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Rule Storm Chaser

Swakopmund - Storm Chaser - Namibia

Swakopmund, Erongo 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 92% failing
Cloud Drama Score 74% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover3%
Wind Gusts1.4m/s
Precipitation Chance40%
Air Pressure1009.7hPa
CAPE79
Lifted Index-0.9°C
Wind Gusts1.4m/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%252J/kg-2.4°C24135m2.2m/s
04:000%15%199J/kg-2.1°C24134m3.7m/s
05:000%15%190J/kg-2.2°C21057m3m/s
06:000%12%222J/kg-1.8°C24134m2.3m/s
07:000%66%197J/kg-2.1°C24134m0.81m/s
08:0010%51%90J/kg-1.5°C12406m1.1m/s
09:000%23%49J/kg-0.8°C24135m1m/s
10:000%21%55J/kg-0.8°C24134m2.6m/s
11:000%23%162J/kg-1.3°C21859m2.5m/s
12:000%41%338J/kg-2.6°C24134m2.2m/s
13:000%31%361J/kg-2.9°C24135m1.8m/s
14:000%66%333J/kg-2.6°C8852m3.8m/s
15:000%40%360J/kg-2.3°C1245m4m/s
16:000%25%257J/kg-1.8°C24134m2.5m/s
17:000%24%195J/kg-1.7°C24135m2.2m/s
18:000%54%189J/kg-1.8°C4519m4m/s
19:000%37%209J/kg-1.8°C24134m4.9m/s
20:000%15%165J/kg-1.5°C24135m5.7m/s
21:000%15%189J/kg-2°C24134m2.4m/s
22:000%15%132J/kg-1.9°C24134m1.9m/s
23:000%15%151J/kg-1.8°C24134m2.1m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%15%158J/kg-1.8°C24135m1.8m/s
01:000%15%137J/kg-1.5°C24135m3.6m/s
02:000%15%110J/kg-1.6°C24135m2.9m/s
03:000%15%79J/kg-0.9°C24134m1.4m/s
04:000%12%69J/kg-0.7°C24135m2.6m/s
05:000%15%37J/kg-0.2°C24135m2.7m/s
06:000%15%14J/kg0°C24135m2.2m/s
07:000%64%4J/kg0.2°C24134m1.4m/s
08:000%51%0J/kg0.5°C24134m1.5m/s
09:000%42%0J/kg0.5°C24134m3m/s
10:000%56%3J/kg0.2°C24135m4.5m/s
11:000%29%28J/kg-0.5°C24134m4.1m/s
12:000%42%49J/kg-0.3°C24135m3.2m/s
13:000%20%54J/kg-0.4°C24135m2.3m/s
14:000%20%26J/kg0°C24135m2.8m/s
15:000%39%8J/kg0.5°C24135m3.6m/s
16:000%31%1J/kg0.5°C24134m4.2m/s
17:000%31%0J/kg0.6°C24135m5.8m/s
18:000%35%4J/kg0.3°C24134m5.9m/s
19:000%36%10J/kg-0.3°C24134m6.5m/s
20:000%6.2%6J/kg-0.6°C24135m7.3m/s
21:000%11%10J/kg-0.4°C24135m3.9m/s
22:000%13%3J/kg0°C17439m3m/s
23:000%15%3J/kg0°C24134m2.4m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%15%1J/kg0.2°C24135m4.3m/s
01:000%15%3J/kg-0.1°C24134m4.2m/s
02:000%13%7J/kg-0.3°C24135m3.8m/s
03:000%11%11J/kg-0.1°C24134m3.3m/s
04:000%11%0J/kg-0.3°C24134m1.6m/s
05:000%11%1J/kg0.3°C24135m1.7m/s
06:000%9.7%7J/kg0°C622m8.6m/s
07:000%70%1J/kg0.1°C10714m8.3m/s
08:000%83%0J/kg0.2°C9324m5.7m/s
09:000%84%0J/kg0.8°C7729m6.5m/s
10:000%74%0J/kg1°C7524m6.8m/s
11:000%60%0J/kg1.3°C204m5.1m/s
12:000%64%0J/kg1.8°C84m4.9m/s
13:000%68%0J/kg1.6°C136m3.5m/s
14:000%44%0J/kg1.1°C165m4.3m/s
15:000%87%0J/kg0.6°C178m4.9m/s
16:000%84%0J/kg0.3°C235m5.7m/s
17:000%85%0J/kg-0.1°C16941m6.3m/s
18:000%69%0J/kg0°C17130m6.5m/s
19:000%78%0J/kg-0.3°C24135m5.7m/s
20:000%14%0J/kg0°C24135m3.4m/s
21:000%15%0J/kg0.2°C24135m3.5m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg0.4°C24134m2.2m/s
23:0015%12%0J/kg0.3°C1053m5.7m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%15%0J/kg0.7°C1190m4.4m/s
01:000%14%0J/kg0.7°C24135m2.2m/s
02:000%14%0J/kg1°C24134m2.5m/s
03:000%13%0J/kg1.1°C24134m1.1m/s
04:000%10%0J/kg0.7°C16920m3.8m/s
05:0015%11%0J/kg0.3°C2583m1.4m/s
06:000%13%0J/kg0.2°C24135m1.2m/s
07:000%49%0J/kg0.1°C19900m2.4m/s
08:0019%50%0J/kg0.3°C243m1.7m/s
09:0015%61%96J/kg-0.68°C285m3.4m/s
10:0016%74%191J/kg-1.7°C326m5.2m/s
11:0050%68%287J/kg-2.6°C368m6.9m/s
12:0021%74%298J/kg-2.7°C332m7.3m/s
13:0019%62%309J/kg-2.8°C296m7.7m/s
14:0039%39%320J/kg-3°C260m8.1m/s
15:0019%37%293J/kg-2.6°C214m6.7m/s
16:0016%43%265J/kg-2.2°C169m5.3m/s
17:0020%39%238J/kg-1.9°C123m3.9m/s
18:000%39%201J/kg-1.1°C314m3.6m/s
19:000%35%165J/kg-0.36°C505m3.2m/s
20:0018%0%128J/kg0.4°C696m2.8m/s
21:000%0%101J/kg0.71°C606m2.5m/s
22:000%0%73J/kg1°C517m2.2m/s
23:0017%0%46J/kg1.4°C427m1.8m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%0%44J/kg1.5°C3828m1.8m/s
01:000%0%41J/kg1.6°C7229m1.8m/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 18:53
03:00
1010hPa 79J/kg 0% -0.9°C 3% 1% 40% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -58° 3% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
04:00
1009hPa 69J/kg 0% -0.7°C 13% 1% 41% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -45° 13% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
05:00
1009hPa 37J/kg 0% -0.2°C 6% 1% 42% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -31° 6% 0mm 5.4m/s 13m/s 2.6m/s
06:00
1009hPa 14J/kg 0% 0°C 30% 3% 45% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 30% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
07:00
1010hPa 4J/kg 0% 0.2°C 37% 1% 47% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -3.6° 37% 0mm - - 0.94m/s
08:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.5°C 24% 2% 49% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 10° 24% 0mm 4.3m/s 11m/s 1.3m/s
09:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.5°C 16% 2% 33% 0mm 58% 0mm -19dBZ 23° 17% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
10:00
1011hPa 3J/kg 0% 0.2°C 15% 13% 16% 0mm 55% 0mm -17dBZ 36° 16% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
11:00
1011hPa 28J/kg 0% -0.5°C 2% 11% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -16dBZ 47° 11% 0mm 2.8m/s 10m/s 2.2m/s
12:00
1010hPa 49J/kg 0% -0.3°C 11% 14% 7% 0mm 59% 0mm -1.3dBZ 56° 14% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
13:00
1009hPa 54J/kg 0% -0.4°C 0% 7% 15% 0mm 58% 0mm 13dBZ 60° 7% 0.06mm - - 2.8m/s
14:00
1009hPa 26J/kg 0% 0°C 0% 5% 22% 0mm 60% 0mm 28dBZ 57° 5% 0.06mm 4.2m/s 6.4m/s 3.4m/s
15:00
1008hPa 8J/kg 0% 0.5°C 0% 18% 20% 0mm 62% 0mm 16dBZ 48° 18% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
16:00
1008hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.5°C 0% 98% 19% 0mm 62% 0mm 3.7dBZ 37° 98% 0mm - - 4m/s
17:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.6°C 1% 100% 17% 0mm 67% 0mm -8.3dBZ 25° 100% 0mm 6.2m/s 3.9m/s 5m/s
18:00
1008hPa 4J/kg 0% 0.3°C 4% 100% 45% 0mm 68% 0mm -2.2dBZ 11° 100% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
19:00
1008hPa 10J/kg 0% -0.3°C 2% 98% 72% 0mm 68% 0mm 4dBZ -2.1° 98% 0mm - - 4.9m/s
20:00
1008hPa 6J/kg 0% -0.6°C 5% 98% 100% 0mm 67% 0mm 10dBZ -16° 98% 0mm 12m/s 11m/s 5.2m/s
21:00
1009hPa 10J/kg 0% -0.4°C 2% 55% 83% 0mm 68% 0.03mm 0.12dBZ -30° 55% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
22:00
1009hPa 3J/kg 0% 0°C 5% 98% 67% 0mm 70% 0.22mm -9.9dBZ -44° 98% 0.13mm - - 3.1m/s
23:00
1010hPa 3J/kg 0% 0°C 8% 46% 50% 0mm 77% 0.03mm -20dBZ -57° 46% 0.56mm 12m/s 15m/s 2.2m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 07:12 Sunset 18:53
24:00
1009hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.2°C 56% 39% 67% 0mm 75% 0.2mm -20dBZ -69° 58% 0.88mm - - 4.3m/s
01:00
1008hPa 3J/kg 0% -0.1°C 8% 19% 83% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -75° 20% 0.88mm - - 4.1m/s
02:00
1008hPa 7J/kg 0% -0.3°C 8% 45% 100% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -70° 50% 0.88mm 15m/s 16m/s 3.7m/s
03:00
1008hPa 11J/kg 0% -0.1°C 7% 67% 67% 0mm 73% 0.03mm -20dBZ -58° 67% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
04:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% -0.3°C 35% 94% 33% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -45° 94% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
05:00
1008hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.3°C 71% 100% 0% 0mm 78% 0.01mm -20dBZ -31° 100% 0.06mm 16m/s 11m/s 0.57m/s
06:00
1009hPa 7J/kg 0% 0°C 52% 56% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 66% 0.06mm - - 7.3m/s
07:00
1011hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.1°C 16% 80% 0% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -3.7° 80% 0.06mm - - 6.1m/s
08:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.2°C 20% 78% 0% 0mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ 9.9° 78% 0.06mm 9.4m/s 7.6m/s 4.4m/s
09:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.8°C 30% 19% 0% 0mm 92% 0mm -19dBZ 23° 32% 0mm - - 5m/s
10:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0% 1°C 32% 78% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -18dBZ 36° 78% 0mm - - 5m/s
11:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.3°C 58% 79% 0% 0mm 89% 0mm -17dBZ 47° 79% 0mm 3.4m/s 5.9m/s 3.9m/s
12:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.8°C 62% 58% 13% 0.01mm 89% 0mm -12dBZ 56° 64% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
13:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 1% 1.6°C 62% 23% 26% 0mm 92% 0mm -5.8dBZ 59° 62% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
14:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 1.1°C 52% 5% 39% 0mm 89% 0mm -0.13dBZ 56° 52% 0mm 5.8m/s 3m/s 3.5m/s
15:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 35% 0.6°C 48% 36% 35% 0mm 86% 0mm -0.51dBZ 48° 58% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
16:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.3°C 55% 70% 30% 0mm 84% 0mm -0.89dBZ 37° 74% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
17:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 25% -0.1°C 26% 100% 26% 0mm 81% 0mm -1.3dBZ 24° 100% 0mm 17m/s 10m/s 5.2m/s
18:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 72% 0°C 8% 81% 26% 0mm 77% 0mm -7.5dBZ 11° 83% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
19:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 5% -0.3°C 0% 48% 26% 0mm 68% 0mm -14dBZ -2.3° 48% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
20:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 5% 0°C 0% 5% 26% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 5% 0mm 18m/s 13m/s 3.4m/s
21:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.2°C 0% 5% 29% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 5% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
22:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 6% 0.4°C 14% 4% 33% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -44° 16% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
23:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 35% 0.3°C 25% 5% 37% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -57° 38% 0mm 14m/s 13m/s 4.8m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 07:13 Sunset 18:52
24:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 9% 0.7°C 23% 5% 46% 0mm 93% 0.01mm -19dBZ -69° 24% 0mm - - 3m/s
01:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 1% 0.7°C 3% 16% 54% 0mm 90% 0.01mm -17dBZ -76° 17% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
02:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 5% 1°C 2% 5% 63% 0mm 89% 0.03mm -16dBZ -70° 6% 0.06mm 12m/s 12m/s 2m/s
03:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.1°C 6% 72% 61% 0mm 88% 0mm -17dBZ -58° 72% 0mm - - 0.85m/s
04:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 4% 0.7°C 27% 53% 58% 0mm 93% 0.04mm -19dBZ -45° 55% 0.13mm - - 3.8m/s
05:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 66% 0.3°C 30% 5% 56% 0mm 95% 0.13mm -20dBZ -31° 66% 0.25mm 15m/s 18m/s 1.3m/s
06:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.2°C 6% 1% 61% 0mm 91% 0.03mm -20dBZ -18° 8% 0.25mm - - 0.87m/s
07:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.1°C 14% 4% 65% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -3.8° 14% 0.31mm - - 2.4m/s
08:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 93% 0.3°C 62% 4% 70% 0mm 95% 0mm -20dBZ 9.8° 93% 0.31mm 16m/s 20m/s 1.6m/s
09:00
1011hPa 96J/kg 79% -0.68°C 52% 8% 63% 0.03mm 89% 0.25mm -12dBZ 23° 79% 1.1mm - - 3m/s
10:00
1009hPa 191J/kg 65% -1.7°C 41% 12% 56% 0.07mm 83% 0.49mm -4.3dBZ 36° 66% 2mm - - 4.4m/s
11:00
1007hPa 287J/kg 51% -2.6°C 31% 16% 50% 0.1mm 77% 0.74mm 3.4dBZ 47° 52% 2.8mm 18m/s 23m/s 5.8m/s
12:00
1007hPa 298J/kg 36% -2.7°C 37% 10% 57% 0.08mm 82% 0.49mm 5.8dBZ 55° 51% 3.4mm - - 5.6m/s
13:00
1008hPa 309J/kg 20% -2.8°C 42% 5% 64% 0.07mm 88% 0.25mm 8.2dBZ 59° 49% 3.9mm - - 5.4m/s
14:00
1008hPa 320J/kg 5% -3°C 48% 0% 70% 0.05mm 94% 0mm 11dBZ 56° 48% 4.4mm 21m/s 24m/s 5.1m/s
15:00
1009hPa 293J/kg 3% -2.6°C 56% 0% 66% 0.04mm 94% 0mm 5.3dBZ 48° 56% 3mm - - 4.4m/s
16:00
1009hPa 265J/kg 2% -2.2°C 65% 0% 61% 0.03mm 94% 0mm 0.09dBZ 37° 65% 1.6mm - - 3.7m/s
17:00
1010hPa 238J/kg 0% -1.9°C 74% 0% 57% 0.02mm 95% 0mm -5.1dBZ 24° 74% 0.19mm 16m/s 21m/s 3m/s
18:00
1010hPa 201J/kg 0% -1.1°C 77% 0% 57% 0.02mm 95% 0mm -4.6dBZ 11° 77% 0.23mm - - 2.7m/s
19:00
1009hPa 165J/kg 0% -0.36°C 80% 0% 57% 0.03mm 96% 0mm -4.1dBZ -2.5° 80% 0.27mm - - 2.5m/s
20:00
1009hPa 128J/kg 0% 0.4°C 84% 0% 57% 0.03mm 96% 0mm -3.5dBZ -16° 84% 0.31mm 11m/s 17m/s 2.2m/s
21:00
1009hPa 101J/kg 0% 0.71°C 82% 0% 42% 0.03mm 96% 0mm -1dBZ -30° 82% 0.23mm - - 2.1m/s
22:00
1009hPa 73J/kg 0% 1°C 81% 0% 27% 0.03mm 96% 0mm 1.4dBZ -44° 81% 0.15mm - - 2m/s
23:00
1008hPa 46J/kg 0% 1.4°C 80% 0% 11% 0.03mm 96% 0mm 3.9dBZ -57° 80% 0.06mm 11m/s 17m/s 1.8m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 07:13 Sunset 18:52
24:00
1009hPa 44J/kg 0% 1.5°C 78% 0% 13% 0.03mm 96% 0mm 5.2dBZ -69° 78% 0.08mm - - 1.8m/s
01:00
1009hPa 41J/kg 0% 1.6°C 76% 0% 14% 0.03mm 95% 0mm 6.5dBZ -76° 76% 0.1mm - - 1.8m/s
02:00
1009hPa 39J/kg 0% 1.8°C 73% 0% 15% 0.03mm 95% 0mm 7.8dBZ -70° 73% 0.13mm 14m/s 16m/s 1.8m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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