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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

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 89% failing
Cloud Drama Score 83% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover0%
Wind Gusts2.0m/s
Precipitation Chance97%
Air Pressure1008.2hPa
CAPE459
Lifted Index-2.0°C
Wind Gusts2.0m/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 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
Sat, Feb 21
09:000%32%162J/kg-0.4°C24135m2.8m/s
10:000%27%151J/kg-0.6°C6596m2.4m/s
11:000%56%109J/kg-0.5°C7427m3.1m/s
12:000%28%67J/kg-0.3°C14482m3.3m/s
13:000%27%70J/kg0°C21251m2.9m/s
14:000%27%87J/kg-0.2°C24135m2m/s
15:000%73%176J/kg-1.2°C9959m4.1m/s
16:000%83%193J/kg-1.4°C19459m3.5m/s
17:000%53%207J/kg-1.3°C19667m3.3m/s
18:000%100%274J/kg-1.9°C21078m3.2m/s
19:000%100%345J/kg-2.3°C23844m3.3m/s
20:000%15%399J/kg-2.5°C24134m2.8m/s
21:000%12%241J/kg-1.2°C24134m1.2m/s
22:000%14%307J/kg-1.2°C24134m0.91m/s
23:000%11%339J/kg-1.3°C24135m1.1m/s
Sun, Feb 22
24:000%13%386J/kg-1.6°C24135m0.7m/s
01:000%11%379J/kg-1.6°C24135m0.7m/s
02:000%7.6%351J/kg-1.6°C24134m0.9m/s
03:000%10%392J/kg-1.9°C24135m2.2m/s
04:000%12%408J/kg-2.1°C24135m1.9m/s
05:000%11%453J/kg-2.3°C24135m1.7m/s
06:000%10%484J/kg-2.2°C24135m1.4m/s
07:000%24%492J/kg-2.2°C24135m1.5m/s
08:000%25%477J/kg-1.9°C24135m1.7m/s
09:000%24%459J/kg-2°C24134m2m/s
10:000%25%522J/kg-2.2°C24134m2m/s
11:000%27%549J/kg-2.5°C24135m2.2m/s
12:000%74%484J/kg-2.5°C24135m2.8m/s
13:000%91%410J/kg-2.3°C24135m3.1m/s
14:0013%75%379J/kg-2.3°C24135m3m/s
15:000%91%370J/kg-2.3°C24135m2.8m/s
16:000%91%367J/kg-2.3°C18611m3.3m/s
17:000%75%342J/kg-1.9°C24135m4.8m/s
18:000%77%281J/kg-1.5°C24134m5.7m/s
19:000%77%234J/kg-1.4°C18326m6.3m/s
20:0015%15%222J/kg-1.4°C18854m6.6m/s
21:000%15%179J/kg-1°C11904m6.9m/s
22:000%15%141J/kg-0.8°C9713m6.5m/s
23:000%13%153J/kg-0.7°C18091m6m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:000%12%178J/kg-1°C19746m6.1m/s
01:000%14%225J/kg-1.1°C18779m5.7m/s
02:000%15%192J/kg-0.7°C6864m5.7m/s
03:000%15%172J/kg-0.7°C5279m6.4m/s
04:000%15%152J/kg-0.5°C6381m6.7m/s
05:0028%14%126J/kg-0.6°C5251m6.9m/s
06:000%15%145J/kg-0.4°C6372m8.1m/s
07:0044%38%174J/kg-0.3°C4858m9.4m/s
08:0050%36%143J/kg-0.1°C5439m9.8m/s
09:0020%54%134J/kg-0.3°C6190m9.6m/s
10:0024%48%137J/kg-0.5°C5884m10m/s
11:0037%26%138J/kg-0.9°C7546m10m/s
12:0028%25%155J/kg-1.1°C6791m9.7m/s
13:0026%44%155J/kg-1.2°C11039m9.4m/s
14:0031%45%151J/kg-1.1°C24135m8.9m/s
15:000%65%116J/kg-0.9°C24134m8.2m/s
16:000%51%144J/kg-1.2°C24135m7.8m/s
17:000%58%149J/kg-1.1°C24135m7.5m/s
18:000%63%130J/kg-1°C24135m7.8m/s
19:000%28%70J/kg-0.7°C24135m8.1m/s
20:000%12%36J/kg0.2°C24135m7.9m/s
21:000%12%11J/kg0.9°C24134m7.2m/s
22:000%13%10J/kg2°C24134m6.6m/s
23:000%12%10J/kg2.7°C24135m6.8m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:000%14%7J/kg2.5°C24135m6.8m/s
01:000%14%5J/kg2.8°C24134m7m/s
02:000%14%5J/kg3°C24135m7.1m/s
03:000%13%7J/kg3°C24134m7.1m/s
04:000%14%7J/kg3.1°C24135m6.9m/s
05:000%15%4J/kg3.4°C24135m7.2m/s
06:000%14%3J/kg3.8°C24134m7.1m/s
07:000%42%0J/kg4.2°C24135m7.2m/s
08:000%26%0J/kg4.4°C24135m6.8m/s
09:000%24%0J/kg4.1°C24134m7m/s
10:000%20%3J/kg3.4°C24134m7m/s
11:000%29%39J/kg1.7°C23764m7.1m/s
12:000%43%42J/kg1.6°C24127m7.3m/s
13:000%43%46J/kg1.5°C22932m7.6m/s
14:000%48%40J/kg1.8°C23727m7.4m/s
15:000%37%31J/kg2.8°C23863m7.1m/s
16:000%40%23J/kg3.9°C23999m6.7m/s
17:0016%27%14J/kg4.9°C24135m6.4m/s
18:000%32%13J/kg5.1°C24135m5.9m/s
19:000%32%11J/kg5.3°C24135m5.4m/s
20:0014%0%10J/kg5.5°C24135m4.9m/s
21:000%0%7.3J/kg6°C24135m4.9m/s
22:000%0%4.7J/kg6.5°C24135m4.8m/s
23:0014%0%2J/kg7°C24135m4.7m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:000%0%5J/kg7.3°C24091m4.7m/s
01:000%0%8J/kg7.6°C24047m4.7m/s
02:0014%0%11J/kg7.9°C24003m4.8m/s
03:000%0%7.7J/kg8.7°C24047m4.7m/s
04:000%0%4.3J/kg9.5°C24091m4.7m/s
05:0015%0%1J/kg10°C24135m4.6m/s
06:000%0%0.67J/kg10°C24135m4.2m/s
07:000%97%0.33J/kg9.8°C24135m3.9m/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
Sun, Feb 22 Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 18:37
09:00
1008hPa 459J/kg 0% -2°C 0% 0% 97% 0mm 75% 0.02mm -10dBZ 25° 0% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
10:00
1009hPa 522J/kg 0% -2.2°C 0% 0% 98% 0mm 75% 0.05mm -0.55dBZ 37° 0% 0.06mm - - 2m/s
11:00
1008hPa 549J/kg 1% -2.5°C 4% 0% 99% 0mm 75% 0.01mm 9.2dBZ 48° 4% 0.06mm 9.3m/s 11m/s 2.4m/s
12:00
1008hPa 484J/kg 17% -2.5°C 11% 7% 99% 0mm 76% 0.36mm 13dBZ 56° 24% 0.13mm - - 3.5m/s
13:00
1007hPa 410J/kg 30% -2.3°C 20% 15% 99% 0mm 76% 0.44mm 17dBZ 58° 31% 0.25mm - - 3.6m/s
14:00
1007hPa 379J/kg 5% -2.3°C 25% 24% 99% 0mm 74% 0.55mm 21dBZ 54° 36% 0.56mm 9.1m/s 12m/s 3.2m/s
15:00
1006hPa 370J/kg 18% -2.3°C 26% 18% 94% 0mm 73% 0.36mm 10dBZ 45° 34% 0.38mm - - 3.1m/s
16:00
1007hPa 367J/kg 60% -2.3°C 13% 60% 89% 0mm 75% 0.78mm -0.44dBZ 34° 60% 0.63mm - - 3.7m/s
17:00
1007hPa 342J/kg 87% -1.9°C 10% 87% 84% 0mm 78% 0.26mm -11dBZ 21° 88% 0.81mm 9.9m/s 12m/s 5.2m/s
18:00
1008hPa 281J/kg 95% -1.5°C 11% 86% 88% 0mm 79% 0.02mm -9.1dBZ 97% 0.94mm - - 5.8m/s
19:00
1008hPa 234J/kg 99% -1.4°C 19% 60% 92% 0mm 81% 0.56mm -7.2dBZ -5.7° 99% 1.3mm - - 6m/s
20:00
1009hPa 222J/kg 56% -1.4°C 46% 33% 96% 0mm 83% 0.48mm -5.3dBZ -20° 68% 1.6mm 11m/s 12m/s 5.7m/s
21:00
1010hPa 179J/kg 66% -1°C 74% 78% 94% 0mm 82% 0.72mm -6.3dBZ -33° 90% 0.63mm - - 5.9m/s
22:00
1010hPa 141J/kg 87% -0.8°C 68% 87% 91% 0.01mm 80% 0.69mm -7.2dBZ -47° 91% 1.2mm - - 5.5m/s
23:00
1010hPa 153J/kg 32% -0.7°C 40% 73% 89% 0mm 80% 0.82mm -8.2dBZ -61° 73% 1.8mm 5.6m/s 9.1m/s 5.1m/s
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 18:38
24:00
1010hPa 178J/kg 2% -1°C 24% 10% 91% 0mm 80% 0.27mm 3.1dBZ -73° 24% 2.1mm - - 5m/s
01:00
1010hPa 225J/kg 0% -1.1°C 35% 60% 93% 0mm 80% 0.61mm 14dBZ -78° 62% 2.7mm - - 4.5m/s
02:00
1010hPa 192J/kg 0% -0.7°C 41% 4% 95% 0mm 80% 1.4mm 26dBZ -69° 41% 3.8mm 2.9m/s 9.6m/s 4.7m/s
03:00
1009hPa 172J/kg 0% -0.7°C 36% 3% 85% 0mm 80% 1.7mm 22dBZ -57° 36% 1.5mm - - 5.4m/s
04:00
1009hPa 152J/kg 0% -0.5°C 20% 3% 76% 0mm 80% 1.8mm 18dBZ -43° 20% 3.3mm - - 6m/s
05:00
1009hPa 126J/kg 0% -0.6°C 54% 3% 66% 0mm 80% 1.8mm 15dBZ -29° 54% 5.1mm 4.4m/s 13m/s 6m/s
06:00
1010hPa 145J/kg 0% -0.4°C 85% 3% 67% 0mm 80% 1.4mm 15dBZ -15° 85% 7.1mm - - 7.1m/s
07:00
1011hPa 174J/kg 0% -0.3°C 92% 6% 68% 0mm 80% 2.2mm 16dBZ -1.3° 92% 9mm - - 8.6m/s
08:00
1011hPa 143J/kg 0% -0.1°C 87% 7% 69% 0mm 78% 2mm 17dBZ 12° 87% 11mm 4.8m/s 14m/s 9.1m/s
09:00
1012hPa 134J/kg 0% -0.3°C 62% 5% 56% 0mm 78% 1.5mm 4.9dBZ 25° 62% 1.7mm - - 8.7m/s
10:00
1013hPa 137J/kg 0% -0.5°C 73% 5% 43% 0mm 78% 1.4mm -7.2dBZ 38° 73% 3.2mm - - 9.2m/s
11:00
1013hPa 138J/kg 0% -0.9°C 100% 5% 30% 0mm 78% 1mm -19dBZ 48° 100% 4.6mm 5.2m/s 13m/s 9.1m/s
12:00
1012hPa 155J/kg 0% -1.1°C 100% 5% 32% 0mm 77% 1.2mm -15dBZ 56° 100% 5.9mm - - 8.8m/s
13:00
1012hPa 155J/kg 0% -1.2°C 100% 16% 35% 0mm 75% 0.78mm -12dBZ 58° 100% 6.7mm - - 9m/s
14:00
1011hPa 151J/kg 0% -1.1°C 100% 59% 37% 0.01mm 74% 0.1mm -8dBZ 54° 100% 7.1mm 5.6m/s 11m/s 8.6m/s
15:00
1011hPa 116J/kg 0% -0.9°C 79% 47% 32% 0mm 72% 0.03mm -12dBZ 45° 79% 0.06mm - - 8.1m/s
16:00
1011hPa 144J/kg 0% -1.2°C 94% 11% 27% 0mm 72% 0.05mm -16dBZ 34° 94% 0.13mm - - 7.7m/s
17:00
1011hPa 149J/kg 0% -1.1°C 99% 95% 22% 0mm 71% 0.05mm -20dBZ 21° 99% 0.19mm 5.7m/s 8.7m/s 7.4m/s
18:00
1012hPa 130J/kg 0% -1°C 93% 32% 28% 0mm 71% 0.05mm -20dBZ 8.1° 93% 0.25mm - - 7.6m/s
19:00
1012hPa 70J/kg 0% -0.7°C 100% 5% 33% 0mm 71% 0.08mm -19dBZ -5.6° 100% 0.31mm - - 7.8m/s
20:00
1013hPa 36J/kg 0% 0.2°C 100% 4% 39% 0.02mm 72% 0.08mm -19dBZ -19° 100% 0.38mm 5.4m/s 7.6m/s 7.6m/s
21:00
1014hPa 11J/kg 0% 0.9°C 46% 0% 33% 0mm 71% 0.01mm -19dBZ -33° 46% 0.06mm - - 6.8m/s
22:00
1014hPa 10J/kg 0% 2°C 52% 0% 28% 0mm 70% 0.01mm -20dBZ -47° 52% 0.06mm - - 6.3m/s
23:00
1014hPa 10J/kg 0% 2.7°C 51% 0% 22% 0mm 70% 0.01mm -20dBZ -61° 51% 0.06mm 8.1m/s 12m/s 6.8m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 07:02 Sunset 18:38
24:00
1014hPa 7J/kg 0% 2.5°C 25% 0% 42% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 25% 0.06mm - - 7.1m/s
01:00
1013hPa 5J/kg 0% 2.8°C 30% 0% 62% 0mm 72% 0.01mm -20dBZ -77° 30% 0.13mm - - 6.6m/s
02:00
1013hPa 5J/kg 0% 3°C 54% 0% 82% 0.01mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -69° 54% 0.13mm 8.2m/s 13m/s 6.4m/s
03:00
1013hPa 7J/kg 0% 3°C 24% 0% 80% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -56° 24% 0mm - - 6.6m/s
04:00
1012hPa 7J/kg 0% 3.1°C 26% 0% 78% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -43° 26% 0mm - - 6.7m/s
05:00
1012hPa 4J/kg 0% 3.4°C 28% 0% 75% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 28% 0mm 8.9m/s 15m/s 7.1m/s
06:00
1013hPa 3J/kg 0% 3.8°C 53% 0% 81% 0mm 65% 0mm -11dBZ -15° 53% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
07:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.2°C 10% 0% 86% 0mm 62% 0mm -2.4dBZ -1.1° 10% 0mm - - 7m/s
08:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.4°C 0% 0% 91% 0mm 61% 0mm 6.3dBZ 12° 0% 0mm 9.7m/s 15m/s 6.6m/s
09:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.1°C 0% 0% 82% 0mm 61% 0mm -1.7dBZ 25° 0% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
10:00
1015hPa 3J/kg 0% 3.4°C 2% 0% 73% 0mm 62% 0.02mm -9.7dBZ 38° 2% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
11:00
1015hPa 39J/kg 0% 1.7°C 14% 0% 64% 0mm 70% 0.12mm -18dBZ 49° 14% 0.06mm 9m/s 16m/s 7.2m/s
12:00
1014hPa 42J/kg 0% 1.6°C 25% 0% 70% 0mm 71% 0.14mm -18dBZ 56° 25% 0.19mm - - 7.5m/s
13:00
1014hPa 46J/kg 0% 1.5°C 27% 0% 77% 0mm 71% 0.17mm -19dBZ 59° 27% 0.38mm - - 7.5m/s
14:00
1013hPa 40J/kg 0% 1.8°C 50% 0% 84% 0mm 71% 0.13mm -19dBZ 55° 50% 0.5mm 6.4m/s 14m/s 7.5m/s
15:00
998hPa 31J/kg 0% 2.8°C 63% 0% 77% 0mm 76% 0.12mm -18dBZ 46° 63% 0.4mm - - 6m/s
16:00
984hPa 23J/kg 0% 3.9°C 76% 0% 70% 0mm 81% 0.11mm -16dBZ 34° 76% 0.29mm - - 4.6m/s
17:00
969hPa 14J/kg 0% 4.9°C 89% 0% 64% 0mm 86% 0.1mm -15dBZ 21° 89% 0.19mm 5.6m/s 15m/s 3.1m/s
18:00
969hPa 13J/kg 0% 5.1°C 91% 0% 70% 0.01mm 85% 0.07mm -14dBZ 8.2° 91% 0.27mm - - 2.9m/s
19:00
969hPa 11J/kg 0% 5.3°C 92% 0% 77% 0.02mm 85% 0.04mm -13dBZ -5.5° 92% 0.35mm - - 2.7m/s
20:00
969hPa 10J/kg 0% 5.5°C 93% 0% 83% 0.03mm 84% 0.01mm -12dBZ -19° 93% 0.44mm 6.4m/s 13m/s 2.6m/s
21:00
968hPa 7.3J/kg 33% 6°C 68% 0% 69% 0.02mm 85% 0.01mm -6.7dBZ -33° 96% 0.31mm - - 2.6m/s
22:00
968hPa 4.7J/kg 67% 6.5°C 42% 0% 55% 0.01mm 86% 0.01mm -1.5dBZ -47° 98% 0.19mm - - 2.6m/s
23:00
968hPa 2J/kg 100% 7°C 16% 0% 41% 0mm 87% 0.01mm 3.6dBZ -60° 100% 0.06mm 7.8m/s 16m/s 2.6m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 07:01 Sunset 18:39
24:00
968hPa 5J/kg 92% 7.3°C 27% 0% 49% 0mm 86% 0.03mm 3.4dBZ -72° 95% 0.1mm - - 2.7m/s
01:00
969hPa 8J/kg 84% 7.6°C 38% 0% 56% 0mm 86% 0.05mm 3.1dBZ -77° 89% 0.15mm - - 2.7m/s
02:00
969hPa 11J/kg 76% 7.9°C 50% 0% 64% 0mm 85% 0.07mm 2.9dBZ -69° 84% 0.19mm 6.2m/s 13m/s 2.7m/s
03:00
969hPa 7.7J/kg 78% 8.7°C 55% 1% 56% 0mm 79% 0.05mm -2.3dBZ -56° 83% 0.15mm - - 3.1m/s
04:00
969hPa 4.3J/kg 79% 9.5°C 60% 2% 47% 0mm 72% 0.02mm -7.6dBZ -43° 82% 0.1mm - - 3.4m/s
05:00
969hPa 1J/kg 81% 10°C 65% 4% 39% 0mm 65% 0mm -13dBZ -29° 81% 0.06mm 5.9m/s 17m/s 3.8m/s
06:00
968hPa 0.67J/kg 55% 10°C 49% 3% 45% 0mm 61% 0mm -6dBZ -15° 60% 0.06mm - - 3.7m/s
07:00
967hPa 0.33J/kg 30% 9.8°C 32% 1% 50% 0mm 57% 0mm 0.77dBZ -0.85° 39% 0.06mm - - 3.6m/s
08:00
967hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.6°C 15% 0% 56% 0mm 52% 0mm 7.6dBZ 13° 18% 0.06mm 5m/s 20m/s 3.5m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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