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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 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 85% failing
CAPE 78% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover0%
Wind Gusts2.2m/s
Precipitation Chance90%
Air Pressure1002.7hPa
CAPE699
Lifted Index-3.7°C
Wind Gusts2.2m/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, Feb 21
09:000%48%187J/kg-0.4°C24135m3m/s
10:000%55%218J/kg-1.1°C6753m3.7m/s
11:0029%41%290J/kg-1.2°C9187m3.8m/s
12:0021%66%348J/kg-1.3°C6395m3.1m/s
13:0019%68%273J/kg-0.9°C21197m2.8m/s
14:0028%58%176J/kg-0.7°C21925m2.3m/s
15:000%67%27J/kg0.4°C24135m3.4m/s
16:000%80%44J/kg-0.1°C16846m3.6m/s
17:000%99%69J/kg-0.5°C11692m3.7m/s
18:0016%70%112J/kg-0.9°C11091m4.4m/s
19:0016%68%130J/kg-1°C10540m4.8m/s
20:0013%15%170J/kg-1.3°C22373m5.1m/s
21:000%15%141J/kg-0.2°C12032m2.9m/s
22:000%15%167J/kg-0.9°C24134m2.6m/s
23:000%15%166J/kg-1.1°C24135m1.7m/s
Sun, Feb 22
24:000%15%157J/kg-0.9°C24135m1.2m/s
01:000%12%193J/kg-1.2°C24135m0.6m/s
02:009.8%14%207J/kg-1°C24134m0.4m/s
03:000%13%446J/kg-2.5°C24135m2.1m/s
04:000%13%480J/kg-2.8°C24135m2.1m/s
05:0017%13%524J/kg-3°C24135m2.3m/s
06:000%12%571J/kg-3.2°C24135m2.2m/s
07:000%25%624J/kg-3.3°C24135m2.1m/s
08:000%24%650J/kg-3.4°C24135m2.3m/s
09:000%23%699J/kg-3.7°C24134m2.2m/s
10:000%34%696J/kg-3.5°C24134m1.9m/s
11:000%42%686J/kg-3.4°C24135m1.9m/s
12:000%48%695J/kg-3.3°C24135m2.2m/s
13:000%48%692J/kg-3.2°C24135m1.6m/s
14:0017%48%687J/kg-3.6°C24135m1.2m/s
15:0015%52%699J/kg-3.8°C24135m1.3m/s
16:000%84%644J/kg-3.7°C20357m1.7m/s
17:0019%75%599J/kg-3.4°C24135m1.1m/s
18:0016%79%500J/kg-2.9°C7997m2m/s
19:0011%86%435J/kg-2.4°C24135m3.1m/s
20:0025%15%398J/kg-2.3°C14457m4.1m/s
21:000%15%369J/kg-1.9°C23876m4.5m/s
22:000%15%308J/kg-1.6°C23912m4.7m/s
23:000%14%273J/kg-1.4°C24135m4.8m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:000%14%246J/kg-1.6°C24134m5.3m/s
01:000%15%250J/kg-1.6°C13632m5.3m/s
02:000%15%224J/kg-1.6°C24135m6.5m/s
03:0016%15%263J/kg-1.5°C13589m7.1m/s
04:0020%15%304J/kg-1.4°C9617m7.7m/s
05:0030%15%250J/kg-1.5°C11938m8.6m/s
06:0018%15%225J/kg-1.3°C11184m9m/s
07:000%42%196J/kg-0.9°C10495m9.2m/s
08:0023%40%171J/kg-0.7°C10637m9.1m/s
09:000%56%101J/kg-0.3°C9298m8.8m/s
10:0013%36%98J/kg0.2°C23920m8.8m/s
11:0037%27%90J/kg0.7°C11622m8.9m/s
12:0022%28%117J/kg0.2°C11994m9.2m/s
13:0022%38%159J/kg-0.6°C13617m9.4m/s
14:0028%30%180J/kg-1.1°C15350m9.8m/s
15:0013%29%184J/kg-1.5°C23694m10m/s
16:000%55%209J/kg-1.5°C21599m11m/s
17:0014%61%209J/kg-1.6°C23932m10m/s
18:000%69%240J/kg-1.8°C24135m9.6m/s
19:000%69%290J/kg-1.9°C24135m9.6m/s
20:0014%9.4%350J/kg-2.1°C24135m9.5m/s
21:000%9.4%346J/kg-2.4°C24134m9.7m/s
22:000%14%264J/kg-2.2°C20772m9.9m/s
23:000%12%185J/kg-0.5°C13676m9.6m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:000%14%129J/kg0.4°C15119m8.7m/s
01:000%15%125J/kg1.1°C24134m8.2m/s
02:0015%14%112J/kg0.9°C22218m8.2m/s
03:000%15%91J/kg0.8°C15064m7.9m/s
04:000%15%49J/kg0.8°C22390m8.1m/s
05:000%13%11J/kg1.5°C24135m8.3m/s
06:000%12%4J/kg1.7°C24134m9m/s
07:000%67%0J/kg1.6°C24135m9m/s
08:000%64%1J/kg1.8°C24135m8.2m/s
09:000%55%0J/kg1.8°C24134m7.8m/s
10:000%49%0J/kg1.8°C24134m7.9m/s
11:000%45%0J/kg1.6°C24134m7.6m/s
12:000%50%5J/kg1.2°C24134m7.4m/s
13:000%48%10J/kg1.2°C24134m7.4m/s
14:000%49%11J/kg1°C24135m7.7m/s
15:000%37%13J/kg2.3°C24135m7.6m/s
16:000%40%16J/kg3.5°C24135m7.5m/s
17:0017%31%18J/kg4.8°C24135m7.4m/s
18:000%43%16J/kg5.1°C24135m7.1m/s
19:000%37%15J/kg5.3°C24135m6.9m/s
20:0015%0%13J/kg5.6°C24135m6.6m/s
21:000%0%11J/kg6°C24135m7m/s
22:000%0%8.3J/kg6.5°C24135m7.4m/s
23:0017%0%6J/kg6.9°C24135m7.8m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:000%0%5.3J/kg7.4°C24135m7.1m/s
01:000%0%4.7J/kg7.9°C24135m6.4m/s
02:0014%0%4J/kg8.3°C24135m5.8m/s
03:000%0%2.7J/kg8.6°C24135m5.6m/s
04:000%0%1.3J/kg8.9°C24135m5.5m/s
05:0017%0%0J/kg9.2°C24135m5.3m/s
06:000%0%0J/kg9.5°C24135m4.7m/s
07:000%39%0J/kg9.8°C24135m4.2m/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, Feb 22 Sunrise 06:57 Sunset 18:32
09:00
1003hPa 699J/kg 0% -3.7°C 0% 0% 90% 0mm 79% 0mm -13dBZ 27° 0% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
10:00
1003hPa 696J/kg 0% -3.5°C 10% 0% 90% 0mm 75% 0.23mm -6.3dBZ 39° 10% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
11:00
1003hPa 686J/kg 0% -3.4°C 22% 0% 90% 0mm 72% 0.01mm 0.52dBZ 50° 22% 0.13mm 7.7m/s 9.9m/s 1.7m/s
12:00
1002hPa 695J/kg 0% -3.3°C 36% 0% 91% 0.01mm 70% 0.15mm 3.9dBZ 57° 36% 0.25mm - - 1.3m/s
13:00
1002hPa 692J/kg 0% -3.2°C 55% 0% 93% 0mm 71% 0.32mm 7.4dBZ 59° 55% 0.56mm - - 0.45m/s
14:00
1001hPa 687J/kg 0% -3.6°C 47% 0% 95% 0mm 73% 0.15mm 11dBZ 54° 47% 0.94mm 9m/s 12m/s 0.38m/s
15:00
1001hPa 699J/kg 3% -3.8°C 60% 0% 94% 0mm 73% 0.53mm 8.9dBZ 44° 60% 0.38mm - - 0.39m/s
16:00
1001hPa 644J/kg 45% -3.7°C 70% 7% 94% 0mm 73% 0.22mm 7dBZ 33° 70% 0.75mm - - 0.82m/s
17:00
1001hPa 599J/kg 87% -3.4°C 53% 78% 94% 0mm 73% 0.28mm 5.2dBZ 20° 87% 1.1mm 7.7m/s 13m/s 0.41m/s
18:00
1002hPa 500J/kg 74% -2.9°C 28% 91% 94% 0mm 76% 0.98mm -3.1dBZ 6.8° 92% 1.9mm - - 2.2m/s
19:00
1003hPa 435J/kg 16% -2.4°C 14% 99% 94% 0mm 80% 0.22mm -11dBZ -7° 99% 2.4mm - - 3.1m/s
20:00
1004hPa 398J/kg 5% -2.3°C 9% 75% 94% 0mm 82% 0.23mm -20dBZ -21° 75% 2.5mm 7.6m/s 13m/s 3.9m/s
21:00
1004hPa 369J/kg 5% -1.9°C 9% 16% 93% 0mm 82% 0.19mm -20dBZ -35° 16% 0.13mm - - 4m/s
22:00
1005hPa 308J/kg 7% -1.6°C 3% 7% 91% 0mm 83% 0.12mm -20dBZ -49° 9% 0.25mm - - 4.4m/s
23:00
1005hPa 273J/kg 54% -1.4°C 6% 24% 90% 0mm 83% 0.01mm -20dBZ -62° 54% 0.31mm 7.6m/s 8.7m/s 4.5m/s
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 06:56 Sunset 18:32
24:00
1004hPa 246J/kg 6% -1.6°C 16% 10% 92% 0mm 84% 0.02mm -20dBZ -74° 21% 0.31mm - - 4.7m/s
01:00
1005hPa 250J/kg 5% -1.6°C 60% 5% 94% 0mm 85% 0.32mm -20dBZ -78° 60% 0.5mm - - 4.7m/s
02:00
1004hPa 224J/kg 0% -1.6°C 93% 74% 96% 0.01mm 84% 0.07mm -20dBZ -69° 94% 0.69mm 9.6m/s 9.9m/s 5.2m/s
03:00
1004hPa 263J/kg 0% -1.5°C 100% 39% 90% 0.02mm 84% 0.71mm -20dBZ -56° 100% 0.31mm - - 5.9m/s
04:00
1004hPa 304J/kg 0% -1.4°C 96% 5% 84% 0mm 84% 0.92mm -19dBZ -42° 96% 0.88mm - - 6.1m/s
05:00
1004hPa 250J/kg 0% -1.5°C 74% 4% 79% 0mm 83% 0.51mm -19dBZ -28° 74% 1.3mm 10m/s 12m/s 6.8m/s
06:00
1005hPa 225J/kg 0% -1.3°C 92% 3% 79% 0.01mm 83% 0.64mm -11dBZ -14° 92% 1.8mm - - 7.1m/s
07:00
1005hPa 196J/kg 0% -0.9°C 98% 2% 79% 0mm 81% 1.1mm -2.8dBZ 0.49° 98% 2.4mm - - 7.5m/s
08:00
1006hPa 171J/kg 0% -0.7°C 96% 0% 79% 0.01mm 81% 1mm 5.3dBZ 14° 96% 3.4mm 8.8m/s 16m/s 7.4m/s
09:00
1006hPa 101J/kg 0% -0.3°C 59% 0% 63% 0mm 79% 1.1mm 1.3dBZ 27° 59% 1.4mm - - 7.4m/s
10:00
1007hPa 98J/kg 0% 0.2°C 93% 1% 48% 0mm 76% 0.36mm -2.7dBZ 39° 93% 2.3mm - - 8.2m/s
11:00
1007hPa 90J/kg 0% 0.7°C 98% 3% 32% 0mm 75% 0.56mm -6.7dBZ 50° 98% 2.9mm 8.9m/s 19m/s 8.5m/s
12:00
1006hPa 117J/kg 0% 0.2°C 99% 4% 32% 0mm 77% 0.66mm -4.6dBZ 57° 99% 3.3mm - - 9m/s
13:00
1006hPa 159J/kg 0% -0.6°C 84% 8% 33% 0mm 79% 0.79mm -2.5dBZ 59° 84% 3.9mm - - 9.1m/s
14:00
1005hPa 180J/kg 0% -1.1°C 85% 5% 33% 0mm 79% 0.37mm -0.39dBZ 54° 85% 4.3mm 3.9m/s 17m/s 9.2m/s
15:00
1005hPa 184J/kg 0% -1.5°C 98% 5% 35% 0mm 76% 0.36mm -0.17dBZ 45° 98% 0.31mm - - 9.8m/s
16:00
1005hPa 209J/kg 0% -1.5°C 97% 20% 37% 0mm 77% 0.39mm 0.04dBZ 33° 97% 0.56mm - - 9.8m/s
17:00
1005hPa 209J/kg 0% -1.6°C 92% 74% 39% 0mm 76% 0.21mm 0.26dBZ 20° 95% 0.81mm 6.2m/s 13m/s 9.5m/s
18:00
1006hPa 240J/kg 0% -1.8°C 78% 94% 41% 0mm 76% 0.02mm -3.9dBZ 6.9° 94% 0.88mm - - 8.8m/s
19:00
1006hPa 290J/kg 0% -1.9°C 84% 47% 44% 0mm 76% 0.01mm -8dBZ -6.9° 84% 0.88mm - - 8.5m/s
20:00
1007hPa 350J/kg 0% -2.1°C 90% 42% 46% 0mm 76% 0.03mm -12dBZ -21° 90% 0.88mm 9.1m/s 11m/s 8.5m/s
21:00
1008hPa 346J/kg 0% -2.4°C 92% 12% 44% 0mm 76% 0.06mm -12dBZ -35° 92% 0mm - - 8.8m/s
22:00
1008hPa 264J/kg 0% -2.2°C 98% 3% 41% 0mm 78% 0.21mm -12dBZ -49° 98% 0.19mm - - 8.9m/s
23:00
1008hPa 185J/kg 0% -0.5°C 66% 0% 39% 0mm 79% 0.35mm -13dBZ -62° 66% 0.44mm 9m/s 9.4m/s 8.6m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 06:55 Sunset 18:33
24:00
1008hPa 129J/kg 0% 0.4°C 64% 0% 43% 0mm 79% 0.27mm -15dBZ -74° 64% 0.81mm - - 7.3m/s
01:00
1007hPa 125J/kg 0% 1.1°C 58% 0% 48% 0mm 79% 0.2mm -18dBZ -77° 58% 1.2mm - - 6.5m/s
02:00
1007hPa 112J/kg 0% 0.9°C 85% 0% 52% 0mm 79% 0.08mm -20dBZ -68° 85% 1.5mm 11m/s 12m/s 6.4m/s
03:00
1007hPa 91J/kg 0% 0.8°C 92% 0% 56% 0mm 79% 0.39mm -20dBZ -55° 92% 0.13mm - - 6.4m/s
04:00
1006hPa 49J/kg 0% 0.8°C 83% 0% 60% 0mm 80% 0.45mm -20dBZ -42° 83% 0.38mm - - 6.5m/s
05:00
1007hPa 11J/kg 0% 1.5°C 49% 0% 63% 0mm 77% 0.05mm -19dBZ -28° 49% 0.44mm 11m/s 17m/s 6.9m/s
06:00
1007hPa 4J/kg 0% 1.7°C 25% 0% 67% 0mm 74% 0.01mm -8.7dBZ -14° 25% 0.5mm - - 7.6m/s
07:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.6°C 35% 0% 71% 0mm 72% 0mm 1.9dBZ 0.64° 35% 0.5mm - - 7.8m/s
08:00
1008hPa 1J/kg 0% 1.8°C 48% 0% 74% 0mm 70% 0mm 13dBZ 14° 48% 0.5mm 14m/s 19m/s 7.6m/s
09:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.8°C 39% 0% 77% 0mm 66% 0mm 9.9dBZ 27° 39% 0mm - - 7.6m/s
10:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.8°C 27% 0% 79% 0mm 64% 0mm 7.3dBZ 39° 27% 0mm - - 7.8m/s
11:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.6°C 21% 0% 82% 0mm 64% 0mm 4.7dBZ 50° 21% 0mm 12m/s 20m/s 7.7m/s
12:00
1008hPa 5J/kg 0% 1.2°C 36% 0% 82% 0mm 67% 0.01mm -0.06dBZ 58° 36% 0mm - - 7.7m/s
13:00
1008hPa 10J/kg 0% 1.2°C 51% 0% 83% 0mm 68% 0.01mm -4.8dBZ 59° 51% 0mm - - 7.7m/s
14:00
1007hPa 11J/kg 0% 1°C 58% 0% 83% 0mm 68% 0.02mm -9.5dBZ 54° 58% 0.06mm 9.2m/s 17m/s 7.7m/s
15:00
999hPa 13J/kg 0% 2.3°C 43% 0% 83% 0mm 72% 0.02mm -6.4dBZ 45° 43% 0.08mm - - 6.2m/s
16:00
991hPa 16J/kg 0% 3.5°C 29% 0% 82% 0mm 75% 0.03mm -3.3dBZ 33° 29% 0.1mm - - 4.7m/s
17:00
984hPa 18J/kg 0% 4.8°C 15% 0% 82% 0mm 79% 0.03mm -0.19dBZ 20° 15% 0.13mm 8.6m/s 17m/s 3.3m/s
18:00
984hPa 16J/kg 0% 5.1°C 16% 0% 82% 0.007mm 80% 0.03mm -1.5dBZ 16% 0.15mm - - 3.1m/s
19:00
983hPa 15J/kg 0% 5.3°C 18% 0% 82% 0.01mm 81% 0.02mm -2.8dBZ -6.8° 18% 0.17mm - - 3m/s
20:00
983hPa 13J/kg 0% 5.6°C 20% 0% 83% 0.02mm 82% 0.02mm -4dBZ -21° 20% 0.19mm 7.6m/s 17m/s 2.8m/s
21:00
983hPa 11J/kg 1% 6°C 39% 0% 70% 0.02mm 80% 0.01mm -6.7dBZ -35° 39% 0.15mm - - 3.1m/s
22:00
983hPa 8.3J/kg 2% 6.5°C 59% 0% 58% 0.01mm 78% 0.007mm -9.3dBZ -49° 59% 0.1mm - - 3.3m/s
23:00
982hPa 6J/kg 3% 6.9°C 78% 0% 45% 0.01mm 77% 0mm -12dBZ -62° 78% 0.06mm 11m/s 17m/s 3.6m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 06:55 Sunset 18:33
24:00
983hPa 5.3J/kg 2% 7.4°C 85% 0% 43% 0.007mm 74% 0mm -8.5dBZ -74° 85% 0.06mm - - 3.2m/s
01:00
984hPa 4.7J/kg 2% 7.9°C 92% 0% 41% 0.003mm 71% 0mm -5dBZ -77° 92% 0.06mm - - 2.8m/s
02:00
985hPa 4J/kg 2% 8.3°C 100% 0% 39% 0mm 68% 0mm -1.5dBZ -68° 100% 0.06mm 9.6m/s 15m/s 2.4m/s
03:00
984hPa 2.7J/kg 5% 8.6°C 68% 0% 39% 0mm 63% 0mm -3.9dBZ -55° 70% 0.04mm - - 3.2m/s
04:00
984hPa 1.3J/kg 7% 8.9°C 37% 0% 39% 0mm 59% 0mm -6.3dBZ -41° 40% 0.02mm - - 4m/s
05:00
984hPa 0J/kg 10% 9.2°C 6% 0% 39% 0mm 54% 0mm -8.7dBZ -27° 11% 0mm 11m/s 20m/s 4.8m/s
06:00
983hPa 0J/kg 12% 9.5°C 4% 0% 33% 0mm 53% 0mm -12dBZ -13° 13% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
07:00
982hPa 0J/kg 14% 9.8°C 2% 0% 28% 0mm 52% 0mm -16dBZ 0.79° 15% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
08:00
982hPa 0J/kg 16% 10°C 0% 0% 22% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 16% 0mm 7.7m/s 20m/s 3.5m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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