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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 93% failing
CAPE 61% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts3.7m/s
Precipitation Chance40%
Air Pressure1006.1hPa
CAPE1016
Lifted Index-4.4°C
Wind Gusts3.7m/s
Precipitation6.2mm

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 93 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
Thu, May 14
18:000%100%152J/kg-0.3°C24135m11m/s
19:000%56%176J/kg-0.1°C24134m11m/s
20:0015%14%155J/kg-0.1°C24135m10m/s
21:000%14%155J/kg0.3°C24135m9.6m/s
22:000%15%147J/kg0.4°C24134m6.7m/s
23:000%13%71J/kg0.3°C24134m5.8m/s
Fri, May 15
24:000%12%130J/kg0.1°C24135m4.8m/s
01:000%8.5%171J/kg-0.3°C23822m3.8m/s
02:0016%15%188J/kg-0.5°C24135m3.3m/s
03:000%15%201J/kg-1°C24134m2.8m/s
04:000%15%201J/kg-0.7°C9316m2.2m/s
05:0011%13%252J/kg-1.3°C23853m3.1m/s
06:000%100%384J/kg-2°C24134m2.7m/s
07:000%63%513J/kg-2.7°C8204m1.5m/s
08:0018%56%641J/kg-3.5°C24134m2.1m/s
09:000%43%937J/kg-4.3°C24134m3.6m/s
10:000%48%1154J/kg-4.3°C24134m3.5m/s
11:0029%35%1277J/kg-4.2°C24134m3.2m/s
12:000%33%1316J/kg-4.5°C24135m4.6m/s
13:000%36%1385J/kg-5°C24134m4.8m/s
14:0034%48%1358J/kg-5.3°C21205m7.1m/s
15:0040%53%1228J/kg-6.1°C4262m5.4m/s
16:000%51%1016J/kg-4.4°C13441m3.7m/s
17:000%58%1053J/kg-5.9°C14823m4.1m/s
18:000%100%1040J/kg-5.8°C22360m7.2m/s
19:0033%87%1093J/kg-5.7°C24134m9.4m/s
20:0037%15%1190J/kg-5.5°C24135m9m/s
21:000%15%1114J/kg-4.7°C24135m6.4m/s
22:000%15%1079J/kg-4.4°C24135m5m/s
23:000%15%1017J/kg-3.6°C24134m4.9m/s
Sat, May 16
24:000%15%1049J/kg-4.1°C24135m4.4m/s
01:000%15%994J/kg-4.3°C24135m4.8m/s
02:000%14%978J/kg-4.1°C24135m5.6m/s
03:000%13%991J/kg-4.1°C24134m5.8m/s
04:000%13%1067J/kg-3.8°C24135m5.6m/s
05:000%13%1102J/kg-3.8°C24134m5.1m/s
06:000%47%1094J/kg-3.7°C24134m4.5m/s
07:000%41%1092J/kg-3.5°C24134m4m/s
08:000%36%1049J/kg-3.6°C24135m3.3m/s
09:000%28%1059J/kg-3.8°C24134m3.4m/s
10:000%29%1045J/kg-3.9°C24134m3.6m/s
11:000%19%978J/kg-3.8°C24135m4.2m/s
12:000%17%932J/kg-3.7°C24134m5.2m/s
13:000%17%869J/kg-3.6°C24135m5.9m/s
14:000%25%783J/kg-3.2°C24135m6.6m/s
15:000%39%695J/kg-3°C24135m7.6m/s
16:000%38%622J/kg-3.1°C24135m7.5m/s
17:000%40%548J/kg-2.8°C24135m7.3m/s
18:000%39%512J/kg-2.5°C24135m7.3m/s
19:000%56%438J/kg-1.8°C23833m7m/s
20:0013%4.5%421J/kg-1.5°C24134m6.4m/s
21:000%3.8%415J/kg-1.2°C24134m5.3m/s
22:000%2.1%338J/kg-0.9°C24134m3.3m/s
23:000%1.9%311J/kg-0.4°C24135m1.3m/s
Sun, May 17
24:000%1.2%305J/kg-0.2°C24088m1.1m/s
01:000%1%295J/kg-0.3°C24134m0.91m/s
02:000%1.8%289J/kg-0.5°C23516m1.5m/s
03:000%2.1%308J/kg-0.4°C24135m3.1m/s
04:000%2.1%270J/kg0.1°C24135m4m/s
05:000%42%242J/kg0.2°C24134m4.6m/s
06:000%52%232J/kg0.5°C24134m5.4m/s
07:000%36%211J/kg1°C24135m5.8m/s
08:000%43%183J/kg0.9°C24135m6.4m/s
09:000%29%183J/kg0.7°C24135m6.4m/s
10:000%35%187J/kg0.9°C24134m6.3m/s
11:000%20%164J/kg0.7°C24135m6.5m/s
12:000%18%143J/kg0.9°C24134m6.2m/s
13:000%15%115J/kg0.8°C24134m6.3m/s
14:000%16%136J/kg0.6°C24135m6.3m/s
15:000%13%161J/kg0.8°C24134m6.6m/s
16:000%11%146J/kg1°C24134m7.2m/s
17:000%13%156J/kg0.6°C24134m7.9m/s
18:000%49%166J/kg0.5°C24134m8.7m/s
19:000%58%200J/kg0.1°C24135m9.1m/s
20:000%8.9%197J/kg0.1°C24135m9.3m/s
21:000%7.9%151J/kg0.14°C24135m7.9m/s
22:000%12%106J/kg0.17°C24135m6.5m/s
23:0011%11%60J/kg0.21°C24135m5.2m/s
Mon, May 18
24:000%7.3%94J/kg-0.04°C24135m5.5m/s
01:000%9.1%129J/kg-0.28°C24135m5.9m/s
02:0014%9.2%163J/kg-0.52°C24135m6.2m/s
03:000%0%227J/kg-0.83°C24135m6m/s
04:000%0%291J/kg-1.1°C24135m5.8m/s
05:0015%44%355J/kg-1.4°C24135m5.7m/s
06:000%52%353J/kg-1.5°C24135m5.8m/s
07:000%46%350J/kg-1.6°C24135m5.9m/s
08:0014%39%348J/kg-1.7°C24135m6.1m/s
09:000%33%318J/kg-1.6°C24135m6.2m/s
10:000%33%287J/kg-1.6°C24135m6.3m/s
11:0013%19%257J/kg-1.6°C24135m6.4m/s
12:000%19%225J/kg-1.5°C24135m6.9m/s
13:000%14%194J/kg-1.5°C24135m7.4m/s
14:0015%8.5%162J/kg-1.4°C24135m7.9m/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
Fri, May 15 Sunrise 05:52 Sunset 19:02
16:00
1006hPa 1016J/kg 97% -4.4°C 60% 100% 40% 0.47mm 75% 0.5mm 13dBZ 40° 100% 6.2mm - - 4.2m/s
17:00
1007hPa 1053J/kg 44% -5.9°C 49% 98% 17% 0.27mm 79% 1.4mm 19dBZ 27° 98% 7.5mm 4.3m/s 5.9m/s 3.9m/s
18:00
1007hPa 1040J/kg 39% -5.8°C 45% 33% 24% 0mm 78% 0.08mm 9.6dBZ 13° 52% 8mm - - 6.3m/s
19:00
1007hPa 1093J/kg 46% -5.7°C 16% 100% 31% 0mm 80% 0.03mm 0.29dBZ 0.27° 100% 8.1mm - - 8.6m/s
20:00
1007hPa 1190J/kg 4% -5.5°C 25% 81% 39% 0mm 82% 0.02mm -9dBZ -13° 81% 8.2mm 7.1m/s 13m/s 8.1m/s
21:00
1008hPa 1114J/kg 0% -4.7°C 40% 54% 36% 0mm 79% 0.02mm -13dBZ -25° 54% 0mm - - 5.7m/s
22:00
1008hPa 1079J/kg 4% -4.4°C 28% 20% 33% 0mm 79% 0.01mm -16dBZ -36° 30% 0.06mm - - 4.6m/s
23:00
1008hPa 1017J/kg 30% -3.6°C 26% 5% 31% 0mm 78% 0.01mm -20dBZ -44° 41% 0.06mm 7m/s 16m/s 4.5m/s
Sat, May 16 Sunrise 05:52 Sunset 19:02
24:00
1008hPa 1049J/kg 35% -4.1°C 34% 7% 42% 0mm 79% 0.01mm -16dBZ -49° 40% 0.06mm - - 3.7m/s
01:00
1007hPa 994J/kg 100% -4.3°C 47% 25% 53% 0mm 78% 0.01mm -11dBZ -49° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.3m/s
02:00
1007hPa 978J/kg 98% -4.1°C 62% 92% 64% 0mm 80% 0.02mm -7.4dBZ -44° 98% 0.06mm 3.6m/s 16m/s 4.9m/s
03:00
1006hPa 991J/kg 36% -4.1°C 59% 8% 57% 0mm 80% 0.01mm -11dBZ -35° 62% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
04:00
1007hPa 1067J/kg 5% -3.8°C 55% 1% 50% 0mm 81% 0.02mm -16dBZ -24° 55% 0.06mm - - 4.4m/s
05:00
1007hPa 1102J/kg 0% -3.8°C 40% 0% 43% 0mm 81% 0.04mm -20dBZ -12° 40% 0.13mm 4.4m/s 16m/s 3.7m/s
06:00
1007hPa 1094J/kg 0% -3.7°C 17% 0% 51% 0mm 82% 0.03mm -20dBZ 1.1° 17% 0.19mm - - 3.7m/s
07:00
1008hPa 1092J/kg 0% -3.5°C 18% 0% 60% 0mm 81% 0.03mm -20dBZ 14° 18% 0.19mm - - 3.6m/s
08:00
1008hPa 1049J/kg 0% -3.6°C 20% 0% 69% 0mm 80% 0.03mm -20dBZ 28° 20% 0.25mm 4.9m/s 13m/s 3.4m/s
09:00
1009hPa 1059J/kg 0% -3.8°C 18% 0% 69% 0mm 78% 0.03mm -12dBZ 41° 18% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
10:00
1009hPa 1045J/kg 0% -3.9°C 19% 0% 69% 0mm 77% 0.03mm -3.9dBZ 55° 19% 0.06mm - - 4.3m/s
11:00
1009hPa 978J/kg 0% -3.8°C 16% 0% 69% 0mm 77% 0.03mm 3.9dBZ 69° 16% 0.06mm 3.8m/s 13m/s 5.3m/s
12:00
1008hPa 932J/kg 0% -3.7°C 15% 0% 71% 0mm 78% 0.03mm 11dBZ 83° 15% 0.13mm - - 6.7m/s
13:00
1008hPa 869J/kg 0% -3.6°C 11% 0% 74% 0mm 78% 0.03mm 18dBZ 82° 11% 0.13mm - - 7.4m/s
14:00
1008hPa 783J/kg 0% -3.2°C 34% 0% 76% 0mm 79% 0.03mm 25dBZ 68° 34% 0.19mm 4.2m/s 12m/s 7.8m/s
15:00
1007hPa 695J/kg 0% -3°C 48% 0% 65% 0mm 80% 0.04mm 15dBZ 54° 48% 0.06mm - - 8m/s
16:00
1007hPa 622J/kg 0% -3.1°C 45% 0% 54% 0mm 81% 0.04mm 5.3dBZ 40° 45% 0.06mm - - 7.7m/s
17:00
1007hPa 548J/kg 0% -2.8°C 28% 0% 43% 0mm 82% 0.03mm -4.3dBZ 27° 28% 0.13mm 4.4m/s 14m/s 7.5m/s
18:00
1008hPa 512J/kg 0% -2.5°C 20% 0% 45% 0mm 83% 0.03mm -6.8dBZ 13° 20% 0.19mm - - 7.3m/s
19:00
1008hPa 438J/kg 0% -1.8°C 43% 0% 47% 0mm 84% 0.55mm -9.2dBZ 0.35° 43% 0.63mm - - 6.4m/s
20:00
1009hPa 421J/kg 0% -1.5°C 48% 0% 49% 0mm 84% 0.03mm -12dBZ -13° 48% 1.2mm 4m/s 14m/s 5.8m/s
21:00
1009hPa 415J/kg 0% -1.2°C 41% 0% 40% 0mm 85% 0.04mm -14dBZ -25° 41% 0.25mm - - 5.1m/s
22:00
1009hPa 338J/kg 0% -0.9°C 20% 0% 31% 0mm 83% 0.01mm -17dBZ -36° 20% 0.38mm - - 3m/s
23:00
1010hPa 311J/kg 0% -0.4°C 9% 0% 22% 0mm 82% 0.1mm -20dBZ -44° 9% 0.5mm 2.6m/s 11m/s 0.99m/s
Sun, May 17 Sunrise 05:52 Sunset 19:03
24:00
1009hPa 305J/kg 0% -0.2°C 10% 0% 36% 0mm 82% 0.12mm -20dBZ -49° 10% 0.69mm - - 1m/s
01:00
1009hPa 295J/kg 0% -0.3°C 9% 0% 50% 0mm 83% 0.1mm -20dBZ -49° 9% 0.75mm - - 0.91m/s
02:00
1008hPa 289J/kg 0% -0.5°C 32% 0% 64% 0mm 84% 0.18mm -20dBZ -43° 32% 0.88mm 1.4m/s 9.5m/s 1.5m/s
03:00
1008hPa 308J/kg 0% -0.4°C 14% 0% 56% 0mm 86% 0.12mm -20dBZ -35° 14% 0.13mm - - 3.2m/s
04:00
1008hPa 270J/kg 0% 0.1°C 34% 0% 47% 0.01mm 86% 0.11mm -20dBZ -24° 34% 0.25mm - - 4m/s
05:00
1008hPa 242J/kg 0% 0.2°C 42% 0% 39% 0mm 86% 0.09mm -20dBZ -12° 42% 0.31mm 0.38m/s 9.2m/s 4.4m/s
06:00
1009hPa 232J/kg 0% 0.5°C 69% 0% 47% 0mm 85% 0.08mm -20dBZ 1.2° 69% 0.44mm - - 4.9m/s
07:00
1009hPa 211J/kg 0% 1°C 84% 0% 56% 0mm 84% 0.04mm -20dBZ 14° 84% 0.56mm - - 5.4m/s
08:00
1010hPa 183J/kg 0% 0.9°C 64% 0% 64% 0mm 83% 0.03mm -20dBZ 28° 64% 0.56mm 0.63m/s 10m/s 5.9m/s
09:00
1010hPa 183J/kg 0% 0.7°C 71% 0% 58% 0mm 82% 0.04mm -18dBZ 41° 71% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
10:00
1011hPa 187J/kg 0% 0.9°C 51% 0% 52% 0mm 81% 0.05mm -16dBZ 55° 51% 0.06mm - - 6.4m/s
11:00
1010hPa 164J/kg 0% 0.7°C 44% 0% 46% 0mm 80% 0.03mm -14dBZ 69° 44% 0.13mm 2.4m/s 10m/s 6.5m/s
12:00
1010hPa 143J/kg 0% 0.9°C 25% 0% 41% 0mm 79% 0.02mm -11dBZ 83° 25% 0.13mm - - 6.5m/s
13:00
1010hPa 115J/kg 0% 0.8°C 18% 0% 37% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -8dBZ 82° 18% 0.13mm - - 6.8m/s
14:00
1010hPa 136J/kg 0% 0.6°C 19% 0% 32% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -5.1dBZ 68° 19% 0.19mm 4.7m/s 13m/s 7.2m/s
15:00
1009hPa 161J/kg 0% 0.8°C 9% 0% 38% 0mm 78% 0.01mm -8.1dBZ 54° 9% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
16:00
1009hPa 146J/kg 0% 1°C 1% 0% 44% 0mm 78% 0.01mm -11dBZ 41° 1% 0mm - - 7.2m/s
17:00
1009hPa 156J/kg 0% 0.6°C 3% 0% 50% 0mm 80% 0.02mm -14dBZ 27° 3% 0mm 4.1m/s 12m/s 7.6m/s
18:00
1009hPa 166J/kg 2% 0.5°C 22% 0% 43% 0mm 82% 0.01mm -16dBZ 13° 23% 0.06mm - - 7.7m/s
19:00
1010hPa 200J/kg 2% 0.1°C 31% 2% 37% 0mm 84% 0.01mm -18dBZ 0.43° 32% 0.06mm - - 7.9m/s
20:00
1010hPa 197J/kg 0% 0.1°C 39% 5% 30% 0mm 84% 0.01mm -20dBZ -13° 40% 0.06mm 6.1m/s 14m/s 7.9m/s
21:00
1002hPa 151J/kg 1% 0.14°C 55% 3% 33% 0mm 83% 0.02mm -20dBZ -25° 55% 0.06mm - - 6.1m/s
22:00
993hPa 106J/kg 2% 0.17°C 71% 2% 36% 0mm 83% 0.02mm -20dBZ -35° 71% 0.06mm - - 4.4m/s
23:00
984hPa 60J/kg 3% 0.21°C 87% 0% 39% 0mm 82% 0.03mm -20dBZ -44° 87% 0.06mm 7.1m/s 15m/s 2.6m/s
Mon, May 18 Sunrise 05:52 Sunset 19:03
24:00
984hPa 94J/kg 2% -0.04°C 87% 1% 42% 0.007mm 81% 0.03mm -20dBZ -49° 87% 0.13mm - - 2.7m/s
01:00
985hPa 129J/kg 1% -0.28°C 88% 2% 46% 0.01mm 81% 0.02mm -20dBZ -48° 88% 0.19mm - - 2.7m/s
02:00
985hPa 163J/kg 0% -0.52°C 88% 3% 49% 0.02mm 80% 0.02mm -19dBZ -43° 88% 0.25mm 6.4m/s 14m/s 2.7m/s
03:00
985hPa 227J/kg 0% -0.83°C 74% 2% 41% 0.02mm 77% 0.02mm -19dBZ -35° 74% 0.23mm - - 3m/s
04:00
985hPa 291J/kg 0% -1.1°C 61% 1% 33% 0.01mm 75% 0.03mm -19dBZ -24° 61% 0.21mm - - 3.3m/s
05:00
986hPa 355J/kg 0% -1.4°C 48% 0% 26% 0.01mm 72% 0.03mm -19dBZ -12° 48% 0.19mm 7m/s 15m/s 3.5m/s
06:00
985hPa 353J/kg 0% -1.5°C 45% 0% 30% 0.02mm 71% 0.03mm -19dBZ 1.3° 45% 0.25mm - - 3.8m/s
07:00
985hPa 350J/kg 0% -1.6°C 42% 0% 34% 0.02mm 70% 0.03mm -19dBZ 14° 42% 0.31mm - - 4m/s
08:00
984hPa 348J/kg 0% -1.7°C 39% 0% 39% 0.03mm 69% 0.03mm -19dBZ 28° 39% 0.38mm 6.9m/s 14m/s 4.2m/s
09:00
984hPa 318J/kg 0% -1.6°C 44% 0% 33% 0.03mm 71% 0.03mm -16dBZ 42° 44% 0.33mm - - 4.1m/s
10:00
984hPa 287J/kg 0% -1.6°C 49% 0% 28% 0.02mm 72% 0.04mm -13dBZ 55° 49% 0.29mm - - 4m/s
11:00
984hPa 257J/kg 0% -1.6°C 54% 0% 22% 0.02mm 74% 0.04mm -10dBZ 69° 54% 0.25mm 5.7m/s 12m/s 3.9m/s
12:00
984hPa 225J/kg 0% -1.5°C 69% 0% 27% 0.02mm 76% 0.03mm -5.3dBZ 83° 69% 0.31mm - - 4m/s
13:00
985hPa 194J/kg 0% -1.5°C 85% 0% 32% 0.03mm 78% 0.03mm -0.13dBZ 82° 85% 0.38mm - - 4m/s
14:00
985hPa 162J/kg 0% -1.4°C 100% 0% 37% 0.03mm 80% 0.02mm 5dBZ 68° 100% 0.44mm 6.2m/s 14m/s 4.1m/s
15:00
985hPa 160J/kg 0% -1.5°C 100% 0% 36% 0.02mm 81% 0.02mm -1.2dBZ 54° 100% 0.35mm - - 4.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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