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Rule Storm Chaser

Manoa Falls - Storm Chaser - Hawaii

Honolulu, 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 94% failing
CAPE 90% failing
Cloud Drama Score 83% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts5.4m/s
Precipitation Chance90%
Air Pressure1004.4hPa
CAPE429
Lifted Index-2.3°C
Wind Gusts5.4m/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
Tue, Apr 7
15:000%37%98J/kg-0.4°C9771m1.7m/s
16:000%18%93J/kg0.2°C24134m1.7m/s
17:0015%20%104J/kg0.6°C24135m1.9m/s
18:000%21%168J/kg0.4°C21841m2.3m/s
19:000%11%172J/kg0.9°C22150m2.5m/s
20:0016%1.4%167J/kg0.9°C24135m2.8m/s
21:000%0.5%135J/kg1.1°C24135m2.3m/s
22:000%0.1%140J/kg0.9°C24134m2.5m/s
23:0012%0%194J/kg0.7°C21689m2.9m/s
Wed, Apr 8
24:000%0%215J/kg0.7°C24134m2.6m/s
01:000%0.4%232J/kg0.6°C24135m2.8m/s
02:0013%15%229J/kg0.6°C19856m2.8m/s
03:000%15%249J/kg0.6°C24134m2.7m/s
04:000%15%341J/kg0.3°C24134m2.7m/s
05:000%15%371J/kg0.2°C24135m2.4m/s
06:000%30%356J/kg0.2°C24135m2.8m/s
07:000%27%295J/kg-0.1°C7705m2.7m/s
08:0014%29%302J/kg-0.3°C23823m2.6m/s
09:000%26%437J/kg-1°C24135m3.7m/s
10:000%24%525J/kg-1.7°C24134m4.7m/s
11:000%22%550J/kg-2.4°C24134m4.7m/s
12:000%22%494J/kg-2.4°C24135m4.9m/s
13:000%22%478J/kg-3°C24135m4.8m/s
14:000%22%482J/kg-2.9°C24135m5.2m/s
15:000%40%429J/kg-2.3°C24134m5.4m/s
16:0019%51%520J/kg-3.2°C24135m5.5m/s
17:0031%57%465J/kg-3°C8515m5.3m/s
18:0013%60%380J/kg-2°C11451m6.9m/s
19:0013%64%364J/kg-2.4°C24097m6.2m/s
20:0030%0%404J/kg-2.2°C20652m6.1m/s
21:0033%0%228J/kg-1.3°C4530m5.7m/s
22:0026%0%225J/kg-0.9°C4704m6.9m/s
23:0040%0%160J/kg-0.3°C3885m7.4m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%0%164J/kg-0.3°C5032m8.3m/s
01:000%0%130J/kg0°C5672m6.4m/s
02:0053%0%144J/kg-0.2°C3097m8m/s
03:0045%0%131J/kg0.6°C3424m8.7m/s
04:0027%0%102J/kg0.6°C6612m7.3m/s
05:0040%0%132J/kg-0.3°C12003m7.8m/s
06:0033%64%132J/kg-0.5°C8316m7.9m/s
07:000%67%209J/kg-0.9°C6977m9.9m/s
08:0042%62%92J/kg-0.1°C13163m12m/s
09:000%53%86J/kg-0.1°C14043m14m/s
10:000%43%114J/kg-0.2°C12794m14m/s
11:0029%23%96J/kg-0.1°C18862m14m/s
12:0023%24%71J/kg-0.2°C24135m13m/s
13:0024%25%76J/kg0.1°C24134m12m/s
14:0016%24%38J/kg0.1°C24135m12m/s
15:000%43%42J/kg0.6°C22424m12m/s
16:0017%53%36J/kg0.9°C23250m15m/s
17:0029%64%54J/kg0.7°C21633m16m/s
18:0027%64%105J/kg-0.3°C22100m16m/s
19:0033%71%130J/kg0.1°C8116m17m/s
20:0040%0%159J/kg-0.2°C8112m17m/s
21:0042%0%156J/kg0°C6384m17m/s
22:0036%0%122J/kg0.2°C4616m17m/s
23:0053%0%149J/kg0.5°C6108m15m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:0040%0%88J/kg0.6°C7637m16m/s
01:0043%0%68J/kg0.9°C12210m13m/s
02:0055%0%36J/kg0.9°C3300m13m/s
03:0032%0%32J/kg0°C8474m13m/s
04:0037%0%52J/kg0.6°C6486m14m/s
05:0052%0%18J/kg0.1°C1612m13m/s
06:0048%70%13J/kg0.2°C2264m15m/s
07:0067%74%63J/kg-0.3°C2013m18m/s
08:0076%68%195J/kg-0.5°C4039m17m/s
09:0046%45%324J/kg-1.2°C5587m20m/s
10:0044%42%354J/kg-1.2°C7199m21m/s
11:0058%31%396J/kg-1.1°C2029m17m/s
12:0033%31%459J/kg-0.8°C24134m14m/s
13:0033%30%464J/kg-0.6°C23019m11m/s
14:0037%27%129J/kg0.4°C24134m10m/s
15:000%24%21J/kg0.5°C24134m11m/s
16:000%31%0J/kg1°C24134m10m/s
17:000%32%0J/kg1°C24135m8.2m/s
18:000%31%2J/kg1.3°C24135m7.6m/s
19:000%24%11J/kg1.7°C24135m6.5m/s
20:0012%9.5%8J/kg1.8°C24135m5.9m/s
21:000%0%5.3J/kg3.6°C24135m4.4m/s
22:000%0%2.7J/kg5.3°C24135m2.9m/s
23:0013%0%0J/kg7.1°C24135m1.4m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%0%0J/kg7.1°C24135m1.8m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg7.1°C24135m2.2m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg7.1°C24135m2.6m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg7.2°C24135m3.1m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg7.2°C24135m3.5m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg7.2°C24135m3.9m/s
06:000%18%0J/kg6.9°C24135m3.8m/s
07:000%32%0J/kg6.5°C24135m3.6m/s
08:000%36%0J/kg6.1°C24135m3.5m/s
09:000%25%0J/kg5.7°C24135m2.8m/s
10:000%14%0J/kg5.3°C24135m2.1m/s
11:0013%6.5%0J/kg4.9°C24135m1.4m/s
12:000%6.5%0J/kg4.4°C24135m1.2m/s
13:000%6.5%0J/kg3.9°C24135m0.92m/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
Wed, Apr 8 Sunrise 06:17 Sunset 18:48
15:00
1004hPa 429J/kg 100% -2.3°C 89% 100% 90% 0.1mm 81% 0mm 27dBZ 52° 100% 0.19mm - - 3.6m/s
16:00
1004hPa 520J/kg 100% -3.2°C 43% 100% 88% 0mm 81% 0.28mm 31dBZ 38° 100% 0.25mm - - 3.4m/s
17:00
1005hPa 465J/kg 100% -3°C 75% 100% 85% 0.01mm 83% 1.7mm 36dBZ 24° 100% 0.88mm 0.84m/s 9.4m/s 4m/s
18:00
1006hPa 380J/kg 100% -2°C 98% 100% 88% 0.89mm 85% 0mm 37dBZ 10° 100% 1.8mm - - 4.6m/s
19:00
1006hPa 364J/kg 100% -2.4°C 100% 100% 91% 0.29mm 87% 0mm 38dBZ -3.4° 100% 2.4mm - - 4.1m/s
20:00
1007hPa 404J/kg 100% -2.2°C 84% 100% 94% 0.34mm 88% 1mm 39dBZ -17° 100% 3.1mm 4.8m/s 11m/s 4.1m/s
21:00
1007hPa 228J/kg 100% -1.3°C 100% 100% 88% 0.09mm 87% 2.4mm 34dBZ -30° 100% 2.3mm - - 4.4m/s
22:00
1007hPa 225J/kg 100% -0.9°C 100% 100% 82% 0.2mm 86% 2.3mm 29dBZ -43° 100% 4.8mm - - 5.1m/s
23:00
1007hPa 160J/kg 100% -0.3°C 100% 100% 76% 1.3mm 88% 2mm 25dBZ -53° 100% 7.6mm 4.7m/s 14m/s 5m/s
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:17 Sunset 18:48
24:00
1007hPa 164J/kg 100% -0.3°C 100% 100% 82% 1.1mm 89% 1.3mm 24dBZ -60° 100% 11mm - - 5.3m/s
01:00
1006hPa 130J/kg 100% 0°C 100% 100% 89% 1.8mm 89% 0.82mm 23dBZ -60° 100% 13mm - - 4.5m/s
02:00
1005hPa 144J/kg 100% -0.2°C 100% 100% 95% 4.1mm 93% 1.4mm 22dBZ -54° 100% 17mm 5m/s 19m/s 5.4m/s
03:00
1005hPa 131J/kg 100% 0.6°C 100% 100% 89% 4.1mm 93% 0.87mm 23dBZ -44° 100% 6.4mm - - 6.6m/s
04:00
1005hPa 102J/kg 100% 0.6°C 100% 100% 82% 1.6mm 92% 0.52mm 24dBZ -32° 100% 9.8mm - - 5.2m/s
05:00
1005hPa 132J/kg 100% -0.3°C 98% 100% 75% 0.22mm 91% 0.46mm 25dBZ -18° 100% 11mm 11m/s 19m/s 5.2m/s
06:00
1005hPa 132J/kg 100% -0.5°C 100% 100% 77% 0.33mm 89% 0.58mm 26dBZ -4.7° 100% 12mm - - 5.7m/s
07:00
1005hPa 209J/kg 100% -0.9°C 97% 100% 78% 0.02mm 89% 1.2mm 26dBZ 9.2° 100% 13mm - - 7m/s
08:00
1006hPa 92J/kg 100% -0.1°C 99% 100% 79% 0.45mm 84% 0.48mm 27dBZ 23° 100% 14mm 14m/s 18m/s 7.6m/s
09:00
1006hPa 86J/kg 100% -0.1°C 66% 100% 76% 0.05mm 84% 0.31mm 25dBZ 37° 100% 0.56mm - - 9.3m/s
10:00
1006hPa 114J/kg 100% -0.2°C 100% 100% 72% 0.19mm 84% 0.26mm 23dBZ 51° 100% 0.88mm - - 9.3m/s
11:00
1005hPa 96J/kg 100% -0.1°C 99% 100% 68% 0.25mm 84% 0.3mm 22dBZ 64° 100% 1.4mm 9.5m/s 16m/s 9m/s
12:00
1004hPa 71J/kg 100% -0.2°C 34% 100% 76% 0.08mm 84% 0.02mm 23dBZ 74° 100% 1.7mm - - 8m/s
13:00
1003hPa 76J/kg 100% 0.1°C 39% 100% 84% 0mm 82% 0.03mm 25dBZ 75° 100% 1.9mm - - 6.3m/s
14:00
1002hPa 38J/kg 100% 0.1°C 46% 100% 92% 0mm 80% 0mm 26dBZ 65° 100% 1.9mm 6m/s 8.8m/s 4.8m/s
15:00
1002hPa 42J/kg 100% 0.6°C 100% 100% 80% 0mm 79% 0.21mm 28dBZ 52° 100% 0.06mm - - 5.5m/s
16:00
1002hPa 36J/kg 100% 0.9°C 100% 100% 69% 0.1mm 81% 0.11mm 29dBZ 38° 100% 0.25mm - - 9.3m/s
17:00
1003hPa 54J/kg 100% 0.7°C 96% 100% 57% 0.01mm 81% 0.19mm 31dBZ 24° 100% 0.5mm 11m/s 7.4m/s 12m/s
18:00
1003hPa 105J/kg 100% -0.3°C 98% 100% 69% 0.08mm 86% 0.23mm 32dBZ 11° 100% 0.63mm - - 12m/s
19:00
1004hPa 130J/kg 100% 0.1°C 98% 100% 80% 0.82mm 90% 0.37mm 34dBZ -3.3° 100% 1.5mm - - 12m/s
20:00
1005hPa 159J/kg 100% -0.2°C 98% 100% 92% 0.74mm 91% 0.44mm 36dBZ -17° 100% 2.9mm 7.8m/s 6.5m/s 12m/s
21:00
1005hPa 156J/kg 100% 0°C 100% 100% 93% 1.6mm 92% 0.52mm 35dBZ -30° 100% 1.6mm - - 13m/s
22:00
1005hPa 122J/kg 100% 0.2°C 100% 100% 95% 2.6mm 93% 0.28mm 33dBZ -42° 100% 4.4mm - - 13m/s
23:00
1005hPa 149J/kg 100% 0.5°C 100% 100% 97% 1.3mm 93% 0.68mm 32dBZ -53° 100% 6.8mm 12m/s 11m/s 12m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:16 Sunset 18:48
24:00
1005hPa 88J/kg 100% 0.6°C 99% 100% 98% 1.3mm 91% 0.23mm 34dBZ -60° 100% 8.9mm - - 11m/s
01:00
1004hPa 68J/kg 100% 0.9°C 100% 100% 99% 0.81mm 91% 0.08mm 37dBZ -60° 100% 10mm - - 9.8m/s
02:00
1003hPa 36J/kg 100% 0.9°C 100% 100% 100% 4.7mm 94% 0.21mm 39dBZ -54° 100% 14mm 11m/s 19m/s 8.4m/s
03:00
1002hPa 32J/kg 100% 0°C 100% 100% 92% 1.4mm 93% 0.3mm 38dBZ -43° 100% 2.2mm - - 8.1m/s
04:00
1001hPa 52J/kg 100% 0.6°C 100% 100% 85% 1.9mm 94% 0.27mm 37dBZ -31° 100% 4.4mm - - 8.8m/s
05:00
1001hPa 18J/kg 100% 0.1°C 100% 100% 77% 9.5mm 96% 0.35mm 36dBZ -18° 100% 8.9mm 21m/s 18m/s 7.7m/s
06:00
1001hPa 13J/kg 100% 0.2°C 100% 98% 79% 5.9mm 95% 0.21mm 38dBZ -4.5° 100% 14mm - - 8.8m/s
07:00
1001hPa 63J/kg 100% -0.3°C 100% 96% 81% 9.6mm 95% 0.54mm 40dBZ 9.4° 100% 20mm - - 10m/s
08:00
1002hPa 195J/kg 100% -0.5°C 100% 15% 83% 2.1mm 94% 0.79mm 41dBZ 23° 100% 25mm 22m/s 18m/s 12m/s
09:00
1003hPa 324J/kg 100% -1.2°C 100% 2% 73% 1.6mm 93% 0.7mm 25dBZ 37° 100% 2.7mm - - 13m/s
10:00
1003hPa 354J/kg 100% -1.2°C 99% 0% 63% 0.56mm 92% 0.83mm 8.8dBZ 51° 100% 4.6mm - - 14m/s
11:00
1003hPa 396J/kg 100% -1.1°C 100% 0% 53% 0.07mm 95% 0.53mm -7.5dBZ 64° 100% 5.7mm 11m/s 12m/s 12m/s
12:00
1003hPa 459J/kg 100% -0.8°C 80% 0% 47% 0mm 92% 0.08mm -12dBZ 75° 100% 6.2mm - - 10m/s
13:00
1003hPa 464J/kg 100% -0.6°C 46% 0% 41% 0mm 90% 0.21mm -16dBZ 75° 100% 6.5mm - - 8m/s
14:00
1003hPa 129J/kg 100% 0.4°C 17% 0% 35% 0mm 82% 0.01mm -20dBZ 65° 100% 6.5mm 16m/s 13m/s 7.1m/s
15:00
1002hPa 21J/kg 100% 0.5°C 0% 0% 30% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 52° 100% 0mm - - 7.2m/s
16:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 100% 1°C 0% 0% 26% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 100% 0mm - - 6.7m/s
17:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 100% 1°C 0% 0% 21% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 100% 0mm 13m/s 9.3m/s 5.7m/s
18:00
1003hPa 2J/kg 100% 1.3°C 0% 0% 22% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 100% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
19:00
1004hPa 11J/kg 100% 1.7°C 0% 0% 22% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -3.2° 100% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
20:00
1004hPa 8J/kg 100% 1.8°C 0% 0% 23% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 100% 0mm 13m/s 12m/s 3.9m/s
21:00
996hPa 5.3J/kg 100% 3.6°C 0% 0% 21% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 100% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
22:00
988hPa 2.7J/kg 100% 5.3°C 0% 0% 20% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
23:00
980hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.1°C 0% 0% 18% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -53° 100% 0mm 12m/s 13m/s 1.5m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:15 Sunset 18:49
24:00
980hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.1°C 0% 0% 19% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -59° 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
01:00
981hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.1°C 0% 0% 19% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -60° 100% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
02:00
981hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.1°C 0% 0% 20% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -53° 100% 0mm 8.5m/s 9.7m/s 1.3m/s
03:00
982hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.2°C 0% 0% 19% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -43° 100% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
982hPa 0J/kg 99% 7.2°C 0% 0% 18% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -31° 99% 0mm - - 2m/s
05:00
982hPa 0J/kg 99% 7.2°C 0% 0% 17% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 99% 0mm 8m/s 9.4m/s 2.3m/s
06:00
982hPa 0J/kg 91% 6.9°C 0% 0% 19% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ -4.3° 91% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
07:00
981hPa 0J/kg 82% 6.5°C 0% 0% 21% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 9.6° 82% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
08:00
981hPa 0J/kg 74% 6.1°C 0% 0% 22% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 74% 0mm 9m/s 8.6m/s 2.1m/s
09:00
981hPa 0J/kg 81% 5.7°C 0% 0% 22% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 81% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
10:00
980hPa 0J/kg 89% 5.3°C 0% 0% 22% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 89% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
11:00
980hPa 0J/kg 96% 4.9°C 0% 0% 22% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 64° 96% 0mm 11m/s 10m/s 1.1m/s
12:00
981hPa 0J/kg 97% 4.4°C 0% 1% 26% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 75° 97% 0mm - - 0.83m/s
13:00
982hPa 0J/kg 98% 3.9°C 0% 2% 29% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 76° 98% 0mm - - 0.54m/s
14:00
982hPa 0J/kg 99% 3.4°C 0% 3% 32% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 65° 99% 0mm 14m/s 14m/s 0.25m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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