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Rule Storm Chaser

Kualoa Ranch - Storm Chaser - Hawaii

Kaaawa, 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 88% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover2%
Wind Gusts9.9m/s
Precipitation Chance54%
Air Pressure1013.8hPa
CAPE4
Lifted Index7.3°C
Wind Gusts9.9m/s
Precipitation0.0mm

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%15%46J/kg6.3°C23068m13m/s
04:000%13%47J/kg5.9°C23060m12m/s
05:0014%54%56J/kg5.8°C22125m13m/s
06:000%61%47J/kg6.3°C22343m13m/s
07:0015%44%38J/kg6.6°C22741m13m/s
08:0025%37%29J/kg7.3°C23792m13m/s
09:000%33%36J/kg7.7°C23820m13m/s
10:000%47%32J/kg7.8°C23756m13m/s
11:0014%28%20J/kg7.9°C24135m12m/s
12:000%27%7J/kg8.7°C24135m11m/s
13:000%4.8%2J/kg8.9°C24135m12m/s
14:0014%12%19J/kg7.2°C24135m12m/s
15:000%8.5%5J/kg7.6°C24135m12m/s
16:000%8.3%2J/kg7.3°C24135m12m/s
17:000%47%23J/kg6.5°C24135m12m/s
18:000%58%54J/kg5.6°C20772m12m/s
19:000%56%34J/kg6.4°C23377m13m/s
20:0014%7.1%5J/kg7.1°C24134m12m/s
21:000%6.1%7J/kg7°C24134m12m/s
22:000%2.5%27J/kg6.5°C24134m12m/s
23:0013%5.8%22J/kg6.8°C24134m12m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%9.9%15J/kg7.3°C24135m12m/s
01:000%9.4%9J/kg6.9°C24134m12m/s
02:0014%11%3J/kg7°C24135m11m/s
03:000%11%4J/kg7.3°C24135m9.9m/s
04:000%7.2%8J/kg6.6°C24135m9.4m/s
05:000%29%40J/kg5.9°C24094m10m/s
06:000%35%13J/kg6.6°C24134m11m/s
07:000%23%12J/kg6.9°C24134m11m/s
08:000%16%2J/kg7.2°C24134m11m/s
09:000%17%5J/kg6.8°C24135m9.8m/s
10:000%13%14J/kg6.6°C24134m11m/s
11:000%14%11J/kg7°C24135m11m/s
12:000%17%19J/kg6.4°C24134m11m/s
13:000%13%31J/kg5.8°C23080m11m/s
14:000%13%18J/kg6.1°C23055m11m/s
15:000%33%29J/kg6.1°C23158m11m/s
16:0016%30%55J/kg5.3°C10346m11m/s
17:000%33%66J/kg5.1°C22057m12m/s
18:0013%62%69J/kg5.3°C21984m12m/s
19:0018%36%56J/kg5.5°C10245m12m/s
20:0013%55%65J/kg5.5°C20446m13m/s
21:0013%15%56J/kg5.4°C21946m12m/s
22:000%15%55J/kg5.7°C22473m12m/s
23:000%15%36J/kg6.5°C22906m11m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%15%31J/kg7.2°C24135m11m/s
01:000%15%28J/kg7.4°C24134m11m/s
02:000%13%33J/kg7.6°C24135m10m/s
03:000%14%31J/kg7.2°C24134m9.9m/s
04:000%14%31J/kg7°C24134m9.4m/s
05:000%64%19J/kg7.2°C24134m8.8m/s
06:000%36%4J/kg7.7°C24134m9.7m/s
07:000%24%5J/kg8°C24135m9.3m/s
08:000%42%12J/kg7.8°C24134m9m/s
09:000%19%20J/kg7.3°C24135m10m/s
10:000%32%28J/kg6.9°C23666m9.8m/s
11:000%19%18J/kg7.1°C24051m9.9m/s
12:000%20%37J/kg6.3°C24134m9m/s
13:000%27%39J/kg6.3°C23544m9.3m/s
14:000%26%36J/kg6.2°C24135m9.1m/s
15:000%39%44J/kg5.7°C22147m9.5m/s
16:000%68%24J/kg5.9°C24084m9.6m/s
17:000%47%10J/kg6.4°C24134m9.9m/s
18:000%93%13J/kg6.4°C24134m9.6m/s
19:000%54%13J/kg6.7°C24134m11m/s
20:000%38%11J/kg6.7°C24135m10m/s
21:000%15%9J/kg6.6°C24134m9m/s
22:000%14%9J/kg6.8°C24135m8.9m/s
23:000%12%13J/kg6.1°C24134m9m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%14%17J/kg5.6°C24135m9.6m/s
01:000%14%54J/kg5°C22837m9m/s
02:000%13%44J/kg5.1°C22343m9.2m/s
03:000%15%19J/kg5.4°C24134m9.4m/s
04:000%9.7%12J/kg5.3°C24135m9.3m/s
05:000%40%6J/kg5.7°C24135m10m/s
06:000%74%5J/kg5.7°C24134m9.6m/s
07:000%49%8J/kg5.3°C24135m9.7m/s
08:000%52%14J/kg5.2°C24134m9.7m/s
09:000%41%17J/kg4.9°C24134m9.1m/s
10:000%37%19J/kg4.7°C24135m8.6m/s
11:000%13%22J/kg4.4°C24135m8m/s
12:000%20%25J/kg4.4°C24135m8.6m/s
13:000%23%29J/kg4.4°C24135m9.1m/s
14:000%13%32J/kg4.4°C24135m9.7m/s
15:000%45%24J/kg4.8°C24135m9.7m/s
16:000%45%16J/kg5.2°C24135m9.7m/s
17:000%24%8J/kg5.7°C24135m9.7m/s
18:000%85%10J/kg5.8°C24135m9.6m/s
19:000%99%12J/kg6°C24135m9.5m/s
20:0015%88%14J/kg6.1°C24135m9.3m/s
21:000%0%17J/kg5.9°C24131m9m/s
22:000%0%21J/kg5.8°C24127m8.7m/s
23:0015%0%24J/kg5.6°C24123m8.3m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%0%17J/kg6.1°C24127m8.3m/s
01:000%0%9.3J/kg6.7°C24131m8.3m/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 05:49 Sunset 19:06
03:00
1014hPa 4J/kg 0% 7.3°C 2% 0% 54% 0mm 70% 0mm -11dBZ -34° 2% 0mm - - 9m/s
04:00
1014hPa 8J/kg 0% 6.6°C 0% 0% 27% 0mm 71% 0.01mm -15dBZ -23° 0% 0mm - - 8.5m/s
05:00
1014hPa 40J/kg 0% 5.9°C 18% 0% 0% 0mm 75% 0.07mm -20dBZ -11° 18% 0mm 5.5m/s 7.7m/s 9.3m/s
06:00
1014hPa 13J/kg 0% 6.6°C 15% 0% 19% 0mm 71% 0.01mm -19dBZ 1.7° 15% 0.06mm - - 10m/s
07:00
1014hPa 12J/kg 0% 6.9°C 5% 0% 37% 0mm 71% 0.01mm -19dBZ 15° 5% 0.06mm - - 10m/s
08:00
1015hPa 2J/kg 0% 7.2°C 6% 0% 56% 0mm 69% 0mm -19dBZ 28° 6% 0.06mm 8.2m/s 8m/s 9.3m/s
09:00
1015hPa 5J/kg 0% 6.8°C 0% 0% 63% 0mm 68% 0mm -19dBZ 42° 0% 0mm - - 8.2m/s
10:00
1015hPa 14J/kg 0% 6.6°C 2% 0% 69% 0mm 70% 0.02mm -19dBZ 56° 2% 0mm - - 9.8m/s
11:00
1015hPa 11J/kg 0% 7°C 1% 0% 76% 0mm 68% 0.01mm -19dBZ 69° 1% 0mm 8.3m/s 9m/s 9.7m/s
12:00
1015hPa 19J/kg 0% 6.4°C 1% 0% 83% 0mm 70% 0.03mm -11dBZ 83° 1% 0.06mm - - 9.9m/s
13:00
1015hPa 31J/kg 0% 5.8°C 5% 0% 90% 0mm 73% 0.09mm -2.9dBZ 83° 5% 0.13mm - - 9.7m/s
14:00
1014hPa 18J/kg 0% 6.1°C 2% 0% 96% 0mm 71% 0.08mm 5.4dBZ 69° 2% 0.19mm 6.5m/s 8.3m/s 9.3m/s
15:00
1014hPa 29J/kg 0% 6.1°C 12% 0% 81% 0.01mm 73% 0.09mm 5.5dBZ 55° 12% 0.06mm - - 9.6m/s
16:00
1014hPa 55J/kg 0% 5.3°C 96% 0% 66% 0.01mm 78% 0.64mm 5.6dBZ 41° 96% 0.38mm - - 10m/s
17:00
1014hPa 66J/kg 0% 5.1°C 97% 0% 52% 0.01mm 79% 0.42mm 5.7dBZ 27° 97% 0.88mm 7.9m/s 9.6m/s 11m/s
18:00
1014hPa 69J/kg 0% 5.3°C 52% 0% 56% 0mm 78% 0.42mm 5dBZ 14° 52% 1.3mm - - 10m/s
19:00
1015hPa 56J/kg 0% 5.5°C 96% 0% 60% 0mm 78% 0.63mm 4.3dBZ 1.1° 96% 1.7mm - - 10m/s
20:00
1015hPa 65J/kg 0% 5.5°C 42% 0% 64% 0mm 77% 0.48mm 3.7dBZ -12° 42% 2mm 7.7m/s 8.5m/s 11m/s
21:00
1016hPa 56J/kg 0% 5.4°C 49% 0% 50% 0mm 78% 0.63mm 2.5dBZ -24° 49% 0.25mm - - 10m/s
22:00
1016hPa 55J/kg 6% 5.7°C 40% 0% 36% 0mm 76% 0.37mm 1.2dBZ -34° 40% 0.56mm - - 10m/s
23:00
1016hPa 36J/kg 5% 6.5°C 58% 0% 22% 0mm 74% 0.1mm -0.03dBZ -42° 58% 0.69mm 5.2m/s 8.4m/s 10m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 05:49 Sunset 19:07
24:00
1016hPa 31J/kg 0% 7.2°C 40% 0% 28% 0mm 73% 0.02mm -2.4dBZ -47° 40% 0.69mm - - 9.6m/s
01:00
1015hPa 28J/kg 0% 7.4°C 31% 0% 33% 0mm 73% 0.03mm -4.8dBZ -47° 31% 0.75mm - - 9.5m/s
02:00
1014hPa 33J/kg 0% 7.6°C 23% 0% 39% 0mm 73% 0.04mm -7.2dBZ -42° 23% 0.75mm 4.9m/s 2.8m/s 9.3m/s
03:00
1014hPa 31J/kg 5% 7.2°C 35% 0% 34% 0mm 74% 0.04mm -11dBZ -34° 35% 0mm - - 9.3m/s
04:00
1014hPa 31J/kg 0% 7°C 46% 0% 29% 0mm 74% 0.04mm -15dBZ -23° 46% 0.06mm - - 8.9m/s
05:00
1014hPa 19J/kg 5% 7.2°C 40% 0% 24% 0mm 73% 0.03mm -19dBZ -11° 40% 0.06mm 5m/s 3.1m/s 8.4m/s
06:00
1014hPa 4J/kg 5% 7.7°C 9% 0% 29% 0mm 71% 0.01mm -17dBZ 1.7° 13% 0.13mm - - 9m/s
07:00
1015hPa 5J/kg 0% 8°C 9% 0% 34% 0mm 70% 0mm -14dBZ 15° 9% 0.13mm - - 8.5m/s
08:00
1016hPa 12J/kg 13% 7.8°C 6% 0% 39% 0mm 69% 0.02mm -12dBZ 28° 13% 0.13mm 2.3m/s 3.9m/s 8.2m/s
09:00
1016hPa 20J/kg 4% 7.3°C 3% 0% 31% 0mm 70% 0.04mm -14dBZ 42° 6% 0mm - - 9.1m/s
10:00
1016hPa 28J/kg 3% 6.9°C 10% 0% 24% 0mm 69% 0.1mm -17dBZ 56° 10% 0.06mm - - 8.5m/s
11:00
1016hPa 18J/kg 100% 7.1°C 2% 0% 16% 0mm 69% 0.09mm -19dBZ 69° 100% 0.13mm 2.5m/s 4.4m/s 8.4m/s
12:00
1016hPa 37J/kg 100% 6.3°C 3% 0% 27% 0mm 71% 0.08mm -15dBZ 83° 100% 0.19mm - - 7.9m/s
13:00
1015hPa 39J/kg 100% 6.3°C 10% 0% 39% 0mm 73% 0.09mm -11dBZ 83° 100% 0.25mm - - 8.8m/s
14:00
1015hPa 36J/kg 100% 6.2°C 11% 0% 50% 0mm 74% 0.03mm -6.7dBZ 69° 100% 0.31mm 3.5m/s 5m/s 8.3m/s
15:00
1015hPa 44J/kg 100% 5.7°C 48% 0% 52% 0mm 78% 0.28mm -3.1dBZ 55° 100% 0.25mm - - 8m/s
16:00
1014hPa 24J/kg 57% 5.9°C 12% 0% 54% 0mm 72% 0.13mm 0.42dBZ 41° 57% 0.38mm - - 8.5m/s
17:00
1015hPa 10J/kg 0% 6.4°C 15% 0% 56% 0mm 71% 0.03mm 4dBZ 27° 15% 0.44mm 3.4m/s 5.2m/s 8.7m/s
18:00
1015hPa 13J/kg 12% 6.4°C 24% 0% 65% 0mm 70% 0.07mm -3.8dBZ 14° 28% 0.44mm - - 8.2m/s
19:00
1015hPa 13J/kg 100% 6.7°C 12% 0% 73% 0mm 71% 0.05mm -12dBZ 1.2° 100% 0.5mm - - 9.5m/s
20:00
1016hPa 11J/kg 6% 6.7°C 5% 0% 82% 0mm 71% 0.03mm -19dBZ -12° 9% 0.56mm 3.5m/s 7.2m/s 9.1m/s
21:00
1017hPa 9J/kg 99% 6.6°C 3% 0% 82% 0mm 71% 0.01mm -15dBZ -24° 99% 0mm - - 8.6m/s
22:00
1017hPa 9J/kg 89% 6.8°C 13% 0% 82% 0mm 71% 0.01mm -11dBZ -34° 89% 0mm - - 8.4m/s
23:00
1017hPa 13J/kg 97% 6.1°C 40% 0% 82% 0mm 73% 0.02mm -6.7dBZ -42° 97% 0mm 3.2m/s 7.7m/s 8.2m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 05:49 Sunset 19:07
24:00
1016hPa 17J/kg 100% 5.6°C 37% 0% 82% 0mm 75% 0.06mm -2.1dBZ -47° 100% 0.06mm - - 8.7m/s
01:00
1016hPa 54J/kg 100% 5°C 71% 0% 82% 0mm 76% 0.3mm 2.4dBZ -47° 100% 0.19mm - - 8.2m/s
02:00
1015hPa 44J/kg 100% 5.1°C 99% 0% 82% 0mm 76% 0.2mm 6.9dBZ -42° 100% 0.38mm 2.8m/s 6.5m/s 8.6m/s
03:00
1014hPa 19J/kg 98% 5.4°C 100% 0% 73% 0mm 74% 0.09mm 6.1dBZ -33° 100% 0.06mm - - 9m/s
04:00
1014hPa 12J/kg 20% 5.3°C 100% 0% 65% 0mm 72% 0.04mm 5.3dBZ -23° 100% 0.13mm - - 8.9m/s
05:00
1014hPa 6J/kg 6% 5.7°C 100% 0% 56% 0mm 72% 0mm 4.5dBZ -11° 100% 0.13mm 3.5m/s 7.6m/s 9.4m/s
06:00
1015hPa 5J/kg 18% 5.7°C 100% 0% 50% 0mm 71% 0.01mm 4.5dBZ 1.8° 100% 0.19mm - - 8.8m/s
07:00
1015hPa 8J/kg 72% 5.3°C 100% 0% 44% 0.02mm 72% 0.01mm 4.5dBZ 15° 100% 0.19mm - - 8.6m/s
08:00
1016hPa 14J/kg 11% 5.2°C 99% 0% 39% 0.02mm 74% 0.04mm 4.6dBZ 28° 99% 0.19mm 3.8m/s 7.8m/s 8.6m/s
09:00
1005hPa 17J/kg 7% 4.9°C 71% 0% 26% 0.01mm 73% 0.05mm 3.1dBZ 42° 71% 0.15mm - - 7.5m/s
10:00
995hPa 19J/kg 4% 4.7°C 43% 0% 13% 0.007mm 71% 0.06mm 1.6dBZ 56° 43% 0.1mm - - 6.3m/s
11:00
984hPa 22J/kg 0% 4.4°C 15% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0.07mm 0.02dBZ 69° 15% 0.06mm 2.9m/s 6.6m/s 5.2m/s
12:00
985hPa 25J/kg 3% 4.4°C 43% 0% 7% 0.01mm 74% 0.06mm -3.3dBZ 83° 43% 0.21mm - - 5.2m/s
13:00
985hPa 29J/kg 6% 4.4°C 71% 0% 15% 0.03mm 77% 0.06mm -6.6dBZ 83° 71% 0.35mm - - 5.3m/s
14:00
985hPa 32J/kg 8% 4.4°C 100% 0% 22% 0.04mm 80% 0.05mm -10dBZ 69° 100% 0.5mm 2.4m/s 8.5m/s 5.3m/s
15:00
986hPa 24J/kg 7% 4.8°C 70% 0% 30% 0.03mm 80% 0.03mm -7.3dBZ 55° 70% 0.4mm - - 5.3m/s
16:00
986hPa 16J/kg 6% 5.2°C 40% 0% 38% 0.02mm 79% 0.02mm -4.7dBZ 41° 40% 0.29mm - - 5.4m/s
17:00
986hPa 8J/kg 5% 5.7°C 10% 0% 45% 0.01mm 78% 0mm -2.1dBZ 27° 10% 0.19mm 2.4m/s 9m/s 5.5m/s
18:00
986hPa 10J/kg 11% 5.8°C 23% 0% 57% 0.01mm 79% 0.01mm 0.47dBZ 14° 23% 0.21mm - - 5.1m/s
19:00
985hPa 12J/kg 16% 6°C 35% 0% 70% 0.02mm 80% 0.02mm 3dBZ 1.2° 35% 0.23mm - - 4.8m/s
20:00
984hPa 14J/kg 22% 6.1°C 48% 0% 82% 0.02mm 80% 0.03mm 5.5dBZ -12° 48% 0.25mm 5.4m/s 13m/s 4.5m/s
21:00
984hPa 17J/kg 14% 5.9°C 64% 2% 72% 0.02mm 80% 0.04mm -2.8dBZ -23° 64% 0.25mm - - 4.3m/s
22:00
984hPa 21J/kg 7% 5.8°C 81% 3% 63% 0.02mm 80% 0.04mm -11dBZ -34° 81% 0.25mm - - 4.1m/s
23:00
984hPa 24J/kg 0% 5.6°C 98% 5% 53% 0.02mm 80% 0.05mm -19dBZ -42° 98% 0.25mm 5.2m/s 11m/s 3.9m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 05:49 Sunset 19:08
24:00
984hPa 17J/kg 0% 6.1°C 70% 3% 48% 0.01mm 75% 0.03mm -14dBZ -47° 70% 0.27mm - - 4.3m/s
01:00
985hPa 9.3J/kg 0% 6.7°C 41% 2% 43% 0.007mm 71% 0.02mm -9.5dBZ -46° 41% 0.29mm - - 4.7m/s
02:00
985hPa 2J/kg 0% 7.2°C 13% 0% 39% 0mm 66% 0mm -4.5dBZ -42° 13% 0.31mm 4.7m/s 11m/s 5.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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