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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
CAPE 86% failing
Cloud Drama Score 76% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts5.1m/s
Precipitation Chance92%
Air Pressure1008.1hPa
CAPE263
Lifted Index-0.9°C
Wind Gusts5.1m/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
Fri, Apr 10
09:0035%53%35J/kg-0.4°C3268m14m/s
10:0029%34%154J/kg-1.8°C22128m17m/s
11:0040%26%144J/kg-0.4°C20052m18m/s
12:0030%18%221J/kg-0.2°C16341m18m/s
13:0030%18%266J/kg-0.5°C17523m16m/s
14:0051%19%308J/kg-0.5°C5030m17m/s
15:0037%32%272J/kg-0.4°C10570m14m/s
16:0045%40%303J/kg-1.4°C2304m14m/s
17:0048%49%259J/kg-1.1°C5352m12m/s
18:0028%48%199J/kg-0.8°C20121m10m/s
19:0034%49%187J/kg-0.7°C7286m9m/s
20:000%10%100J/kg0°C6857m6.4m/s
21:000%15%95J/kg-0.3°C7533m7.9m/s
22:000%15%58J/kg-0.2°C22772m6.2m/s
23:000%14%61J/kg-0.1°C24134m5.7m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%12%185J/kg-0.2°C22087m5.7m/s
01:000%13%178J/kg-0.1°C24135m6.1m/s
02:000%14%217J/kg-0.4°C23543m5.9m/s
03:000%12%224J/kg-1.1°C24134m5.1m/s
04:000%15%285J/kg-1°C24135m4.1m/s
05:000%14%338J/kg-1°C24135m3.8m/s
06:000%60%379J/kg-1.2°C22013m3.9m/s
07:000%80%316J/kg-1.1°C23953m4.4m/s
08:000%53%228J/kg-0.7°C24135m5.6m/s
09:000%37%263J/kg-0.9°C24135m5.1m/s
10:000%27%351J/kg-1.5°C24134m4.6m/s
11:000%16%400J/kg-1.6°C24134m4.3m/s
12:000%15%467J/kg-1.8°C24134m4.6m/s
13:000%15%518J/kg-2.1°C24135m4.9m/s
14:000%15%481J/kg-1.8°C24134m4.7m/s
15:000%26%456J/kg-2.1°C24135m3.8m/s
16:000%30%429J/kg-1.6°C24135m3.5m/s
17:000%37%477J/kg-2.1°C24135m2.9m/s
18:000%35%478J/kg-2.5°C24134m1.9m/s
19:000%56%396J/kg-2°C24135m1.2m/s
20:009.1%1.1%361J/kg-2°C24134m1m/s
21:000%0%331J/kg-1.7°C24135m0.9m/s
22:000%0.2%374J/kg-1.9°C24135m1m/s
23:000%0.1%400J/kg-2.5°C24134m1m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%4.2%397J/kg-3.3°C24135m1.2m/s
01:000%0.1%381J/kg-3.8°C24135m1.4m/s
02:000%3.9%319J/kg-2.4°C23848m1.6m/s
03:000%3.2%256J/kg-1.7°C21583m2.6m/s
04:0020%1.2%172J/kg-1.2°C4349m2.9m/s
05:0040%1%172J/kg-1.2°C6552m4.4m/s
06:0023%63%143J/kg-0.9°C19826m3.8m/s
07:0026%63%160J/kg-0.9°C7105m4.5m/s
08:0039%58%135J/kg-0.7°C5612m3.2m/s
09:0016%59%131J/kg-0.5°C5171m3.1m/s
10:0040%40%120J/kg-0.2°C4833m3.5m/s
11:0053%22%105J/kg-0.1°C4507m4.6m/s
12:0023%22%73J/kg0.3°C6722m4.7m/s
13:000%22%55J/kg0.5°C7452m4.3m/s
14:0028%22%39J/kg0.6°C9019m3.2m/s
15:000%40%38J/kg0.9°C10090m3.3m/s
16:000%48%56J/kg1.1°C10706m3.6m/s
17:0018%57%60J/kg1.1°C24135m4.7m/s
18:000%57%41J/kg1.4°C24092m4.4m/s
19:000%62%49J/kg1.3°C14482m4.1m/s
20:0038%0%9J/kg1.4°C8092m3m/s
21:0016%0%43J/kg1.4°C9889m3.4m/s
22:0017%0%77J/kg0.4°C8087m4.6m/s
23:0033%0%87J/kg-0.2°C11455m5m/s
Mon, Apr 13
24:0021%0%91J/kg-0.1°C7460m4.5m/s
01:000%0%69J/kg-0.1°C8654m3.4m/s
02:0024%0%75J/kg0.3°C8130m3.6m/s
03:000%0%102J/kg0.1°C12472m4.3m/s
04:0020%0%137J/kg-0.2°C4469m3.4m/s
05:0024%0%79J/kg-0.3°C5250m3.6m/s
06:000%62%49J/kg0.4°C16446m5.3m/s
07:000%59%38J/kg0.3°C23767m4.6m/s
08:0046%58%62J/kg0.4°C4784m5.9m/s
09:000%51%61J/kg0.3°C23069m4.6m/s
10:000%58%65J/kg0.7°C23677m4.7m/s
11:0015%29%56J/kg0°C24134m5.5m/s
12:000%28%67J/kg0.3°C24135m6.4m/s
13:000%34%65J/kg0.3°C24135m6.7m/s
14:0013%51%136J/kg0.5°C24134m6.5m/s
15:000%69%148J/kg0.18°C24134m4.8m/s
16:000%57%160J/kg-0.13°C24135m3m/s
17:0012%55%172J/kg-0.45°C24135m1.3m/s
18:000%55%160J/kg-0.34°C24135m1.8m/s
19:000%62%149J/kg-0.24°C24135m2.2m/s
20:0013%0%137J/kg-0.14°C24135m2.7m/s
21:000%0%113J/kg-0.15°C24135m2.7m/s
22:000%0%90J/kg-0.16°C24135m2.8m/s
23:0014%0%66J/kg-0.17°C24135m2.8m/s
Tue, Apr 14
24:000%0%93J/kg-0.57°C24135m2.5m/s
01:000%0%120J/kg-0.97°C24135m2.1m/s
02:0013%0%147J/kg-1.4°C24135m1.8m/s
03:000%0%166J/kg-1.4°C24135m2.2m/s
04:000%0%184J/kg-1.4°C24135m2.6m/s
05:0013%0%203J/kg-1.4°C24135m3m/s
06:000%62%208J/kg-1.3°C24026m2.9m/s
07:000%57%213J/kg-1.2°C23917m2.7m/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
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:15 Sunset 18:49
09:00
1008hPa 263J/kg 100% -0.9°C 51% 0% 92% 0mm 82% 0.04mm -1.2dBZ 37° 100% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
10:00
1008hPa 351J/kg 96% -1.5°C 35% 0% 94% 0mm 82% 0.05mm 7.1dBZ 51° 96% 0.06mm - - 3.3m/s
11:00
1008hPa 400J/kg 100% -1.6°C 24% 0% 96% 0mm 81% 0.02mm 15dBZ 64° 100% 0.13mm 13m/s 10m/s 3.3m/s
12:00
1008hPa 467J/kg 100% -1.8°C 30% 0% 96% 0mm 80% 0.04mm 16dBZ 75° 100% 0.19mm - - 3.6m/s
13:00
1007hPa 518J/kg 100% -2.1°C 25% 0% 97% 0mm 81% 0.12mm 17dBZ 76° 100% 0.25mm - - 4m/s
14:00
1007hPa 481J/kg 100% -1.8°C 25% 0% 97% 0mm 80% 0.09mm 18dBZ 65° 100% 0.56mm 12m/s 12m/s 3.9m/s
15:00
1006hPa 456J/kg 100% -2.1°C 16% 0% 83% 0mm 79% 0.07mm 21dBZ 52° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.2m/s
16:00
1006hPa 429J/kg 100% -1.6°C 18% 5% 69% 0mm 78% 0.05mm 24dBZ 39° 100% 0.13mm - - 3.1m/s
17:00
1007hPa 477J/kg 100% -2.1°C 18% 0% 56% 0mm 79% 0.02mm 27dBZ 25° 100% 0.25mm 8.2m/s 12m/s 2.6m/s
18:00
1007hPa 478J/kg 100% -2.5°C 13% 5% 66% 0mm 79% 0.01mm 17dBZ 11° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.9m/s
19:00
1007hPa 396J/kg 91% -2°C 3% 66% 76% 0mm 81% 0.03mm 6.9dBZ -3.1° 91% 0.81mm - - 1.2m/s
20:00
1008hPa 361J/kg 97% -2°C 2% 95% 86% 0mm 83% 0.01mm -3.1dBZ -17° 97% 1.4mm 6m/s 12m/s 0.9m/s
21:00
1008hPa 331J/kg 100% -1.7°C 0% 91% 88% 0mm 83% 0.01mm -2.8dBZ -30° 100% 0.19mm - - 0.77m/s
22:00
1008hPa 374J/kg 100% -1.9°C 13% 100% 91% 0mm 84% 0mm -2.5dBZ -42° 100% 0.19mm - - 0.96m/s
23:00
1008hPa 400J/kg 100% -2.5°C 75% 100% 93% 0mm 85% 0.03mm -2.2dBZ -52° 100% 0.19mm 5.4m/s 12m/s 0.96m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:14 Sunset 18:49
24:00
1008hPa 397J/kg 99% -3.3°C 32% 39% 95% 0mm 86% 0mm 2.1dBZ -59° 99% 0.19mm - - 1.2m/s
01:00
1008hPa 381J/kg 100% -3.8°C 0% 100% 96% 0mm 86% 0mm 6.4dBZ -59° 100% 0.38mm - - 1.2m/s
02:00
1007hPa 319J/kg 77% -2.4°C 4% 100% 98% 0mm 86% 0.34mm 11dBZ -53° 100% 0.75mm 4.4m/s 12m/s 1.3m/s
03:00
1007hPa 256J/kg 100% -1.7°C 42% 100% 99% 0.03mm 86% 1.4mm 18dBZ -43° 100% 0.88mm - - 2.1m/s
04:00
1006hPa 172J/kg 82% -1.2°C 89% 100% 99% 0.21mm 87% 2.4mm 25dBZ -31° 100% 2.9mm - - 2.7m/s
05:00
1007hPa 172J/kg 100% -1.2°C 50% 100% 99% 0.11mm 88% 1.4mm 32dBZ -18° 100% 4.6mm 4.3m/s 10m/s 3.7m/s
06:00
1007hPa 143J/kg 100% -0.9°C 67% 100% 99% 0.07mm 89% 1.2mm 34dBZ -4.1° 100% 6mm - - 3.2m/s
07:00
1008hPa 160J/kg 100% -0.9°C 70% 100% 100% 0.28mm 89% 1.4mm 37dBZ 9.7° 100% 7.4mm - - 3.6m/s
08:00
1008hPa 135J/kg 69% -0.7°C 99% 100% 100% 0.29mm 90% 1.6mm 40dBZ 24° 100% 8.9mm 9.8m/s 13m/s 2.6m/s
09:00
1009hPa 131J/kg 57% -0.5°C 100% 100% 99% 1.3mm 92% 1.4mm 40dBZ 38° 100% 2mm - - 2.6m/s
10:00
1009hPa 120J/kg 100% -0.2°C 100% 100% 99% 1.7mm 93% 1.1mm 40dBZ 51° 100% 4.9mm - - 2.9m/s
11:00
1009hPa 105J/kg 100% -0.1°C 100% 100% 99% 1.8mm 89% 0.97mm 41dBZ 65° 100% 7.6mm 18m/s 23m/s 3.6m/s
12:00
1009hPa 73J/kg 100% 0.3°C 100% 100% 99% 1.2mm 88% 0.46mm 34dBZ 75° 100% 10mm - - 3.3m/s
13:00
1009hPa 55J/kg 99% 0.5°C 100% 100% 99% 1.2mm 88% 0.28mm 28dBZ 76° 100% 12mm - - 3.1m/s
14:00
1008hPa 39J/kg 77% 0.6°C 90% 100% 99% 0.65mm 89% 0.2mm 21dBZ 66° 100% 13mm 21m/s 24m/s 2.4m/s
15:00
1007hPa 38J/kg 100% 0.9°C 96% 100% 94% 0.83mm 90% 0.19mm 23dBZ 52° 100% 0.88mm - - 2.5m/s
16:00
1007hPa 56J/kg 100% 1.1°C 98% 100% 89% 0.51mm 90% 0.32mm 26dBZ 39° 100% 1.6mm - - 2.8m/s
17:00
1007hPa 60J/kg 99% 1.1°C 45% 100% 84% 0.05mm 89% 0.01mm 28dBZ 25° 100% 2mm 17m/s 20m/s 4m/s
18:00
1008hPa 41J/kg 100% 1.4°C 88% 100% 86% 0.04mm 89% 0.06mm 29dBZ 11° 100% 2.2mm - - 3.9m/s
19:00
1008hPa 49J/kg 100% 1.3°C 87% 100% 89% 0.02mm 89% 0.31mm 30dBZ -3° 100% 2.3mm - - 3.7m/s
20:00
1009hPa 9J/kg 100% 1.4°C 100% 100% 91% 0.93mm 91% 0.59mm 31dBZ -17° 100% 2.9mm 16m/s 21m/s 2.4m/s
21:00
1009hPa 43J/kg 100% 1.4°C 100% 100% 85% 0.28mm 93% 0.71mm 31dBZ -30° 100% 1.9mm - - 2.6m/s
22:00
1010hPa 77J/kg 100% 0.4°C 100% 100% 79% 0.2mm 94% 0.29mm 31dBZ -42° 100% 2.6mm - - 4m/s
23:00
1009hPa 87J/kg 34% -0.2°C 100% 100% 73% 0.11mm 92% 0.47mm 30dBZ -52° 100% 3.1mm 15m/s 21m/s 4.5m/s
Mon, Apr 13 Sunrise 06:13 Sunset 18:49
24:00
1009hPa 91J/kg 42% -0.1°C 100% 100% 72% 0.82mm 93% 0.66mm 30dBZ -59° 100% 3.9mm - - 3.9m/s
01:00
1008hPa 69J/kg 99% -0.1°C 100% 100% 72% 1.4mm 95% 0.17mm 30dBZ -59° 100% 6.2mm - - 2.8m/s
02:00
1008hPa 75J/kg 10% 0.3°C 100% 100% 72% 0.56mm 94% 0.4mm 29dBZ -53° 100% 7.1mm 18m/s 18m/s 2.9m/s
03:00
1007hPa 102J/kg 54% 0.1°C 99% 100% 64% 0.62mm 94% 0.28mm 26dBZ -43° 100% 1mm - - 3.6m/s
04:00
1007hPa 137J/kg 99% -0.2°C 100% 100% 57% 3.3mm 96% 1.2mm 23dBZ -31° 100% 4.1mm - - 2.6m/s
05:00
1007hPa 79J/kg 92% -0.3°C 100% 100% 49% 2.4mm 94% 0.43mm 20dBZ -17° 100% 6.5mm 16m/s 18m/s 2.3m/s
06:00
1008hPa 49J/kg 96% 0.4°C 86% 100% 52% 0.65mm 92% 0.14mm 16dBZ -3.9° 100% 8.8mm - - 3.2m/s
07:00
1008hPa 38J/kg 91% 0.3°C 48% 100% 55% 0.03mm 90% 0.08mm 11dBZ 9.9° 100% 9.1mm - - 3.3m/s
08:00
1009hPa 62J/kg 7% 0.4°C 100% 100% 57% 0.67mm 91% 1mm 7dBZ 24° 100% 9.9mm 14m/s 15m/s 4.5m/s
09:00
1009hPa 61J/kg 85% 0.3°C 95% 100% 51% 0.09mm 92% 0.25mm 8.2dBZ 38° 100% 0.88mm - - 3.5m/s
10:00
1009hPa 65J/kg 42% 0.7°C 88% 100% 45% 0.05mm 89% 0.2mm 9.3dBZ 52° 100% 1.2mm - - 2.9m/s
11:00
1008hPa 56J/kg 74% 0°C 82% 100% 39% 0mm 87% 0mm 10dBZ 65° 100% 1.3mm 15m/s 15m/s 2.6m/s
12:00
1008hPa 67J/kg 100% 0.3°C 38% 57% 42% 0mm 83% 0mm 0.32dBZ 76° 100% 1.3mm - - 3.5m/s
13:00
1007hPa 65J/kg 12% 0.3°C 22% 100% 46% 0mm 80% 0.03mm -9.8dBZ 76° 100% 1.3mm - - 4.4m/s
14:00
1007hPa 136J/kg 39% 0.5°C 14% 55% 49% 0mm 79% 0.05mm -20dBZ 66° 55% 1.4mm 11m/s 14m/s 4.5m/s
15:00
1000hPa 148J/kg 60% 0.18°C 18% 68% 40% 0mm 84% 0.06mm -20dBZ 52° 70% 0.96mm - - 3.2m/s
16:00
992hPa 160J/kg 80% -0.13°C 22% 81% 31% 0mm 88% 0.08mm -19dBZ 39° 85% 0.54mm - - 2m/s
17:00
985hPa 172J/kg 100% -0.45°C 26% 94% 22% 0mm 92% 0.09mm -19dBZ 25° 100% 0.13mm 7.7m/s 12m/s 0.76m/s
18:00
985hPa 160J/kg 100% -0.34°C 25% 96% 31% 0.04mm 93% 0.06mm -8.8dBZ 11° 100% 0.33mm - - 0.88m/s
19:00
985hPa 149J/kg 100% -0.24°C 23% 98% 40% 0.08mm 93% 0.03mm 1.7dBZ -3° 100% 0.54mm - - 1m/s
20:00
984hPa 137J/kg 100% -0.14°C 21% 100% 49% 0.12mm 94% 0mm 12dBZ -17° 100% 0.75mm 5.2m/s 15m/s 1.1m/s
21:00
984hPa 113J/kg 100% -0.15°C 47% 100% 46% 0.08mm 93% 0mm 5.3dBZ -30° 100% 0.54mm - - 1.3m/s
22:00
983hPa 90J/kg 100% -0.16°C 74% 100% 42% 0.04mm 93% 0mm -1.7dBZ -42° 100% 0.33mm - - 1.5m/s
23:00
983hPa 66J/kg 100% -0.17°C 100% 100% 39% 0mm 93% 0mm -8.6dBZ -52° 100% 0.13mm 7.2m/s 16m/s 1.6m/s
Tue, Apr 14 Sunrise 06:13 Sunset 18:50
24:00
984hPa 93J/kg 100% -0.57°C 72% 100% 42% 0mm 92% 0.01mm 2.5dBZ -58° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.4m/s
01:00
984hPa 120J/kg 100% -0.97°C 44% 99% 46% 0mm 91% 0.03mm 14dBZ -58° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.1m/s
02:00
985hPa 147J/kg 100% -1.4°C 16% 99% 49% 0mm 91% 0.04mm 25dBZ -52° 100% 0.13mm 9.1m/s 14m/s 0.87m/s
03:00
985hPa 166J/kg 100% -1.4°C 23% 99% 58% 0.003mm 85% 0.03mm 23dBZ -42° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.4m/s
04:00
985hPa 184J/kg 100% -1.4°C 30% 100% 66% 0.007mm 79% 0.01mm 22dBZ -30° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.9m/s
05:00
985hPa 203J/kg 100% -1.4°C 37% 100% 75% 0.01mm 73% 0mm 21dBZ -17° 100% 0.13mm 5.5m/s 10m/s 2.4m/s
06:00
984hPa 208J/kg 100% -1.3°C 43% 100% 60% 0.007mm 74% 0.04mm 14dBZ -3.7° 100% 0.17mm - - 2.3m/s
07:00
984hPa 213J/kg 100% -1.2°C 50% 100% 45% 0.003mm 75% 0.08mm 7dBZ 10° 100% 0.21mm - - 2.2m/s
08:00
984hPa 218J/kg 100% -1.2°C 56% 100% 30% 0mm 75% 0.12mm 0.05dBZ 24° 100% 0.25mm 5m/s 9.6m/s 2.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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