Skip to content
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

Get notified
Free alerts · takes 30 seconds
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 96% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover0%
Wind Gusts3.2m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure899.9hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index10.4°C
Wind Gusts3.2m/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.

Create your own Storm Chaser alerts

Get notified when these conditions match at your own locations.

Get this template

72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 80 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
Sun, May 24
06:000%0%0J/kg9.9°C24134m2.8m/s
07:000%7%0J/kg9.7°C24135m2.9m/s
08:0014%7%0J/kg9.8°C24134m3.4m/s
09:000%6.5%0J/kg8.8°C24134m3.8m/s
10:000%5.5%0J/kg8.4°C24134m4m/s
11:000%5.5%0J/kg9°C24134m4.8m/s
12:000%4.9%0J/kg9.7°C24135m4.4m/s
13:000%5%0J/kg10°C24134m3.9m/s
14:000%6.1%0J/kg10°C24135m3.2m/s
15:000%6.2%0J/kg10°C24135m3.2m/s
16:000%13%0J/kg11°C24135m2.9m/s
17:000%36%0J/kg11°C24134m3.2m/s
18:000%34%0J/kg11°C24134m2.3m/s
19:000%15%0J/kg10°C24134m2.8m/s
20:000%13%0J/kg10°C24134m2.8m/s
21:000%15%0J/kg10°C24135m2.6m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg9.6°C24134m2.4m/s
23:000%14%0J/kg9.7°C24135m2.3m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%15%0J/kg10°C24134m3m/s
01:000%13%0J/kg10°C24135m3.7m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg10°C24135m3.7m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg10°C24135m3.5m/s
04:000%15%0J/kg10°C24135m3.3m/s
05:0015%15%0J/kg10°C24135m2.8m/s
06:000%15%0J/kg10°C24134m2.5m/s
07:000%30%0J/kg9.9°C24134m2.2m/s
08:0015%67%0J/kg11°C24134m1.9m/s
09:000%30%0J/kg12°C24135m2.4m/s
10:000%29%0J/kg11°C24134m3m/s
11:0013%29%0J/kg12°C24135m3.3m/s
12:000%26%0J/kg12°C24135m3.8m/s
13:000%25%0J/kg11°C24134m4.5m/s
14:000%22%0J/kg11°C24135m5.5m/s
15:000%52%0J/kg11°C24134m6.1m/s
16:000%68%0J/kg10°C24134m6.4m/s
17:0016%22%0J/kg9.7°C24134m6.3m/s
18:000%37%0J/kg9.1°C24134m4.3m/s
19:000%15%0J/kg8.4°C24135m4.4m/s
20:000%12%0J/kg8.4°C24134m3.2m/s
21:000%8.7%0J/kg8.7°C24135m3.5m/s
22:000%13%0J/kg8.8°C24134m3.9m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg9.5°C24135m3.3m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%15%0J/kg9.9°C24134m3.3m/s
01:000%13%0J/kg9.8°C24134m3m/s
02:000%12%0J/kg9.5°C24135m2.6m/s
03:000%12%0J/kg9.6°C24134m2.6m/s
04:000%12%0J/kg9.8°C24135m2.4m/s
05:0015%9.6%0J/kg10°C24134m1.8m/s
06:000%8.2%0J/kg10°C24134m1.1m/s
07:000%25%0J/kg9.7°C24134m1.1m/s
08:000%31%0J/kg9.4°C24135m1.4m/s
09:000%34%0J/kg9.6°C24134m1.2m/s
10:000%44%0J/kg10°C24135m1m/s
11:000%27%0J/kg11°C24134m1.6m/s
12:000%25%0J/kg11°C24135m2.6m/s
13:000%22%0J/kg10°C24134m3.4m/s
14:000%22%0J/kg9.4°C24134m4m/s
15:000%28%0J/kg9.2°C24134m4.2m/s
16:000%32%0J/kg8.9°C24135m4.2m/s
17:0015%34%0J/kg8.7°C24135m3.2m/s
18:000%71%0J/kg8.5°C24134m2.6m/s
19:000%15%0J/kg8.2°C24135m3.1m/s
20:0013%15%0J/kg8°C24134m2.7m/s
21:000%0%0J/kg8.1°C24134m2m/s
22:000%0%0J/kg8.2°C24135m1.3m/s
23:0013%0%0J/kg8.3°C24135m0.6m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%0%0J/kg8.1°C24135m0.5m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg7.8°C24135m0.4m/s
02:0014%0%0J/kg7.6°C24135m0.3m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg7.6°C24135m1.4m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg7.7°C24135m2.5m/s
05:0016%0%0J/kg7.8°C24135m3.6m/s
06:000%0%0J/kg7.9°C24135m4.3m/s
07:000%31%0J/kg8.1°C24135m5m/s
08:0018%15%0J/kg8.3°C24135m5.7m/s
09:000%27%0J/kg8°C24135m4.6m/s
10:000%34%0J/kg7.6°C24135m3.4m/s
11:0013%43%0J/kg7.3°C24135m2.2m/s
12:000%28%0J/kg7.8°C24135m2.1m/s
13:000%19%0J/kg8.2°C24135m1.9m/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
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
Sun, May 24 Sunrise 07:24 Sunset 18:04
15:00
900hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 17% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 0% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
16:00
900hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 16% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 0% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
17:00
900hPa 0J/kg 6% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 16% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 6% 0mm 7.2m/s 4.1m/s 3m/s
18:00
900hPa 0J/kg 8% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 19% 0mm -20dBZ 0.55° 8% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
19:00
901hPa 0J/kg 98% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 20% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 98% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
20:00
901hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 20% 0mm -20dBZ -25° 5% 0mm 10m/s 7.3m/s 2.8m/s
21:00
901hPa 0J/kg 51% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 21% 0mm -20dBZ -39° 51% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
22:00
902hPa 0J/kg 57% 9.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 22% 0mm -20dBZ -52° 57% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
23:00
902hPa 0J/kg 7% 9.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 23% 0mm -20dBZ -65° 7% 0mm 6.1m/s 6m/s 2.3m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 07:24 Sunset 18:04
24:00
902hPa 0J/kg 49% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 24% 0mm -20dBZ -78° 49% 0mm - - 3m/s
01:00
902hPa 0J/kg 10% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 26% 0mm -20dBZ -83° 10% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
02:00
901hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 26% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 5% 0mm 7.9m/s 8.3m/s 3.8m/s
03:00
901hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ -59° 5% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
04:00
901hPa 0J/kg 66% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ -45° 66% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
05:00
901hPa 0J/kg 65% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 65% 0mm 10m/s 11m/s 2.9m/s
06:00
901hPa 0J/kg 26% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ -19° 26% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
07:00
901hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ -5.9° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
08:00
902hPa 0J/kg 23% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ 6.5° 23% 0mm 11m/s 12m/s 1.9m/s
09:00
902hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 22% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 5% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
10:00
903hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 19% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 5% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
11:00
903hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 17% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 5% 0mm 8.5m/s 11m/s 2.5m/s
12:00
902hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 16% 0mm -20dBZ 41° 5% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
13:00
901hPa 0J/kg 96% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 14% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 96% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
14:00
900hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 13% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 100% 0mm 7.2m/s 9.4m/s 4.7m/s
15:00
900hPa 0J/kg 17% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 13% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 17% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
16:00
899hPa 0J/kg 41% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 13% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 41% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
17:00
899hPa 0J/kg 93% 9.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 13% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 93% 0mm 11m/s 12m/s 4.4m/s
18:00
899hPa 0J/kg 6% 9.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 17% 0mm -20dBZ 0.5° 6% 0mm - - 4m/s
19:00
900hPa 0J/kg 13% 8.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 20% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 13% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
20:00
900hPa 0J/kg 5% 8.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 21% 0mm -20dBZ -26° 5% 0mm 3.3m/s 7.3m/s 3.1m/s
21:00
901hPa 0J/kg 8% 8.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 21% 0mm -20dBZ -39° 8% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
22:00
901hPa 0J/kg 5% 8.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 20% 0mm -20dBZ -52° 5% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
23:00
901hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 21% 0mm -20dBZ -66° 5% 0mm 7m/s 6.6m/s 3.3m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 07:24 Sunset 18:03
24:00
901hPa 0J/kg 96% 9.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 23% 0mm -20dBZ -78° 96% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
01:00
901hPa 0J/kg 47% 9.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 24% 0mm -20dBZ -83° 47% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
02:00
901hPa 0J/kg 36% 9.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 24% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 36% 0mm 11m/s 8.7m/s 2.5m/s
03:00
900hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 25% 0mm -20dBZ -59° 5% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
04:00
900hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 26% 0mm -20dBZ -45° 5% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
05:00
900hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 5% 0mm 11m/s 10m/s 1.8m/s
06:00
901hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ -19° 5% 0mm - - 1m/s
07:00
901hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ -6° 5% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
08:00
902hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 6.4° 5% 0mm 11m/s 9.1m/s 1.3m/s
09:00
902hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 22% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 5% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
10:00
902hPa 0J/kg 74% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 20% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 74% 0mm - - 0.67m/s
11:00
902hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 18% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 100% 0mm 7.3m/s 7.7m/s 0.94m/s
12:00
901hPa 0J/kg 98% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 17% 0mm -20dBZ 41° 98% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
13:00
901hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 16% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 5% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
14:00
899hPa 0J/kg 2% 9.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 14% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 2% 0mm 6.4m/s 8.2m/s 3m/s
15:00
899hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 14% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 5% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
16:00
898hPa 0J/kg 5% 8.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 14% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 5% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
17:00
898hPa 0J/kg 8% 8.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 14% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 8% 0mm 12m/s 12m/s 2.5m/s
18:00
898hPa 0J/kg 26% 8.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 17% 0mm -20dBZ 0.44° 26% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
19:00
899hPa 0J/kg 94% 8.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 18% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 94% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
20:00
899hPa 0J/kg 23% 8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 19% 0mm -20dBZ -26° 23% 0mm 5.7m/s 11m/s 2.6m/s
21:00
901hPa 0J/kg 47% 8.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 23% 0mm -20dBZ -39° 47% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
22:00
902hPa 0J/kg 70% 8.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ -52° 70% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
23:00
903hPa 0J/kg 93% 8.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ -66° 93% 0mm 8.9m/s 12m/s 0.61m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 07:25 Sunset 18:03
24:00
903hPa 0J/kg 64% 8.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ -79° 64% 0mm - - 0.5m/s
01:00
904hPa 0J/kg 35% 7.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ -84° 35% 0mm - - 0.39m/s
02:00
904hPa 0J/kg 7% 7.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ -72° 7% 0mm 9.6m/s 15m/s 0.28m/s
03:00
904hPa 0J/kg 19% 7.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ -59° 19% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
04:00
905hPa 0J/kg 32% 7.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 22% 0mm -20dBZ -45° 32% 0mm - - 2m/s
05:00
905hPa 0J/kg 45% 7.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 17% 0mm -20dBZ -32° 45% 0mm 12m/s 18m/s 2.9m/s
06:00
904hPa 0J/kg 62% 7.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 16% 0mm -20dBZ -19° 62% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
07:00
903hPa 0J/kg 80% 8.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 15% 0mm -20dBZ -6.1° 80% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
08:00
903hPa 0J/kg 97% 8.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 14% 0mm -20dBZ 6.3° 97% 0mm 12m/s 15m/s 4.1m/s
09:00
902hPa 0J/kg 82% 8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 14% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 82% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
10:00
902hPa 0J/kg 67% 7.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 14% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 67% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
11:00
902hPa 0J/kg 53% 7.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 14% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 53% 0mm 9m/s 11m/s 1.4m/s
12:00
902hPa 0J/kg 68% 7.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 16% 0mm -20dBZ 41° 68% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
13:00
903hPa 0J/kg 84% 8.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 17% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 84% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
14:00
903hPa 0J/kg 99% 8.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 19% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 99% 0mm 7.3m/s 8.7m/s 1.7m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

Get Notified of Opportunities

Create your own custom alerts for this location and more.

Create Free Account