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Rule Storm Chaser

Etosha Pan - Storm Chaser - Namibia

Okaukuejo, Namibia

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 76% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts6.8m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure890.9hPa
CAPE21
Lifted Index0.3°C
Wind Gusts6.8m/s
Precipitation0.0mm

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Africa/Windhoek

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 predicts rare but spectacular storm conditions across Namibia's desert landscapes, where infrequent weather events create dramatic photography opportunities in one of Earth's most arid environments. We track atmospheric instability, moisture incursion, and electrical activity to identify when thunderstorms and lightning illuminate ancient dunes and vast salt pans.

Namibia averages fewer than 30 rainy days per year, with Sossusvlei receiving only 106mm annually—making successful storm photography a rare achievement. When storms do develop during summer months, they're often spectacular with towering cumulus, dramatic lightning, and intense but brief rainfall. The desert's extreme aridity means storms stand out against typically clear skies.

What makes Namibia storm photography exceptional:

  • Desert lightning - Electrical storms over Sossusvlei's red dunes create vivid orange foreground against lightning-streaked skies
  • Etosha drama - Summer thunderstorms develop over the pan, bringing wildlife to waterholes while lightning illuminates the vast expanse
  • Rarity factor - Storm events are infrequent enough that each occurrence represents significant photographic opportunity
  • Unobstructed views - Minimal vegetation and vast open spaces allow clear sight lines to distant storm cells and lightning

Sossusvlei during rare summer storms provides Namibia's most dramatic storm photography—lightning striking across the dune sea creates compositions found nowhere else. Red dunes appear even more vivid when wet. Etosha Pan becomes particularly photogenic during storms when animals congregate at waterholes—combine wildlife with dramatic skies and distant lightning. Spitzkoppe's granite formations attract lightning—photograph from safe distances to capture bolts hitting ancient rock. Fish River Canyon under storm conditions takes on Grand Canyon-like drama with lightning illuminating the gorge. Storm season runs November through March, with peak activity January-February. Lightning safety is critical—avoid high ground and flash flood risks in canyons.

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72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 92 hours
OR logic: one branch per group is enough
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
Africa/Windhoek
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, Apr 8
06:000%9.1%194J/kg-1.1°C24134m6.8m/s
07:000%42%94J/kg-0.7°C24134m8.5m/s
08:0028%63%65J/kg-0.9°C24135m8.2m/s
09:000%27%52J/kg-0.6°C24135m6.1m/s
10:000%43%95J/kg-0.7°C24134m6.2m/s
11:000%35%90J/kg-0.9°C24135m6.4m/s
12:000%41%69J/kg-0.4°C24134m7.6m/s
13:000%27%74J/kg-0.5°C24135m9.4m/s
14:0018%47%108J/kg-1.2°C18443m9m/s
15:000%46%82J/kg-0.9°C24135m8.4m/s
16:000%49%169J/kg-1.5°C16715m7m/s
17:0016%59%153J/kg-1.9°C24135m5.8m/s
18:000%35%100J/kg-1.8°C24135m6m/s
19:000%63%73J/kg-1.1°C23861m6.7m/s
20:0018%12%73J/kg-1.2°C24135m5.6m/s
21:000%6.3%35J/kg-0.5°C24135m9.4m/s
22:000%3.3%36J/kg-0.6°C18725m8.8m/s
23:0019%4.1%28J/kg-0.4°C24134m7.3m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%5.6%16J/kg0.1°C24135m5m/s
01:000%9.3%15J/kg0.8°C24135m4.4m/s
02:0018%11%11J/kg1°C24135m4.1m/s
03:000%10%21J/kg0.3°C24134m6.8m/s
04:000%10%8J/kg0°C24135m9.6m/s
05:0018%12%4J/kg0.5°C24135m11m/s
06:0015%14%2J/kg1°C24135m13m/s
07:0015%97%1J/kg1°C24134m14m/s
08:0018%67%0J/kg1°C24134m14m/s
09:0018%57%0J/kg1.4°C24134m13m/s
10:0018%24%0J/kg1.7°C24135m12m/s
11:0026%19%0J/kg1.5°C24134m11m/s
12:0016%14%0J/kg1.5°C24135m10m/s
13:0016%13%1J/kg1.5°C24135m9.1m/s
14:0017%18%2J/kg1°C24135m8.7m/s
15:000%21%0J/kg0.6°C24135m8.2m/s
16:000%25%0J/kg0.3°C24134m7.4m/s
17:000%25%0J/kg0.4°C24135m6.9m/s
18:000%84%5J/kg0.1°C24134m6.2m/s
19:000%74%7J/kg-0.1°C24134m5.5m/s
20:000%11%5J/kg0°C24135m11m/s
21:0016%14%3J/kg-0.2°C24135m12m/s
22:000%14%0J/kg0.2°C24134m12m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg0.4°C24134m11m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:0016%15%0J/kg0.5°C24135m14m/s
01:0017%14%0J/kg0.9°C24134m13m/s
02:0015%13%0J/kg1.4°C24135m12m/s
03:0014%14%0J/kg1.7°C24134m12m/s
04:000%15%0J/kg2.2°C24134m12m/s
05:000%15%0J/kg2.3°C24135m12m/s
06:000%15%3J/kg2.3°C24134m12m/s
07:000%79%4J/kg2.2°C24134m12m/s
08:000%100%6J/kg2.2°C24135m12m/s
09:000%59%0J/kg2.3°C24134m12m/s
10:0016%28%0J/kg2.3°C24134m11m/s
11:000%15%0J/kg1.8°C24135m9.6m/s
12:000%14%0J/kg1.4°C24135m8.2m/s
13:000%21%2J/kg1.1°C24134m7m/s
14:000%54%13J/kg1°C24134m6.2m/s
15:000%56%14J/kg0.8°C24134m5.8m/s
16:000%63%18J/kg0.7°C24134m5.2m/s
17:000%97%17J/kg0.5°C24134m4.9m/s
18:000%65%7J/kg0.4°C24134m4.8m/s
19:000%79%0J/kg0.3°C24135m5.1m/s
20:000%14%6J/kg0.5°C24135m4.4m/s
21:000%14%4J/kg0.7°C24135m9m/s
22:000%15%2J/kg0.9°C24134m9.9m/s
23:000%11%1J/kg0.8°C24135m11m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%11%4J/kg0.2°C24134m9m/s
01:000%7.8%0J/kg0.3°C24135m10m/s
02:000%11%0J/kg1.1°C24134m10m/s
03:000%13%0J/kg1.7°C24134m8.3m/s
04:000%15%0J/kg1.8°C24134m8.4m/s
05:000%13%0J/kg1.6°C24135m8.3m/s
06:000%12%0J/kg1.4°C24135m7.2m/s
07:000%50%0J/kg1.4°C24135m7.7m/s
08:0015%48%0J/kg1.3°C24135m8.2m/s
09:000%69%8.7J/kg0.72°C24135m6m/s
10:000%66%17J/kg0.15°C24135m3.8m/s
11:000%53%26J/kg-0.43°C24135m1.6m/s
12:000%50%38J/kg-0.6°C24135m2m/s
13:000%21%51J/kg-0.78°C24135m2.3m/s
14:000%4.5%63J/kg-0.96°C24135m2.7m/s
15:000%4.5%81J/kg-0.9°C24135m2.6m/s
16:000%7.7%98J/kg-0.83°C24135m2.4m/s
17:000%12%116J/kg-0.77°C24135m2.2m/s
18:000%82%100J/kg-0.71°C24135m2.8m/s
19:000%85%84J/kg-0.66°C24135m3.3m/s
20:000%0%68J/kg-0.6°C24135m3.9m/s
21:000%0%103J/kg-0.29°C24135m3.1m/s
22:000%0%139J/kg0.03°C24135m2.3m/s
23:000%0%174J/kg0.35°C24135m1.4m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%0%190J/kg0.49°C24135m2m/s
01:000%0%205J/kg0.64°C24135m2.6m/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
Africa/Windhoek
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, Apr 9 Sunrise 07:05 Sunset 18:50
03:00
891hPa 21J/kg 0% 0.3°C 100% 44% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -7dBZ -58° 100% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
04:00
891hPa 8J/kg 0% 0°C 100% 10% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -5.3dBZ -44° 100% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
05:00
891hPa 4J/kg 0% 0.5°C 98% 6% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -3.6dBZ -30° 98% 0mm 11m/s 11m/s 4.5m/s
06:00
891hPa 2J/kg 0% 1°C 79% 34% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -9.1dBZ -16° 81% 0mm - - 5m/s
07:00
892hPa 1J/kg 0% 1°C 48% 71% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -15dBZ -1.8° 75% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
08:00
892hPa 0J/kg 0% 1°C 0% 67% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 67% 0mm 5.2m/s 9.3m/s 6.3m/s
09:00
893hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.4°C 0% 64% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 64% 0mm - - 8.6m/s
10:00
893hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.7°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 5% 0mm - - 8.7m/s
11:00
893hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.5°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 5% 0mm 2.8m/s 10m/s 9.1m/s
12:00
892hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.5°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 60° 5% 0mm - - 8.9m/s
13:00
891hPa 1J/kg 0% 1.5°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 63° 6% 0mm - - 8.5m/s
14:00
890hPa 2J/kg 0% 1°C 9% 5% 0% 0mm 29% 0mm -20dBZ 59° 9% 0mm 1.3m/s 6.9m/s 8.4m/s
15:00
889hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.6°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 7% 0mm - - 7.6m/s
16:00
889hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.3°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 7% 0mm - - 6.8m/s
17:00
889hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.4°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 7% 0mm 1.9m/s 5.3m/s 5.9m/s
18:00
889hPa 5J/kg 0% 0.1°C 29% 12% 0% 0mm 29% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 29% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
19:00
889hPa 7J/kg 0% -0.1°C 81% 42% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ -2.9° 83% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
20:00
890hPa 5J/kg 0% 0°C 64% 72% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 72% 0mm 3m/s 5.3m/s 6m/s
21:00
891hPa 3J/kg 0% -0.2°C 23% 58% 0% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ -31° 58% 0mm - - 6.4m/s
22:00
891hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.2°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 43% 0mm -20dBZ -45° 5% 0mm - - 5.3m/s
23:00
891hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.4°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ -59° 5% 0mm 5.5m/s 6.4m/s 4.8m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 07:05 Sunset 18:50
24:00
892hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.5°C 1% 5% 0% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 6% 0mm - - 7.7m/s
01:00
891hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.9°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ -79° 5% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
02:00
891hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.4°C 40% 7% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ -71° 40% 0mm 5.1m/s 7.8m/s 5.4m/s
03:00
891hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.7°C 29% 16% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ -58° 30% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
04:00
891hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.2°C 34% 30% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -44° 35% 0mm - - 5m/s
05:00
891hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.3°C 72% 91% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 91% 0mm 3.5m/s 7.4m/s 4.7m/s
06:00
892hPa 3J/kg 5% 2.3°C 68% 100% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
07:00
892hPa 4J/kg 8% 2.2°C 72% 100% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ -1.9° 100% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
08:00
893hPa 6J/kg 6% 2.2°C 35% 33% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 40% 0mm 4.1m/s 6.7m/s 6m/s
09:00
893hPa 0J/kg 16% 2.3°C 0% 1% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 16% 0mm - - 7.3m/s
10:00
894hPa 0J/kg 5% 2.3°C 0% 2% 0% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 5% 0mm - - 8.1m/s
11:00
893hPa 0J/kg 5% 1.8°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 5% 0mm 4.6m/s 6.5m/s 7.8m/s
12:00
893hPa 0J/kg 5% 1.4°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 59° 5% 0mm - - 7.8m/s
13:00
892hPa 2J/kg 5% 1.1°C 6% 5% 0% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 63° 8% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
14:00
891hPa 13J/kg 5% 1°C 38% 5% 0% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ 59° 38% 0mm 0.82m/s 4.5m/s 6.2m/s
15:00
890hPa 14J/kg 5% 0.8°C 69% 8% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 49° 69% 0mm - - 5.3m/s
16:00
889hPa 18J/kg 5% 0.7°C 88% 78% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 88% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
17:00
889hPa 17J/kg 5% 0.5°C 49% 72% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 77% 0mm 3.4m/s 3.1m/s 4.6m/s
18:00
890hPa 7J/kg 23% 0.4°C 1% 5% 0% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 23% 0mm - - 5.3m/s
19:00
890hPa 0J/kg 31% 0.3°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ -3.1° 31% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
20:00
890hPa 6J/kg 78% 0.5°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 78% 0mm 7.7m/s 5.4m/s 3.6m/s
21:00
891hPa 4J/kg 83% 0.7°C 2% 4% 0% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 83% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
22:00
892hPa 2J/kg 100% 0.9°C 26% 13% 0% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -46° 100% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
23:00
892hPa 1J/kg 100% 0.8°C 16% 5% 0% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -59° 100% 0mm 2.6m/s 2.8m/s 4.9m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 07:05 Sunset 18:49
24:00
892hPa 4J/kg 100% 0.2°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 100% 0mm - - 4m/s
01:00
892hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.3°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ -79° 100% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
02:00
892hPa 0J/kg 85% 1.1°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ -71° 85% 0mm 1.6m/s 6.7m/s 4.5m/s
03:00
891hPa 0J/kg 96% 1.7°C 2% 34% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ -58° 96% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
04:00
891hPa 0J/kg 91% 1.8°C 1% 8% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -44° 91% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
05:00
891hPa 0J/kg 23% 1.6°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 23% 0mm 1.1m/s 8.4m/s 3.7m/s
06:00
891hPa 0J/kg 32% 1.4°C 0% 0% 7% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 32% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
07:00
892hPa 0J/kg 15% 1.4°C 0% 0% 15% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -2° 15% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
08:00
892hPa 0J/kg 8% 1.3°C 11% 1% 22% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 13% 0mm 1.2m/s 11m/s 3.9m/s
09:00
892hPa 8.7J/kg 5% 0.72°C 20% 13% 15% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 21% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
10:00
892hPa 17J/kg 3% 0.15°C 28% 25% 7% 0mm 41% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 29% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
11:00
892hPa 26J/kg 0% -0.43°C 36% 37% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 50° 37% 0mm 2m/s 6.8m/s 0.93m/s
12:00
892hPa 38J/kg 0% -0.6°C 24% 26% 0% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ 59° 26% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
13:00
892hPa 51J/kg 0% -0.78°C 12% 16% 0% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 62° 16% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
14:00
892hPa 63J/kg 0% -0.96°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 58° 5% 0mm 1.2m/s 6.5m/s 2.7m/s
15:00
892hPa 81J/kg 0% -0.9°C 0% 5% 20% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 49° 5% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
16:00
892hPa 98J/kg 0% -0.83°C 0% 5% 40% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 5% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
17:00
893hPa 116J/kg 0% -0.77°C 0% 5% 60% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 5% 0mm 2.8m/s 7m/s 2.1m/s
18:00
892hPa 100J/kg 0% -0.71°C 17% 34% 45% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 34% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
19:00
892hPa 84J/kg 0% -0.66°C 34% 63% 29% 0mm 43% 0mm -20dBZ -3.3° 63% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
20:00
892hPa 68J/kg 0% -0.6°C 51% 91% 14% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 91% 0mm 6.4m/s 6m/s 2.9m/s
21:00
892hPa 103J/kg 0% -0.29°C 35% 77% 23% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 77% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
22:00
892hPa 139J/kg 0% 0.03°C 19% 62% 31% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -46° 62% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
23:00
892hPa 174J/kg 0% 0.35°C 3% 48% 40% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ -60° 48% 0mm 8.5m/s 9.8m/s 1.1m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 07:05 Sunset 18:48
24:00
892hPa 190J/kg 0% 0.49°C 2% 32% 42% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ -73° 32% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
01:00
893hPa 205J/kg 0% 0.64°C 1% 16% 43% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ -79° 16% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
02:00
893hPa 221J/kg 0% 0.78°C 0% 0% 45% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ -71° 0% 0mm 3.9m/s 11m/s 2.8m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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