% 0.6mm - - 8.6m/s
14:00
1007hPa 61J/kg 1fraction 97% 0.65°C 28% 0% 82% 0.04mm 86% 0.16mm -1.6dBZ 69° 97% 0.75mm 7.8m/s 16m/s 8.6m/s
15:00
1007hPa 62J/kg 0.94fraction 92% 0.74°C 32% 1% 73% 0.03mm 86% 0.12mm -2.4dBZ 55° 93% 0.6mm - - 8.6m/s
16:00
1007hPa 62J/kg 0.88fraction 88% 0.82°C 37% 1% 65% 0.03mm 86% 0.09mm -3.2dBZ 42° 89% 0.46mm - - 8.6m/s
17:00
1008hPa 63J/kg 0.82fraction 83% 0.91°C 41% 2% 56% 0.02mm 86% 0.05mm -4dBZ 28° 84% 0.31mm 7.4m/s 16m/s 8.6m/s
18:00
1007hPa 66J/kg 0.81fraction 89% 1°C 52% 1% 68% 0.03mm 86% 0.05mm -0.36dBZ 15° 90% 0.44mm - - 8.7m/s
19:00
1006hPa 70J/kg 0.8fraction 94% 1.1°C 63% 1% 80% 0.05mm 85% 0.04mm 3.3dBZ 1.8° 95% 0.56mm - - 8.8m/s
20:00
1006hPa 73J/kg 0.79fraction 100% 1.2°C 74% 0% 93% 0.06mm 85% 0.04mm 6.9dBZ -11° 100% 0.69mm 6.4m/s 15m/s 8.9m/s
21:00
1006hPa 72J/kg 0.75fraction 76% 1.4°C 79% 0% 75% 0.04mm 85% 0.11mm 8.1dBZ -23° 97% 0.63mm - - 8.9m/s
22:00
1006hPa 72J/kg 0.71fraction 53% 1.6°C 84% 0% 57% 0.02mm 85% 0.17mm 9.3dBZ -33° 93% 0.56mm - - 8.9m/s
23:00
1006hPa 71J/kg 0.66fraction 29% 1.7°C 90% 0% 39% 0mm 84% 0.24mm 10dBZ -42° 90% 0.5mm 6.7m/s 17m/s 8.9m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 05:51 Sunset 19:10
24:00
1006hPa 60J/kg 0.59fraction 51% 2°C 86% 0% 45% 0.02mm 84% 0.18mm 9.9dBZ -46° 92% 0.63mm - - 8.7m/s
01:00
1007hPa 48J/kg 0.51fraction 73% 2.2°C 82% 0% 50% 0.05mm 84% 0.11mm 9.5dBZ -46° 94% 0.75mm - - 8.5m/s
02:00
1007hPa 37J/kg 0.44fraction 95% 2.4°C 78% 1% 56% 0.07mm 84% 0.05mm 9dBZ -42° 97% 0.88mm 6.7m/s 16m/s 8.3m/s
03:00
1007hPa 33J/kg 0.63fraction 97% 2.5°C 63% 2% 51% 0.05mm 83% 0.05mm 13dBZ -34° 98% 0.65mm - - 8.4m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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