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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 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 79% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover85%
Wind Gusts12.1m/s
Precipitation Chance19%
Air Pressure1009.1hPa
CAPE37
Lifted Index3.9°C
Wind Gusts12.1m/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 79 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, Jul 7
19:0023%38%16J/kg3.9°C24134m13m/s
20:0020%56%20J/kg3.7°C24135m13m/s
21:0019%14%25J/kg3.3°C24134m13m/s
22:0017%14%31J/kg3.6°C24135m13m/s
23:0019%15%42J/kg3.9°C24134m13m/s
Wed, Jul 8
24:0019%13%36J/kg4°C24134m13m/s
01:000%12%25J/kg4.1°C24134m13m/s
02:000%9.1%35J/kg3.9°C24134m12m/s
03:0016%13%39J/kg4°C24134m12m/s
04:0017%15%37J/kg3.9°C24135m12m/s
05:0015%14%30J/kg3.8°C24135m13m/s
06:0017%63%32J/kg3.9°C24135m13m/s
07:0016%26%25J/kg3.6°C24135m13m/s
08:0013%21%11J/kg3.5°C24134m13m/s
09:000%59%7J/kg3.7°C24134m13m/s
10:000%47%5J/kg3.8°C24134m12m/s
11:000%49%8J/kg3.7°C24135m12m/s
12:000%36%5J/kg3.7°C24134m12m/s
13:0017%51%3J/kg4.1°C24134m12m/s
14:0017%23%8J/kg3.8°C24135m11m/s
15:0021%41%19J/kg3.4°C24135m12m/s
16:0024%32%24J/kg3.1°C24135m12m/s
17:0020%69%34J/kg2.9°C24134m12m/s
18:0027%86%47J/kg2.6°C24134m12m/s
19:0026%59%50J/kg2.8°C24134m13m/s
20:0022%59%51J/kg2.7°C24135m13m/s
21:0022%14%49J/kg2.6°C24135m13m/s
22:0023%15%50J/kg2.6°C24134m13m/s
23:0019%13%44J/kg2.6°C24135m13m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:0023%15%65J/kg2.7°C24134m13m/s
01:0026%14%76J/kg2.8°C14015m13m/s
02:0020%12%86J/kg2.6°C24135m12m/s
03:0026%15%90J/kg2.7°C9654m12m/s
04:0025%14%90J/kg3.1°C24135m12m/s
05:0020%14%90J/kg3.4°C24135m12m/s
06:0024%98%90J/kg3.4°C24134m12m/s
07:0023%69%58J/kg3.3°C24135m12m/s
08:0020%46%40J/kg3.1°C24135m12m/s
09:0021%51%62J/kg2.9°C24134m12m/s
10:0020%67%83J/kg2.6°C24135m11m/s
11:0016%25%66J/kg2.6°C24135m11m/s
12:0020%39%59J/kg2.2°C24135m11m/s
13:0019%45%40J/kg2.2°C24135m11m/s
14:0015%27%48J/kg2.1°C24135m11m/s
15:0017%22%9J/kg2.1°C24135m11m/s
16:0018%24%50J/kg2.1°C24135m11m/s
17:0017%28%56J/kg1.9°C24134m12m/s
18:0019%33%60J/kg1.8°C24135m12m/s
19:0020%26%21J/kg1.5°C24134m12m/s
20:0020%47%61J/kg1.5°C24135m13m/s
21:0021%6.7%56J/kg1.2°C24134m12m/s
22:0021%1.7%61J/kg1.1°C24134m12m/s
23:0022%7.4%77J/kg1.1°C24135m12m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:0023%15%85J/kg1°C24134m12m/s
01:0025%11%66J/kg0.8°C24134m12m/s
02:0022%11%73J/kg0.7°C24134m12m/s
03:0023%12%101J/kg0.7°C24135m12m/s
04:0022%13%109J/kg0.7°C24134m12m/s
05:0020%13%104J/kg0.7°C24134m12m/s
06:0023%100%128J/kg0.9°C24135m12m/s
07:0022%100%125J/kg0.8°C24135m12m/s
08:0022%98%143J/kg1.2°C24135m12m/s
09:0019%81%108J/kg0.95°C24078m11m/s
10:0026%52%73J/kg0.71°C24021m11m/s
11:0026%28%38J/kg0.46°C23963m9.7m/s
12:0026%28%37J/kg0.52°C23968m10m/s
13:0028%30%37J/kg0.59°C23972m10m/s
14:0025%40%36J/kg0.65°C23977m10m/s
15:0028%40%37J/kg0.67°C23983m11m/s
16:0028%40%39J/kg0.69°C23990m11m/s
17:0025%40%40J/kg0.71°C23997m11m/s
18:0028%46%42J/kg0.84°C24034m10m/s
19:0027%65%44J/kg0.97°C24070m10m/s
20:0026%65%46J/kg1.1°C24107m9.9m/s
21:0027%0%44J/kg1.3°C24116m9.8m/s
22:0028%0%41J/kg1.5°C24125m9.7m/s
23:0025%0%39J/kg1.6°C24135m9.5m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:0027%0%31J/kg1.9°C24135m9.4m/s
01:0026%0%23J/kg2.1°C24135m9.3m/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
Convective Precip Fraction
fraction
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, Jul 8 Sunrise 05:55 Sunset 19:17
04:00
1009hPa 37J/kg 0.76fraction 85% 3.9°C 9% 0% 19% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -0.45dBZ -24° 85% 0mm - - 11m/s
05:00
1009hPa 30J/kg 1fraction 14% 3.8°C 11% 0% 0% 0mm 78% 0.01mm 3dBZ -12° 14% 0mm 7.6m/s 10m/s 11m/s
06:00
1010hPa 32J/kg 0.72fraction 19% 3.9°C 8% 0% 13% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -0.25dBZ 0.56° 19% 0.06mm - - 11m/s
07:00
1010hPa 25J/kg 0.45fraction 5% 3.6°C 0% 0% 26% 0mm 76% 0mm -3.5dBZ 13° 5% 0.06mm - - 11m/s
08:00
1010hPa 11J/kg 0.18fraction 5% 3.5°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 74% 0mm -6.8dBZ 26° 5% 0.06mm 8.9m/s 11m/s 11m/s
09:00
1010hPa 7J/kg 0.12fraction 18% 3.7°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 73% 0mm -11dBZ 40° 18% 0mm - - 11m/s
10:00
1011hPa 5J/kg 0.06fraction 79% 3.8°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 72% 0mm -15dBZ 54° 79% 0mm - - 11m/s
11:00
1011hPa 8J/kg 0fraction 22% 3.7°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 71% 0mm -19dBZ 68° 22% 0mm 8.6m/s 9.4m/s 11m/s
12:00
1011hPa 5J/kg 0.08fraction 10% 3.7°C 0% 0% 53% 0mm 71% 0mm -19dBZ 81° 10% 0mm - - 11m/s
13:00
1010hPa 3J/kg 0.16fraction 57% 4.1°C 0% 0% 67% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 84° 57% 0mm - - 11m/s
14:00
1010hPa 8J/kg 0.24fraction 3% 3.8°C 0% 0% 82% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 71° 3% 0mm 8.6m/s 11m/s 11m/s
15:00
1010hPa 19J/kg 0.49fraction 5% 3.4°C 0% 0% 87% 0mm 71% 0mm -13dBZ 57° 5% 0mm - - 11m/s
16:00
1009hPa 24J/kg 0.75fraction 4% 3.1°C 0% 0% 93% 0mm 74% 0.02mm -5.6dBZ 43° 4% 0mm - - 11m/s
17:00
1009hPa 34J/kg 1fraction 54% 2.9°C 0% 0% 98% 0mm 76% 0.06mm 1.4dBZ 29° 54% 0.06mm 7.7m/s 11m/s 11m/s
18:00
1010hPa 47J/kg 0.82fraction 30% 2.6°C 1% 0% 98% 0mm 77% 0.09mm -3.5dBZ 16° 30% 0.13mm - - 11m/s
19:00
1010hPa 50J/kg 0.65fraction 98% 2.8°C 18% 0% 98% 0mm 78% 0.05mm -8.5dBZ 3.1° 98% 0.19mm - - 11m/s
20:00
1011hPa 51J/kg 0.47fraction 88% 2.7°C 22% 0% 98% 0mm 79% 0.06mm -13dBZ -9.7° 88% 0.19mm 10m/s 13m/s 11m/s
21:00
1011hPa 49J/kg 0.65fraction 58% 2.6°C 8% 0% 88% 0mm 80% 0.01mm -9.4dBZ -21° 58% 0mm - - 11m/s
22:00
1011hPa 50J/kg 0.82fraction 63% 2.6°C 12% 0% 78% 0mm 81% 0.01mm -5.2dBZ -32° 63% 0.06mm - - 11m/s
23:00
1011hPa 44J/kg 1fraction 7% 2.6°C 23% 0% 69% 0mm 81% 0.02mm -1.1dBZ -40° 24% 0.06mm 10m/s 14m/s 11m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 05:56 Sunset 19:17
24:00
1011hPa 65J/kg 0.92fraction 66% 2.7°C 47% 0% 74% 0mm 82% 0.1mm 0.31dBZ -45° 66% 0.13mm - - 11m/s
01:00
1011hPa 76J/kg 0.85fraction 82% 2.8°C 40% 0% 79% 0mm 82% 0.29mm 1.7dBZ -46° 82% 0.44mm - - 11m/s
02:00
1010hPa 86J/kg 0.77fraction 61% 2.6°C 40% 0% 85% 0mm 82% 0.26mm 3.1dBZ -42° 61% 0.69mm 8.1m/s 14m/s 10m/s
03:00
1010hPa 90J/kg 0.84fraction 84% 2.7°C 46% 0% 84% 0mm 81% 0.82mm 0.52dBZ -34° 84% 0.13mm - - 11m/s
04:00
1010hPa 90J/kg 0.92fraction 74% 3.1°C 39% 0% 83% 0mm 81% 0.02mm -2.1dBZ -24° 74% 0.31mm - - 11m/s
05:00
1010hPa 90J/kg 0.99fraction 18% 3.4°C 31% 0% 82% 0mm 82% 0.11mm -4.7dBZ -12° 33% 0.44mm 4.9m/s 14m/s 10m/s
06:00
1010hPa 90J/kg 0.75fraction 54% 3.4°C 17% 0% 82% 0mm 82% 0.04mm -1.9dBZ 0.5° 54% 0.5mm - - 10m/s
07:00
1011hPa 58J/kg 0.5fraction 5% 3.3°C 22% 0% 82% 0mm 81% 0.03mm 0.83dBZ 13° 22% 0.56mm - - 11m/s
08:00
1011hPa 40J/kg 0.26fraction 5% 3.1°C 14% 0% 82% 0mm 79% 0.01mm 3.6dBZ 26° 15% 0.63mm 6.7m/s 15m/s 11m/s
09:00
1011hPa 62J/kg 0.45fraction 5% 2.9°C 15% 0% 67% 0mm 78% 0.15mm 1.9dBZ 40° 16% 0.06mm - - 11m/s
10:00
1012hPa 83J/kg 0.64fraction 21% 2.6°C 4% 0% 53% 0mm 78% 0.02mm 0.28dBZ 54° 21% 0.13mm - - 11m/s
11:00
1012hPa 66J/kg 0.83fraction 100% 2.6°C 7% 0% 39% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -1.4dBZ 68° 100% 0.13mm 5.7m/s 14m/s 11m/s
12:00
1011hPa 59J/kg 0.67fraction 100% 2.2°C 10% 0% 45% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -2.4dBZ 81° 100% 0.19mm - - 11m/s
13:00
1011hPa 40J/kg 0.51fraction 65% 2.2°C 1% 0% 50% 0.01mm 77% 0mm -3.5dBZ 85° 65% 0.19mm - - 11m/s
14:00
1011hPa 48J/kg 0.35fraction 100% 2.1°C 0% 0% 56% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -4.6dBZ 71° 100% 0.19mm 7.7m/s 17m/s 11m/s
15:00
1010hPa 9J/kg 0.57fraction 100% 2.1°C 0% 0% 50% 0mm 77% 0mm -3.5dBZ 57° 100% 0mm - - 11m/s
16:00
1010hPa 50J/kg 0.78fraction 100% 2.1°C 1% 0% 45% 0mm 78% 0.01mm -2.4dBZ 43° 100% 0mm - - 11m/s
17:00
1010hPa 56J/kg 1fraction 100% 1.9°C 8% 0% 39% 0mm 80% 0.01mm -1.4dBZ 29° 100% 0mm 7.4m/s 17m/s 11m/s
18:00
1010hPa 60J/kg 0.8fraction 100% 1.8°C 6% 0% 53% 0mm 82% 0.02mm -0.88dBZ 16° 100% 0.06mm - - 11m/s
19:00
1010hPa 21J/kg 0.61fraction 100% 1.5°C 4% 0% 67% 0mm 83% 0.02mm -0.4dBZ 3.1° 100% 0.06mm - - 10m/s
20:00
1011hPa 61J/kg 0.41fraction 100% 1.5°C 20% 0% 82% 0mm 84% 0.02mm 0.07dBZ -9.7° 100% 0.06mm 10m/s 17m/s 10m/s
21:00
1011hPa 56J/kg 0.47fraction 100% 1.2°C 30% 0% 82% 0mm 84% 0.03mm -0.78dBZ -22° 100% 0mm - - 10m/s
22:00
1012hPa 61J/kg 0.54fraction 93% 1.1°C 30% 0% 82% 0mm 85% 0.07mm -1.6dBZ -32° 93% 0.06mm - - 10m/s
23:00
1012hPa 77J/kg 0.6fraction 98% 1.1°C 17% 0% 82% 0mm 85% 0.08mm -2.5dBZ -40° 98% 0.13mm 11m/s 16m/s 10m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 05:56 Sunset 19:17
24:00
1011hPa 85J/kg 0.52fraction 20% 1°C 31% 0% 86% 0mm 86% 0.1mm -8.1dBZ -46° 37% 0.25mm - - 11m/s
01:00
1011hPa 66J/kg 0.45fraction 60% 0.8°C 36% 0% 90% 0mm 86% 0.09mm -14dBZ -46° 60% 0.31mm - - 11m/s
02:00
1010hPa 73J/kg 0.37fraction 100% 0.7°C 48% 0% 95% 0mm 86% 0.09mm -19dBZ -42° 100% 0.38mm 12m/s 17m/s 11m/s
03:00
1010hPa 101J/kg 0.58fraction 100% 0.7°C 42% 0% 82% 0mm 86% 0.11mm -16dBZ -34° 100% 0.13mm - - 11m/s
04:00
1010hPa 109J/kg 0.79fraction 97% 0.7°C 41% 0% 69% 0mm 86% 0.12mm -13dBZ -24° 97% 0.19mm - - 10m/s
05:00
1010hPa 104J/kg 1fraction 55% 0.7°C 46% 0% 56% 0mm 87% 0.14mm -10dBZ -12° 56% 0.31mm 11m/s 17m/s 10m/s
06:00
1010hPa 128J/kg 0.9fraction 37% 0.9°C 47% 0% 65% 0mm 86% 0.09mm -4.6dBZ 0.43° 52% 0.44mm - - 10m/s
07:00
1011hPa 125J/kg 0.79fraction 47% 0.8°C 31% 0% 73% 0mm 86% 0.08mm 0.92dBZ 13° 47% 0.5mm - - 10m/s
08:00
1011hPa 143J/kg 0.69fraction 23% 1.2°C 37% 0% 82% 0mm 85% 0.09mm 6.5dBZ 26° 44% 0.63mm 10m/s 17m/s 10m/s
09:00
1002hPa 108J/kg 0.68fraction 48% 0.95°C 53% 0% 82% 0mm 84% 0.1mm 6dBZ 40° 62% 0.54mm - - 8.8m/s
10:00
994hPa 73J/kg 0.66fraction 74% 0.71°C 68% 0% 82% 0mm 83% 0.12mm 5.6dBZ 54° 81% 0.46mm - - 7.2m/s
11:00
985hPa 38J/kg 0.65fraction 100% 0.46°C 83% 0% 82% 0mm 82% 0.13mm 5.2dBZ 68° 100% 0.38mm 12m/s 18m/s 5.6m/s
12:00
985hPa 37J/kg 0.73fraction 83% 0.52°C 88% 0% 82% 0.02mm 84% 0.11mm 6.3dBZ 81° 100% 0.52mm - - 5.3m/s
13:00
986hPa 37J/kg 0.82fraction 66% 0.59°C 94% 0% 82% 0.05mm 86% 0.09mm 7.4dBZ 85° 100% 0.67mm - - 5.1m/s
14:00
986hPa 36J/kg 0.9fraction 50% 0.65°C 100% 0% 82% 0.07mm 88% 0.07mm 8.5dBZ 71° 100% 0.81mm 12m/s 17m/s 4.8m/s
15:00
986hPa 37J/kg 0.94fraction 66% 0.67°C 99% 0% 82% 0.05mm 88% 0.1mm 8.3dBZ 57° 100% 0.67mm - - 4.8m/s
16:00
986hPa 39J/kg 0.97fraction 83% 0.69°C 98% 0% 82% 0.02mm 88% 0.12mm 8.1dBZ 43° 100% 0.52mm - - 4.8m/s
17:00
987hPa 40J/kg 1fraction 100% 0.71°C 98% 0% 82% 0mm 89% 0.15mm 7.9dBZ 29° 100% 0.38mm 12m/s 18m/s 4.8m/s
18:00
986hPa 42J/kg 0.83fraction 100% 0.84°C 98% 9% 82% 0.03mm 89% 0.14mm 7.6dBZ 16° 100% 0.58mm - - 4.7m/s
19:00
985hPa 44J/kg 0.67fraction 100% 0.97°C 99% 18% 82% 0.05mm 88% 0.14mm 7.3dBZ 3.1° 100% 0.79mm - - 4.5m/s
20:00
985hPa 46J/kg 0.5fraction 100% 1.1°C 100% 27% 82% 0.08mm 88% 0.13mm 7dBZ -9.7° 100% 1mm 11m/s 18m/s 4.4m/s
21:00
985hPa 44J/kg 0.67fraction 100% 1.3°C 100% 24% 82% 0.07mm 88% 0.1mm 7dBZ -22° 100% 0.85mm - - 4.4m/s
22:00
985hPa 41J/kg 0.83fraction 100% 1.5°C 100% 22% 82% 0.05mm 88% 0.06mm 6.8dBZ -32° 100% 0.71mm - - 4.4m/s
23:00
985hPa 39J/kg 1fraction 100% 1.6°C 100% 20% 82% 0.04mm 87% 0.03mm 6.7dBZ -41° 100% 0.56mm 11m/s 18m/s 4.4m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 05:56 Sunset 19:16
24:00
985hPa 31J/kg 0.88fraction 100% 1.9°C 100% 15% 82% 0.04mm 86% 0.02mm 4.7dBZ -46° 100% 0.6mm - - 4.6m/s
01:00
985hPa 23J/kg 0.75fraction 100% 2.1°C 100% 10% 82% 0.03mm 85% 0.01mm 2.5dBZ -46° 100% 0.65mm - - 4.7m/s
02:00
986hPa 15J/kg 0.63fraction 100% 2.3°C 100% 5% 82% 0.03mm 83% 0mm 0.44dBZ -42° 100% 0.69mm 11m/s 16m/s 4.9m/s
03:00
986hPa 13J/kg 0.54fraction 100% 2.6°C 91% 5% 68% 0.02mm 80% 0.003mm 0.36dBZ -34° 100% 0.48mm - - 5m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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