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Rule Storm Chaser

Varkala - Storm Chaser - Kerala

Varkala, Kerala, India

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
Cloud Drama Score 85% failing
CAPE 72% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts11.4m/s
Precipitation Chance82%
Air Pressure1007.3hPa
CAPE124
Lifted Index-1.6°C
Wind Gusts11.4m/s
Precipitation0.1mm

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Asia/Kolkata

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 dramatic monsoon and storm conditions across Kerala—when the Southwest monsoon transforms "God's Own Country" into a rain-lashed landscape of powerful waves, lightning-streaked skies, and mist-shrouded Western Ghats. We analyze atmospheric instability, monsoon patterns, and storm systems to predict when spectacular weather creates photographic drama along coast and highlands.

Kerala experiences one of India's most dramatic monsoon seasons, with the Southwest monsoon typically arriving in early June and continuing through September. This is when Kerala becomes a storm photographer's paradise—the Western Ghats trap monsoon clouds, creating intense rainfall, lightning storms, and dramatic cloudscapes. The Arabian Sea coastline experiences powerful storm waves and wind-driven conditions.

What makes Kerala storm photography special:

  • Southwest monsoon drama - The June monsoon arrival brings spectacular first-storm photography with lightning, massive clouds, and transformed landscapes
  • Arabian Sea waves - Varkala and Kovalam's cliffside and beach locations capture storm surf crashing against red laterite formations and lighthouses
  • Western Ghats lightning - Highland areas like Munnar and Wayanad experience frequent electrical storms with lightning over tea plantations and forests
  • Periyar Lake storms - Thekkady's wildlife sanctuary becomes atmospheric under storm clouds, with lightning reflecting in lake waters

The Southwest monsoon's June arrival is Kerala's most dramatic weather event—the first rains transform the landscape overnight. Varkala's red laterite cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea provide spectacular vantage points for storm waves crashing below during strong monsoon systems. Munnar's tea plantations under electrical storms create surreal scenes—lightning illuminating green hills and mist. Thekkady's Periyar Lake gains moody atmosphere under storm clouds, with lightning reflecting in water. Bekal Fort on the northern coast provides elevated coastal storm photography with ancient architecture. Peak monsoon (June-August) delivers consistent dramatic conditions but requires weatherproofing equipment. Always prioritize safety—avoid exposed highland areas during active lightning.

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72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 78 hours
OR logic: one branch per group is enough
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
Asia/Kolkata
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, Jul 8
11:3028%83%42J/kg0.1°C23114m10m/s
12:3025%31%39J/kg-0.1°C24134m10m/s
13:3023%29%30J/kg0.1°C24135m11m/s
14:3029%58%16J/kg-0.2°C24134m10m/s
15:3025%75%20J/kg-0.4°C24134m11m/s
16:3025%100%43J/kg-0.7°C24134m10m/s
17:3025%100%66J/kg-1.1°C24134m10m/s
18:3021%68%61J/kg-1.2°C24134m11m/s
19:3020%64%124J/kg-1.6°C24135m11m/s
20:3028%11%269J/kg-2°C24135m11m/s
21:3020%4.7%208J/kg-1.5°C24135m11m/s
22:3020%0.4%267J/kg-0.7°C24135m10m/s
23:3027%0%265J/kg-0.3°C24134m9.2m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:3019%0%222J/kg-0.1°C24134m9.3m/s
01:3017%2.4%255J/kg0.2°C24134m9.2m/s
02:3019%0.6%301J/kg0.2°C24135m9.8m/s
03:3017%0.9%319J/kg0.3°C24134m9.6m/s
04:3015%0%338J/kg0.4°C24134m9.2m/s
05:3019%57%294J/kg0.4°C24135m8.8m/s
06:3017%58%233J/kg0.6°C24135m8.5m/s
07:3018%63%224J/kg0.4°C24135m8.1m/s
08:3022%27%176J/kg0.3°C24134m7.8m/s
09:3017%25%107J/kg0.4°C24134m7.6m/s
10:3018%37%65J/kg0.7°C24134m8.1m/s
11:3023%35%61J/kg0.7°C24135m8.7m/s
12:3017%34%49J/kg0.9°C24135m8.8m/s
13:3016%24%32J/kg1°C24134m9m/s
14:3018%24%18J/kg1°C24135m9.3m/s
15:3017%22%16J/kg0.8°C24134m9.6m/s
16:3020%24%55J/kg-0.1°C24135m9.2m/s
17:3021%27%266J/kg-1.2°C24135m8.9m/s
18:3019%22%348J/kg-1.6°C24134m9m/s
19:3022%22%358J/kg-1.6°C24135m8.9m/s
20:3028%0%346J/kg-1.4°C24135m9.1m/s
21:3026%0.1%300J/kg-0.7°C24134m8.7m/s
22:3025%0%249J/kg-0.5°C24135m8.7m/s
23:3027%0.2%291J/kg-0.6°C24135m8.2m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:3019%0.5%273J/kg-0.5°C24134m8.1m/s
01:3019%4%268J/kg-0.4°C24135m7.4m/s
02:3027%3.6%181J/kg-0.3°C24135m8.1m/s
03:3024%13%136J/kg-0.5°C24135m8.9m/s
04:3022%14%121J/kg-0.6°C24135m8.2m/s
05:3026%36%59J/kg-0.5°C24135m7.5m/s
06:3017%63%39J/kg-0.1°C24135m6.9m/s
07:3020%71%43J/kg-0.3°C24135m6.7m/s
08:3023%30%59J/kg-0.7°C24134m6.5m/s
09:3019%27%58J/kg-0.7°C24135m7.2m/s
10:3017%27%65J/kg-0.7°C24134m7.4m/s
11:3026%23%52J/kg-0.6°C24135m8m/s
12:3017%23%13J/kg0°C24134m8.6m/s
13:3016%48%10J/kg0.3°C24134m8.7m/s
14:3022%30%16J/kg-0.1°C24135m8.7m/s
15:3017%32%63J/kg-0.6°C24134m8.5m/s
16:3017%32%93J/kg-0.9°C24134m8.7m/s
17:3018%71%140J/kg-1.2°C24134m9m/s
18:3015%83%155J/kg-1.3°C24135m9.7m/s
19:3018%59%162J/kg-1.2°C24134m9.7m/s
20:3021%13%204J/kg-1.4°C24134m9.8m/s
21:3019%15%285J/kg-1.8°C24135m9.5m/s
22:3023%14%363J/kg-2.1°C24135m9.4m/s
23:3029%14%407J/kg-2.4°C24135m9.1m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:3022%0%467J/kg-2.6°C24135m9m/s
01:3027%0%526J/kg-2.9°C24135m8.9m/s
02:3020%0%586J/kg-3.1°C24135m8.8m/s
03:3027%0%596J/kg-3.3°C24135m9m/s
04:3029%0%606J/kg-3.4°C24135m9.1m/s
05:3022%20%616J/kg-3.5°C24135m9.2m/s
06:3025%20%639J/kg-3.5°C24135m9.5m/s
07:3024%17%663J/kg-3.4°C24135m9.7m/s
08:3019%13%686J/kg-3.4°C24135m9.9m/s
09:3024%13%798J/kg-3.6°C24135m10m/s
10:3025%17%910J/kg-3.9°C24135m10m/s
11:3027%13%1022J/kg-4.1°C24135m11m/s
12:3026%13%950J/kg-3.8°C24135m10m/s
13:3027%13%879J/kg-3.5°C24135m10m/s
14:3021%17%807J/kg-3.2°C24135m10m/s
15:3028%17%754J/kg-2.9°C24135m10m/s
16:3030%17%701J/kg-2.6°C24135m10m/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
Asia/Kolkata
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 06:10 Sunset 18:46
19:30
1007hPa 124J/kg 0.07fraction 100% -1.6°C 0% 34% 82% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 100% 0.13mm - - 5.4m/s
20:30
1008hPa 269J/kg 0.11fraction 100% -2°C 0% 8% 82% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 100% 0.13mm 3.4m/s 15m/s 5.2m/s
21:30
1008hPa 208J/kg 0.07fraction 100% -1.5°C 0% 7% 85% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -36° 100% 0.19mm - - 5.1m/s
22:30
1009hPa 267J/kg 0.04fraction 100% -0.7°C 0% 6% 88% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -47° 100% 0.25mm - - 4.6m/s
23:30
1009hPa 265J/kg 0fraction 100% -0.3°C 0% 29% 92% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -56° 100% 0.25mm 5.2m/s 16m/s 4.1m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 06:10 Sunset 18:46
24:30
1008hPa 222J/kg 0.33fraction 100% -0.1°C 0% 61% 80% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -59° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.6m/s
01:30
1008hPa 255J/kg 0.67fraction 95% 0.2°C 0% 69% 68% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -55° 95% 0.06mm - - 3.4m/s
02:30
1007hPa 301J/kg 1fraction 100% 0.2°C 0% 88% 56% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -47° 100% 0.06mm 2.5m/s 14m/s 3.4m/s
03:30
1007hPa 319J/kg 0.67fraction 100% 0.3°C 0% 84% 65% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -36° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.3m/s
04:30
1007hPa 338J/kg 0.33fraction 100% 0.4°C 0% 77% 73% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -23° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.5m/s
05:30
1008hPa 294J/kg 0fraction 100% 0.4°C 0% 72% 82% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -9.9° 100% 0.06mm 1.6m/s 13m/s 3.4m/s
06:30
1008hPa 233J/kg 0.33fraction 100% 0.6°C 0% 77% 82% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 3.9° 100% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
07:30
1009hPa 224J/kg 0.67fraction 93% 0.4°C 0% 76% 82% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 93% 0.06mm - - 3.3m/s
08:30
1010hPa 176J/kg 1fraction 100% 0.3°C 0% 6% 82% 0mm 77% 0mm -19dBZ 31° 100% 0.06mm 1.6m/s 14m/s 3.9m/s
09:30
1010hPa 107J/kg 1fraction 100% 0.4°C 2% 4% 71% 0mm 69% 0mm -4.6dBZ 45° 100% 0.13mm - - 4.7m/s
10:30
1010hPa 65J/kg 1fraction 100% 0.7°C 20% 1% 60% 0mm 64% 0mm 10dBZ 59° 100% 0.13mm - - 5.3m/s
11:30
1009hPa 61J/kg 1fraction 100% 0.7°C 20% 5% 49% 0mm 62% 0mm 25dBZ 70° 100% 0.13mm 1.9m/s 13m/s 6m/s
12:30
1009hPa 49J/kg 0.96fraction 94% 0.9°C 15% 4% 46% 0mm 61% 0mm 10dBZ 76° 94% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
13:30
1008hPa 32J/kg 0.93fraction 100% 1°C 3% 0% 42% 0mm 62% 0mm -5dBZ 70° 100% 0mm - - 6.5m/s
14:30
1008hPa 18J/kg 0.89fraction 100% 1°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 58° 100% 0mm 4.4m/s 14m/s 6.5m/s
15:30
1007hPa 16J/kg 0.66fraction 100% 0.8°C 0% 0% 53% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 100% 0mm - - 6.3m/s
16:30
1007hPa 55J/kg 0.43fraction 100% -0.1°C 0% 0% 68% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 100% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
17:30
1008hPa 266J/kg 0.2fraction 100% -1.2°C 0% 0% 83% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 100% 0mm 5.6m/s 15m/s 4.7m/s
18:30
1008hPa 348J/kg 0.47fraction 100% -1.6°C 0% 0% 87% 0mm 77% 0.09mm -20dBZ 3.2° 100% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
19:30
1009hPa 358J/kg 0.73fraction 100% -1.6°C 0% 0% 91% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.3m/s
20:30
1010hPa 346J/kg 1fraction 100% -1.4°C 0% 3% 95% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 100% 0.13mm 4.3m/s 14m/s 4.1m/s
21:30
1010hPa 300J/kg 0.86fraction 100% -0.7°C 0% 5% 95% 0mm 83% 0mm -17dBZ -36° 100% 0.13mm - - 3.6m/s
22:30
1010hPa 249J/kg 0.73fraction 100% -0.5°C 0% 6% 94% 0mm 84% 0mm -13dBZ -48° 100% 0.13mm - - 3.5m/s
23:30
1010hPa 291J/kg 0.59fraction 100% -0.6°C 0% 38% 94% 0mm 86% 0mm -9.6dBZ -56° 100% 0.13mm 5.6m/s 15m/s 3m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 06:10 Sunset 18:46
24:30
1010hPa 273J/kg 0.73fraction 100% -0.5°C 0% 92% 87% 0mm 87% 0.01mm -13dBZ -59° 100% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
01:30
1009hPa 268J/kg 0.86fraction 99% -0.4°C 0% 71% 79% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -16dBZ -56° 99% 0.06mm - - 2.8m/s
02:30
1009hPa 181J/kg 1fraction 99% -0.3°C 0% 44% 72% 0mm 86% 0.05mm -19dBZ -47° 99% 0.25mm 7.2m/s 17m/s 3.2m/s
03:30
1008hPa 136J/kg 0.92fraction 98% -0.5°C 0% 5% 76% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -19dBZ -36° 98% 0.31mm - - 3.2m/s
04:30
1009hPa 121J/kg 0.83fraction 95% -0.6°C 0% 16% 80% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -20dBZ -23° 95% 0.31mm - - 2.8m/s
05:30
1009hPa 59J/kg 0.75fraction 100% -0.5°C 0% 0% 85% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -10° 100% 0.31mm 6.9m/s 16m/s 2.8m/s
06:30
1009hPa 39J/kg 0.83fraction 62% -0.1°C 0% 0% 73% 0mm 86% 0mm -4.4dBZ 3.8° 62% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
07:30
1010hPa 43J/kg 0.92fraction 23% -0.3°C 0% 0% 61% 0mm 80% 0.02mm 11dBZ 18° 23% 0.06mm - - 3m/s
08:30
1011hPa 59J/kg 1fraction 100% -0.7°C 0% 2% 49% 0mm 72% 0mm 27dBZ 31° 100% 0.06mm 6.9m/s 14m/s 3.5m/s
09:30
1011hPa 58J/kg 1fraction 100% -0.7°C 0% 2% 53% 0mm 66% 0mm 27dBZ 45° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.9m/s
10:30
1011hPa 65J/kg 1fraction 100% -0.7°C 1% 0% 57% 0mm 62% 0mm 27dBZ 59° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.6m/s
11:30
1011hPa 52J/kg 1fraction 100% -0.6°C 2% 0% 61% 0mm 59% 0mm 28dBZ 71° 100% 0.06mm 6.4m/s 14m/s 5.6m/s
12:30
1010hPa 13J/kg 1fraction 99% 0°C 0% 0% 56% 0mm 58% 0mm 15dBZ 77° 99% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
13:30
1009hPa 10J/kg 1fraction 52% 0.3°C 0% 0% 50% 0mm 58% 0mm 2.9dBZ 70° 52% 0mm - - 6.4m/s
14:30
1009hPa 16J/kg 1fraction 100% -0.1°C 0% 0% 44% 0mm 61% 0mm -9.5dBZ 58° 100% 0mm 6.8m/s 14m/s 6.2m/s
15:30
1008hPa 63J/kg 0.67fraction 100% -0.6°C 0% 0% 53% 0mm 64% 0mm -13dBZ 44° 100% 0mm - - 6m/s
16:30
1008hPa 93J/kg 0.33fraction 100% -0.9°C 0% 0% 61% 0mm 67% 0mm -16dBZ 31° 100% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
17:30
1009hPa 140J/kg 0fraction 58% -1.2°C 0% 0% 69% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 58% 0mm 5.6m/s 14m/s 5.5m/s
18:30
1009hPa 155J/kg 0fraction 37% -1.3°C 0% 0% 74% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 3.2° 37% 0mm - - 5m/s
19:30
1010hPa 162J/kg 0fraction 74% -1.2°C 0% 0% 78% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 74% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
20:30
1010hPa 204J/kg 0fraction 15% -1.4°C 0% 0% 83% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 15% 0mm 3.3m/s 13m/s 4.3m/s
21:30
1011hPa 285J/kg 0.22fraction 53% -1.8°C 0% 0% 86% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -36° 53% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
22:30
1011hPa 363J/kg 0.44fraction 80% -2.1°C 0% 0% 90% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -48° 80% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
23:30
1011hPa 407J/kg 0.66fraction 22% -2.4°C 0% 0% 94% 0mm 87% 0.01mm -20dBZ -56° 22% 0mm 4.1m/s 12m/s 3.6m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 06:10 Sunset 18:46
24:30
1011hPa 467J/kg 0.5fraction 48% -2.6°C 0% 0% 85% 0mm 87% 0.007mm -20dBZ -59° 48% 0.02mm - - 4.4m/s
01:30
1012hPa 526J/kg 0.33fraction 74% -2.9°C 0% 0% 77% 0mm 86% 0.003mm -20dBZ -56° 74% 0.04mm - - 5.2m/s
02:30
1013hPa 586J/kg 0.17fraction 100% -3.1°C 0% 0% 69% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -47° 100% 0.06mm 3.5m/s 11m/s 6m/s
03:30
1013hPa 596J/kg 0.13fraction 100% -3.3°C 0% 1% 73% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -36° 100% 0.06mm - - 5.9m/s
04:30
1013hPa 606J/kg 0.1fraction 100% -3.4°C 0% 2% 78% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -23° 100% 0.06mm - - 5.8m/s
05:30
1013hPa 616J/kg 0.06fraction 100% -3.5°C 0% 4% 83% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -10° 100% 0.06mm 3.6m/s 11m/s 5.8m/s
06:30
1012hPa 639J/kg 0.05fraction 100% -3.5°C 0% 2% 55% 0.003mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 3.8° 100% 0.04mm - - 6.1m/s
07:30
1011hPa 663J/kg 0.04fraction 100% -3.4°C 0% 1% 28% 0.007mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 100% 0.02mm - - 6.4m/s
08:30
1010hPa 686J/kg 0.03fraction 100% -3.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0.01mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 100% 0mm 5.4m/s 11m/s 6.7m/s
09:30
1010hPa 798J/kg 0.13fraction 100% -3.6°C 0% 1% 13% 0.007mm 85% 0.01mm -20dBZ 45° 100% 0.02mm - - 6.8m/s
10:30
1010hPa 910J/kg 0.23fraction 100% -3.9°C 0% 2% 26% 0.003mm 86% 0.03mm -20dBZ 59° 100% 0.04mm - - 6.9m/s
11:30
1010hPa 1022J/kg 0.33fraction 100% -4.1°C 0% 3% 39% 0mm 87% 0.04mm -20dBZ 71° 100% 0.06mm 6.1m/s 11m/s 7m/s
12:30
1010hPa 950J/kg 0.22fraction 100% -3.8°C 0% 2% 45% 0mm 87% 0.04mm -20dBZ 77° 100% 0.08mm - - 6.7m/s
13:30
1011hPa 879J/kg 0.11fraction 100% -3.5°C 0% 1% 50% 0mm 86% 0.05mm -20dBZ 70° 100% 0.1mm - - 6.5m/s
14:30
1012hPa 807J/kg 0fraction 100% -3.2°C 0% 0% 56% 0mm 86% 0.05mm -20dBZ 58° 100% 0.13mm 5.8m/s 13m/s 6.2m/s
15:30
1012hPa 754J/kg 0.33fraction 100% -2.9°C 0% 0% 54% 0.003mm 86% 0.03mm -20dBZ 45° 100% 0.15mm - - 6.3m/s
16:30
1012hPa 701J/kg 0.67fraction 100% -2.6°C 0% 1% 51% 0.007mm 85% 0.02mm -20dBZ 31° 100% 0.17mm - - 6.4m/s
17:30
1012hPa 648J/kg 1fraction 100% -2.4°C 0% 1% 49% 0.01mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 100% 0.19mm 5.5m/s 11m/s 6.5m/s
18:30
1011hPa 643J/kg 1fraction 100% -2.4°C 0% 2% 51% 0.007mm 84% 0.007mm -18dBZ 3.2° 100% 0.15mm - - 6.6m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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