Skip to content
✨ New: PhotoWeather is now available on iOS and Android
Rule Storm Chaser

NamibRand - Storm Chaser - Namibia

Maltahöhe, Hardap 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 94% failing
Cloud Drama Score 82% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts5.9m/s
Precipitation Chance28%
Air Pressure866.0hPa
CAPE74
Lifted Index-1.2°C
Wind Gusts5.9m/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 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%6.7%43J/kg-0.8°C24135m2.4m/s
04:000%10%53J/kg-1.4°C17103m1.4m/s
05:000%11%41J/kg-0.8°C16453m2.2m/s
06:0020%13%47J/kg-0.9°C19322m2.1m/s
07:0017%85%63J/kg-0.9°C23533m5.5m/s
08:0020%60%84J/kg-1.6°C21428m8.8m/s
09:000%67%159J/kg-1.4°C24135m4.9m/s
10:000%55%125J/kg-1.3°C24134m8.2m/s
11:000%47%267J/kg-1.9°C24135m7.9m/s
12:000%48%498J/kg-2.7°C24134m7.5m/s
13:000%54%574J/kg-3.2°C24135m7.3m/s
14:0016%45%499J/kg-3.2°C24134m6.6m/s
15:000%50%452J/kg-3°C24135m4.8m/s
16:000%61%401J/kg-2.7°C24134m4.2m/s
17:000%76%341J/kg-2.7°C24135m3m/s
18:000%74%316J/kg-3°C24135m5.9m/s
19:0026%100%166J/kg-2°C7194m10m/s
20:0023%11%189J/kg-2.8°C23849m5.2m/s
21:0017%15%151J/kg-1.3°C19283m4.3m/s
22:0018%15%90J/kg-0.8°C10690m5.2m/s
23:000%15%144J/kg-1.4°C24134m5.2m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%13%186J/kg-2.2°C24135m3.7m/s
01:000%11%123J/kg-2.5°C24135m2m/s
02:000%14%120J/kg-1.8°C24135m4.2m/s
03:000%15%74J/kg-1.2°C24134m5.9m/s
04:000%15%49J/kg-0.3°C24135m5.8m/s
05:000%15%42J/kg0°C24135m4.8m/s
06:000%14%36J/kg0°C24135m5.3m/s
07:000%65%53J/kg-0.5°C24134m5.8m/s
08:0016%57%52J/kg-0.8°C24134m6.3m/s
09:000%36%58J/kg-0.7°C24134m4.9m/s
10:000%31%81J/kg-1°C24135m4.4m/s
11:0015%31%77J/kg-1.2°C24134m4.8m/s
12:000%39%88J/kg-1.4°C24135m5.3m/s
13:000%19%113J/kg-1.1°C24135m5.1m/s
14:0014%47%151J/kg-1.4°C24135m4.9m/s
15:000%46%148J/kg-1.1°C24135m5.1m/s
16:000%36%148J/kg-1.4°C24134m4.9m/s
17:0014%59%137J/kg-1.5°C24135m4.3m/s
18:000%44%98J/kg-0.9°C24134m3.8m/s
19:000%65%99J/kg-1.3°C24134m1.3m/s
20:0013%15%66J/kg-0.9°C24135m3.7m/s
21:000%15%56J/kg-0.9°C24135m1.5m/s
22:000%13%67J/kg-0.5°C24134m0.9m/s
23:0013%14%80J/kg-0.9°C24134m1.9m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%12%56J/kg-0.7°C24135m5.1m/s
01:000%14%27J/kg-0.3°C24134m7.4m/s
02:0018%15%13J/kg-0.2°C24135m8.6m/s
03:000%14%23J/kg-0.5°C24134m7.6m/s
04:000%12%20J/kg-0.8°C24134m7.2m/s
05:0015%12%42J/kg-1.2°C24135m7.9m/s
06:000%12%37J/kg-0.7°C24134m7.5m/s
07:000%67%33J/kg-0.4°C24134m6.3m/s
08:0016%38%21J/kg-0.9°C24135m7.5m/s
09:000%58%8J/kg-0.7°C24134m7.9m/s
10:000%23%0J/kg-0.2°C24134m7.7m/s
11:000%22%0J/kg0.3°C24135m7.5m/s
12:000%25%0J/kg0.1°C24135m7.1m/s
13:000%51%5J/kg-0.6°C24134m6.6m/s
14:000%49%29J/kg-1.2°C24134m6.3m/s
15:000%47%34J/kg-1.1°C24134m6.4m/s
16:000%52%45J/kg-0.8°C24134m6.3m/s
17:000%59%47J/kg-0.8°C24134m6m/s
18:000%41%61J/kg-0.2°C24134m4.6m/s
19:000%45%38J/kg-0.2°C24135m6.3m/s
20:0018%12%43J/kg-0.1°C24135m8.9m/s
21:000%7.6%42J/kg-0.6°C24135m7.7m/s
22:000%4.5%48J/kg-0.9°C24134m7.1m/s
23:0020%4.8%58J/kg-1.4°C24135m4.8m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%9.8%19J/kg-0.4°C24134m6.7m/s
01:000%13%56J/kg-0.9°C24135m5.9m/s
02:0020%10%150J/kg-1.6°C24134m7.5m/s
03:000%12%129J/kg-1.1°C24134m8.1m/s
04:000%15%100J/kg-0.8°C24134m6m/s
05:0014%13%116J/kg-1°C24135m5.4m/s
06:000%15%138J/kg-1.2°C24135m6.2m/s
07:000%40%108J/kg-1.5°C24135m6.3m/s
08:0018%88%113J/kg-1.5°C24135m6.2m/s
09:0018%72%83J/kg-1.3°C23499m8m/s
10:0022%36%52J/kg-1.1°C22862m9.9m/s
11:0039%41%22J/kg-0.93°C22226m12m/s
12:0025%50%15J/kg-0.37°C22862m9.4m/s
13:0024%37%8.7J/kg0.19°C23499m7m/s
14:0039%37%2J/kg0.74°C24135m4.7m/s
15:0018%55%35J/kg-0.13°C24135m3.5m/s
16:0015%87%68J/kg-1°C24135m2.3m/s
17:0017%61%101J/kg-1.9°C24135m1m/s
18:000%100%131J/kg-1.8°C24135m2.1m/s
19:0016%85%160J/kg-1.8°C24135m3.1m/s
20:0030%0%190J/kg-1.8°C24135m4.1m/s
21:0017%0%208J/kg-1.9°C24135m4.6m/s
22:0020%0%225J/kg-2°C24135m5.1m/s
23:0029%0%243J/kg-2.1°C24135m5.5m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:0015%0%277J/kg-2.3°C23498m5.7m/s
01:0015%0%310J/kg-2.5°C22861m6m/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 07:04 Sunset 18:42
03:00
866hPa 74J/kg 0% -1.2°C 7% 100% 28% 0mm 59% 0mm 8dBZ -55° 100% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
04:00
866hPa 49J/kg 0% -0.3°C 34% 94% 19% 0mm 60% 0mm 8.2dBZ -42° 94% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
05:00
866hPa 42J/kg 0% 0°C 13% 90% 10% 0mm 60% 0mm 8.5dBZ -29° 90% 0mm 6.5m/s 6.8m/s 2.5m/s
06:00
866hPa 36J/kg 0% 0°C 43% 97% 7% 0mm 61% 0mm 5.1dBZ -15° 97% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
07:00
866hPa 53J/kg 0% -0.5°C 34% 100% 3% 0mm 61% 0mm 1.8dBZ -1.6° 100% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
08:00
867hPa 52J/kg 0% -0.8°C 12% 100% 0% 0mm 60% 0.07mm -1.6dBZ 12° 100% 0.06mm 12m/s 10m/s 3.7m/s
09:00
867hPa 58J/kg 0% -0.7°C 5% 96% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -4.4dBZ 25° 96% 0.06mm - - 3.3m/s
10:00
867hPa 81J/kg 0% -1°C 4% 100% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -7.3dBZ 37° 100% 0.06mm - - 3m/s
11:00
867hPa 77J/kg 0% -1.2°C 0% 92% 0% 0mm 51% 0mm -10dBZ 47° 92% 0.06mm 9m/s 12m/s 4m/s
12:00
867hPa 88J/kg 0% -1.4°C 0% 26% 7% 0mm 42% 0mm -13dBZ 55° 26% 0.06mm - - 3.9m/s
13:00
866hPa 113J/kg 0% -1.1°C 6% 5% 15% 0mm 35% 0mm -17dBZ 57° 8% 0.06mm - - 3.8m/s
14:00
865hPa 151J/kg 0% -1.4°C 98% 100% 22% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ 54° 100% 0.06mm 3.6m/s 11m/s 4.3m/s
15:00
864hPa 148J/kg 0% -1.1°C 26% 100% 22% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 100% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
16:00
864hPa 148J/kg 0% -1.4°C 0% 95% 22% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 95% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
17:00
864hPa 137J/kg 0% -1.5°C 0% 24% 22% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 24% 0mm 4m/s 10m/s 3.6m/s
18:00
864hPa 98J/kg 0% -0.9°C 0% 11% 31% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ 8.8° 11% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
19:00
865hPa 99J/kg 0% -1.3°C 1% 29% 41% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ -4.6° 29% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
20:00
865hPa 66J/kg 0% -0.9°C 26% 51% 50% 0mm 45% 0.01mm -20dBZ -18° 51% 0mm 8.1m/s 12m/s 3m/s
21:00
866hPa 56J/kg 0% -0.9°C 52% 100% 33% 0mm 49% 0mm -12dBZ -32° 100% 0mm - - 1m/s
22:00
866hPa 67J/kg 0% -0.5°C 8% 98% 17% 0mm 48% 0.01mm -3.4dBZ -45° 98% 0.06mm - - 0.59m/s
23:00
866hPa 80J/kg 0% -0.9°C 3% 75% 0% 0mm 46% 0mm 4.9dBZ -58° 75% 0.06mm 7.3m/s 14m/s 1.6m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 07:04 Sunset 18:42
24:00
866hPa 56J/kg 0% -0.7°C 0% 7% 0% 0mm 47% 0mm -3dBZ -69° 7% 0.06mm - - 4m/s
01:00
865hPa 27J/kg 0% -0.3°C 1% 12% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -11dBZ -73° 12% 0.06mm - - 5m/s
02:00
865hPa 13J/kg 0% -0.2°C 2% 12% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -19dBZ -67° 12% 0.06mm 7m/s 16m/s 4.9m/s
03:00
865hPa 23J/kg 0% -0.5°C 0% 87% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -19dBZ -55° 87% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
04:00
865hPa 20J/kg 0% -0.8°C 0% 37% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -42° 37% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
05:00
865hPa 42J/kg 0% -1.2°C 0% 71% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 71% 0mm 9.1m/s 14m/s 4.9m/s
06:00
865hPa 37J/kg 0% -0.7°C 0% 10% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 10% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
07:00
866hPa 33J/kg 0% -0.4°C 0% 44% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -1.7° 44% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
08:00
866hPa 21J/kg 0% -0.9°C 0% 99% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 99% 0mm 7.9m/s 12m/s 3.9m/s
09:00
866hPa 8J/kg 0% -0.7°C 0% 23% 17% 0mm 44% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 23% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
10:00
867hPa 0J/kg 0% -0.2°C 0% 5% 33% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 5% 0mm - - 6.7m/s
11:00
866hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.3°C 0% 5% 50% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 5% 0mm 1.8m/s 8.9m/s 6.8m/s
12:00
866hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.1°C 2% 5% 50% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 55° 5% 0mm - - 6.7m/s
13:00
865hPa 5J/kg 0% -0.6°C 30% 98% 50% 0mm 29% 0mm -20dBZ 57° 98% 0mm - - 6.9m/s
14:00
864hPa 29J/kg 0% -1.2°C 49% 93% 50% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 93% 0mm 0.78m/s 6.8m/s 6.9m/s
15:00
864hPa 34J/kg 0% -1.1°C 30% 99% 50% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 99% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
16:00
863hPa 45J/kg 0% -0.8°C 34% 100% 50% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 100% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
17:00
863hPa 47J/kg 0% -0.8°C 19% 100% 50% 0mm 29% 0.07mm -20dBZ 22° 100% 0mm 2.9m/s 3.3m/s 4.4m/s
18:00
863hPa 61J/kg 0% -0.2°C 0% 100% 40% 0mm 31% 0mm -14dBZ 8.6° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.2m/s
19:00
863hPa 38J/kg 2% -0.2°C 4% 99% 31% 0mm 37% 0mm -8.3dBZ -4.9° 99% 0.06mm - - 5.3m/s
20:00
864hPa 43J/kg 0% -0.1°C 4% 92% 21% 0mm 46% 0mm -2.4dBZ -18° 92% 0.06mm 13m/s 12m/s 6.8m/s
21:00
865hPa 42J/kg 5% -0.6°C 5% 100% 23% 0mm 50% 0mm 8.1dBZ -32° 100% 0mm - - 6.8m/s
22:00
866hPa 48J/kg 5% -0.9°C 5% 100% 26% 0mm 57% 0mm 19dBZ -46° 100% 0mm - - 6.6m/s
23:00
866hPa 58J/kg 1% -1.4°C 5% 84% 28% 0mm 58% 0mm 29dBZ -58° 84% 0mm 16m/s 18m/s 4.5m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 07:04 Sunset 18:41
24:00
866hPa 19J/kg 5% -0.4°C 5% 100% 37% 0.03mm 59% 0mm 13dBZ -69° 100% 0.06mm - - 5m/s
01:00
865hPa 56J/kg 7% -0.9°C 5% 97% 45% 0mm 55% 0.1mm -3dBZ -73° 97% 0.06mm - - 4.5m/s
02:00
865hPa 150J/kg 51% -1.6°C 0% 55% 53% 0mm 64% 0mm -19dBZ -67° 57% 0.06mm 14m/s 17m/s 6.4m/s
03:00
865hPa 129J/kg 100% -1.1°C 13% 100% 55% 0mm 72% 0mm -18dBZ -56° 100% 0mm - - 6m/s
04:00
865hPa 100J/kg 5% -0.8°C 56% 100% 58% 0mm 71% 0mm -16dBZ -43° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
05:00
865hPa 116J/kg 5% -1°C 26% 100% 60% 0mm 74% 0mm -15dBZ -29° 100% 0.06mm 5.8m/s 13m/s 4.9m/s
06:00
865hPa 138J/kg 4% -1.2°C 3% 24% 68% 0mm 77% 0mm -17dBZ -15° 24% 0.13mm - - 5.5m/s
07:00
866hPa 108J/kg 5% -1.5°C 0% 5% 75% 0mm 81% 0mm -18dBZ -1.8° 5% 0.13mm - - 4.9m/s
08:00
866hPa 113J/kg 6% -1.5°C 0% 68% 83% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 68% 0.13mm 9.1m/s 16m/s 4.9m/s
09:00
863hPa 83J/kg 5% -1.3°C 4% 78% 84% 0.18mm 74% 0.04mm -15dBZ 24° 78% 1.7mm - - 5.7m/s
10:00
860hPa 52J/kg 4% -1.1°C 8% 88% 86% 0.36mm 69% 0.09mm -9.4dBZ 36° 88% 3.2mm - - 6.5m/s
11:00
857hPa 22J/kg 3% -0.93°C 12% 98% 87% 0.54mm 63% 0.13mm -4.1dBZ 47° 98% 4.8mm 11m/s 19m/s 7.3m/s
12:00
856hPa 15J/kg 35% -0.37°C 8% 98% 89% 0.36mm 62% 0.09mm 6.2dBZ 54° 98% 5mm - - 5.6m/s
13:00
856hPa 8.7J/kg 68% 0.19°C 4% 99% 90% 0.18mm 61% 0.04mm 16dBZ 57° 99% 5.3mm - - 3.9m/s
14:00
856hPa 2J/kg 100% 0.74°C 0% 100% 92% 0mm 60% 0mm 27dBZ 53° 100% 5.6mm 10m/s 19m/s 2.3m/s
15:00
856hPa 35J/kg 67% -0.13°C 0% 79% 85% 0mm 64% 0mm 22dBZ 45° 79% 3.7mm - - 1.9m/s
16:00
856hPa 68J/kg 34% -1°C 0% 58% 79% 0mm 68% 0mm 17dBZ 34° 58% 1.9mm - - 1.5m/s
17:00
857hPa 101J/kg 1% -1.9°C 0% 37% 72% 0mm 73% 0mm 12dBZ 21° 37% 0mm 11m/s 19m/s 1.1m/s
18:00
857hPa 131J/kg 34% -1.8°C 0% 58% 75% 0mm 76% 0.25mm 12dBZ 8.4° 58% 0.08mm - - 1.7m/s
19:00
856hPa 160J/kg 67% -1.8°C 0% 79% 77% 0mm 80% 0.51mm 12dBZ -5.1° 79% 0.17mm - - 2.4m/s
20:00
856hPa 190J/kg 100% -1.8°C 0% 100% 79% 0mm 84% 0.76mm 13dBZ -19° 100% 0.25mm 7.8m/s 15m/s 3.1m/s
21:00
856hPa 208J/kg 100% -1.9°C 0% 96% 62% 0mm 85% 0.67mm 1.7dBZ -32° 100% 0.6mm - - 3.4m/s
22:00
856hPa 225J/kg 100% -2°C 0% 93% 45% 0mm 86% 0.59mm -9.1dBZ -46° 100% 0.96mm - - 3.7m/s
23:00
856hPa 243J/kg 100% -2.1°C 1% 89% 29% 0mm 88% 0.5mm -20dBZ -59° 100% 1.3mm 5.8m/s 20m/s 4m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 07:05 Sunset 18:40
24:00
856hPa 277J/kg 67% -2.3°C 2% 59% 33% 0.07mm 87% 0.38mm -15dBZ -69° 68% 1.7mm - - 4.3m/s
01:00
856hPa 310J/kg 33% -2.5°C 3% 30% 37% 0.13mm 87% 0.25mm -9.1dBZ -74° 36% 2.1mm - - 4.5m/s
02:00
856hPa 344J/kg 0% -2.6°C 5% 0% 42% 0.2mm 87% 0.13mm -3.6dBZ -67° 5% 2.6mm 8.8m/s 20m/s 4.8m/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