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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 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 93% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover0%
Wind Gusts4.6m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure1012.9hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index8.8°C
Wind Gusts4.6m/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
Sat, May 23
15:000%3.8%0J/kg7.5°C24134m4.7m/s
16:000%3.8%0J/kg7.7°C24135m5m/s
17:000%4%0J/kg8.1°C24134m5.5m/s
18:000%3.6%0J/kg8.1°C24135m5.7m/s
19:000%1.4%0J/kg8.2°C24135m5.6m/s
20:000%0%0J/kg8.6°C24134m3.8m/s
21:000%0%0J/kg8.8°C24135m3.5m/s
22:000%0%0J/kg9.2°C24134m2.4m/s
23:000%0%0J/kg9.3°C24135m2.1m/s
Sun, May 24
24:000%0%0J/kg9.5°C24135m1.3m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg9.7°C24135m2.2m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg9.7°C24135m2.5m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg9.4°C24134m1.4m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg9.6°C24135m1.3m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg9.9°C24135m2m/s
06:000%0%0J/kg10°C24134m1.3m/s
07:000%1.2%0J/kg10°C24135m0.6m/s
08:000%0%0J/kg10°C24134m0.81m/s
09:000%0%0J/kg10°C24134m0.4m/s
10:000%0%0J/kg10°C24134m1.8m/s
11:000%0%0J/kg10°C24134m3m/s
12:000%0.7%0J/kg9.6°C24135m2.1m/s
13:000%1.9%0J/kg9.6°C24134m4m/s
14:000%3.6%0J/kg9.2°C24135m4.6m/s
15:000%3.8%0J/kg8.8°C24135m4.6m/s
16:000%3.8%0J/kg8.7°C24135m5.1m/s
17:000%4%0J/kg8.8°C24134m7m/s
18:000%2.1%0J/kg8.7°C24134m5.5m/s
19:000%1.2%0J/kg8.6°C24134m5.3m/s
20:000%0%0J/kg8.8°C24134m4.5m/s
21:000%0%0J/kg8.8°C24135m3.3m/s
22:000%0.7%0J/kg9°C24134m2.6m/s
23:000%0.6%0J/kg9.1°C24135m2.1m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%0%0J/kg9.6°C24134m2m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg9.8°C24135m0.61m/s
02:000%0.3%0J/kg10°C24135m1.3m/s
03:000%2.3%0J/kg10°C24135m1.2m/s
04:000%13%0J/kg11°C24135m1.6m/s
05:000%12%0J/kg11°C24135m3.6m/s
06:000%8.4%0J/kg11°C24134m3m/s
07:000%12%0J/kg11°C24134m3.2m/s
08:000%20%0J/kg11°C24134m3.9m/s
09:000%1.1%0J/kg12°C24135m4.2m/s
10:000%5.5%0J/kg12°C24134m4.7m/s
11:000%5.6%0J/kg12°C24135m5m/s
12:000%2.7%0J/kg11°C24135m4.4m/s
13:000%7.2%0J/kg11°C24134m3.8m/s
14:000%6.2%0J/kg10°C24135m5.7m/s
15:000%3.8%0J/kg10°C24134m6.4m/s
16:000%5.5%0J/kg10°C24134m7.9m/s
17:000%18%0J/kg10°C24134m9.7m/s
18:000%19%0J/kg9.9°C24134m9.6m/s
19:000%11%0J/kg10°C24135m8.9m/s
20:000%0.3%0J/kg10°C24134m6.1m/s
21:000%0.4%0J/kg10°C24135m7.2m/s
22:000%0.3%0J/kg11°C24134m5.6m/s
23:000%0.1%0J/kg11°C24135m5.4m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%0.2%0J/kg11°C24134m3.3m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg11°C24134m2.1m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg11°C24135m3.1m/s
03:000%0.1%0J/kg11°C24134m3m/s
04:000%0.6%0J/kg11°C24135m3.3m/s
05:000%1%0J/kg11°C24134m3.8m/s
06:000%1.1%0J/kg11°C24134m3.6m/s
07:000%12%0J/kg11°C24134m3.2m/s
08:000%14%0J/kg11°C24135m2.9m/s
09:000%7.4%0J/kg11°C24134m3m/s
10:000%6.3%0J/kg10°C24135m2.2m/s
11:000%1.5%0J/kg9.8°C24134m1.3m/s
12:000%2%0J/kg9.5°C24135m4m/s
13:000%20%0J/kg9.2°C24134m4.4m/s
14:000%3.7%0J/kg9.1°C24134m4.5m/s
15:000%7.9%0J/kg9°C24134m6m/s
16:000%3.6%0J/kg9°C24135m7.6m/s
17:000%15%0J/kg8.8°C24135m8.9m/s
18:000%30%0J/kg8.9°C24134m9.1m/s
19:000%39%0J/kg8.8°C24135m8.3m/s
20:000%5.1%0J/kg8.9°C24134m8.1m/s
21:000%0%0J/kg9°C24134m6.2m/s
22:000%0%0J/kg9.1°C24135m4.4m/s
23:000%0%0J/kg9.1°C24135m2.5m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%0%0J/kg9.1°C24135m2.2m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg9.1°C24135m1.8m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg9.1°C24135m1.5m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg9°C24135m1.7m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg8.9°C24135m1.9m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg8.8°C24135m2m/s
06:000%0%0J/kg8.6°C16280m2.7m/s
07:000%68%0J/kg8.5°C8425m3.3m/s
08:0015%88%0J/kg8.3°C570m3.9m/s
09:000%82%0J/kg8.2°C554m4.5m/s
10:000%66%0J/kg8.1°C538m5.1m/s
11:0015%62%0J/kg8°C523m5.6m/s
12:000%41%0J/kg8°C8393m5m/s
13:000%23%0J/kg8.1°C16264m4.5m/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 07:31 Sunset 18:25
15:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -7.5dBZ 37° 0% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
16:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -14dBZ 28° 0% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
17:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 0% 0mm 4.6m/s 1.5m/s 5.6m/s
18:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 4.8° 0% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
19:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -8.1° 0% 0mm - - 4m/s
20:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 0% 0mm 5.7m/s 2.9m/s 3.9m/s
21:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 0% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
22:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 4% 9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -49° 4% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
23:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -62° 0% 0mm 8.3m/s 4.9m/s 2m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 07:31 Sunset 18:25
24:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.6°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -76° 0% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
01:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -88° 0% 0mm - - 0.48m/s
02:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -76° 0% 0mm 9.7m/s 6.8m/s 1.3m/s
03:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -62° 0% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
04:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 3% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ -48° 3% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
05:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 31% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 31% 0mm 9.2m/s 6.7m/s 3.6m/s
06:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 5% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
07:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 1% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ -7.6° 1% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
08:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 5.3° 5% 0mm 6.4m/s 6m/s 3.7m/s
09:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 0% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
10:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 4% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 4% 0mm - - 4m/s
11:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 2% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 2% 0mm 3.9m/s 6.4m/s 4.2m/s
12:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -14dBZ 44° 0% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
13:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 1% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -8.4dBZ 46° 1% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
14:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -2.6dBZ 44° 5% 0mm 2m/s 3.9m/s 4.8m/s
15:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -8.4dBZ 37° 0% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
16:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -14dBZ 28° 0% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
17:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 5% 0mm 5.5m/s 1.7m/s 7.1m/s
18:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ 4.8° 5% 0mm - - 6.7m/s
19:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 2% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -8.2° 2% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
20:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 4% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 4% 0mm 10m/s 5.9m/s 5.2m/s
21:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 5% 0mm - - 5.3m/s
22:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -49° 5% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
23:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -62° 5% 0mm 12m/s 7.1m/s 4.4m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 07:31 Sunset 18:25
24:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -76° 5% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
01:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -88° 5% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
02:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -76° 5% 0mm 14m/s 8.7m/s 2.8m/s
03:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -62° 5% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
04:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -48° 5% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
05:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 1% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 1% 0mm 9.3m/s 7.8m/s 3.6m/s
06:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 5% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
07:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -7.7° 5% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
08:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 5.2° 5% 0mm 6.6m/s 6.8m/s 2.7m/s
09:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 4% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 4% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
10:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 4% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 4% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
11:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 0% 0mm 3.3m/s 4.5m/s 2.1m/s
12:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -15dBZ 44° 0% 0mm - - 4m/s
13:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.2°C 17% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -9.7dBZ 46° 17% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
14:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -4.5dBZ 44° 0% 0mm 3.2m/s 7.1m/s 3.9m/s
15:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 1% 9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -9.7dBZ 37° 1% 0mm - - 5m/s
16:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -15dBZ 28° 0% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
17:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 1% 8.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 1% 0mm 4.6m/s 3.8m/s 6.7m/s
18:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 9% 8.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 4.7° 9% 0mm - - 6.7m/s
19:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 10% 8.8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -8.2° 10% 0mm - - 6.4m/s
20:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 5% 8.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 5% 0mm 8.2m/s 6.2m/s 6.2m/s
21:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 5% 9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 5% 0mm - - 5m/s
22:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -49° 5% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
23:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -62° 5% 0mm 13m/s 9.4m/s 2.5m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 07:32 Sunset 18:25
24:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 3% 9.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -76° 3% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
01:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 2% 9.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ -89° 2% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
02:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -76° 0% 0mm 13m/s 11m/s 1.5m/s
03:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 2% 9°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -62° 3% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
04:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 3% 8.9°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -48° 5% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
05:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 5% 8.8°C 7% 0% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 8% 0mm 8.9m/s 12m/s 1.9m/s
06:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 9% 8.6°C 15% 0% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 18% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
07:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 13% 8.5°C 23% 0% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -7.8° 29% 0mm - - 3m/s
08:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 17% 8.3°C 32% 0% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 5.1° 39% 0mm 6.3m/s 11m/s 3.6m/s
09:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 29% 8.2°C 31% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 45% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
10:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 41% 8.1°C 31% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 50% 0mm - - 4m/s
11:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 53% 8°C 31% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 56% 0mm 7.3m/s 12m/s 4.2m/s
12:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 69% 8°C 21% 0% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 71% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
13:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 84% 8.1°C 10% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 85% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
14:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 100% 0mm 3.5m/s 8.8m/s 3m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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