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Rule Storm Chaser

Kolmanskop - Storm Chaser - Namibia

Luderitzort, 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 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 86% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover1%
Wind Gusts1.6m/s
Precipitation Chance2%
Air Pressure995.8hPa
CAPE256
Lifted Index-1.4°C
Wind Gusts1.6m/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 95 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
03:000%15%107J/kg-0.4°C24135m5.4m/s
04:000%14%136J/kg-0.3°C24134m6.7m/s
05:000%12%129J/kg-0.4°C24135m3.2m/s
06:000%13%115J/kg-0.6°C24134m3.9m/s
07:000%25%187J/kg-1°C24134m3.5m/s
08:000%21%224J/kg-1°C24135m3.7m/s
09:000%11%146J/kg-0.6°C24135m4.5m/s
10:000%11%188J/kg-0.6°C24134m6.5m/s
11:000%9%288J/kg-1.1°C24135m6.1m/s
12:000%12%342J/kg-1.3°C24134m5.8m/s
13:000%12%331J/kg-1.6°C24135m5.2m/s
14:000%18%405J/kg-2.5°C24134m4.5m/s
15:000%13%293J/kg-2.2°C24134m4.8m/s
16:000%16%271J/kg-2.2°C24134m4.1m/s
17:000%18%257J/kg-1.9°C24135m3.5m/s
18:000%16%166J/kg-1.4°C24135m3.5m/s
19:000%15%166J/kg-1.4°C24134m1.6m/s
20:000%0.4%264J/kg-2°C24135m2.3m/s
21:000%1.3%197J/kg-1.5°C24135m2.7m/s
22:000%5%183J/kg-1.5°C24134m2.3m/s
23:009.1%0.8%162J/kg-1.2°C24134m1.5m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%1.5%169J/kg-1.1°C24135m1.8m/s
01:000%0.8%178J/kg-1°C24135m1.4m/s
02:008.4%0.7%235J/kg-1.3°C24135m2m/s
03:000%0.8%256J/kg-1.4°C24134m1.6m/s
04:000%1%205J/kg-1.1°C24135m1.5m/s
05:000%2.9%160J/kg-1°C24135m0.82m/s
06:000%2.9%150J/kg-0.8°C24135m1.2m/s
07:000%7.5%129J/kg-0.7°C24134m1.2m/s
08:000%8%114J/kg-0.7°C24134m1.4m/s
09:000%7%110J/kg-0.5°C24134m1.4m/s
10:000%22%146J/kg-0.8°C24135m2m/s
11:000%39%148J/kg-0.6°C24134m2.3m/s
12:000%11%120J/kg-0.4°C24135m2.7m/s
13:000%11%100J/kg-0.4°C24135m2.7m/s
14:000%12%84J/kg-0.3°C24135m3m/s
15:000%16%100J/kg-0.2°C24135m3.5m/s
16:000%17%102J/kg-0.4°C24134m3.5m/s
17:000%15%59J/kg0.2°C24135m3.6m/s
18:000%12%25J/kg0.8°C24134m3.6m/s
19:000%13%36J/kg0.9°C24134m4m/s
20:000%4.2%34J/kg1.1°C24135m5.3m/s
21:000%8.6%36J/kg1°C24135m4.5m/s
22:000%7.2%31J/kg1.4°C24134m2m/s
23:0012%1.6%15J/kg1.3°C24134m1.7m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%4.3%19J/kg0.5°C24135m1.1m/s
01:000%9%47J/kg-0.3°C24134m2.2m/s
02:0015%11%39J/kg-0.2°C24135m3.1m/s
03:000%15%39J/kg-0.5°C24134m2.3m/s
04:000%15%17J/kg-0.3°C24134m1.3m/s
05:0011%15%31J/kg-0.4°C24135m1.3m/s
06:000%14%22J/kg-0.7°C24134m1.8m/s
07:000%73%45J/kg-1.2°C24134m2.3m/s
08:0012%63%30J/kg-1.1°C24135m2m/s
09:000%56%23J/kg-0.5°C24134m1.9m/s
10:000%33%40J/kg-0.8°C23826m1.1m/s
11:0011%38%29J/kg-0.2°C23842m1.1m/s
12:000%22%25J/kg0.1°C24135m2.2m/s
13:000%56%30J/kg-0.4°C24134m5m/s
14:0015%40%34J/kg-0.8°C23797m3.2m/s
15:0014%43%25J/kg-0.2°C22504m8.4m/s
16:0021%52%21J/kg0.3°C12054m5m/s
17:0035%63%16J/kg1°C5980m2.7m/s
18:0027%62%4J/kg0.8°C23734m6.2m/s
19:0027%62%19J/kg0°C24135m6.6m/s
20:0034%0.9%18J/kg0.2°C24135m7.7m/s
21:000%2.2%23J/kg-0.3°C21158m5.7m/s
22:000%1.8%26J/kg-0.6°C24134m4.5m/s
23:0018%6%41J/kg-0.8°C24135m5.9m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%9%75J/kg-0.7°C24134m3.4m/s
01:000%12%62J/kg-0.9°C16307m0.41m/s
02:0023%11%84J/kg-1.3°C21566m1m/s
03:0011%4.7%73J/kg-0.7°C10313m0.7m/s
04:000%5.2%45J/kg-0.6°C12864m0.9m/s
05:0023%2.4%48J/kg0°C24135m2.3m/s
06:0011%7.7%78J/kg-0.8°C24135m2.3m/s
07:0011%31%132J/kg-1.2°C24135m1.7m/s
08:0020%67%182J/kg-1.3°C24135m1.3m/s
09:000%100%166J/kg-1.3°C16115m1.3m/s
10:000%65%149J/kg-1.4°C8094m1.3m/s
11:0017%31%133J/kg-1.4°C74m1.2m/s
12:000%23%150J/kg-1.5°C73m1.9m/s
13:000%43%166J/kg-1.6°C72m2.6m/s
14:0018%19%183J/kg-1.7°C71m3.3m/s
15:000%14%175J/kg-1.5°C69m4.2m/s
16:000%17%166J/kg-1.3°C67m5m/s
17:0015%12%158J/kg-1.1°C65m5.8m/s
18:000%15%148J/kg-1.1°C65m5.9m/s
19:000%15%139J/kg-1.1°C65m6m/s
20:000%0%129J/kg-1.1°C65m6.1m/s
21:000%0%126J/kg-0.65°C97m5.9m/s
22:000%0%124J/kg-0.2°C129m5.8m/s
23:000%0%121J/kg0.25°C160m5.6m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%0%107J/kg0.56°C167m6.3m/s
01:000%0%93J/kg0.87°C173m7.1m/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 07:12 Sunset 18:48
03:00
996hPa 256J/kg 0% -1.4°C 0% 1% 2% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ -56° 1% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
04:00
996hPa 205J/kg 0% -1.1°C 0% 0% 3% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ -43° 0% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
05:00
995hPa 160J/kg 0% -1°C 0% 0% 5% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 0% 0mm 1.1m/s 9.1m/s 0.74m/s
06:00
995hPa 150J/kg 0% -0.8°C 0% 1% 3% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 1% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
07:00
996hPa 129J/kg 0% -0.7°C 0% 1% 2% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ -3.5° 1% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
08:00
996hPa 114J/kg 0% -0.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 43% 0mm -20dBZ 9.7° 0% 0mm 3.2m/s 9.7m/s 1.1m/s
09:00
997hPa 110J/kg 0% -0.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 0% 0mm - - 0.64m/s
10:00
997hPa 146J/kg 0% -0.8°C 0% 12% 0% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 12% 0mm - - 0.19m/s
11:00
997hPa 148J/kg 0% -0.6°C 0% 31% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 31% 0mm 1.1m/s 6.9m/s 1.8m/s
12:00
997hPa 120J/kg 0% -0.4°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 4% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
13:00
996hPa 100J/kg 0% -0.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 0% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
14:00
995hPa 84J/kg 0% -0.3°C 0% 1% 0% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 1% 0mm 3.5m/s 2.8m/s 4.2m/s
15:00
995hPa 100J/kg 0% -0.2°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 5% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
16:00
995hPa 102J/kg 0% -0.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 0% 0mm - - 4m/s
17:00
995hPa 59J/kg 0% 0.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 0% 0mm 6.9m/s 1.6m/s 3.9m/s
18:00
995hPa 25J/kg 0% 0.8°C 0% 0% 7% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 10° 0% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
19:00
996hPa 36J/kg 0% 0.9°C 0% 0% 15% 0mm 41% 0mm -20dBZ -3.2° 0% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
20:00
996hPa 34J/kg 0% 1.1°C 0% 0% 22% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 0% 0mm 9.1m/s 8.2m/s 3.3m/s
21:00
996hPa 36J/kg 0% 1°C 0% 2% 28% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 2% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
22:00
997hPa 31J/kg 0% 1.4°C 0% 0% 33% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ -43° 0% 0mm - - 2m/s
23:00
996hPa 15J/kg 0% 1.3°C 0% 0% 39% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ -56° 0% 0mm 11m/s 15m/s 1.6m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 07:12 Sunset 18:48
24:00
996hPa 19J/kg 0% 0.5°C 1% 4% 45% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ -66° 4% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
01:00
996hPa 47J/kg 0% -0.3°C 0% 2% 50% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ -71° 2% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
02:00
995hPa 39J/kg 0% -0.2°C 0% 0% 56% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ -67° 0% 0mm 11m/s 21m/s 3.1m/s
03:00
995hPa 39J/kg 0% -0.5°C 0% 2% 59% 0mm 41% 0mm -14dBZ -56° 2% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
04:00
995hPa 17J/kg 0% -0.3°C 0% 5% 61% 0mm 48% 0mm -7.5dBZ -44° 5% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
05:00
994hPa 31J/kg 0% -0.4°C 0% 100% 64% 0mm 50% 0mm -1.3dBZ -30° 100% 0mm 9.8m/s 18m/s 1.3m/s
06:00
995hPa 22J/kg 0% -0.7°C 26% 55% 64% 0mm 48% 0mm -7.5dBZ -17° 56% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
07:00
995hPa 45J/kg 0% -1.2°C 9% 42% 64% 0mm 50% 0mm -14dBZ -3.6° 42% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
08:00
996hPa 30J/kg 0% -1.1°C 52% 87% 64% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 9.5° 87% 0mm 10m/s 18m/s 2m/s
09:00
996hPa 23J/kg 0% -0.5°C 60% 98% 60% 0mm 43% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 98% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
10:00
996hPa 40J/kg 0% -0.8°C 5% 100% 55% 0mm 42% 0.1mm -20dBZ 34° 100% 0mm - - 0.8m/s
11:00
996hPa 29J/kg 0% -0.2°C 10% 100% 50% 0mm 42% 0.09mm -20dBZ 45° 100% 0.13mm 7.4m/s 12m/s 1.8m/s
12:00
996hPa 25J/kg 0% 0.1°C 5% 96% 56% 0mm 47% 0mm -4.7dBZ 52° 96% 0.19mm - - 3.1m/s
13:00
996hPa 30J/kg 24% -0.4°C 5% 77% 63% 0mm 48% 0mm 11dBZ 55° 84% 0.31mm - - 4.7m/s
14:00
996hPa 34J/kg 100% -0.8°C 49% 100% 70% 0.01mm 46% 0.13mm 26dBZ 52° 100% 0.44mm 21m/s 19m/s 2.8m/s
15:00
997hPa 25J/kg 100% -0.2°C 73% 100% 74% 0.37mm 58% 0.07mm 30dBZ 45° 100% 0.56mm - - 6.9m/s
16:00
998hPa 21J/kg 100% 0.3°C 99% 100% 77% 0.92mm 84% 0mm 35dBZ 34° 100% 1.3mm - - 3.6m/s
17:00
998hPa 16J/kg 100% 1°C 98% 100% 81% 2.5mm 85% 0mm 39dBZ 22° 100% 3mm 21m/s 20m/s 2.4m/s
18:00
998hPa 4J/kg 2% 0.8°C 31% 100% 85% 0.13mm 83% 0mm 35dBZ 9.8° 100% 4.2mm - - 5.5m/s
19:00
998hPa 19J/kg 2% 0°C 24% 100% 89% 0.07mm 77% 0mm 30dBZ -3.4° 100% 4.4mm - - 5.6m/s
20:00
998hPa 18J/kg 0% 0.2°C 15% 93% 92% 0mm 72% 0mm 25dBZ -17° 93% 4.4mm 18m/s 18m/s 6.2m/s
21:00
998hPa 23J/kg 73% -0.3°C 23% 100% 88% 0.34mm 68% 0mm 22dBZ -30° 100% 0.13mm - - 4m/s
22:00
998hPa 26J/kg 0% -0.6°C 2% 75% 84% 0mm 64% 0.04mm 19dBZ -43° 75% 0.19mm - - 3m/s
23:00
998hPa 41J/kg 0% -0.8°C 14% 100% 80% 0mm 68% 0.36mm 15dBZ -56° 100% 0.5mm 18m/s 23m/s 3.3m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 07:13 Sunset 18:47
24:00
997hPa 75J/kg 0% -0.7°C 1% 89% 83% 0mm 64% 0.16mm 17dBZ -67° 89% 0.75mm - - 2.6m/s
01:00
997hPa 62J/kg 4% -0.9°C 2% 99% 87% 0mm 66% 0.3mm 18dBZ -72° 99% 0.88mm - - 0.21m/s
02:00
997hPa 84J/kg 21% -1.3°C 1% 58% 90% 0mm 71% 0.31mm 20dBZ -67° 59% 1.2mm 17m/s 20m/s 0.99m/s
03:00
996hPa 73J/kg 7% -0.7°C 5% 100% 80% 0mm 77% 0.55mm 18dBZ -56° 100% 0.31mm - - 0.64m/s
04:00
996hPa 45J/kg 93% -0.6°C 74% 100% 71% 0.78mm 78% 0mm 17dBZ -44° 100% 0.88mm - - 0.72m/s
05:00
995hPa 48J/kg 43% 0°C 19% 100% 61% 0.06mm 71% 0mm 16dBZ -31° 100% 1.1mm 10m/s 20m/s 2m/s
06:00
996hPa 78J/kg 4% -0.8°C 0% 8% 61% 0mm 75% 0mm 22dBZ -17° 8% 1.1mm - - 2m/s
07:00
997hPa 132J/kg 5% -1.2°C 0% 6% 62% 0mm 77% 0mm 28dBZ -3.7° 6% 1.1mm - - 1.6m/s
08:00
998hPa 182J/kg 4% -1.3°C 0% 22% 62% 0mm 72% 0mm 33dBZ 9.4° 22% 1.1mm 6.4m/s 10m/s 1.1m/s
09:00
1003hPa 166J/kg 36% -1.3°C 32% 15% 51% 0.007mm 81% 0mm 22dBZ 22° 48% 0.73mm - - 1.1m/s
10:00
1008hPa 149J/kg 68% -1.4°C 63% 8% 41% 0.01mm 90% 0mm 10dBZ 34° 74% 0.4mm - - 1.2m/s
11:00
1013hPa 133J/kg 100% -1.4°C 95% 0% 31% 0.02mm 99% 0mm -1.4dBZ 44° 100% 0.06mm 7.3m/s 22m/s 1.3m/s
12:00
1014hPa 150J/kg 69% -1.5°C 95% 0% 30% 0.02mm 99% 0mm 1.2dBZ 52° 98% 0.08mm - - 1.9m/s
13:00
1014hPa 166J/kg 37% -1.6°C 95% 0% 28% 0.03mm 99% 0mm 3.7dBZ 55° 97% 0.1mm - - 2.5m/s
14:00
1014hPa 183J/kg 6% -1.7°C 95% 0% 27% 0.03mm 99% 0mm 6.2dBZ 52° 95% 0.13mm 6.9m/s 17m/s 3.2m/s
15:00
1014hPa 175J/kg 4% -1.5°C 96% 0% 24% 0.02mm 99% 0mm 6.8dBZ 44° 96% 0.08mm - - 3.5m/s
16:00
1014hPa 166J/kg 2% -1.3°C 96% 0% 21% 0.02mm 99% 0mm 7.5dBZ 34° 96% 0.04mm - - 3.8m/s
17:00
1014hPa 158J/kg 0% -1.1°C 96% 0% 18% 0.01mm 99% 0mm 8.1dBZ 22° 96% 0mm 2.4m/s 12m/s 4.1m/s
18:00
1014hPa 148J/kg 0% -1.1°C 96% 0% 22% 0.01mm 99% 0mm 7.6dBZ 9.5° 96% 0.02mm - - 4.3m/s
19:00
1013hPa 139J/kg 0% -1.1°C 97% 0% 26% 0.02mm 100% 0mm 7.1dBZ -3.6° 97% 0.04mm - - 4.4m/s
20:00
1013hPa 129J/kg 0% -1.1°C 97% 0% 30% 0.02mm 100% 0mm 6.6dBZ -17° 97% 0.06mm 3.5m/s 6.7m/s 4.6m/s
21:00
1013hPa 126J/kg 0% -0.65°C 98% 0% 27% 0.02mm 100% 0mm 6.4dBZ -30° 98% 0.06mm - - 4.7m/s
22:00
1012hPa 124J/kg 0% -0.2°C 99% 0% 23% 0.01mm 99% 0mm 6.2dBZ -44° 99% 0.06mm - - 4.8m/s
23:00
1012hPa 121J/kg 0% 0.25°C 100% 0% 20% 0.01mm 99% 0mm 6dBZ -56° 100% 0.06mm 8m/s 6.2m/s 5m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 07:13 Sunset 18:46
24:00
1012hPa 107J/kg 0% 0.56°C 97% 0% 20% 0.007mm 99% 0mm 6.1dBZ -67° 97% 0.06mm - - 5m/s
01:00
1012hPa 93J/kg 0% 0.87°C 95% 0% 20% 0.003mm 100% 0mm 6.2dBZ -72° 95% 0.06mm - - 5m/s
02:00
1013hPa 79J/kg 0% 1.2°C 93% 0% 21% 0mm 100% 0mm 6.3dBZ -67° 93% 0.06mm 9.4m/s 7.3m/s 5.1m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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