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Rule Storm Chaser

Princeville - Storm Chaser - Hawaii

Princeville, 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 75% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover57%
Wind Gusts7.2m/s
Precipitation Chance98%
Air Pressure995.7hPa
CAPE56
Lifted Index3.5°C
Wind Gusts7.2m/s
Precipitation0.6mm

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 80 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
18:0022%40%12J/kg6.3°C24135m6.2m/s
19:0021%40%16J/kg5.8°C24134m6.4m/s
20:0024%41%27J/kg5.4°C24135m6.3m/s
21:0024%4.7%30J/kg4.9°C22612m6.2m/s
22:0023%9.4%44J/kg4.6°C18195m6.4m/s
23:0026%15%55J/kg4.5°C16657m6.8m/s
Wed, Jul 8
24:0027%15%53J/kg4.4°C13900m6.9m/s
01:0022%15%46J/kg4.5°C12824m6.7m/s
02:0021%15%41J/kg4.5°C16580m6.9m/s
03:0027%12%44J/kg3.8°C16696m7.1m/s
04:0028%9.8%56J/kg3.5°C18604m7.2m/s
05:0029%5.3%45J/kg3.5°C19819m7.3m/s
06:0028%54%51J/kg3.2°C19610m7.1m/s
07:0022%58%56J/kg3.1°C23477m7.3m/s
08:0022%52%45J/kg3.1°C22753m7.3m/s
09:0028%54%51J/kg2.9°C17638m7m/s
10:0028%50%52J/kg3°C24134m7m/s
11:0026%42%55J/kg2.8°C16747m7.1m/s
12:0026%46%68J/kg2.8°C15917m7.5m/s
13:0021%47%74J/kg3°C22925m7.1m/s
14:0022%46%64J/kg3°C17737m7.2m/s
15:0023%53%62J/kg3.2°C11067m7.2m/s
16:0026%60%59J/kg3.2°C11354m7.1m/s
17:0029%56%54J/kg3.1°C7657m7.2m/s
18:0030%59%57J/kg3.1°C13402m7.3m/s
19:0023%56%62J/kg3.5°C22052m7.1m/s
20:0035%56%43J/kg4.2°C24135m7m/s
21:0025%1.6%69J/kg3.6°C24029m7m/s
22:0026%5.1%63J/kg3.6°C18022m7.3m/s
23:0028%6.1%55J/kg3.4°C17675m7.2m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:0025%8.9%55J/kg3°C16268m7.3m/s
01:0021%9.4%61J/kg2.9°C16123m7.2m/s
02:0040%13%59J/kg3°C15530m7.3m/s
03:0028%13%58J/kg3.1°C15847m7.2m/s
04:0027%14%63J/kg3°C14293m7.3m/s
05:0044%15%60J/kg3°C7950m7.3m/s
06:0024%82%65J/kg3.1°C19457m7.2m/s
07:0023%100%60J/kg2.9°C16688m7.1m/s
08:0042%75%57J/kg2.6°C17965m7.2m/s
09:0023%67%50J/kg2.7°C12407m7.2m/s
10:0025%52%59J/kg2.7°C21873m7.2m/s
11:0040%40%63J/kg2.8°C14936m7.3m/s
12:0029%38%58J/kg2.8°C18106m7.2m/s
13:0030%36%56J/kg2.5°C14678m7.1m/s
14:0045%28%54J/kg2°C14309m7.1m/s
15:0022%42%59J/kg2°C16248m7.1m/s
16:0026%41%59J/kg2.3°C10704m7.1m/s
17:0040%38%52J/kg2.2°C13682m7m/s
18:0029%48%55J/kg2.1°C12994m7.3m/s
19:0027%43%71J/kg2.1°C17537m7.3m/s
20:0042%43%71J/kg2.4°C11104m7.7m/s
21:0025%0.3%47J/kg2.4°C16992m7.9m/s
22:0026%2.2%35J/kg2.4°C23327m7.8m/s
23:0022%8.8%34J/kg2.5°C24135m7.6m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:0027%6.7%63J/kg2.2°C16082m7.7m/s
01:0021%15%49J/kg2.2°C18877m7.2m/s
02:0034%15%52J/kg2.1°C18809m6.9m/s
03:0027%15%50J/kg2.3°C17580m6.5m/s
04:0024%13%50J/kg2.6°C16372m6.5m/s
05:0020%13%45J/kg2.6°C16377m6.5m/s
06:0025%100%62J/kg2.4°C8351m6.6m/s
07:0019%100%60J/kg2.2°C20151m6.4m/s
08:0041%96%48J/kg2°C18712m6.7m/s
09:0021%78%38J/kg1.9°C19502m6.5m/s
10:0021%74%29J/kg1.7°C20291m6.3m/s
11:0022%45%19J/kg1.6°C21081m6.1m/s
12:0021%37%20J/kg1.6°C19809m6.4m/s
13:0021%30%21J/kg1.6°C18536m6.7m/s
14:0036%28%22J/kg1.6°C17263m6.9m/s
15:0023%38%22J/kg1.5°C17223m7.2m/s
16:0023%38%22J/kg1.5°C17182m7.5m/s
17:0026%38%22J/kg1.4°C17141m7.7m/s
18:0023%62%22J/kg1.4°C17124m7.4m/s
19:0022%62%23J/kg1.3°C17107m7.1m/s
20:0035%62%23J/kg1.3°C17089m6.8m/s
21:0021%0%22J/kg1.4°C17266m7m/s
22:0020%0%21J/kg1.5°C17443m7.1m/s
23:0022%0%20J/kg1.5°C17619m7.2m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:0020%0%17J/kg1.8°C19791m7.2m/s
01:0020%0%13J/kg2°C21963m7.2m/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
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 06:00 Sunset 19:25
04:00
996hPa 56J/kg 0.81fraction 0% 3.5°C 57% 0% 98% 0mm 82% 0.26mm 12dBZ -24° 57% 0.56mm - - 6m/s
05:00
996hPa 45J/kg 1fraction 0% 3.5°C 47% 0% 98% 0mm 82% 0.22mm 12dBZ -13° 47% 0.69mm 4.1m/s 8.8m/s 6.1m/s
06:00
996hPa 51J/kg 1fraction 0% 3.2°C 50% 0% 98% 0mm 82% 0.24mm 13dBZ -0.53° 50% 0.88mm - - 5.7m/s
07:00
997hPa 56J/kg 1fraction 0% 3.1°C 48% 0% 99% 0mm 80% 0.2mm 15dBZ 12° 48% 1.1mm - - 6m/s
08:00
997hPa 45J/kg 1fraction 0% 3.1°C 55% 0% 100% 0mm 78% 0.21mm 16dBZ 25° 55% 1.3mm 3.5m/s 8m/s 6.1m/s
09:00
997hPa 51J/kg 1fraction 0% 2.9°C 63% 0% 99% 0mm 77% 0.31mm 15dBZ 39° 63% 0.25mm - - 5.9m/s
10:00
998hPa 52J/kg 1fraction 0% 3°C 47% 0% 98% 0mm 75% 0.32mm 13dBZ 52° 47% 0.56mm - - 5.9m/s
11:00
997hPa 55J/kg 1fraction 0% 2.8°C 48% 0% 98% 0mm 74% 0.51mm 12dBZ 66° 48% 0.88mm 3.1m/s 7.9m/s 6.1m/s
12:00
997hPa 68J/kg 0.87fraction 0% 2.8°C 62% 0% 98% 0mm 74% 0.53mm 12dBZ 80° 62% 1.4mm - - 6.3m/s
13:00
997hPa 74J/kg 0.74fraction 0% 3°C 33% 0% 99% 0mm 75% 0.35mm 12dBZ 86° 33% 1.9mm - - 6.4m/s
14:00
997hPa 64J/kg 0.6fraction 0% 3°C 42% 0% 100% 0mm 74% 0.5mm 13dBZ 72° 42% 2.3mm 3.9m/s 8m/s 6.4m/s
15:00
997hPa 62J/kg 0.69fraction 0% 3.2°C 72% 0% 100% 0mm 76% 0.73mm 13dBZ 58° 72% 0.5mm - - 6.1m/s
16:00
997hPa 59J/kg 0.78fraction 0% 3.2°C 55% 0% 100% 0mm 77% 0.72mm 13dBZ 45° 55% 1.1mm - - 6.1m/s
17:00
996hPa 54J/kg 0.86fraction 0% 3.1°C 52% 0% 100% 0.01mm 78% 1.1mm 14dBZ 31° 52% 1.8mm 4m/s 7.3m/s 6.1m/s
18:00
997hPa 57J/kg 0.68fraction 0% 3.1°C 42% 0% 100% 0mm 78% 0.9mm 13dBZ 18° 42% 2.4mm - - 6.1m/s
19:00
997hPa 62J/kg 0.49fraction 0% 3.5°C 38% 0% 100% 0mm 77% 0.2mm 12dBZ 4.8° 38% 2.6mm - - 5.8m/s
20:00
997hPa 43J/kg 0.3fraction 0% 4.2°C 42% 0% 100% 0mm 74% 0.1mm 11dBZ -7.9° 42% 2.8mm 5.7m/s 10m/s 5.7m/s
21:00
998hPa 69J/kg 0.53fraction 0% 3.6°C 20% 0% 100% 0mm 79% 0.26mm 6.7dBZ -20° 20% 0.19mm - - 5.9m/s
22:00
998hPa 63J/kg 0.77fraction 0% 3.6°C 46% 0% 100% 0mm 81% 0.34mm 2.6dBZ -30° 46% 0.5mm - - 6.1m/s
23:00
999hPa 55J/kg 1fraction 0% 3.4°C 58% 0% 100% 0mm 81% 0.39mm -1.4dBZ -39° 58% 0.81mm 5.5m/s 9.7m/s 5.9m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 06:00 Sunset 19:25
24:00
998hPa 55J/kg 0.94fraction 0% 3°C 44% 0% 100% 0mm 83% 0.52mm 4.1dBZ -44° 44% 1.2mm - - 5.9m/s
01:00
998hPa 61J/kg 0.88fraction 13% 2.9°C 62% 0% 100% 0mm 84% 0.44mm 9.6dBZ -45° 62% 1.6mm - - 5.9m/s
02:00
997hPa 59J/kg 0.82fraction 27% 3°C 66% 0% 100% 0mm 84% 0.62mm 15dBZ -42° 66% 2.1mm 5.3m/s 11m/s 5.9m/s
03:00
997hPa 58J/kg 0.88fraction 5% 3.1°C 53% 0% 99% 0mm 85% 0.5mm 15dBZ -34° 53% 0.56mm - - 6m/s
04:00
997hPa 63J/kg 0.94fraction 5% 3°C 83% 0% 99% 0.01mm 84% 0.61mm 16dBZ -25° 83% 1.3mm - - 6m/s
05:00
997hPa 60J/kg 1fraction 5% 3°C 89% 0% 98% 0.01mm 84% 1.1mm 16dBZ -13° 89% 2.1mm 3.4m/s 11m/s 5.9m/s
06:00
997hPa 65J/kg 0.81fraction 5% 3.1°C 59% 0% 98% 0mm 82% 0.39mm 5.8dBZ -0.64° 59% 2.6mm - - 5.9m/s
07:00
998hPa 60J/kg 0.62fraction 21% 2.9°C 64% 0% 99% 0mm 82% 0.49mm -4.4dBZ 12° 64% 3.1mm - - 5.9m/s
08:00
998hPa 57J/kg 0.44fraction 7% 2.6°C 54% 0% 100% 0mm 82% 0.61mm -15dBZ 25° 54% 3.6mm 3.6m/s 11m/s 5.9m/s
09:00
998hPa 50J/kg 0.62fraction 5% 2.7°C 53% 0% 98% 0mm 80% 0.55mm -7.5dBZ 39° 53% 0.5mm - - 6m/s
10:00
998hPa 59J/kg 0.81fraction 99% 2.7°C 65% 0% 96% 0mm 79% 0.64mm -0.41dBZ 52° 99% 1.1mm - - 6.2m/s
11:00
999hPa 63J/kg 1fraction 100% 2.8°C 67% 0% 95% 0mm 78% 0.65mm 6.7dBZ 66° 100% 1.8mm 3.4m/s 11m/s 6.4m/s
12:00
998hPa 58J/kg 0.87fraction 100% 2.8°C 53% 0% 96% 0mm 79% 0.71mm 8.6dBZ 80° 100% 2.4mm - - 6.2m/s
13:00
998hPa 56J/kg 0.73fraction 100% 2.5°C 37% 0% 98% 0mm 79% 0.85mm 10dBZ 86° 100% 3.2mm - - 6.1m/s
14:00
998hPa 54J/kg 0.6fraction 100% 2°C 35% 0% 100% 0mm 78% 0.88mm 12dBZ 72° 100% 3.9mm 3.9m/s 11m/s 6.2m/s
15:00
997hPa 59J/kg 0.73fraction 100% 2°C 47% 0% 99% 0mm 79% 0.55mm 9.9dBZ 58° 100% 0.63mm - - 6.1m/s
16:00
997hPa 59J/kg 0.87fraction 100% 2.3°C 48% 0% 99% 0mm 80% 0.99mm 7.5dBZ 45° 100% 1.3mm - - 6.2m/s
17:00
997hPa 52J/kg 1fraction 100% 2.2°C 56% 0% 99% 0mm 81% 0.86mm 5.1dBZ 31° 100% 1.9mm 4m/s 12m/s 6m/s
18:00
997hPa 55J/kg 0.73fraction 100% 2.1°C 65% 0% 99% 0mm 83% 0.59mm 7.2dBZ 18° 100% 2.4mm - - 6.1m/s
19:00
997hPa 71J/kg 0.45fraction 100% 2.1°C 66% 0% 100% 0mm 85% 0.68mm 9.2dBZ 4.8° 100% 3.1mm - - 6m/s
20:00
998hPa 71J/kg 0.18fraction 100% 2.4°C 80% 0% 100% 0mm 84% 1mm 11dBZ -7.9° 100% 3.8mm 5.3m/s 12m/s 6.5m/s
21:00
998hPa 47J/kg 0.42fraction 99% 2.4°C 97% 0% 100% 0mm 83% 0.31mm 7.8dBZ -20° 100% 0.38mm - - 6.5m/s
22:00
999hPa 35J/kg 0.65fraction 99% 2.4°C 99% 0% 99% 0.01mm 83% 0.11mm 4.4dBZ -30° 100% 0.5mm - - 6.4m/s
23:00
999hPa 34J/kg 0.89fraction 97% 2.5°C 99% 0% 99% 0.01mm 83% 0.12mm 0.99dBZ -39° 99% 0.63mm 6.1m/s 13m/s 6.2m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 06:01 Sunset 19:25
24:00
998hPa 63J/kg 0.93fraction 100% 2.2°C 32% 0% 99% 0mm 84% 0.33mm 3.3dBZ -44° 100% 0.88mm - - 6.2m/s
01:00
998hPa 49J/kg 0.96fraction 97% 2.2°C 25% 0% 100% 0mm 85% 0.26mm 5.7dBZ -45° 97% 1.1mm - - 5.9m/s
02:00
997hPa 52J/kg 1fraction 78% 2.1°C 12% 0% 100% 0mm 87% 0.26mm 8dBZ -42° 78% 1.3mm 6.5m/s 14m/s 5.7m/s
03:00
997hPa 50J/kg 1fraction 90% 2.3°C 30% 0% 100% 0mm 87% 0.26mm 8.1dBZ -34° 90% 0.25mm - - 5.5m/s
04:00
997hPa 50J/kg 1fraction 86% 2.6°C 29% 0% 99% 0mm 85% 0.43mm 8.3dBZ -25° 86% 0.5mm - - 5.5m/s
05:00
997hPa 45J/kg 1fraction 68% 2.6°C 30% 0% 99% 0mm 86% 0.44mm 8.4dBZ -13° 68% 0.88mm 6.3m/s 14m/s 5.4m/s
06:00
997hPa 62J/kg 0.96fraction 18% 2.4°C 44% 0% 99% 0mm 87% 1.1mm 5.4dBZ -0.75° 45% 1.3mm - - 5.4m/s
07:00
998hPa 60J/kg 0.91fraction 44% 2.2°C 22% 0% 99% 0mm 85% 0.29mm 2.4dBZ 12° 44% 1.8mm - - 5.4m/s
08:00
998hPa 48J/kg 0.87fraction 29% 2°C 37% 0% 99% 0mm 82% 0.51mm -0.57dBZ 25° 38% 2.2mm 5.6m/s 15m/s 5.6m/s
09:00
989hPa 38J/kg 0.87fraction 43% 1.9°C 38% 0% 99% 0mm 80% 0.47mm 2.2dBZ 39° 49% 1.8mm - - 5.2m/s
10:00
980hPa 29J/kg 0.88fraction 57% 1.7°C 39% 0% 99% 0mm 78% 0.44mm 5dBZ 52° 61% 1.4mm - - 4.8m/s
11:00
971hPa 19J/kg 0.88fraction 71% 1.6°C 41% 0% 99% 0mm 75% 0.4mm 7.7dBZ 66° 73% 0.94mm 4.4m/s 15m/s 4.3m/s
12:00
971hPa 20J/kg 0.83fraction 74% 1.6°C 45% 0% 99% 0.05mm 80% 0.3mm 9.5dBZ 80° 81% 1.3mm - - 4.2m/s
13:00
972hPa 21J/kg 0.78fraction 78% 1.6°C 50% 0% 99% 0.1mm 85% 0.2mm 11dBZ 86° 90% 1.6mm - - 4m/s
14:00
972hPa 22J/kg 0.73fraction 81% 1.6°C 54% 0% 100% 0.15mm 90% 0.1mm 13dBZ 72° 98% 1.9mm 6.2m/s 15m/s 3.9m/s
15:00
972hPa 22J/kg 0.82fraction 87% 1.5°C 56% 0% 97% 0.13mm 91% 0.1mm 12dBZ 58° 99% 1.6mm - - 3.9m/s
16:00
973hPa 22J/kg 0.91fraction 94% 1.5°C 58% 1% 95% 0.1mm 91% 0.11mm 11dBZ 45° 99% 1.3mm - - 4m/s
17:00
973hPa 22J/kg 1fraction 100% 1.4°C 59% 1% 93% 0.08mm 91% 0.11mm 10dBZ 31° 100% 1mm 8.1m/s 13m/s 4.1m/s
18:00
972hPa 22J/kg 0.8fraction 100% 1.4°C 65% 18% 94% 0.11mm 92% 0.12mm 11dBZ 18° 100% 1.3mm - - 3.9m/s
19:00
972hPa 23J/kg 0.6fraction 100% 1.3°C 71% 34% 95% 0.13mm 92% 0.13mm 11dBZ 4.8° 100% 1.6mm - - 3.8m/s
20:00
971hPa 23J/kg 0.41fraction 100% 1.3°C 76% 50% 97% 0.16mm 93% 0.14mm 11dBZ -8° 100% 1.9mm 7.8m/s 14m/s 3.7m/s
21:00
971hPa 22J/kg 0.46fraction 100% 1.4°C 80% 65% 92% 0.13mm 93% 0.12mm 9dBZ -20° 100% 1.6mm - - 3.7m/s
22:00
971hPa 21J/kg 0.51fraction 100% 1.5°C 84% 80% 87% 0.11mm 92% 0.09mm 7dBZ -30° 100% 1.3mm - - 3.7m/s
23:00
971hPa 20J/kg 0.57fraction 100% 1.5°C 87% 95% 83% 0.08mm 92% 0.07mm 5dBZ -39° 100% 1mm 8.2m/s 15m/s 3.7m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 06:01 Sunset 19:25
24:00
971hPa 17J/kg 0.53fraction 100% 1.8°C 83% 64% 83% 0.08mm 91% 0.05mm -2.4dBZ -44° 100% 1.1mm - - 3.9m/s
01:00
971hPa 13J/kg 0.5fraction 100% 2°C 78% 32% 84% 0.07mm 90% 0.03mm -9.8dBZ -46° 100% 1.3mm - - 4.2m/s
02:00
972hPa 10J/kg 0.47fraction 100% 2.2°C 74% 0% 85% 0.07mm 89% 0.01mm -17dBZ -42° 100% 1.4mm 8.3m/s 12m/s 4.4m/s
03:00
972hPa 8.7J/kg 0.46fraction 100% 2.5°C 62% 19% 84% 0.05mm 84% 0.02mm -7dBZ -35° 100% 0.96mm - - 4.5m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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