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Rule Storm Chaser

Walvis Bay - Storm Chaser - Namibia

Walvis Bay, 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 90% failing
Cloud Drama Score 74% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover65%
Wind Gusts1.9m/s
Precipitation Chance19%
Air Pressure1009.2hPa
CAPE85
Lifted Index-0.8°C
Wind Gusts1.9m/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.

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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%14%202J/kg-2.1°C24135m2.3m/s
04:000%15%241J/kg-2.3°C20994m3.3m/s
05:000%15%225J/kg-2.3°C24135m3.5m/s
06:000%15%159J/kg-1.5°C24134m2.1m/s
07:000%22%74J/kg-1.4°C24134m2.2m/s
08:0016%57%71J/kg-1.6°C23263m1.6m/s
09:000%56%57J/kg-1.1°C8495m1.1m/s
10:000%54%103J/kg-1.3°C9626m2m/s
11:0019%37%145J/kg-1.6°C7612m2.5m/s
12:000%33%288J/kg-2.7°C24134m2m/s
13:000%52%349J/kg-2.8°C24135m2.1m/s
14:000%50%356J/kg-2.7°C20242m3.5m/s
15:000%32%372J/kg-2.4°C17779m4.5m/s
16:000%38%336J/kg-2.2°C17747m4.5m/s
17:000%38%241J/kg-1.8°C17783m1m/s
18:000%38%223J/kg-1.9°C17761m2.1m/s
19:000%40%229J/kg-1.9°C17837m5.5m/s
20:000%15%189J/kg-1.9°C24135m5.3m/s
21:000%15%142J/kg-1.7°C12153m6.8m/s
22:000%15%95J/kg-1.6°C24134m1.1m/s
23:000%15%82J/kg-1.6°C24134m1.6m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%15%102J/kg-1.3°C24135m2.4m/s
01:000%15%121J/kg-1.2°C24135m2.8m/s
02:000%14%116J/kg-1.1°C24135m3.3m/s
03:000%14%85J/kg-0.8°C24134m1.9m/s
04:000%13%75J/kg-0.7°C24135m1.8m/s
05:000%13%67J/kg-0.7°C24135m1.9m/s
06:000%15%31J/kg-0.2°C24135m2.3m/s
07:000%61%24J/kg0°C24134m2.1m/s
08:000%50%2J/kg0.3°C24134m3.7m/s
09:000%36%0J/kg0.9°C24134m8.2m/s
10:000%76%1J/kg0.6°C24135m7.2m/s
11:000%65%4J/kg0.2°C24134m6.2m/s
12:000%29%30J/kg-0.1°C24135m4.5m/s
13:000%17%48J/kg-0.2°C24135m2.7m/s
14:000%19%45J/kg-0.1°C24135m3.1m/s
15:000%20%31J/kg-0.2°C24135m3m/s
16:000%56%14J/kg-0.4°C24134m3.2m/s
17:000%37%16J/kg-0.4°C24135m4.7m/s
18:000%37%20J/kg-0.4°C24134m6m/s
19:000%43%17J/kg-0.5°C24134m7.6m/s
20:000%12%37J/kg-0.4°C24135m8.1m/s
21:000%11%19J/kg-0.7°C23248m7.3m/s
22:000%8.8%6J/kg-0.2°C18790m4.7m/s
23:000%13%1J/kg0°C12854m3m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%14%6J/kg0°C21669m3.1m/s
01:000%14%9J/kg0°C24134m5.3m/s
02:000%13%4J/kg-0.5°C24135m4.9m/s
03:000%12%9J/kg-0.1°C24134m5.2m/s
04:000%15%7J/kg-0.2°C24134m3.9m/s
05:000%12%0J/kg0.3°C24135m2.9m/s
06:000%12%8J/kg0.2°C24134m3.7m/s
07:000%94%9J/kg0.1°C20478m5.7m/s
08:000%60%2J/kg-0.1°C20302m6m/s
09:000%42%0J/kg0.2°C20098m6.6m/s
10:000%71%0J/kg0.8°C20072m7.5m/s
11:000%50%0J/kg1.4°C15366m6.2m/s
12:000%38%0J/kg1.5°C20068m4.1m/s
13:000%58%0J/kg1.6°C20078m3.2m/s
14:000%44%0J/kg1.4°C14951m3.7m/s
15:000%84%0J/kg0.8°C17731m4m/s
16:000%57%0J/kg0.4°C17824m5.4m/s
17:000%51%0J/kg0.2°C24134m7.4m/s
18:000%100%0J/kg0.2°C24134m9.2m/s
19:000%83%0J/kg-0.1°C24135m9.2m/s
20:000%15%1J/kg-0.1°C24135m9m/s
21:000%11%0J/kg0.1°C20348m8.9m/s
22:000%13%0J/kg0.5°C24134m7.2m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg0.3°C17795m5.1m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%15%0J/kg0.5°C24134m7.4m/s
01:000%14%0J/kg0.6°C24135m7.5m/s
02:000%14%0J/kg0.7°C24134m7.5m/s
03:000%14%0J/kg0.7°C24134m6.3m/s
04:000%14%0J/kg0.8°C24134m5.6m/s
05:000%15%0J/kg0.5°C24135m5.8m/s
06:000%7.2%0J/kg0.4°C18430m5.8m/s
07:000%100%0J/kg0.2°C17800m4.3m/s
08:000%50%0J/kg-0.1°C15239m2.7m/s
09:000%98%113J/kg-0.88°C18204m3.3m/s
10:000%87%227J/kg-1.7°C21170m3.9m/s
11:0018%76%340J/kg-2.4°C24135m4.5m/s
12:000%76%361J/kg-2.7°C21049m5.8m/s
13:000%77%382J/kg-3°C17963m7m/s
14:0018%74%403J/kg-3.4°C14878m8.2m/s
15:000%37%406J/kg-3.1°C15825m8m/s
16:000%35%409J/kg-2.8°C16772m7.7m/s
17:000%36%412J/kg-2.5°C17719m7.4m/s
18:000%36%347J/kg-1.9°C16971m7.5m/s
19:000%39%281J/kg-1.3°C16222m7.5m/s
20:000%0%216J/kg-0.7°C15474m7.5m/s
21:000%0%173J/kg0.05°C15264m6.6m/s
22:000%0%129J/kg0.8°C15054m5.8m/s
23:000%0%86J/kg1.6°C14844m4.9m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%0%72J/kg1.7°C16603m4m/s
01:000%0%59J/kg1.9°C18361m3.2m/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 07:13 Sunset 18:53
03:00
1009hPa 85J/kg 0% -0.8°C 23% 65% 19% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ -58° 65% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
04:00
1009hPa 75J/kg 0% -0.7°C 66% 8% 17% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ -45° 66% 0.06mm - - 1.6m/s
05:00
1009hPa 67J/kg 0% -0.7°C 0% 4% 14% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ -31° 4% 0.06mm 1.5m/s 15m/s 1.8m/s
06:00
1009hPa 31J/kg 0% -0.2°C 0% 0% 26% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 0% 0.06mm - - 2m/s
07:00
1009hPa 24J/kg 0% 0°C 56% 0% 38% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ -3.7° 56% 0.06mm - - 1.6m/s
08:00
1010hPa 2J/kg 0% 0.3°C 20% 0% 50% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 9.9° 20% 0.06mm 1.3m/s 15m/s 2.9m/s
09:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.9°C 14% 0% 33% 0mm 44% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 14% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
10:00
1011hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.6°C 56% 37% 17% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 56% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
11:00
1011hPa 4J/kg 0% 0.2°C 16% 41% 0% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 42% 0mm 3.7m/s 12m/s 4.9m/s
12:00
1010hPa 30J/kg 0% -0.1°C 1% 14% 7% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 14% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
13:00
1009hPa 48J/kg 0% -0.2°C 0% 4% 15% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 59° 4% 0mm - - 1m/s
14:00
1008hPa 45J/kg 0% -0.1°C 0% 4% 22% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 4% 0mm 2.2m/s 9m/s 2.1m/s
15:00
1008hPa 31J/kg 0% -0.2°C 0% 5% 22% 0mm 38% 0mm -16dBZ 48° 5% 0mm - - 4m/s
16:00
1007hPa 14J/kg 0% -0.4°C 0% 54% 22% 0mm 40% 0mm -12dBZ 37° 54% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
17:00
1007hPa 16J/kg 0% -0.4°C 0% 100% 22% 0mm 42% 0mm -8.5dBZ 25° 100% 0mm 2.3m/s 5m/s 5.4m/s
18:00
1007hPa 20J/kg 0% -0.4°C 1% 96% 31% 0mm 43% 0mm -8.7dBZ 11° 96% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
19:00
1007hPa 17J/kg 0% -0.5°C 0% 99% 40% 0mm 47% 0mm -8.9dBZ -2.1° 99% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
20:00
1008hPa 37J/kg 0% -0.4°C 2% 99% 49% 0mm 48% 0mm -9.1dBZ -16° 99% 0mm 11m/s 8m/s 6.1m/s
21:00
1008hPa 19J/kg 0% -0.7°C 6% 98% 40% 0mm 46% 0.06mm -11dBZ -30° 98% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
22:00
1009hPa 6J/kg 0% -0.2°C 11% 75% 31% 0mm 49% 0.1mm -12dBZ -43° 75% 0.06mm - - 3m/s
23:00
1009hPa 1J/kg 0% 0°C 13% 98% 22% 0mm 52% 0.46mm -14dBZ -57° 98% 0.25mm 13m/s 14m/s 2.6m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 07:13 Sunset 18:53
24:00
1009hPa 6J/kg 0% 0°C 45% 89% 24% 0mm 50% 0.51mm -12dBZ -69° 89% 0.44mm - - 3m/s
01:00
1008hPa 9J/kg 0% 0°C 2% 29% 26% 0mm 45% 0.06mm -9.9dBZ -75° 29% 0.44mm - - 4.5m/s
02:00
1007hPa 4J/kg 0% -0.5°C 16% 26% 28% 0mm 46% 0mm -7.8dBZ -70° 26% 0.44mm 12m/s 14m/s 4.2m/s
03:00
1007hPa 9J/kg 0% -0.1°C 0% 84% 19% 0mm 50% 0mm -12dBZ -58° 84% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
04:00
1007hPa 7J/kg 0% -0.2°C 2% 64% 9% 0mm 53% 0mm -16dBZ -45° 64% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
05:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.3°C 26% 100% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ -31° 100% 0mm 16m/s 15m/s 2.8m/s
06:00
1008hPa 8J/kg 0% 0.2°C 92% 100% 0% 0mm 54% 0.06mm -20dBZ -18° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.8m/s
07:00
1010hPa 9J/kg 0% 0.1°C 26% 50% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -3.8° 50% 0.06mm - - 5.9m/s
08:00
1011hPa 2J/kg 0% -0.1°C 3% 64% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 9.8° 64% 0.06mm 12m/s 10m/s 5.1m/s
09:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.2°C 10% 15% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -19dBZ 23° 19% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
10:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.8°C 13% 47% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -17dBZ 36° 47% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
11:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.4°C 24% 84% 0% 0.01mm 73% 0mm -16dBZ 47° 84% 0mm 3.7m/s 7.8m/s 5m/s
12:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.5°C 27% 98% 0% 0.01mm 74% 0mm -17dBZ 55° 98% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
13:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.6°C 18% 77% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -19dBZ 59° 77% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
14:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 8% 1.4°C 19% 5% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 24% 0mm 7.1m/s 3.3m/s 4m/s
15:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 40% 0.8°C 17% 62% 7% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 48° 62% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
16:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 8% 0.4°C 12% 87% 15% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 87% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
17:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 7% 0.2°C 2% 88% 22% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 88% 0mm 12m/s 11m/s 6.8m/s
18:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 47% 0.2°C 0% 60% 27% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 62% 0mm - - 7.6m/s
19:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 5% -0.1°C 0% 39% 32% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -2.3° 39% 0mm - - 6.5m/s
20:00
1008hPa 1J/kg 5% -0.1°C 0% 22% 37% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 22% 0mm 17m/s 13m/s 5.7m/s
21:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 1% 0.1°C 0% 8% 44% 0mm 46% 0.24mm -20dBZ -30° 8% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
22:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 8% 0.5°C 1% 14% 51% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -44° 16% 0.06mm - - 4.1m/s
23:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.3°C 22% 5% 57% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -57° 22% 0.06mm 15m/s 14m/s 4.6m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 07:13 Sunset 18:52
24:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.5°C 2% 4% 65% 0mm 74% 0mm -7.5dBZ -69° 6% 0.06mm - - 6m/s
01:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 1% 0.6°C 0% 5% 72% 0mm 74% 0mm 5dBZ -75° 5% 0.06mm - - 5.5m/s
02:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.7°C 0% 60% 79% 0mm 77% 0.07mm 18dBZ -70° 60% 0.19mm 13m/s 12m/s 5m/s
03:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.7°C 1% 41% 79% 0mm 75% 0mm 8dBZ -58° 41% 0.13mm - - 3.7m/s
04:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 5% 0.8°C 10% 65% 79% 0mm 78% 0.06mm -1.6dBZ -45° 65% 0.19mm - - 3.9m/s
05:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 8% 0.5°C 6% 5% 79% 0mm 79% 0.06mm -11dBZ -31° 13% 0.25mm 16m/s 18m/s 3.7m/s
06:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 6% 0.4°C 8% 3% 83% 0mm 79% 0.2mm -2.2dBZ -18° 13% 0.31mm - - 3.5m/s
07:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 30% 0.2°C 14% 6% 87% 0mm 81% 0.05mm 6.8dBZ -3.9° 36% 0.44mm - - 3.2m/s
08:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 100% -0.1°C 22% 5% 91% 0mm 82% 0.08mm 16dBZ 9.7° 100% 0.56mm 18m/s 21m/s 2.1m/s
09:00
1011hPa 113J/kg 73% -0.88°C 15% 11% 80% 0mm 75% 0.05mm 16dBZ 23° 76% 0.79mm - - 3m/s
10:00
1010hPa 227J/kg 45% -1.7°C 8% 16% 70% 0mm 67% 0.03mm 16dBZ 35° 53% 1mm - - 3.9m/s
11:00
1009hPa 340J/kg 18% -2.4°C 0% 22% 59% 0mm 59% 0mm 16dBZ 47° 29% 1.3mm 20m/s 25m/s 4.8m/s
12:00
1009hPa 361J/kg 12% -2.7°C 9% 19% 64% 0mm 67% 0mm 14dBZ 55° 30% 1.3mm - - 5.3m/s
13:00
1009hPa 382J/kg 7% -3°C 17% 16% 69% 0mm 75% 0mm 11dBZ 59° 31% 1.3mm - - 5.8m/s
14:00
1010hPa 403J/kg 1% -3.4°C 25% 12% 75% 0mm 84% 0mm 8.4dBZ 56° 31% 1.3mm 16m/s 20m/s 6.3m/s
15:00
1010hPa 406J/kg 1% -3.1°C 24% 8% 66% 0.003mm 84% 0mm -1.1dBZ 48° 28% 0.9mm - - 6.1m/s
16:00
1011hPa 409J/kg 0% -2.8°C 23% 4% 58% 0.007mm 85% 0mm -11dBZ 37° 25% 0.48mm - - 5.8m/s
17:00
1011hPa 412J/kg 0% -2.5°C 22% 0% 49% 0.01mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 22% 0.06mm 11m/s 19m/s 5.6m/s
18:00
1011hPa 347J/kg 0% -1.9°C 23% 0% 51% 0.01mm 86% 0mm -18dBZ 11° 23% 0.06mm - - 5.6m/s
19:00
1010hPa 281J/kg 0% -1.3°C 23% 0% 52% 0.01mm 87% 0mm -16dBZ -2.5° 23% 0.06mm - - 5.7m/s
20:00
1010hPa 216J/kg 0% -0.7°C 23% 0% 53% 0.01mm 88% 0mm -14dBZ -16° 23% 0.06mm 8.4m/s 16m/s 5.7m/s
21:00
1010hPa 173J/kg 0% 0.05°C 24% 0% 67% 0.01mm 89% 0mm -14dBZ -30° 24% 0.04mm - - 5.1m/s
22:00
1010hPa 129J/kg 0% 0.8°C 24% 0% 81% 0.01mm 89% 0mm -14dBZ -44° 24% 0.02mm - - 4.5m/s
23:00
1010hPa 86J/kg 0% 1.6°C 24% 0% 95% 0.01mm 90% 0mm -13dBZ -57° 24% 0mm 11m/s 17m/s 3.9m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 07:13 Sunset 18:51
24:00
1010hPa 72J/kg 0% 1.7°C 26% 0% 97% 0.01mm 90% 0mm -13dBZ -69° 26% 0.02mm - - 3.3m/s
01:00
1010hPa 59J/kg 0% 1.9°C 27% 0% 98% 0.02mm 90% 0mm -13dBZ -76° 27% 0.04mm - - 2.6m/s
02:00
1011hPa 45J/kg 0% 2.1°C 28% 0% 100% 0.02mm 90% 0mm -13dBZ -70° 28% 0.06mm 14m/s 17m/s 2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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