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Rule Storm Chaser

Wailea - Storm Chaser - Hawaii

Kīhei, 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)
CAPE 85% failing
Storm Intensity 64% failing
Cloud Drama Score 64% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts7.7m/s
Precipitation Chance87%
Air Pressure988.4hPa
CAPE165
Lifted Index-0.6°C
Wind Gusts7.7m/s
Precipitation2.5mm

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
Wed, Mar 11
15:000%33%241J/kg-1.9°C21534m7m/s
16:000%32%280J/kg-2.1°C21560m7.2m/s
17:0014%38%299J/kg-2.5°C24134m6.8m/s
18:0013%42%371J/kg-2.7°C24135m6.2m/s
19:0013%37%423J/kg-2.8°C21047m6.2m/s
20:0018%8.9%465J/kg-3.1°C24135m5.8m/s
21:000%4%478J/kg-3.3°C23126m5.7m/s
22:000%5.6%551J/kg-3.7°C24134m5.7m/s
23:000%2.4%563J/kg-3.6°C24134m5.5m/s
Thu, Mar 12
24:0021%2.8%540J/kg-3.4°C24134m5.6m/s
01:0021%7.2%565J/kg-3.5°C24134m5m/s
02:0022%15%599J/kg-3.6°C24135m5.5m/s
03:000%14%513J/kg-3.2°C24135m5.4m/s
04:000%15%491J/kg-3.1°C24134m5.5m/s
05:000%14%467J/kg-2.9°C24135m5.2m/s
06:000%58%417J/kg-2.5°C24134m5.2m/s
07:000%78%332J/kg-1.8°C24135m5.3m/s
08:000%66%267J/kg-1.7°C19376m5.4m/s
09:000%47%279J/kg-2.2°C24134m5.5m/s
10:000%46%420J/kg-3.2°C24135m6.4m/s
11:0020%43%402J/kg-2.4°C15439m7.3m/s
12:0015%23%205J/kg-1.3°C21479m7m/s
13:0016%24%148J/kg-1.3°C21380m7.9m/s
14:0039%43%210J/kg-1.1°C15549m8.6m/s
15:0044%43%165J/kg-0.6°C4058m7.7m/s
16:0037%51%160J/kg-0.2°C4432m5.4m/s
17:0038%57%61J/kg-0.3°C24134m4.8m/s
18:0020%64%12J/kg0.4°C24135m4.5m/s
19:0020%55%16J/kg0°C24135m5.8m/s
20:0034%0%16J/kg0°C24134m5.2m/s
21:000%0.2%10J/kg0.4°C24135m4.9m/s
22:000%4.6%12J/kg0.9°C24134m5m/s
23:0013%4.7%0J/kg0.5°C24134m4m/s
Fri, Mar 13
24:000%4%0J/kg1.1°C24135m3.3m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg1.2°C24135m3.4m/s
02:0012%0%12J/kg0.7°C24135m3.6m/s
03:0025%0%80J/kg-0.7°C18415m7.3m/s
04:0017%0.9%88J/kg-0.2°C14123m7.3m/s
05:0019%0%120J/kg-0.2°C14794m8m/s
06:0045%60%189J/kg-0.4°C4802m12m/s
07:0053%70%138J/kg0.3°C2873m12m/s
08:0050%65%81J/kg0.7°C10404m11m/s
09:0036%55%58J/kg0.5°C15366m12m/s
10:0045%45%149J/kg0°C7440m14m/s
11:0063%48%183J/kg0°C3385m13m/s
12:0063%27%215J/kg-0.4°C1184m15m/s
13:0068%27%162J/kg0.2°C1041m14m/s
14:0074%48%120J/kg0.4°C1235m14m/s
15:0058%48%226J/kg-0.3°C1189m15m/s
16:0058%58%162J/kg0°C1440m14m/s
17:0053%69%119J/kg0.2°C4451m14m/s
18:0051%74%168J/kg0°C1349m15m/s
19:0073%64%181J/kg-0.4°C899m15m/s
20:0084%0%284J/kg-0.9°C1222m17m/s
21:0053%0%321J/kg-1.3°C1499m15m/s
22:0063%0%387J/kg-1.5°C973m16m/s
23:0079%0%350J/kg-1.9°C882m16m/s
Sat, Mar 14
24:0073%0%375J/kg-2°C904m16m/s
01:0083%0%522J/kg-2.4°C589m19m/s
02:0085%0%425J/kg-1.7°C506m15m/s
03:0077%0%648J/kg-2.6°C450m17m/s
04:0080%0.2%700J/kg-4.3°C384m16m/s
05:0084%0.1%456J/kg-2.2°C691m16m/s
06:0074%84%446J/kg-2°C1118m18m/s
07:0074%78%487J/kg-2.6°C1553m18m/s
08:0080%75%412J/kg-3.1°C1502m18m/s
09:0048%72%467J/kg-1.8°C1621m18m/s
10:0049%63%456J/kg-2.1°C2052m17m/s
11:0069%53%406J/kg-2.8°C3879m18m/s
12:0059%32%364J/kg-1.2°C4535m18m/s
13:0059%32%329J/kg-2.1°C3660m18m/s
14:0063%52%334J/kg-0.9°C5891m18m/s
15:0045%66%344J/kg-1.6°C4658m17m/s
16:0048%81%343J/kg-1.6°C5173m17m/s
17:0061%78%349J/kg-0.9°C4521m18m/s
18:0047%80%325J/kg-0.4°C6015m17m/s
19:0056%57%250J/kg-0.4°C2655m17m/s
20:0060%6.8%283J/kg-0.7°C5828m17m/s
21:0052%0%324J/kg-0.98°C5955m17m/s
22:0049%0%365J/kg-1.3°C6082m16m/s
23:0049%0%406J/kg-1.5°C6209m16m/s
Sun, Mar 15
24:0038%0%384J/kg-1.6°C7811m17m/s
01:0038%0%362J/kg-1.7°C9413m17m/s
02:0046%0%340J/kg-1.8°C11015m18m/s
03:0038%0%345J/kg-1.8°C9923m17m/s
04:0039%0%349J/kg-1.8°C8832m16m/s
05:0038%0%354J/kg-1.9°C7740m16m/s
06:0039%62%311J/kg-1.7°C9701m15m/s
07:0036%73%268J/kg-1.4°C11662m15m/s
08:0039%68%225J/kg-1.2°C13623m14m/s
09:0032%59%178J/kg-0.84°C17127m14m/s
10:0028%49%132J/kg-0.44°C20631m13m/s
11:0028%56%85J/kg-0.04°C24135m13m/s
12:0023%27%86J/kg-0.26°C24135m12m/s
13:0018%27%88J/kg-0.48°C24135m12m/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
Thu, Mar 12 Sunrise 06:35 Sunset 18:34
15:00
988hPa 165J/kg 100% -0.6°C 100% 100% 87% 2.3mm 88% 1.4mm 33dBZ 47° 100% 2.5mm - - 6.6m/s
16:00
988hPa 160J/kg 100% -0.2°C 100% 100% 75% 2.6mm 94% 0.05mm 32dBZ 35° 100% 6.2mm - - 4.5m/s
17:00
988hPa 61J/kg 100% -0.3°C 76% 100% 63% 0.22mm 88% 0mm 30dBZ 21° 100% 7.8mm 10m/s 12m/s 4m/s
18:00
987hPa 12J/kg 100% 0.4°C 67% 59% 75% 0mm 75% 0mm 13dBZ 7.3° 100% 7.8mm - - 3.5m/s
19:00
988hPa 16J/kg 100% 0°C 55% 57% 87% 0mm 75% 0.02mm -3.3dBZ -6.8° 100% 7.8mm - - 4.1m/s
20:00
988hPa 16J/kg 100% 0°C 50% 58% 99% 0mm 73% 0.01mm -20dBZ -21° 100% 7.9mm 9.1m/s 15m/s 3.9m/s
21:00
989hPa 10J/kg 100% 0.4°C 99% 98% 98% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 100% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
22:00
989hPa 12J/kg 92% 0.9°C 85% 88% 98% 0mm 70% 0.01mm -19dBZ -48° 96% 0.06mm - - 3.8m/s
23:00
988hPa 0J/kg 17% 0.5°C 46% 64% 97% 0mm 69% 0mm -19dBZ -61° 67% 0.06mm 4.2m/s 17m/s 3.3m/s
Fri, Mar 13 Sunrise 06:35 Sunset 18:34
24:00
987hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.1°C 11% 53% 98% 0mm 68% 0mm -2dBZ -70° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.5m/s
01:00
987hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.2°C 23% 80% 99% 0mm 69% 0mm 15dBZ -71° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.4m/s
02:00
986hPa 12J/kg 100% 0.7°C 82% 100% 100% 0mm 66% 0mm 32dBZ -63° 100% 0.06mm 3m/s 6.4m/s 2.9m/s
03:00
986hPa 80J/kg 100% -0.7°C 100% 100% 100% 0mm 65% 0.55mm 31dBZ -50° 100% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
04:00
985hPa 88J/kg 100% -0.2°C 75% 100% 100% 0.05mm 72% 0.56mm 29dBZ -37° 100% 0.19mm - - 5.3m/s
05:00
985hPa 120J/kg 100% -0.2°C 100% 100% 100% 0.62mm 78% 0.34mm 28dBZ -23° 100% 0.88mm 8.5m/s 17m/s 4.6m/s
06:00
986hPa 189J/kg 100% -0.4°C 100% 100% 100% 1.2mm 84% 1.4mm 24dBZ -9.2° 100% 2.8mm - - 7.9m/s
07:00
987hPa 138J/kg 100% 0.3°C 100% 100% 100% 1.8mm 88% 0.98mm 21dBZ 100% 6.1mm - - 9.3m/s
08:00
987hPa 81J/kg 100% 0.7°C 100% 100% 100% 0.22mm 85% 0.64mm 17dBZ 19° 100% 7.1mm 4.8m/s 19m/s 6.5m/s
09:00
987hPa 58J/kg 100% 0.5°C 41% 76% 100% 0.36mm 87% 0.59mm 18dBZ 32° 100% 1.6mm - - 8.3m/s
10:00
988hPa 149J/kg 100% 0°C 100% 100% 100% 1mm 84% 1.4mm 19dBZ 45° 100% 3.1mm - - 10m/s
11:00
987hPa 183J/kg 100% 0°C 100% 100% 100% 3.7mm 91% 1.5mm 20dBZ 57° 100% 6.6mm 13m/s 17m/s 10m/s
12:00
986hPa 215J/kg 100% -0.4°C 100% 100% 100% 2.3mm 96% 0.83mm 23dBZ 65° 100% 12mm - - 11m/s
13:00
986hPa 162J/kg 100% 0.2°C 100% 100% 100% 3.7mm 94% 0.86mm 25dBZ 66° 100% 17mm - - 11m/s
14:00
985hPa 120J/kg 100% 0.4°C 100% 100% 100% 5mm 95% 0.53mm 27dBZ 59° 100% 21mm 8.6m/s 15m/s 10m/s
15:00
984hPa 226J/kg 100% -0.3°C 100% 100% 100% 2.4mm 96% 0.99mm 28dBZ 48° 100% 5.8mm - - 11m/s
16:00
984hPa 162J/kg 100% 0°C 100% 100% 100% 2mm 94% 0.7mm 29dBZ 35° 100% 8.9mm - - 10m/s
17:00
984hPa 119J/kg 100% 0.2°C 100% 100% 100% 2.6mm 93% 0.5mm 30dBZ 21° 100% 11mm 11m/s 7m/s 10m/s
18:00
984hPa 168J/kg 100% 0°C 100% 100% 100% 2.7mm 96% 0.47mm 30dBZ 7.4° 100% 15mm - - 10m/s
19:00
985hPa 181J/kg 100% -0.4°C 100% 100% 100% 7mm 96% 0.69mm 30dBZ -6.7° 100% 19mm - - 10m/s
20:00
986hPa 284J/kg 100% -0.9°C 100% 100% 100% 3.8mm 97% 0.94mm 30dBZ -21° 100% 26mm 14m/s 13m/s 12m/s
21:00
986hPa 321J/kg 100% -1.3°C 83% 98% 100% 0.33mm 95% 1mm 32dBZ -35° 100% 2.9mm - - 11m/s
22:00
986hPa 387J/kg 100% -1.5°C 100% 100% 100% 4.7mm 98% 0.86mm 35dBZ -48° 100% 8.6mm - - 12m/s
23:00
985hPa 350J/kg 100% -1.9°C 100% 100% 100% 3.7mm 96% 0.7mm 37dBZ -60° 100% 13mm 12m/s 20m/s 12m/s
Sat, Mar 14 Sunrise 06:35 Sunset 18:34
24:00
984hPa 375J/kg 100% -2°C 100% 100% 100% 6.3mm 98% 0.79mm 35dBZ -70° 100% 19mm - - 12m/s
01:00
983hPa 522J/kg 100% -2.4°C 100% 100% 100% 18mm 98% 0.9mm 33dBZ -71° 100% 28mm - - 14m/s
02:00
983hPa 425J/kg 100% -1.7°C 100% 100% 100% 9.6mm 98% 0.96mm 31dBZ -62° 100% 38mm 15m/s 19m/s 11m/s
03:00
983hPa 648J/kg 100% -2.6°C 100% 100% 100% 7.3mm 99% 0.69mm 25dBZ -50° 100% 18mm - - 13m/s
04:00
982hPa 700J/kg 100% -4.3°C 100% 100% 100% 13mm 99% 0.67mm 18dBZ -37° 100% 26mm - - 12m/s
05:00
982hPa 456J/kg 100% -2.2°C 99% 96% 100% 8.4mm 98% 0.62mm 12dBZ -23° 100% 34mm 13m/s 18m/s 12m/s
06:00
983hPa 446J/kg 20% -2°C 100% 77% 100% 1.3mm 96% 0.88mm 8.5dBZ -9° 100% 40mm - - 12m/s
07:00
984hPa 487J/kg 100% -2.6°C 92% 41% 100% 1.1mm 96% 0.81mm 5dBZ 5.2° 100% 44mm - - 13m/s
08:00
984hPa 412J/kg 0% -3.1°C 100% 100% 100% 1.5mm 95% 0.91mm 1.6dBZ 19° 100% 46mm 12m/s 14m/s 13m/s
09:00
984hPa 467J/kg 5% -1.8°C 100% 100% 100% 0.74mm 95% 1.3mm 8.9dBZ 33° 100% 1.9mm - - 13m/s
10:00
985hPa 456J/kg 55% -2.1°C 100% 100% 100% 1.2mm 94% 0.74mm 16dBZ 46° 100% 3.8mm - - 12m/s
11:00
984hPa 406J/kg 3% -2.8°C 100% 84% 100% 0.02mm 92% 1.2mm 23dBZ 57° 100% 5.6mm 13m/s 21m/s 12m/s
12:00
984hPa 364J/kg 86% -1.2°C 99% 100% 100% 0.78mm 90% 0.63mm 23dBZ 65° 100% 7.4mm - - 13m/s
13:00
983hPa 329J/kg 67% -2.1°C 100% 43% 100% 0.03mm 90% 1.1mm 23dBZ 66° 100% 8.4mm - - 13m/s
14:00
983hPa 334J/kg 100% -0.9°C 100% 42% 100% 0.03mm 90% 0.81mm 23dBZ 59° 100% 9.4mm 12m/s 14m/s 12m/s
15:00
982hPa 344J/kg 39% -1.6°C 100% 100% 99% 0.63mm 90% 0.74mm 24dBZ 48° 100% 1.3mm - - 12m/s
16:00
982hPa 343J/kg 40% -1.6°C 100% 99% 99% 0.25mm 90% 0.64mm 24dBZ 35° 100% 2.4mm - - 12m/s
17:00
982hPa 349J/kg 97% -0.9°C 100% 53% 98% 0.01mm 90% 1mm 25dBZ 21° 100% 3.3mm 10m/s 16m/s 12m/s
18:00
983hPa 325J/kg 100% -0.4°C 89% 74% 99% 0mm 89% 1.4mm 18dBZ 7.5° 100% 4.5mm - - 12m/s
19:00
983hPa 250J/kg 88% -0.4°C 100% 6% 99% 0.04mm 88% 2mm 12dBZ -6.6° 100% 5.9mm - - 12m/s
20:00
984hPa 283J/kg 100% -0.7°C 100% 24% 100% 0mm 88% 1.2mm 5.4dBZ -21° 100% 7.4mm 13m/s 16m/s 12m/s
21:00
988hPa 324J/kg 67% -0.98°C 98% 49% 100% 0.74mm 88% 1mm 7.7dBZ -34° 100% 6.5mm - - 11m/s
22:00
992hPa 365J/kg 33% -1.3°C 96% 75% 100% 1.5mm 89% 0.77mm 10dBZ -48° 100% 5.6mm - - 11m/s
23:00
996hPa 406J/kg 0% -1.5°C 94% 100% 100% 2.2mm 89% 0.54mm 12dBZ -60° 100% 4.6mm 13m/s 14m/s 10m/s
Sun, Mar 15 Sunrise 06:34 Sunset 18:34
24:00
996hPa 384J/kg 33% -1.6°C 84% 100% 100% 1.6mm 89% 0.37mm 12dBZ -69° 100% 6.7mm - - 10m/s
01:00
997hPa 362J/kg 67% -1.7°C 74% 100% 100% 1.1mm 89% 0.2mm 13dBZ -70° 100% 8.8mm - - 11m/s
02:00
998hPa 340J/kg 100% -1.8°C 64% 100% 100% 0.48mm 89% 0.03mm 13dBZ -62° 100% 11mm 12m/s 14m/s 11m/s
03:00
998hPa 345J/kg 100% -1.8°C 64% 100% 97% 0.82mm 89% 0.18mm 17dBZ -50° 100% 8.8mm - - 11m/s
04:00
999hPa 349J/kg 100% -1.8°C 65% 100% 93% 1.2mm 90% 0.34mm 22dBZ -37° 100% 6.7mm - - 10m/s
05:00
999hPa 354J/kg 100% -1.9°C 66% 100% 90% 1.5mm 90% 0.49mm 26dBZ -23° 100% 4.6mm 9.6m/s 11m/s 9.8m/s
06:00
999hPa 311J/kg 99% -1.7°C 55% 90% 93% 1.1mm 89% 0.34mm 22dBZ -8.7° 100% 5.5mm - - 9.1m/s
07:00
998hPa 268J/kg 97% -1.4°C 45% 80% 96% 0.72mm 88% 0.19mm 18dBZ 5.4° 100% 6.5mm - - 8.3m/s
08:00
998hPa 225J/kg 96% -1.2°C 35% 70% 99% 0.33mm 88% 0.04mm 13dBZ 19° 100% 7.4mm 10m/s 13m/s 7.5m/s
09:00
998hPa 178J/kg 88% -0.84°C 34% 62% 99% 0.23mm 86% 0.17mm 17dBZ 33° 94% 5.4mm - - 7.4m/s
10:00
998hPa 132J/kg 81% -0.44°C 34% 54% 100% 0.14mm 85% 0.29mm 20dBZ 46° 89% 3.5mm - - 7.2m/s
11:00
998hPa 85J/kg 74% -0.04°C 33% 46% 100% 0.04mm 84% 0.42mm 24dBZ 58° 84% 1.5mm 9.5m/s 13m/s 7m/s
12:00
998hPa 86J/kg 83% -0.26°C 52% 64% 100% 0.15mm 85% 0.34mm 15dBZ 66° 89% 2.1mm - - 6.8m/s
13:00
999hPa 88J/kg 91% -0.48°C 70% 82% 100% 0.26mm 86% 0.25mm 6.9dBZ 67° 95% 2.6mm - - 6.5m/s
14:00
1000hPa 89J/kg 100% -0.7°C 89% 100% 100% 0.37mm 87% 0.17mm -1.5dBZ 59° 100% 3.2mm 11m/s 13m/s 6.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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