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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 Cover0%
Wind Gusts3.5m/s
Precipitation Chance65%
Air Pressure1013.1hPa
CAPE21
Lifted Index8.2°C
Wind Gusts3.5m/s
Precipitation0.1mm

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%13%57J/kg6.2°C12131m5.5m/s
04:000%15%64J/kg6.5°C24135m5.6m/s
05:000%61%51J/kg7°C24134m5.1m/s
06:000%56%36J/kg7.5°C24135m4.4m/s
07:000%49%36J/kg7.7°C20583m4.1m/s
08:000%44%40J/kg7.2°C16312m4.6m/s
09:000%52%46J/kg7°C10567m5.2m/s
10:000%25%42J/kg7.2°C17121m6.1m/s
11:000%31%30J/kg7.6°C24135m5.8m/s
12:000%32%27J/kg7.9°C24135m5.5m/s
13:000%32%17J/kg7.9°C24135m5.6m/s
14:000%33%13J/kg8°C24135m5.5m/s
15:000%24%8J/kg8.9°C24134m5.3m/s
16:000%33%4J/kg9.4°C24135m5.7m/s
17:000%23%4J/kg8.9°C24135m5.4m/s
18:000%17%19J/kg8.1°C24134m4.9m/s
19:000%46%53J/kg7°C21973m4.6m/s
20:000%11%58J/kg6.6°C17463m4.7m/s
21:000%13%66J/kg6.6°C17903m5.2m/s
22:000%13%59J/kg6.4°C10088m6m/s
23:000%13%47J/kg7.2°C22166m5.8m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%14%43J/kg7.5°C23116m5.1m/s
01:000%14%31J/kg8.2°C24134m4.8m/s
02:000%9.4%30J/kg8.4°C24135m4m/s
03:000%7%21J/kg8.2°C24135m3.5m/s
04:000%15%17J/kg8.1°C24135m3.3m/s
05:000%19%15J/kg7.8°C24134m3.2m/s
06:000%17%21J/kg7.3°C24134m3m/s
07:000%23%28J/kg7.1°C24134m3.1m/s
08:000%30%28J/kg6.6°C20265m3.3m/s
09:000%40%43J/kg6.6°C20415m3.8m/s
10:000%47%50J/kg6.1°C19446m3.8m/s
11:000%35%47J/kg6.2°C19424m4.3m/s
12:000%31%43J/kg6.2°C20845m4.9m/s
13:000%32%46J/kg6°C21563m4.7m/s
14:000%30%41J/kg5.9°C24078m4.9m/s
15:000%50%50J/kg6.1°C23875m4.9m/s
16:000%35%54J/kg6°C24135m5m/s
17:000%53%47J/kg6.2°C20662m4.5m/s
18:000%48%53J/kg6.5°C9066m4.6m/s
19:000%57%59J/kg6.3°C9217m4.2m/s
20:000%15%65J/kg6.4°C8268m4.4m/s
21:000%14%68J/kg6.3°C17863m4.6m/s
22:000%14%64J/kg7°C8180m5.2m/s
23:000%13%66J/kg7.6°C10195m5.1m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%13%58J/kg7.8°C20790m4.7m/s
01:000%10%59J/kg7.3°C18313m3.7m/s
02:000%7.2%60J/kg6.7°C23668m3.4m/s
03:000%8.7%56J/kg6.7°C17796m4m/s
04:000%15%58J/kg6.7°C18662m3.8m/s
05:000%92%64J/kg6.9°C18091m3.5m/s
06:000%100%59J/kg7.2°C19493m3.5m/s
07:000%48%55J/kg7.6°C24135m3.7m/s
08:000%46%45J/kg7.6°C24134m3.5m/s
09:000%38%31J/kg8°C24135m3.2m/s
10:000%56%13J/kg8.2°C24134m3.1m/s
11:000%19%10J/kg8.3°C24135m2.7m/s
12:000%28%3J/kg8.2°C24134m3m/s
13:000%22%0J/kg8.2°C24134m3.2m/s
14:000%23%0J/kg8.1°C24135m2.9m/s
15:000%27%11J/kg7.3°C24134m2.8m/s
16:000%51%30J/kg6.4°C23808m3m/s
17:000%94%37J/kg6.1°C24134m3.2m/s
18:000%48%40J/kg6.2°C24134m3.4m/s
19:000%29%40J/kg6.3°C24134m3.4m/s
20:000%15%36J/kg6.3°C24067m2.9m/s
21:000%14%44J/kg5.9°C23979m3.2m/s
22:000%14%47J/kg6.3°C24135m3m/s
23:000%14%46J/kg6.3°C24134m2.5m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%15%39J/kg5.7°C24135m1.8m/s
01:000%15%51J/kg5.5°C22965m1.4m/s
02:000%15%51J/kg5.8°C19478m1.5m/s
03:000%13%50J/kg6.1°C23488m1.7m/s
04:000%13%45J/kg6.2°C23097m1.1m/s
05:000%47%36J/kg6°C19361m1.2m/s
06:000%100%40J/kg5.9°C19548m1.7m/s
07:000%60%67J/kg5.7°C15042m2.6m/s
08:000%55%79J/kg5.3°C12682m3.4m/s
09:000%35%61J/kg5.7°C16500m4.5m/s
10:000%32%42J/kg6.1°C20317m5.5m/s
11:000%20%24J/kg6.5°C24135m6.6m/s
12:000%18%36J/kg6.1°C19492m6.7m/s
13:000%23%49J/kg5.8°C14848m6.8m/s
14:000%23%61J/kg5.4°C10205m6.9m/s
15:000%41%57J/kg5.5°C10177m7m/s
16:000%44%53J/kg5.6°C10150m7.1m/s
17:0014%30%49J/kg5.8°C10123m7.2m/s
18:0016%30%44J/kg6.1°C9317m6.9m/s
19:0016%32%40J/kg6.5°C8511m6.6m/s
20:0017%0%35J/kg6.9°C7705m6.2m/s
21:0015%0%33J/kg7.1°C13181m6.1m/s
22:000%0%30J/kg7.2°C18658m6m/s
23:000%0%28J/kg7.4°C24135m5.8m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%0%37J/kg7°C23213m5.8m/s
01:000%0%45J/kg6.6°C22292m5.9m/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 05:42 Sunset 18:52
03:00
1013hPa 21J/kg 0% 8.2°C 0% 0% 65% 0mm 63% 0.02mm 11dBZ -33° 0% 0.06mm - - 3.2m/s
04:00
1013hPa 17J/kg 0% 8.1°C 3% 0% 73% 0mm 63% 0.02mm 7dBZ -22° 3% 0.06mm - - 2.7m/s
05:00
1014hPa 15J/kg 0% 7.8°C 0% 0% 82% 0mm 63% 0.02mm 3dBZ -9.8° 0% 0.06mm 4.2m/s 5.5m/s 2.4m/s
06:00
1014hPa 21J/kg 0% 7.3°C 4% 0% 85% 0mm 65% 0.01mm 3dBZ 3.3° 4% 0.13mm - - 2.4m/s
07:00
1014hPa 28J/kg 0% 7.1°C 5% 0% 88% 0mm 67% 0.03mm 3dBZ 17° 5% 0.13mm - - 2.4m/s
08:00
1015hPa 28J/kg 0% 6.6°C 14% 0% 91% 0mm 67% 0.17mm 3dBZ 30° 14% 0.19mm 3m/s 5.9m/s 2.6m/s
09:00
1015hPa 43J/kg 0% 6.6°C 71% 0% 90% 0mm 70% 0.23mm 7.3dBZ 44° 71% 0.13mm - - 3.6m/s
10:00
1015hPa 50J/kg 1% 6.1°C 46% 0% 89% 0mm 73% 0.4mm 12dBZ 58° 46% 0.44mm - - 3.7m/s
11:00
1015hPa 47J/kg 5% 6.2°C 46% 0% 89% 0.01mm 74% 0.4mm 16dBZ 72° 46% 0.94mm 3.1m/s 6.2m/s 4.3m/s
12:00
1014hPa 43J/kg 0% 6.2°C 28% 0% 92% 0mm 73% 0.33mm 14dBZ 86° 28% 1.3mm - - 4.3m/s
13:00
1014hPa 46J/kg 0% 6°C 46% 0% 96% 0mm 70% 0.25mm 12dBZ 80° 46% 1.6mm - - 4.2m/s
14:00
1014hPa 41J/kg 0% 5.9°C 25% 0% 99% 0mm 69% 0.17mm 10dBZ 66° 25% 1.8mm 2.8m/s 5.8m/s 4.9m/s
15:00
1014hPa 50J/kg 0% 6.1°C 37% 0% 99% 0mm 68% 0.2mm 9.1dBZ 52° 37% 0.19mm - - 4.9m/s
16:00
1014hPa 54J/kg 0% 6°C 15% 0% 99% 0mm 68% 0.1mm 8.2dBZ 38° 15% 0.31mm - - 5m/s
17:00
1014hPa 47J/kg 1% 6.2°C 15% 0% 99% 0mm 68% 0.24mm 7.3dBZ 24° 15% 0.5mm 4.2m/s 6.3m/s 4.2m/s
18:00
1014hPa 53J/kg 0% 6.5°C 20% 0% 100% 0mm 69% 0.72mm 11dBZ 11° 20% 0.81mm - - 4.4m/s
19:00
1015hPa 59J/kg 0% 6.3°C 20% 0% 100% 0mm 70% 0.79mm 14dBZ -2.3° 20% 1.4mm - - 3.9m/s
20:00
1015hPa 65J/kg 0% 6.4°C 61% 0% 100% 0mm 71% 0.83mm 17dBZ -15° 61% 2mm 4m/s 2.9m/s 4.1m/s
21:00
1016hPa 68J/kg 0% 6.3°C 70% 0% 99% 0mm 72% 0.98mm 18dBZ -27° 70% 0.69mm - - 4.1m/s
22:00
1016hPa 64J/kg 0% 7°C 79% 0% 98% 0.01mm 72% 0.98mm 18dBZ -37° 79% 1.6mm - - 4.7m/s
23:00
1016hPa 66J/kg 0% 7.6°C 44% 0% 98% 0mm 71% 0.61mm 19dBZ -45° 44% 2.4mm 3.2m/s 2.3m/s 4.7m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 05:42 Sunset 18:52
24:00
1015hPa 58J/kg 3% 7.8°C 23% 0% 98% 0mm 70% 0.36mm 19dBZ -49° 23% 2.9mm - - 4.1m/s
01:00
1015hPa 59J/kg 3% 7.3°C 39% 0% 99% 0mm 70% 0.62mm 20dBZ -48° 39% 3.3mm - - 3.1m/s
02:00
1014hPa 60J/kg 0% 6.7°C 37% 0% 99% 0mm 71% 0.21mm 21dBZ -42° 37% 3.8mm 3.9m/s 0.56m/s 2.9m/s
03:00
1014hPa 56J/kg 5% 6.7°C 48% 0% 92% 0mm 72% 0.55mm 18dBZ -33° 48% 0.5mm - - 3.5m/s
04:00
1014hPa 58J/kg 5% 6.7°C 71% 0% 85% 0mm 73% 0.5mm 16dBZ -22° 71% 1mm - - 3.2m/s
05:00
1014hPa 64J/kg 13% 6.9°C 41% 0% 78% 0mm 72% 0.58mm 13dBZ -9.7° 41% 1.5mm 3.3m/s 2m/s 2.7m/s
06:00
1015hPa 59J/kg 10% 7.2°C 44% 0% 83% 0mm 71% 0.27mm 9.8dBZ 3.4° 44% 1.8mm - - 2.6m/s
07:00
1015hPa 55J/kg 100% 7.6°C 59% 0% 88% 0mm 69% 0.09mm 6.5dBZ 17° 100% 1.9mm - - 3m/s
08:00
1016hPa 45J/kg 90% 7.6°C 27% 0% 93% 0mm 67% 0.05mm 3.2dBZ 30° 94% 2.1mm 4.3m/s 1.5m/s 3.2m/s
09:00
1016hPa 31J/kg 97% 8°C 12% 0% 76% 0mm 66% 0.02mm -1.7dBZ 44° 97% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
10:00
1016hPa 13J/kg 39% 8.2°C 1% 0% 60% 0mm 65% 0mm -6.6dBZ 58° 39% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
11:00
1016hPa 10J/kg 0% 8.3°C 0% 0% 43% 0mm 64% 0mm -11dBZ 72° 1% 0mm 2.9m/s 1.4m/s 2.9m/s
12:00
1015hPa 3J/kg 11% 8.2°C 0% 0% 53% 0mm 64% 0mm -13dBZ 86° 11% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
13:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 89% 8.2°C 0% 0% 62% 0mm 64% 0mm -14dBZ 80° 89% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
14:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 94% 8.1°C 1% 0% 72% 0mm 64% 0mm -15dBZ 66° 94% 0mm 2.8m/s 0.66m/s 3m/s
15:00
1014hPa 11J/kg 1% 7.3°C 7% 0% 79% 0mm 68% 0mm -11dBZ 52° 7% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
16:00
1014hPa 30J/kg 5% 6.4°C 17% 0% 86% 0mm 71% 0.07mm -6.6dBZ 38° 17% 0.06mm - - 2.9m/s
17:00
1015hPa 37J/kg 12% 6.1°C 29% 0% 93% 0mm 71% 0.02mm -2.5dBZ 24° 29% 0.06mm 4.1m/s 1.8m/s 3m/s
18:00
1015hPa 40J/kg 6% 6.2°C 12% 0% 95% 0mm 70% 0.05mm -0.24dBZ 11° 12% 0.13mm - - 3.1m/s
19:00
1015hPa 40J/kg 0% 6.3°C 5% 0% 97% 0mm 68% 0.07mm 2dBZ -2.2° 5% 0.19mm - - 2.9m/s
20:00
1016hPa 36J/kg 68% 6.3°C 12% 0% 100% 0mm 67% 0.1mm 4.3dBZ -15° 70% 0.25mm 4.3m/s 1.5m/s 2.4m/s
21:00
1016hPa 44J/kg 100% 5.9°C 32% 0% 99% 0mm 68% 0.1mm 4.6dBZ -27° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.8m/s
22:00
1017hPa 47J/kg 68% 6.3°C 10% 0% 98% 0mm 67% 0.1mm 4.9dBZ -37° 68% 0.19mm - - 2.5m/s
23:00
1016hPa 46J/kg 11% 6.3°C 4% 0% 98% 0mm 67% 0.07mm 5.1dBZ -45° 12% 0.31mm 4.3m/s 2.1m/s 1.9m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 05:41 Sunset 18:53
24:00
1016hPa 39J/kg 99% 5.7°C 0% 0% 98% 0mm 68% 0.06mm 0.33dBZ -49° 99% 0.38mm - - 1m/s
01:00
1015hPa 51J/kg 64% 5.5°C 4% 0% 99% 0mm 70% 0.16mm -4.5dBZ -48° 64% 0.44mm - - 0.47m/s
02:00
1015hPa 51J/kg 5% 5.8°C 56% 0% 99% 0mm 70% 0.34mm -9.3dBZ -42° 56% 0.75mm 3.5m/s 2.2m/s 0.62m/s
03:00
1014hPa 50J/kg 34% 6.1°C 24% 0% 94% 0mm 70% 0.08mm -6.3dBZ -33° 36% 0.25mm - - 1.2m/s
04:00
1014hPa 45J/kg 94% 6.2°C 12% 0% 88% 0.01mm 71% 0.11mm -3.3dBZ -22° 94% 0.38mm - - 0.72m/s
05:00
1014hPa 36J/kg 100% 6°C 52% 0% 83% 0mm 72% 0.32mm -0.29dBZ -9.7° 100% 0.63mm 3.9m/s 2.4m/s 0.97m/s
06:00
1015hPa 40J/kg 46% 5.9°C 45% 0% 80% 0mm 74% 0.5mm 8.3dBZ 3.4° 46% 1mm - - 1.6m/s
07:00
1016hPa 67J/kg 5% 5.7°C 42% 0% 78% 0mm 75% 0.73mm 17dBZ 17° 42% 1.6mm - - 2.4m/s
08:00
1016hPa 79J/kg 0% 5.3°C 38% 0% 76% 0mm 75% 0.98mm 26dBZ 30° 38% 2.3mm 2.5m/s 2.2m/s 3.1m/s
09:00
1005hPa 61J/kg 2% 5.7°C 33% 0% 67% 0mm 73% 0.67mm 17dBZ 44° 33% 1.5mm - - 3.9m/s
10:00
994hPa 42J/kg 3% 6.1°C 28% 0% 58% 0mm 71% 0.35mm 8.9dBZ 58° 28% 0.79mm - - 4.8m/s
11:00
983hPa 24J/kg 5% 6.5°C 23% 0% 49% 0mm 69% 0.04mm 0.52dBZ 72° 23% 0.06mm 6.3m/s 2.7m/s 5.6m/s
12:00
984hPa 36J/kg 3% 6.1°C 29% 0% 61% 0mm 74% 0.11mm -4.4dBZ 86° 29% 0.25mm - - 5.1m/s
13:00
984hPa 49J/kg 2% 5.8°C 36% 0% 72% 0mm 79% 0.18mm -9.2dBZ 80° 36% 0.44mm - - 4.7m/s
14:00
985hPa 61J/kg 0% 5.4°C 43% 0% 84% 0mm 85% 0.25mm -14dBZ 66° 43% 0.63mm 5.3m/s 4.7m/s 4.2m/s
15:00
985hPa 57J/kg 0% 5.5°C 59% 0% 87% 0.007mm 85% 0.32mm -7.2dBZ 52° 59% 0.81mm - - 4.3m/s
16:00
985hPa 53J/kg 0% 5.6°C 74% 0% 91% 0.01mm 85% 0.39mm -0.32dBZ 38° 74% 1mm - - 4.4m/s
17:00
985hPa 49J/kg 0% 5.8°C 90% 0% 94% 0.02mm 84% 0.46mm 6.6dBZ 24° 90% 1.2mm 5.1m/s 6m/s 4.5m/s
18:00
985hPa 44J/kg 0% 6.1°C 91% 0% 95% 0.06mm 83% 0.32mm 12dBZ 11° 91% 1.4mm - - 4.3m/s
19:00
984hPa 40J/kg 0% 6.5°C 93% 0% 97% 0.1mm 82% 0.19mm 17dBZ -2.1° 93% 1.7mm - - 4.1m/s
20:00
983hPa 35J/kg 0% 6.9°C 94% 0% 98% 0.14mm 81% 0.05mm 23dBZ -15° 94% 1.9mm 5.2m/s 5.6m/s 3.8m/s
21:00
983hPa 33J/kg 0% 7.1°C 87% 0% 93% 0.1mm 82% 0.05mm 23dBZ -27° 87% 1.4mm - - 3.7m/s
22:00
983hPa 30J/kg 0% 7.2°C 80% 0% 88% 0.06mm 82% 0.05mm 23dBZ -37° 80% 0.85mm - - 3.5m/s
23:00
983hPa 28J/kg 0% 7.4°C 73% 0% 83% 0.02mm 82% 0.05mm 23dBZ -45° 73% 0.31mm 4.1m/s 6.7m/s 3.3m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 05:41 Sunset 18:53
24:00
983hPa 37J/kg 0% 7°C 52% 0% 84% 0.03mm 80% 0.05mm 21dBZ -49° 52% 0.46mm - - 3.5m/s
01:00
984hPa 45J/kg 0% 6.6°C 30% 0% 85% 0.05mm 77% 0.06mm 19dBZ -48° 30% 0.6mm - - 3.8m/s
02:00
984hPa 54J/kg 0% 6.2°C 9% 0% 85% 0.06mm 74% 0.06mm 17dBZ -42° 9% 0.75mm 4.5m/s 5.7m/s 4.1m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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