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Rule Storm Chaser

Fish River Canyon - Storm Chaser - Namibia

Keetmanshoop, Karas Region, 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 90% failing
Cloud Drama Score 75% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover31%
Wind Gusts3.0m/s
Precipitation Chance42%
Air Pressure899.6hPa
CAPE26
Lifted Index-0.7°C
Wind Gusts3.0m/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%6.3%50J/kg-0.3°C24134m5.7m/s
07:000%82%55J/kg-0.9°C15331m2.5m/s
08:0018%51%73J/kg0°C24135m5.1m/s
09:000%46%80J/kg-1.8°C24135m9.9m/s
10:0018%46%150J/kg-2.3°C24134m12m/s
11:0029%42%131J/kg-1.6°C24135m12m/s
12:0016%40%121J/kg-1.3°C24134m11m/s
13:0016%42%292J/kg-2.4°C24135m12m/s
14:0017%41%377J/kg-2.9°C24134m11m/s
15:000%41%105J/kg-1°C24134m9.5m/s
16:000%58%84J/kg-0.6°C24134m7.7m/s
17:0016%52%157J/kg-0.9°C24135m7.6m/s
18:000%26%123J/kg-1.1°C24135m8.1m/s
19:000%36%175J/kg-1.4°C22904m6.9m/s
20:0015%14%217J/kg-1.7°C24135m5.4m/s
21:000%14%86J/kg-1.1°C24135m4.9m/s
22:000%15%87J/kg-1.2°C24134m4.5m/s
23:0016%15%76J/kg-0.6°C21558m3.2m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%15%63J/kg-1.1°C24135m6.1m/s
01:000%15%72J/kg-0.9°C24135m1.7m/s
02:0014%15%40J/kg-0.8°C24135m2.6m/s
03:000%15%26J/kg-0.7°C24134m3m/s
04:000%15%0J/kg-0.1°C24135m4.5m/s
05:0014%15%10J/kg-0.7°C24135m5.3m/s
06:000%15%30J/kg-0.9°C24135m3.7m/s
07:000%32%22J/kg-0.5°C24134m2.7m/s
08:000%62%43J/kg-0.8°C24134m7.3m/s
09:000%27%69J/kg-1°C24134m6.3m/s
10:000%25%83J/kg-1.3°C24135m6.3m/s
11:0014%23%134J/kg-1.7°C24134m7m/s
12:000%25%206J/kg-1.9°C24135m6.8m/s
13:000%23%245J/kg-1.9°C24135m5.8m/s
14:000%26%262J/kg-2.2°C24135m4.9m/s
15:000%72%267J/kg-2.4°C24135m3.9m/s
16:000%53%255J/kg-2.4°C24134m3.3m/s
17:000%91%258J/kg-2.7°C24135m3.4m/s
18:000%100%288J/kg-2.3°C24134m5.2m/s
19:000%97%239J/kg-2.7°C24134m3.7m/s
20:0021%14%138J/kg-1.2°C13459m6.3m/s
21:000%9.8%115J/kg-1°C24135m6.3m/s
22:000%10%127J/kg-0.7°C24134m6.1m/s
23:000%6.2%128J/kg-1°C24134m1.6m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%11%114J/kg-0.9°C24135m1.7m/s
01:000%7.7%118J/kg-1.1°C24134m4.7m/s
02:000%11%176J/kg-1.4°C24135m4.2m/s
03:000%14%147J/kg-1.6°C24134m3.3m/s
04:000%15%101J/kg-1.1°C24134m3.5m/s
05:0015%15%93J/kg-1°C24135m7.1m/s
06:000%15%55J/kg-0.8°C24134m6.9m/s
07:000%70%52J/kg-0.8°C24134m7.3m/s
08:0017%23%62J/kg-1.3°C24135m9.2m/s
09:000%13%53J/kg-1.2°C24134m9.3m/s
10:000%11%77J/kg-1.4°C24134m8.3m/s
11:0016%14%61J/kg-1.3°C24135m7.9m/s
12:000%17%57J/kg-1.3°C24135m7.6m/s
13:000%18%39J/kg-1°C24134m7.2m/s
14:000%23%35J/kg-0.8°C24134m6.7m/s
15:000%69%54J/kg-0.9°C24134m5.9m/s
16:000%95%91J/kg-1°C24134m6.3m/s
17:000%97%85J/kg-1.5°C24134m6.2m/s
18:000%100%88J/kg-1.7°C24134m6.2m/s
19:0016%64%130J/kg-2.1°C24135m9m/s
20:0032%9%159J/kg-1.7°C24135m11m/s
21:0016%11%98J/kg-1.4°C24135m9.9m/s
22:0033%15%58J/kg-0.7°C16844m10m/s
23:0022%14%104J/kg-1.2°C22833m8.4m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%13%99J/kg-1.6°C24134m7.3m/s
01:000%12%93J/kg-0.8°C24135m8.3m/s
02:0022%3%67J/kg-0.7°C24134m7.9m/s
03:000%3.7%57J/kg-0.1°C24134m6.9m/s
04:000%6.7%48J/kg-0.2°C24134m4.7m/s
05:0021%12%45J/kg-0.4°C24135m6.8m/s
06:000%11%45J/kg-0.8°C17346m6.8m/s
07:0018%100%34J/kg-0.7°C9446m5m/s
08:0028%100%44J/kg-0.9°C24135m3.6m/s
09:0022%100%29J/kg0.39°C17760m5.4m/s
10:0022%67%15J/kg1.7°C11386m7.2m/s
11:0049%55%0J/kg3°C5011m8.9m/s
12:0025%49%0J/kg2.7°C11386m7.4m/s
13:0026%44%0J/kg2.5°C17760m5.8m/s
14:0052%35%0J/kg2.2°C24135m4.2m/s
15:0038%35%0J/kg1.7°C24135m3m/s
16:0034%50%0J/kg1.1°C24135m1.8m/s
17:0016%68%0J/kg0.53°C24135m0.64m/s
18:000%63%0J/kg0.75°C24135m0.66m/s
19:000%44%0J/kg0.97°C24135m0.68m/s
20:0014%0%0J/kg1.2°C24135m0.7m/s
21:000%0%0J/kg1.1°C24135m0.61m/s
22:000%0%0J/kg1.1°C24135m0.52m/s
23:0013%0%0J/kg1.1°C24135m0.43m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%0%0J/kg0.89°C24135m1m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg0.74°C24135m1.6m/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 07:00 Sunset 18:36
03:00
900hPa 26J/kg 17% -0.7°C 0% 31% 42% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ -54° 31% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
04:00
899hPa 0J/kg 0% -0.1°C 0% 99% 47% 0mm 51% 0mm -20dBZ -41° 99% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
05:00
899hPa 10J/kg 0% -0.7°C 0% 97% 51% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 97% 0mm 4.8m/s 12m/s 3.6m/s
06:00
899hPa 30J/kg 0% -0.9°C 0% 8% 47% 0mm 50% 0.04mm -20dBZ -14° 8% 0mm - - 3m/s
07:00
900hPa 22J/kg 0% -0.5°C 0% 9% 42% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ -0.62° 9% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
08:00
901hPa 43J/kg 0% -0.8°C 0% 27% 38% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 27% 0mm 2m/s 7.4m/s 3.1m/s
09:00
901hPa 69J/kg 0% -1°C 0% 3% 44% 0mm 40% 0.04mm -20dBZ 25° 3% 0.06mm - - 4.8m/s
10:00
901hPa 83J/kg 0% -1.3°C 0% 3% 50% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 3% 0.06mm - - 5.1m/s
11:00
900hPa 134J/kg 0% -1.7°C 0% 5% 56% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 5% 0.06mm 2.9m/s 12m/s 5.5m/s
12:00
900hPa 206J/kg 0% -1.9°C 0% 5% 56% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ 54° 5% 0.06mm - - 6.5m/s
13:00
899hPa 245J/kg 0% -1.9°C 0% 5% 57% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 5% 0.06mm - - 5.9m/s
14:00
899hPa 262J/kg 0% -2.2°C 4% 5% 57% 0mm 29% 0mm -20dBZ 52° 5% 0.06mm 3.8m/s 8.6m/s 5.1m/s
15:00
898hPa 267J/kg 0% -2.4°C 42% 45% 59% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 43° 48% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
16:00
898hPa 255J/kg 0% -2.4°C 4% 29% 62% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 29% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
17:00
898hPa 258J/kg 0% -2.7°C 14% 51% 64% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 51% 0mm 2.8m/s 6.7m/s 2.8m/s
18:00
898hPa 288J/kg 19% -2.3°C 77% 97% 64% 0mm 34% 0.04mm -20dBZ 7.4° 97% 0mm - - 6.3m/s
19:00
898hPa 239J/kg 0% -2.7°C 16% 21% 64% 0mm 37% 0.02mm -20dBZ -5.9° 21% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
20:00
899hPa 138J/kg 0% -1.2°C 24% 70% 64% 0mm 42% 0.9mm -20dBZ -19° 70% 0.31mm 3.2m/s 1.9m/s 4.9m/s
21:00
900hPa 115J/kg 0% -1°C 1% 48% 43% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 48% 0.38mm - - 6.2m/s
22:00
901hPa 127J/kg 0% -0.7°C 17% 90% 21% 0mm 57% 0.01mm -20dBZ -46° 90% 0.5mm - - 4.2m/s
23:00
901hPa 128J/kg 0% -1°C 23% 79% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ -58° 79% 0.94mm 8.9m/s 9.6m/s 1.1m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 07:00 Sunset 18:36
24:00
901hPa 114J/kg 0% -0.9°C 22% 72% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ -68° 73% 0.94mm - - 1.5m/s
01:00
900hPa 118J/kg 0% -1.1°C 4% 89% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ -71° 89% 0.94mm - - 4m/s
02:00
900hPa 176J/kg 0% -1.4°C 21% 73% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ -65° 73% 0.94mm 4.5m/s 9.2m/s 2.6m/s
03:00
899hPa 147J/kg 0% -1.6°C 24% 89% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ -54° 89% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
04:00
899hPa 101J/kg 0% -1.1°C 67% 100% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ -41° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
05:00
899hPa 93J/kg 0% -1°C 5% 37% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ -28° 37% 0mm 3.2m/s 14m/s 3.4m/s
06:00
899hPa 55J/kg 0% -0.8°C 0% 11% 0% 0mm 51% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 11% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
07:00
900hPa 52J/kg 0% -0.8°C 0% 39% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ -0.77° 39% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
08:00
900hPa 62J/kg 0% -1.3°C 0% 8% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 8% 0mm 5.8m/s 16m/s 5.1m/s
09:00
900hPa 53J/kg 0% -1.2°C 0% 2% 17% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 2% 0mm - - 7.3m/s
10:00
900hPa 77J/kg 0% -1.4°C 0% 4% 33% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 4% 0mm - - 7m/s
11:00
900hPa 61J/kg 0% -1.3°C 0% 2% 50% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 2% 0mm 2.2m/s 10m/s 7.7m/s
12:00
900hPa 57J/kg 0% -1.3°C 0% 5% 44% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 5% 0mm - - 7.4m/s
13:00
899hPa 39J/kg 0% -1°C 0% 5% 37% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ 55° 5% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
14:00
898hPa 35J/kg 0% -0.8°C 0% 5% 31% 0mm 26% 0mm -20dBZ 51° 5% 0mm 1.1m/s 4.8m/s 6.8m/s
15:00
897hPa 54J/kg 0% -0.9°C 18% 18% 37% 0mm 25% 0mm -20dBZ 43° 20% 0mm - - 6.3m/s
16:00
896hPa 91J/kg 5% -1°C 21% 53% 44% 0mm 24% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 54% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
17:00
896hPa 85J/kg 73% -1.5°C 13% 15% 50% 0mm 24% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 73% 0mm 1.7m/s 5.3m/s 5.9m/s
18:00
896hPa 88J/kg 14% -1.7°C 5% 26% 40% 0mm 25% 0mm -18dBZ 7.2° 27% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
19:00
897hPa 130J/kg 93% -2.1°C 43% 100% 31% 0mm 41% 0mm -16dBZ -6.1° 100% 0mm - - 8.5m/s
20:00
899hPa 159J/kg 38% -1.7°C 26% 100% 21% 0mm 61% 0.06mm -14dBZ -20° 100% 0.06mm 21m/s 17m/s 10m/s
21:00
900hPa 98J/kg 58% -1.4°C 10% 100% 30% 0mm 69% 0.04mm -16dBZ -33° 100% 0mm - - 10m/s
22:00
900hPa 58J/kg 26% -0.7°C 32% 100% 39% 0.01mm 72% 0.63mm -18dBZ -46° 100% 0.19mm - - 9.9m/s
23:00
901hPa 104J/kg 13% -1.2°C 2% 54% 48% 0mm 72% 0.18mm -20dBZ -58° 54% 0.31mm 20m/s 19m/s 7.5m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 07:01 Sunset 18:35
24:00
900hPa 99J/kg 94% -1.6°C 16% 100% 54% 0mm 71% 0mm -18dBZ -68° 100% 0.31mm - - 6.5m/s
01:00
900hPa 93J/kg 4% -0.8°C 2% 49% 59% 0mm 71% 0mm -16dBZ -71° 49% 0.31mm - - 6.9m/s
02:00
900hPa 67J/kg 5% -0.7°C 2% 88% 65% 0mm 74% 0mm -14dBZ -65° 88% 0.31mm 18m/s 17m/s 6.6m/s
03:00
900hPa 57J/kg 5% -0.1°C 3% 68% 62% 0mm 77% 0mm -0.73dBZ -54° 68% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
04:00
899hPa 48J/kg 75% -0.2°C 40% 99% 60% 0mm 75% 0mm 12dBZ -41° 99% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
05:00
899hPa 45J/kg 41% -0.4°C 3% 93% 58% 0mm 72% 0mm 26dBZ -28° 93% 0.06mm 21m/s 21m/s 5.4m/s
06:00
899hPa 45J/kg 5% -0.8°C 8% 92% 64% 0mm 72% 0.48mm 16dBZ -15° 92% 0.19mm - - 4.5m/s
07:00
900hPa 34J/kg 6% -0.7°C 19% 75% 71% 0.1mm 73% 0.56mm 7.3dBZ -0.9° 75% 0.75mm - - 2.8m/s
08:00
900hPa 44J/kg 58% -0.9°C 1% 28% 77% 0mm 72% 0.13mm -1.9dBZ 12° 58% 1.1mm 12m/s 16m/s 2.3m/s
09:00
901hPa 29J/kg 72% 0.39°C 30% 52% 81% 1mm 77% 0.1mm -3.4dBZ 25° 72% 5.1mm - - 3.4m/s
10:00
901hPa 15J/kg 86% 1.7°C 58% 76% 85% 2.1mm 81% 0.06mm -5dBZ 36° 86% 9.1mm - - 4.5m/s
11:00
902hPa 0J/kg 100% 3°C 86% 100% 89% 3.1mm 86% 0.03mm -6.5dBZ 46° 100% 13mm 8.2m/s 17m/s 5.7m/s
12:00
902hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.7°C 57% 98% 90% 2.1mm 81% 0.02mm 8.6dBZ 53° 100% 14mm - - 5m/s
13:00
903hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.5°C 29% 95% 91% 1mm 76% 0.01mm 24dBZ 55° 100% 15mm - - 4.3m/s
14:00
903hPa 0J/kg 100% 2.2°C 0% 93% 91% 0mm 71% 0mm 39dBZ 51° 100% 16mm 7.6m/s 21m/s 3.6m/s
15:00
903hPa 0J/kg 77% 1.7°C 0% 95% 77% 0mm 71% 0mm 39dBZ 43° 100% 10mm - - 2.5m/s
16:00
903hPa 0J/kg 54% 1.1°C 0% 97% 63% 0mm 71% 0mm 39dBZ 32° 100% 5.2mm - - 1.5m/s
17:00
903hPa 0J/kg 32% 0.53°C 0% 99% 49% 0mm 72% 0mm 38dBZ 20° 99% 0mm 11m/s 8.1m/s 0.51m/s
18:00
902hPa 0J/kg 54% 0.75°C 0% 96% 53% 0mm 72% 0mm 25dBZ 100% 0mm - - 0.51m/s
19:00
902hPa 0J/kg 77% 0.97°C 0% 93% 56% 0mm 72% 0mm 11dBZ -6.3° 100% 0mm - - 0.52m/s
20:00
902hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.2°C 0% 89% 60% 0mm 72% 0mm -2.2dBZ -20° 100% 0mm 6.4m/s 19m/s 0.52m/s
21:00
902hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.1°C 0% 93% 46% 0mm 73% 0mm -7.5dBZ -33° 100% 0mm - - 0.44m/s
22:00
902hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.1°C 0% 96% 32% 0mm 74% 0mm -13dBZ -46° 100% 0mm - - 0.36m/s
23:00
902hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.1°C 0% 99% 18% 0mm 76% 0mm -18dBZ -59° 100% 0mm 3.7m/s 18m/s 0.28m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 07:01 Sunset 18:34
24:00
902hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.89°C 0% 99% 20% 0mm 74% 0mm -18dBZ -69° 100% 0mm - - 0.64m/s
01:00
902hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.74°C 0% 100% 23% 0mm 73% 0mm -18dBZ -72° 100% 0mm - - 1m/s
02:00
902hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.58°C 0% 100% 25% 0mm 72% 0mm -18dBZ -65° 100% 0mm 1.5m/s 14m/s 1.4m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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