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Rule Storm Chaser

Waimea Canyon - Storm Chaser - Hawaii

Lihue, Hawaii, United States

Dramatic storm conditions — from atmospheric builds to active thunderstorms

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts5.9m/s
Precipitation Chance97%
Air Pressure1008.8hPa
CAPE762
Lifted Index-4.0°C
Wind Gusts5.9m/s
Precipitation0.3mm

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Pacific/Honolulu
Next opportunity
Moderate Storm
Waimea Canyon
Fri, Apr 10 · 07:00–08:00 · 1h window
Medium confidence
46%
⛈️Storm Intensity61.1%
CAPE: 334
Lifted Index: -2.0°C
Wind Gusts: 17.6m/s
Precipitation: 18.5mm

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
1matching hours in the next 95 hoursJump to next match
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, Apr 7
15:000%7.7%171J/kg2°C24135m6.1m/s
16:000%8.6%178J/kg2.2°C24134m6m/s
17:000%3.8%186J/kg2.1°C24135m5.5m/s
18:000%3.3%197J/kg1.9°C19368m5.5m/s
19:000%2.6%186J/kg1.8°C24134m4.8m/s
20:000%1.3%156J/kg1.9°C24135m3.9m/s
21:000%0.5%147J/kg1.8°C24135m3.5m/s
22:000%0%119J/kg1.9°C24134m2.8m/s
23:000%0.1%106J/kg1.8°C24135m2.7m/s
Wed, Apr 8
24:000%0.1%127J/kg1.5°C24134m2.9m/s
01:000%0%123J/kg1.6°C24135m2.4m/s
02:000%4.6%122J/kg1.4°C24134m2.4m/s
03:000%0.4%227J/kg0.7°C24134m2.8m/s
04:000%1.3%236J/kg0.7°C24134m2.2m/s
05:000%5.6%277J/kg0.8°C24135m2.1m/s
06:000%16%267J/kg0.6°C24135m2.5m/s
07:000%19%255J/kg0.4°C24134m2.5m/s
08:000%21%299J/kg0.1°C24135m2.3m/s
09:000%27%398J/kg-0.9°C24134m3.6m/s
10:000%58%481J/kg-1.1°C24134m3.7m/s
11:000%21%639J/kg-1.8°C24134m4.8m/s
12:000%18%700J/kg-2.6°C24135m5.1m/s
13:000%18%669J/kg-3.1°C24135m4.7m/s
14:000%19%720J/kg-4.4°C24135m6m/s
15:000%40%762J/kg-4°C24134m5.9m/s
16:000%48%394J/kg-1.8°C7374m4.5m/s
17:0027%48%311J/kg-1.3°C24135m4.2m/s
18:000%57%275J/kg-1.5°C24065m3.4m/s
19:0023%59%209J/kg-0.7°C3976m3m/s
20:0055%0%89J/kg1.2°C1405m1.9m/s
21:0023%0%10J/kg0.4°C2431m1.5m/s
22:000%0%65J/kg-0.5°C23291m2.1m/s
23:000%0%70J/kg-0.5°C24134m3.3m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%0%163J/kg-1.6°C10814m4.6m/s
01:000%0%152J/kg-0.5°C7853m7.4m/s
02:0029%0%87J/kg-0.7°C24006m7.8m/s
03:000%0%130J/kg-0.6°C16132m7.3m/s
04:0017%0%156J/kg-0.5°C9925m7.8m/s
05:0046%0%234J/kg-1.1°C4612m9.9m/s
06:0047%67%214J/kg-0.7°C2330m11m/s
07:0055%67%282J/kg-1.1°C2723m13m/s
08:0061%66%275J/kg-1.2°C6881m15m/s
09:0035%56%256J/kg-1.2°C6451m16m/s
10:0044%46%198J/kg-0.5°C6794m17m/s
11:0045%27%127J/kg0.7°C14966m18m/s
12:0052%27%176J/kg-0.1°C8133m18m/s
13:0049%27%157J/kg-0.6°C11088m19m/s
14:0044%27%151J/kg-0.6°C7712m19m/s
15:0043%48%172J/kg-0.9°C3138m20m/s
16:0068%58%157J/kg-0.6°C1838m20m/s
17:0064%58%181J/kg-0.4°C1673m20m/s
18:0061%73%171J/kg-0.1°C1236m22m/s
19:0076%71%213J/kg-0.9°C1058m15m/s
20:0086%0%194J/kg-0.4°C970m19m/s
21:0066%0%257J/kg-0.8°C2982m17m/s
22:0064%0%223J/kg-0.6°C3774m17m/s
23:0073%0%193J/kg-0.3°C4223m17m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:0067%0%188J/kg-0.5°C4677m17m/s
01:0049%0%148J/kg0.6°C6221m15m/s
02:0073%0%285J/kg-1°C5495m12m/s
03:0040%0%289J/kg-1.4°C4757m14m/s
04:0036%0%292J/kg-1.6°C7433m15m/s
05:0063%0%327J/kg-3.2°C2901m15m/s
06:0060%69%281J/kg-1.3°C1822m17m/s
07:0061%83%334J/kg-2°C6460m18m/s
08:0047%30%286J/kg-1°C24135m14m/s
09:000%24%108J/kg0.6°C24135m10m/s
10:000%21%155J/kg1.2°C24134m8.2m/s
11:000%14%40J/kg1.8°C24135m5.8m/s
12:000%23%39J/kg2.8°C24058m4.6m/s
13:000%22%49J/kg3.2°C24135m2.9m/s
14:000%28%54J/kg3.4°C24134m2.6m/s
15:000%50%44J/kg3.6°C23441m3.1m/s
16:000%47%27J/kg4°C24134m3.2m/s
17:000%6.6%5J/kg3.7°C24135m2.8m/s
18:000%11%0J/kg4.1°C24135m1.7m/s
19:000%15%0J/kg4.4°C24135m3.8m/s
20:000%3.7%0J/kg5°C24135m5.1m/s
21:000%0%6.3J/kg5.2°C21813m4.8m/s
22:000%0%13J/kg5.4°C19491m4.5m/s
23:0014%0%19J/kg5.6°C17170m4.2m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%0%22J/kg5.4°C19492m3.6m/s
01:000%0%26J/kg5.2°C21813m3m/s
02:0014%0%29J/kg5°C24135m2.4m/s
03:000%0%24J/kg4.9°C24135m2.4m/s
04:000%0%20J/kg4.8°C24135m2.4m/s
05:0014%0%15J/kg4.7°C24135m2.4m/s
06:000%38%14J/kg4.6°C23615m2.1m/s
07:000%38%14J/kg4.5°C23095m1.8m/s
08:0013%40%13J/kg4.4°C22575m1.5m/s
09:000%32%9.7J/kg4.7°C23095m1.7m/s
10:000%28%6.3J/kg5.1°C23615m1.9m/s
11:0014%16%3J/kg5.5°C24135m2.1m/s
12:000%16%3J/kg5.1°C24135m2m/s
13:000%16%3J/kg4.7°C24135m1.8m/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
Wed, Apr 8 Sunrise 06:22 Sunset 18:54
15:00
1009hPa 762J/kg 100% -4°C 65% 100% 97% 0mm 82% 0.74mm -1.9dBZ 53° 100% 0.31mm - - 4.8m/s
16:00
1009hPa 394J/kg 100% -1.8°C 100% 100% 97% 1.6mm 85% 0mm 16dBZ 40° 100% 2.7mm - - 3.7m/s
17:00
1010hPa 311J/kg 100% -1.3°C 100% 100% 98% 0.07mm 84% 0mm 33dBZ 26° 100% 3.8mm 6.5m/s 20m/s 2.9m/s
18:00
1010hPa 275J/kg 100% -1.5°C 100% 100% 99% 0.15mm 83% 0mm 18dBZ 12° 100% 4.3mm - - 2.4m/s
19:00
1010hPa 209J/kg 100% -0.7°C 100% 100% 99% 3.8mm 87% 1.6mm 3.9dBZ -1.8° 100% 6.1mm - - 2.5m/s
20:00
1010hPa 89J/kg 100% 1.2°C 100% 100% 100% 25mm 94% 1.1mm -11dBZ -16° 100% 19mm 6.1m/s 18m/s 1.9m/s
21:00
1012hPa 10J/kg 100% 0.4°C 100% 100% 100% 11mm 95% 0.4mm 2.8dBZ -29° 100% 24mm - - 1.5m/s
22:00
1013hPa 65J/kg 100% -0.5°C 57% 100% 100% 0.21mm 93% 0.23mm 16dBZ -41° 100% 27mm - - 2.1m/s
23:00
1012hPa 70J/kg 100% -0.5°C 100% 100% 100% 0.08mm 92% 0.13mm 30dBZ -52° 100% 27mm 12m/s 8.3m/s 2.7m/s
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:22 Sunset 18:54
24:00
1011hPa 163J/kg 100% -1.6°C 98% 100% 100% 0.33mm 91% 0.25mm 30dBZ -59° 100% 28mm - - 2.5m/s
01:00
1010hPa 152J/kg 100% -0.5°C 75% 100% 100% 1mm 90% 0.71mm 30dBZ -60° 100% 29mm - - 5.2m/s
02:00
1009hPa 87J/kg 100% -0.7°C 48% 100% 100% 0.23mm 90% 0.03mm 30dBZ -54° 100% 31mm 8.8m/s 19m/s 4.8m/s
03:00
1009hPa 130J/kg 100% -0.6°C 100% 100% 100% 0.22mm 88% 0.33mm 32dBZ -44° 100% 0.31mm - - 4.4m/s
04:00
1008hPa 156J/kg 100% -0.5°C 82% 96% 99% 0mm 88% 1.1mm 33dBZ -32° 100% 1.2mm - - 5m/s
05:00
1008hPa 234J/kg 100% -1.1°C 100% 100% 99% 1.6mm 88% 1.6mm 35dBZ -20° 100% 3.2mm 12m/s 19m/s 7.1m/s
06:00
1008hPa 214J/kg 100% -0.7°C 100% 100% 99% 4.7mm 91% 1.3mm 33dBZ -6° 100% 9.1mm - - 8.9m/s
07:00
1009hPa 282J/kg 100% -1.1°C 100% 100% 99% 1.9mm 92% 1.1mm 31dBZ 7.9° 100% 14mm - - 9.4m/s
08:00
1009hPa 275J/kg 100% -1.2°C 100% 100% 100% 0.16mm 89% 1.2mm 29dBZ 22° 100% 15mm 7.8m/s 18m/s 11m/s
09:00
1009hPa 256J/kg 100% -1.2°C 100% 100% 99% 1.1mm 89% 0.86mm 32dBZ 36° 100% 2.1mm - - 11m/s
10:00
1009hPa 198J/kg 100% -0.5°C 100% 68% 99% 0.33mm 89% 1.1mm 36dBZ 49° 100% 4mm - - 13m/s
11:00
1008hPa 127J/kg 100% 0.7°C 99% 100% 99% 0.28mm 88% 0.28mm 39dBZ 62° 100% 5.4mm 8.8m/s 17m/s 13m/s
12:00
1008hPa 176J/kg 100% -0.1°C 100% 100% 100% 0.53mm 89% 0.59mm 37dBZ 73° 100% 6.5mm - - 12m/s
13:00
1007hPa 157J/kg 100% -0.6°C 100% 100% 100% 0.09mm 88% 0.53mm 35dBZ 75° 100% 7.5mm - - 13m/s
14:00
1006hPa 151J/kg 100% -0.6°C 100% 100% 100% 2.1mm 91% 0.35mm 34dBZ 66° 100% 8.3mm 9.3m/s 11m/s 14m/s
15:00
1005hPa 172J/kg 100% -0.9°C 100% 100% 100% 4.2mm 92% 0.38mm 37dBZ 53° 100% 5.1mm - - 14m/s
16:00
1005hPa 157J/kg 100% -0.6°C 100% 100% 100% 7.8mm 93% 0.52mm 41dBZ 40° 100% 13mm - - 15m/s
17:00
1005hPa 181J/kg 100% -0.4°C 100% 100% 100% 9.1mm 93% 0.45mm 44dBZ 26° 100% 22mm 13m/s 15m/s 15m/s
18:00
1005hPa 171J/kg 100% -0.1°C 100% 100% 100% 15mm 95% 0.38mm 43dBZ 12° 100% 34mm - - 16m/s
19:00
1006hPa 213J/kg 100% -0.9°C 98% 100% 100% 16mm 96% 0.63mm 42dBZ -1.7° 100% 51mm - - 12m/s
20:00
1006hPa 194J/kg 100% -0.4°C 100% 100% 100% 23mm 96% 0.99mm 41dBZ -15° 100% 72mm 12m/s 11m/s 13m/s
21:00
1007hPa 257J/kg 100% -0.8°C 100% 100% 93% 5mm 94% 1.4mm 40dBZ -29° 100% 15mm - - 13m/s
22:00
1008hPa 223J/kg 100% -0.6°C 100% 100% 86% 3.3mm 92% 1.2mm 39dBZ -41° 100% 19mm - - 13m/s
23:00
1008hPa 193J/kg 100% -0.3°C 100% 100% 80% 3.1mm 92% 0.88mm 38dBZ -51° 100% 24mm 16m/s 16m/s 14m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:22 Sunset 18:55
24:00
1008hPa 188J/kg 100% -0.5°C 100% 100% 82% 2.4mm 92% 1mm 38dBZ -59° 100% 29mm - - 14m/s
01:00
1007hPa 148J/kg 100% 0.6°C 100% 100% 84% 1.8mm 89% 0.42mm 37dBZ -60° 100% 31mm - - 11m/s
02:00
1006hPa 285J/kg 100% -1°C 92% 100% 87% 0.05mm 90% 1.8mm 37dBZ -54° 100% 33mm 18m/s 25m/s 8.5m/s
03:00
1005hPa 289J/kg 100% -1.4°C 100% 100% 68% 1.3mm 91% 0.95mm 37dBZ -44° 100% 2.1mm - - 11m/s
04:00
1004hPa 292J/kg 100% -1.6°C 100% 100% 48% 1.4mm 91% 0.48mm 37dBZ -32° 100% 3.8mm - - 12m/s
05:00
1004hPa 327J/kg 100% -3.2°C 100% 100% 29% 1.6mm 92% 0.93mm 37dBZ -19° 100% 6.3mm 19m/s 20m/s 12m/s
06:00
1004hPa 281J/kg 100% -1.3°C 100% 99% 32% 2.3mm 95% 0.84mm 18dBZ -5.8° 100% 11mm - - 12m/s
07:00
1005hPa 334J/kg 100% -2°C 83% 21% 34% 0.36mm 89% 1.3mm -1.1dBZ 100% 19mm - - 12m/s
08:00
1006hPa 286J/kg 0% -1°C 1% 0% 36% 0mm 83% 0.02mm -20dBZ 22° 1% 19mm 15m/s 16m/s 10m/s
09:00
1006hPa 108J/kg 0% 0.6°C 1% 0% 33% 0mm 81% 0.01mm -20dBZ 36° 1% 0mm - - 8.1m/s
10:00
1007hPa 155J/kg 0% 1.2°C 2% 0% 29% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 49° 2% 0mm - - 6.3m/s
11:00
1007hPa 40J/kg 0% 1.8°C 4% 0% 26% 0mm 76% 0.01mm -20dBZ 63° 4% 0.06mm 14m/s 15m/s 4.2m/s
12:00
1007hPa 39J/kg 0% 2.8°C 12% 0% 40% 0mm 73% 0.04mm -20dBZ 73° 12% 0.06mm - - 2.3m/s
13:00
1007hPa 49J/kg 5% 3.2°C 4% 0% 54% 0mm 76% 0.03mm -20dBZ 75° 8% 0.13mm - - 2m/s
14:00
1007hPa 54J/kg 98% 3.4°C 40% 0% 69% 0mm 76% 0.06mm -20dBZ 66° 98% 0.19mm 12m/s 10m/s 2.3m/s
15:00
1007hPa 44J/kg 5% 3.6°C 35% 0% 53% 0mm 75% 0.11mm -17dBZ 53° 35% 0.06mm - - 3.2m/s
16:00
1007hPa 27J/kg 1% 4°C 32% 0% 38% 0mm 74% 0.04mm -15dBZ 40° 32% 0.19mm - - 3.8m/s
17:00
1007hPa 5J/kg 0% 3.7°C 0% 0% 22% 0mm 73% 0mm -12dBZ 26° 0% 0.19mm 12m/s 15m/s 4.2m/s
18:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.1°C 0% 0% 23% 0mm 70% 0mm -15dBZ 12° 0% 0.19mm - - 2.1m/s
19:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.4°C 0% 0% 25% 0mm 70% 0mm -17dBZ -1.6° 0% 0.19mm - - 2.8m/s
20:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 5°C 0% 0% 26% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 0% 0.19mm 8.8m/s 13m/s 4.1m/s
21:00
994hPa 6.3J/kg 33% 5.2°C 33% 0% 25% 0mm 76% 0.02mm -20dBZ -28° 33% 0.19mm - - 3.6m/s
22:00
979hPa 13J/kg 67% 5.4°C 65% 0% 23% 0mm 82% 0.04mm -20dBZ -41° 67% 0.19mm - - 3m/s
23:00
965hPa 19J/kg 100% 5.6°C 98% 0% 22% 0mm 88% 0.06mm -20dBZ -51° 100% 0.19mm 8.3m/s 14m/s 2.4m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:21 Sunset 18:55
24:00
965hPa 22J/kg 100% 5.4°C 74% 0% 31% 0.01mm 87% 0.06mm -20dBZ -58° 100% 0.27mm - - 2.1m/s
01:00
966hPa 26J/kg 100% 5.2°C 51% 0% 41% 0.02mm 86% 0.06mm -19dBZ -59° 100% 0.35mm - - 1.8m/s
02:00
966hPa 29J/kg 100% 5°C 28% 0% 50% 0.03mm 85% 0.06mm -19dBZ -54° 100% 0.44mm 7m/s 12m/s 1.6m/s
03:00
967hPa 24J/kg 99% 4.9°C 26% 0% 37% 0.03mm 78% 0.05mm -11dBZ -44° 99% 0.4mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
967hPa 20J/kg 99% 4.8°C 24% 0% 23% 0.03mm 71% 0.04mm -3.3dBZ -32° 99% 0.35mm - - 1.7m/s
05:00
967hPa 15J/kg 98% 4.7°C 21% 0% 10% 0.03mm 64% 0.03mm 4.4dBZ -19° 98% 0.31mm 7.1m/s 11m/s 1.7m/s
06:00
967hPa 14J/kg 97% 4.6°C 22% 0% 23% 0.03mm 62% 0.02mm 3.9dBZ -5.6° 97% 0.33mm - - 1.3m/s
07:00
966hPa 14J/kg 96% 4.5°C 22% 0% 37% 0.02mm 61% 0.01mm 3.3dBZ 8.2° 96% 0.35mm - - 0.81m/s
08:00
966hPa 13J/kg 95% 4.4°C 22% 0% 50% 0.02mm 60% 0mm 2.8dBZ 22° 95% 0.38mm 7.1m/s 13m/s 0.34m/s
09:00
966hPa 9.7J/kg 96% 4.7°C 22% 0% 67% 0.02mm 60% 0.003mm -1.9dBZ 36° 96% 0.27mm - - 0.62m/s
10:00
966hPa 6.3J/kg 98% 5.1°C 22% 0% 83% 0.01mm 60% 0.007mm -6.5dBZ 50° 98% 0.17mm - - 0.91m/s
11:00
966hPa 3J/kg 100% 5.5°C 22% 0% 100% 0.01mm 59% 0.01mm -11dBZ 63° 100% 0.06mm 9.7m/s 15m/s 1.2m/s
12:00
966hPa 3J/kg 100% 5.1°C 20% 0% 100% 0.01mm 65% 0.01mm -11dBZ 74° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.1m/s
13:00
967hPa 3J/kg 100% 4.7°C 18% 0% 100% 0.01mm 71% 0.01mm -10dBZ 76° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.94m/s
14:00
968hPa 3J/kg 100% 4.4°C 16% 0% 100% 0.01mm 77% 0.01mm -9.7dBZ 66° 100% 0.06mm 15m/s 21m/s 0.81m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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