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Rule Storm Chaser

Hilo - Storm Chaser - Hawaii

Hilo, 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 89% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover52%
Wind Gusts3.4m/s
Precipitation Chance99%
Air Pressure1013.9hPa
CAPE76
Lifted Index2.1°C
Wind Gusts3.4m/s
Precipitation2.2mm

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 82 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
Sun, Jun 7
18:000%20%54J/kg2.1°C20757m3.6m/s
19:000%24%65J/kg2°C18305m3.2m/s
20:000%7.7%79J/kg1.7°C15246m2.8m/s
21:000%4.3%71J/kg2.1°C21442m3.3m/s
22:000%7.4%74J/kg1.9°C23597m2.6m/s
23:000%3.8%65J/kg2°C10155m2.9m/s
Mon, Jun 8
24:000%5.9%70J/kg2.2°C22755m2.6m/s
01:000%7.2%69J/kg2.1°C18638m2.5m/s
02:000%7.3%68J/kg2.1°C19074m2.6m/s
03:000%13%69J/kg1.8°C10479m2.8m/s
04:000%12%68J/kg2°C8923m2.9m/s
05:000%55%76J/kg2.1°C17772m3.4m/s
06:000%61%76J/kg2°C6881m3.9m/s
07:000%50%79J/kg2.1°C6212m4m/s
08:000%38%81J/kg2°C8155m4m/s
09:000%30%75J/kg2°C7944m4.1m/s
10:000%21%71J/kg2.3°C23063m4.3m/s
11:009.8%13%69J/kg2.3°C24135m3.6m/s
12:000%11%60J/kg2.3°C19987m3.2m/s
13:000%12%55J/kg2.2°C24135m3.3m/s
14:0011%12%45J/kg2.3°C24135m3.6m/s
15:000%15%35J/kg2.7°C24135m4.1m/s
16:000%17%44J/kg2.4°C24135m4m/s
17:000%20%46J/kg2.4°C24135m3.7m/s
18:000%22%49J/kg2.8°C24134m3.3m/s
19:000%30%56J/kg2.8°C20446m3.1m/s
20:000%7.4%67J/kg2.7°C17736m3.1m/s
21:000%3.3%73J/kg2.7°C10669m3.2m/s
22:000%5.4%71J/kg2.7°C18573m3.6m/s
23:000%4.7%78J/kg2.8°C17877m3.4m/s
Tue, Jun 9
24:000%7.5%73J/kg2.7°C18999m2.1m/s
01:000%12%61J/kg2.9°C9559m2.6m/s
02:000%15%71J/kg3°C18376m2.2m/s
03:000%15%67J/kg3.2°C19433m1.8m/s
04:000%15%57J/kg3.2°C23680m1.4m/s
05:000%44%50J/kg3.3°C23598m1.6m/s
06:000%53%54J/kg3.2°C18482m2m/s
07:000%49%64J/kg3.2°C18715m2.3m/s
08:009.1%43%74J/kg3.1°C21104m2.5m/s
09:000%38%66J/kg3.2°C20629m3m/s
10:000%38%55J/kg3.4°C15654m3.6m/s
11:0011%27%56J/kg3.3°C17245m3.7m/s
12:000%28%60J/kg3.3°C21246m4.1m/s
13:000%21%65J/kg3.1°C22966m3.9m/s
14:0012%22%66J/kg2.8°C22518m4.2m/s
15:000%45%62J/kg2.9°C24134m3.8m/s
16:000%68%55J/kg3°C24134m3.3m/s
17:000%26%47J/kg2.8°C24134m3m/s
18:000%27%67J/kg2.9°C22552m2.9m/s
19:000%47%62J/kg3.1°C13127m3.6m/s
20:0014%4.3%76J/kg3.4°C16206m3.4m/s
21:000%10%82J/kg3.6°C16216m3.3m/s
22:000%1.9%66J/kg3.5°C18533m2.9m/s
23:009.1%3.1%63J/kg3.6°C20512m3.1m/s
Wed, Jun 10
24:000%11%61J/kg3.8°C16129m2.6m/s
01:000%12%51J/kg3.6°C17794m2m/s
02:0012%6.9%49J/kg3.6°C20610m1.4m/s
03:000%6.1%55J/kg3.6°C18282m1.2m/s
04:000%1.5%48J/kg3.4°C20015m1.5m/s
05:0011%33%48J/kg3.5°C18112m1.6m/s
06:000%45%45J/kg3.6°C21172m1.4m/s
07:000%55%59J/kg3.7°C17399m1.5m/s
08:0012%66%61J/kg3.4°C17878m1.7m/s
09:000%29%58J/kg3.3°C16441m2.3m/s
10:000%32%56J/kg3.5°C19098m3m/s
11:0011%20%55J/kg3.4°C23579m3.5m/s
12:000%19%53J/kg3.3°C18909m3.9m/s
13:000%20%50J/kg3.4°C16490m3.8m/s
14:0012%26%46J/kg3.1°C16972m3.5m/s
15:0011%46%42J/kg3.5°C19325m3.7m/s
16:0011%78%38J/kg3.9°C21678m4m/s
17:0013%46%34J/kg4.2°C24031m4.2m/s
18:0013%61%32J/kg4.4°C21320m4.1m/s
19:0013%66%30J/kg4.5°C18608m4m/s
20:0021%0%28J/kg4.6°C15897m3.9m/s
21:0013%0%31J/kg4.7°C18441m3.8m/s
22:0013%0%33J/kg4.8°C20986m3.7m/s
23:0013%0%36J/kg4.9°C23530m3.6m/s
Thu, Jun 11
24:0013%0%39J/kg4.8°C23578m3.7m/s
01:0013%0%42J/kg4.6°C23625m3.7m/s
02:0022%0%45J/kg4.5°C23673m3.7m/s
03:000%0%40J/kg4.4°C23827m4.1m/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
Mon, Jun 8 Sunrise 05:40 Sunset 18:58
05:00
1014hPa 76J/kg 0% 2.1°C 52% 0% 99% 0mm 78% 0.71mm 8dBZ -9.4° 52% 2.2mm 5.4m/s 8.9m/s 3m/s
06:00
1015hPa 76J/kg 0% 2°C 50% 0% 99% 0mm 78% 1.2mm 13dBZ 3.5° 50% 3.1mm - - 3.4m/s
07:00
1015hPa 79J/kg 0% 2.1°C 29% 0% 98% 0mm 78% 1.3mm 18dBZ 17° 29% 4.1mm - - 3.6m/s
08:00
1016hPa 81J/kg 0% 2°C 18% 0% 98% 0mm 77% 0.99mm 23dBZ 30° 18% 5.2mm 4.1m/s 9m/s 3.7m/s
09:00
1016hPa 75J/kg 3% 2°C 12% 0% 82% 0mm 77% 1.1mm 18dBZ 44° 12% 0.81mm - - 3.6m/s
10:00
1016hPa 71J/kg 4% 2.3°C 6% 0% 67% 0mm 74% 0.42mm 13dBZ 57° 8% 1.3mm - - 3.8m/s
11:00
1015hPa 69J/kg 0% 2.3°C 7% 0% 52% 0mm 74% 0.12mm 7.2dBZ 71° 7% 1.6mm 2.6m/s 11m/s 3.3m/s
12:00
1015hPa 60J/kg 0% 2.3°C 5% 0% 62% 0mm 74% 0.26mm 6.6dBZ 84° 5% 1.7mm - - 3.2m/s
13:00
1015hPa 55J/kg 0% 2.2°C 3% 0% 72% 0mm 75% 0.01mm 6dBZ 80° 3% 1.8mm - - 3.4m/s
14:00
1014hPa 45J/kg 0% 2.3°C 0% 0% 82% 0mm 75% 0.03mm 5.4dBZ 66° 0% 1.9mm 1.8m/s 11m/s 3.3m/s
15:00
1014hPa 35J/kg 0% 2.7°C 2% 0% 87% 0mm 74% 0.04mm 6.3dBZ 53° 2% 0.06mm - - 3.7m/s
16:00
1014hPa 44J/kg 0% 2.4°C 1% 0% 93% 0mm 73% 0.09mm 7.3dBZ 39° 1% 0.19mm - - 3.7m/s
17:00
1014hPa 46J/kg 0% 2.4°C 1% 0% 98% 0mm 72% 0.06mm 8.3dBZ 25° 1% 0.25mm 1.6m/s 11m/s 3.4m/s
18:00
1014hPa 49J/kg 0% 2.8°C 3% 0% 99% 0mm 71% 0.08mm 11dBZ 12° 3% 0.31mm - - 3m/s
19:00
1015hPa 56J/kg 5% 2.8°C 0% 0% 99% 0mm 72% 0.25mm 14dBZ -0.89° 5% 0.56mm - - 2.7m/s
20:00
1015hPa 67J/kg 0% 2.7°C 0% 0% 100% 0mm 73% 0.29mm 17dBZ -14° 0% 0.81mm 2.1m/s 10m/s 2.9m/s
21:00
1015hPa 73J/kg 0% 2.7°C 14% 0% 98% 0mm 74% 0.56mm 19dBZ -25° 14% 0.44mm - - 2.9m/s
22:00
1016hPa 71J/kg 0% 2.7°C 5% 0% 97% 0mm 75% 0.46mm 21dBZ -35° 5% 1.1mm - - 3.2m/s
23:00
1016hPa 78J/kg 0% 2.8°C 4% 0% 95% 0mm 74% 0.53mm 22dBZ -43° 4% 1.7mm 2.2m/s 9m/s 2.9m/s
Tue, Jun 9 Sunrise 05:41 Sunset 18:58
24:00
1016hPa 73J/kg 4% 2.7°C 45% 0% 96% 0mm 75% 0.51mm 21dBZ -47° 45% 2.1mm - - 1.6m/s
01:00
1015hPa 61J/kg 0% 2.9°C 69% 0% 98% 0mm 75% 0.93mm 21dBZ -46° 69% 2.9mm - - 1.6m/s
02:00
1015hPa 71J/kg 8% 3°C 21% 0% 100% 0mm 74% 0.41mm 20dBZ -41° 25% 3.4mm 0.89m/s 9m/s 1.3m/s
03:00
1014hPa 67J/kg 100% 3.2°C 16% 0% 100% 0mm 74% 0.35mm 15dBZ -32° 100% 0.38mm - - 1m/s
04:00
1014hPa 57J/kg 65% 3.2°C 15% 0% 99% 0mm 74% 0.31mm 11dBZ -21° 68% 0.75mm - - 0.45m/s
05:00
1014hPa 50J/kg 100% 3.3°C 28% 0% 99% 0mm 74% 0.31mm 6.3dBZ -9.4° 100% 1.2mm 2.4m/s 9m/s 0.82m/s
06:00
1015hPa 54J/kg 100% 3.2°C 50% 0% 99% 0mm 74% 0.46mm 10dBZ 3.5° 100% 1.5mm - - 1.6m/s
07:00
1015hPa 64J/kg 93% 3.2°C 57% 0% 100% 0mm 75% 0.45mm 14dBZ 17° 95% 1.9mm - - 2m/s
08:00
1016hPa 74J/kg 100% 3.1°C 14% 0% 100% 0mm 75% 0.33mm 18dBZ 30° 100% 2.3mm 2.9m/s 11m/s 2.1m/s
09:00
1016hPa 66J/kg 100% 3.2°C 54% 0% 94% 0mm 76% 0.35mm 18dBZ 44° 100% 0.5mm - - 2.6m/s
10:00
1016hPa 55J/kg 100% 3.4°C 54% 0% 88% 0.01mm 75% 0.75mm 19dBZ 57° 100% 1.1mm - - 3m/s
11:00
1016hPa 56J/kg 100% 3.3°C 33% 0% 82% 0mm 73% 0.43mm 20dBZ 71° 100% 1.7mm 3m/s 13m/s 3.1m/s
12:00
1016hPa 60J/kg 100% 3.3°C 31% 0% 87% 0mm 72% 0.25mm 19dBZ 84° 100% 2mm - - 3.6m/s
13:00
1015hPa 65J/kg 100% 3.1°C 7% 0% 93% 0mm 71% 0.17mm 18dBZ 80° 100% 2.3mm - - 3.7m/s
14:00
1015hPa 66J/kg 100% 2.8°C 2% 0% 98% 0mm 72% 0.13mm 17dBZ 66° 100% 2.4mm 4m/s 13m/s 4.1m/s
15:00
1015hPa 62J/kg 64% 2.9°C 4% 0% 96% 0mm 73% 0.08mm 15dBZ 53° 64% 0.13mm - - 3.8m/s
16:00
1015hPa 55J/kg 34% 3°C 2% 0% 95% 0mm 72% 0.05mm 13dBZ 39° 34% 0.19mm - - 3.1m/s
17:00
1015hPa 47J/kg 100% 2.8°C 0% 0% 93% 0mm 72% 0.12mm 10dBZ 25° 100% 0.31mm 4.3m/s 13m/s 2.7m/s
18:00
1015hPa 67J/kg 100% 2.9°C 4% 0% 95% 0mm 73% 0.25mm 14dBZ 12° 100% 0.5mm - - 2.8m/s
19:00
1015hPa 62J/kg 100% 3.1°C 27% 0% 97% 0mm 75% 0.5mm 17dBZ -0.8° 100% 0.94mm - - 3.4m/s
20:00
1016hPa 76J/kg 100% 3.4°C 63% 0% 98% 0mm 76% 0.57mm 20dBZ -14° 100% 1.4mm 2.6m/s 13m/s 3.1m/s
21:00
1016hPa 82J/kg 100% 3.6°C 57% 0% 96% 0mm 76% 0.54mm 18dBZ -25° 100% 0.56mm - - 2.7m/s
22:00
1017hPa 66J/kg 100% 3.5°C 79% 0% 93% 0.01mm 76% 0.48mm 16dBZ -35° 100% 1.1mm - - 2m/s
23:00
1017hPa 63J/kg 99% 3.6°C 65% 0% 91% 0mm 75% 0.35mm 14dBZ -43° 99% 1.6mm 1.9m/s 12m/s 2.3m/s
Wed, Jun 10 Sunrise 05:41 Sunset 18:58
24:00
1016hPa 61J/kg 90% 3.8°C 76% 0% 93% 0.01mm 75% 0.89mm 7.9dBZ -47° 90% 2mm - - 1.8m/s
01:00
1015hPa 51J/kg 10% 3.6°C 88% 0% 95% 0.01mm 76% 0.6mm 1.3dBZ -46° 88% 2.6mm - - 1.4m/s
02:00
1015hPa 49J/kg 100% 3.6°C 44% 0% 97% 0.01mm 76% 0.32mm -5.3dBZ -41° 100% 3.1mm 1.5m/s 12m/s 0.85m/s
03:00
1015hPa 55J/kg 98% 3.6°C 54% 0% 97% 0mm 77% 0.58mm -6.6dBZ -32° 100% 0.44mm - - 0.56m/s
04:00
1015hPa 48J/kg 100% 3.4°C 38% 0% 98% 0mm 76% 0.28mm -7.9dBZ -21° 100% 0.81mm - - 0.74m/s
05:00
1015hPa 48J/kg 100% 3.5°C 54% 0% 98% 0mm 77% 0.62mm -9.2dBZ -9.4° 100% 1.2mm 2.3m/s 13m/s 0.79m/s
06:00
1015hPa 45J/kg 100% 3.6°C 55% 0% 98% 0mm 77% 0.26mm -0.82dBZ 3.5° 100% 1.6mm - - 0.41m/s
07:00
1016hPa 59J/kg 4% 3.7°C 77% 0% 98% 0mm 76% 0.58mm 7.5dBZ 16° 77% 2.1mm - - 0.69m/s
08:00
1016hPa 61J/kg 8% 3.4°C 56% 0% 99% 0.01mm 76% 0.45mm 16dBZ 30° 56% 2.7mm 1.7m/s 13m/s 1.3m/s
09:00
1016hPa 58J/kg 100% 3.3°C 88% 0% 93% 0mm 77% 0.54mm 17dBZ 44° 100% 0.5mm - - 2m/s
10:00
1016hPa 56J/kg 100% 3.5°C 79% 0% 88% 0mm 76% 0.32mm 18dBZ 57° 100% 0.88mm - - 2.5m/s
11:00
1016hPa 55J/kg 100% 3.4°C 75% 0% 82% 0mm 75% 0.23mm 19dBZ 71° 100% 1.3mm 4.1m/s 14m/s 3.1m/s
12:00
1015hPa 53J/kg 100% 3.3°C 70% 0% 85% 0mm 75% 0.48mm 18dBZ 84° 100% 1.6mm - - 3.7m/s
13:00
1015hPa 50J/kg 100% 3.4°C 79% 0% 88% 0mm 75% 0.27mm 17dBZ 80° 100% 1.9mm - - 3.6m/s
14:00
1014hPa 46J/kg 100% 3.1°C 45% 0% 91% 0mm 74% 0.23mm 16dBZ 67° 100% 2.2mm 5.7m/s 15m/s 3.3m/s
15:00
1005hPa 42J/kg 68% 3.5°C 39% 0% 88% 0mm 79% 0.26mm 15dBZ 53° 76% 1.7mm - - 3m/s
16:00
995hPa 38J/kg 37% 3.9°C 34% 0% 85% 0mm 84% 0.28mm 13dBZ 39° 52% 1.2mm - - 2.6m/s
17:00
985hPa 34J/kg 5% 4.2°C 28% 0% 82% 0mm 89% 0.31mm 12dBZ 25° 28% 0.75mm 5.2m/s 14m/s 2.3m/s
18:00
985hPa 32J/kg 5% 4.4°C 38% 0% 83% 0.05mm 90% 0.32mm 14dBZ 12° 38% 1.2mm - - 2.2m/s
19:00
984hPa 30J/kg 5% 4.5°C 47% 0% 84% 0.09mm 91% 0.33mm 15dBZ -0.71° 47% 1.6mm - - 2.2m/s
20:00
984hPa 28J/kg 5% 4.6°C 56% 0% 84% 0.14mm 92% 0.34mm 17dBZ -13° 56% 2.1mm 3.7m/s 11m/s 2.2m/s
21:00
983hPa 31J/kg 7% 4.7°C 55% 0% 75% 0.11mm 92% 0.29mm 17dBZ -25° 55% 1.7mm - - 2.2m/s
22:00
983hPa 33J/kg 8% 4.8°C 54% 0% 66% 0.07mm 92% 0.24mm 17dBZ -35° 54% 1.3mm - - 2.2m/s
23:00
983hPa 36J/kg 10% 4.9°C 52% 0% 56% 0.04mm 92% 0.19mm 16dBZ -43° 52% 0.88mm 3.2m/s 11m/s 2.1m/s
Thu, Jun 11 Sunrise 05:41 Sunset 18:59
24:00
984hPa 39J/kg 6% 4.8°C 51% 0% 59% 0.05mm 88% 0.13mm 18dBZ -47° 51% 1mm - - 2.4m/s
01:00
984hPa 42J/kg 3% 4.6°C 49% 0% 62% 0.06mm 85% 0.08mm 20dBZ -46° 49% 1.2mm - - 2.6m/s
02:00
984hPa 45J/kg 0% 4.5°C 47% 0% 65% 0.07mm 82% 0.02mm 21dBZ -41° 47% 1.3mm 4.1m/s 12m/s 2.8m/s
03:00
984hPa 40J/kg 0% 4.4°C 45% 0% 51% 0.05mm 78% 0.02mm 19dBZ -32° 45% 0.94mm - - 3.5m/s
04:00
984hPa 35J/kg 0% 4.4°C 42% 0% 37% 0.04mm 75% 0.02mm 18dBZ -21° 42% 0.56mm - - 4.3m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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