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Rule Storm Chaser

Windhoek - Storm Chaser - Namibia

Windhoek, Khomas 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 86% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts2.1m/s
Precipitation Chance15%
Air Pressure834.5hPa
CAPE34
Lifted Index-0.5°C
Wind Gusts2.1m/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%108J/kg0.4°C24135m3.4m/s
04:000%15%111J/kg-0.1°C24134m4.3m/s
05:000%15%106J/kg0.2°C24135m2.3m/s
06:000%15%83J/kg0.4°C24134m2.1m/s
07:000%24%46J/kg0.5°C24134m1.8m/s
08:000%66%46J/kg0.3°C24135m3.8m/s
09:000%54%19J/kg-0.1°C24135m6.5m/s
10:000%55%56J/kg-0.1°C24134m6.6m/s
11:000%36%141J/kg-0.7°C24135m8.1m/s
12:000%53%213J/kg-1.1°C24134m8.6m/s
13:000%30%167J/kg-1.3°C24135m7.9m/s
14:000%39%182J/kg-1.6°C24134m6.4m/s
15:000%45%173J/kg-2.3°C23644m7.6m/s
16:0020%62%55J/kg-1.1°C16215m9.3m/s
17:0027%55%109J/kg-1.8°C8124m6.6m/s
18:0027%65%122J/kg-1.2°C14763m5.1m/s
19:0027%65%79J/kg-0.7°C13678m4.3m/s
20:0021%4.5%75J/kg-0.6°C23999m2.8m/s
21:000%6%83J/kg-0.5°C24135m3.6m/s
22:000%8.9%43J/kg-0.1°C24134m0.32m/s
23:0018%9.9%24J/kg0.2°C24134m1.7m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:000%10%20J/kg0°C24135m2.9m/s
01:000%12%43J/kg-0.3°C24135m2.4m/s
02:0015%7.3%41J/kg-0.3°C24135m1.5m/s
03:000%9.8%34J/kg-0.5°C24134m2.1m/s
04:000%12%14J/kg-0.6°C24135m2.9m/s
05:0013%15%1J/kg0.3°C24135m4m/s
06:000%12%0J/kg1.2°C24135m4.1m/s
07:000%32%0J/kg1.7°C24134m3.7m/s
08:000%36%0J/kg1.6°C24134m6.2m/s
09:000%33%0J/kg1.1°C24134m8.9m/s
10:000%31%0J/kg0.5°C24135m8.3m/s
11:0016%46%2J/kg0.2°C24134m7.8m/s
12:000%68%4J/kg0.3°C24135m6.6m/s
13:000%44%38J/kg-0.1°C24135m5.8m/s
14:000%40%14J/kg-0.7°C24135m5.9m/s
15:000%34%16J/kg-0.6°C24135m5m/s
16:000%20%36J/kg-0.7°C24134m4.8m/s
17:000%45%37J/kg-0.8°C24135m5.4m/s
18:000%59%18J/kg-0.4°C20632m7.2m/s
19:000%61%15J/kg-0.3°C18260m7.3m/s
20:000%9.5%18J/kg-0.7°C24135m5.1m/s
21:000%9.1%14J/kg-0.6°C24135m1.7m/s
22:000%7%16J/kg-0.2°C24134m1.6m/s
23:000%13%8J/kg0.1°C24134m2m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%15%0J/kg0.5°C24135m2m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg1.1°C24134m2.2m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg0.9°C24135m2.1m/s
03:000%12%0J/kg1.6°C24134m3.4m/s
04:000%6.1%0J/kg1.3°C24134m2.7m/s
05:000%1.6%0J/kg1.5°C24135m2.4m/s
06:000%0.2%0J/kg1.8°C24134m2m/s
07:000%7.5%0J/kg1.7°C24134m1.9m/s
08:000%15%0J/kg1.9°C24135m6.1m/s
09:000%12%0J/kg1.6°C24134m8.1m/s
10:000%9.7%0J/kg1.2°C24134m7.6m/s
11:000%7%0J/kg0.8°C24135m7.9m/s
12:000%21%5J/kg0.6°C24135m7.4m/s
13:000%65%15J/kg0.2°C24134m6.6m/s
14:000%38%22J/kg0.1°C24134m6m/s
15:000%29%27J/kg0°C24134m5.6m/s
16:000%31%27J/kg0°C24134m5.6m/s
17:000%39%19J/kg0°C24134m5.6m/s
18:000%45%5J/kg0.2°C24134m7.8m/s
19:000%64%10J/kg0.2°C24135m6.8m/s
20:000%11%25J/kg-0.1°C24135m5.8m/s
21:000%11%32J/kg-0.2°C24135m4m/s
22:000%15%21J/kg0.8°C24134m9.3m/s
23:000%15%7J/kg0.8°C24135m9m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%15%6J/kg0.5°C24134m4m/s
01:000%15%4J/kg0.2°C24135m2.4m/s
02:000%14%0J/kg0°C24134m1.5m/s
03:000%15%3J/kg-0.4°C24134m1m/s
04:000%13%0J/kg-0.2°C24134m1.5m/s
05:000%13%0J/kg0°C24135m1.5m/s
06:000%15%0J/kg0.2°C24135m1.4m/s
07:000%33%0J/kg0.3°C24135m1.2m/s
08:000%35%3J/kg0.7°C24135m1.6m/s
09:000%46%38J/kg0.16°C21228m2.6m/s
10:000%63%73J/kg-0.38°C18322m3.6m/s
11:000%31%108J/kg-0.93°C15415m4.6m/s
12:000%59%165J/kg-1.3°C18322m3.4m/s
13:000%59%221J/kg-1.7°C21228m2.2m/s
14:000%15%278J/kg-2.2°C24135m1m/s
15:0016%69%270J/kg-2.3°C20087m1.4m/s
16:0018%68%262J/kg-2.4°C16040m1.8m/s
17:0031%48%254J/kg-2.6°C11992m2.2m/s
18:0025%52%216J/kg-2.4°C9421m2.3m/s
19:0029%52%178J/kg-2.3°C6850m2.3m/s
20:0048%0%140J/kg-2.2°C4280m2.3m/s
21:0044%0%133J/kg-1.9°C4879m2.4m/s
22:0029%0%125J/kg-1.5°C5479m2.5m/s
23:0033%0%118J/kg-1.1°C6079m2.6m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:0021%0%120J/kg-1°C11821m2.6m/s
01:0021%0%123J/kg-0.93°C17563m2.7m/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 07:02 Sunset 18:43
03:00
835hPa 34J/kg 0% -0.5°C 5% 100% 15% 0mm 68% 0mm -12dBZ -56° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
04:00
834hPa 14J/kg 0% -0.6°C 16% 100% 7% 0mm 65% 0mm -4.7dBZ -43° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
05:00
834hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.3°C 8% 95% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm 2.6dBZ -29° 95% 0mm 8m/s 11m/s 2.6m/s
06:00
834hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.2°C 3% 78% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -5dBZ -15° 78% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
07:00
835hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.7°C 2% 100% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -12dBZ -1.1° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
08:00
836hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.6°C 0% 90% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 90% 0mm 6.6m/s 5.4m/s 2.1m/s
09:00
836hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.1°C 0% 90% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 90% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
10:00
836hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.5°C 0% 99% 0% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 99% 0mm - - 6.8m/s
11:00
836hPa 2J/kg 0% 0.2°C 0% 66% 0% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 49° 66% 0mm 0.94m/s 10m/s 7.6m/s
12:00
835hPa 4J/kg 0% 0.3°C 37% 20% 7% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 57° 39% 0mm - - 7m/s
13:00
834hPa 38J/kg 0% -0.1°C 100% 100% 15% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 60° 100% 0mm - - 6.5m/s
14:00
833hPa 14J/kg 0% -0.7°C 65% 100% 22% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 56° 100% 0mm 1.5m/s 5.5m/s 6.1m/s
15:00
833hPa 16J/kg 0% -0.6°C 21% 100% 15% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 100% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
16:00
833hPa 36J/kg 0% -0.7°C 6% 100% 7% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 100% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
17:00
833hPa 37J/kg 0% -0.8°C 59% 96% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 96% 0.06mm 2.5m/s 3.4m/s 5.2m/s
18:00
834hPa 18J/kg 0% -0.4°C 81% 94% 0% 0mm 42% 0.08mm -15dBZ 9.2° 94% 0.06mm - - 4.6m/s
19:00
834hPa 15J/kg 0% -0.3°C 62% 93% 0% 0mm 46% 0.18mm -9.5dBZ -4.5° 93% 0.13mm - - 3.5m/s
20:00
834hPa 18J/kg 0% -0.7°C 26% 100% 0% 0mm 49% 0.04mm -4.3dBZ -18° 100% 0.25mm 3.8m/s 6.3m/s 2.2m/s
21:00
835hPa 14J/kg 0% -0.6°C 24% 100% 0% 0.01mm 49% 0mm -7.5dBZ -32° 100% 0mm - - 0.93m/s
22:00
835hPa 16J/kg 0% -0.2°C 17% 100% 0% 0.16mm 49% 0mm -11dBZ -46° 100% 0.13mm - - 0.74m/s
23:00
835hPa 8J/kg 0% 0.1°C 17% 99% 0% 0.06mm 53% 0mm -14dBZ -59° 99% 0.19mm 4m/s 5.8m/s 1.5m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 07:02 Sunset 18:43
24:00
835hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.5°C 7% 90% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -16dBZ -71° 90% 0.19mm - - 1.2m/s
01:00
834hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.1°C 0% 47% 0% 0mm 51% 0mm -18dBZ -75° 47% 0.19mm - - 1.7m/s
02:00
834hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.9°C 0% 19% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ -68° 19% 0.19mm 0.24m/s 7.8m/s 1.7m/s
03:00
834hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.6°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ -56° 5% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
04:00
834hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.3°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -43° 5% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
05:00
834hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.5°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 5% 0mm 4.1m/s 7.7m/s 1.7m/s
06:00
834hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.8°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 5% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
07:00
835hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.7°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -1.2° 5% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
08:00
835hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 0% 0mm 4.3m/s 5m/s 1.8m/s
09:00
836hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.6°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 4% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
10:00
836hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.2°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 43% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 5% 0mm - - 6.7m/s
11:00
836hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.8°C 0% 5% 0% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 49° 5% 0mm 2.7m/s 8.3m/s 7.4m/s
12:00
835hPa 5J/kg 5% 0.6°C 8% 5% 0% 0mm 34% 0mm -20dBZ 57° 9% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
13:00
834hPa 15J/kg 0% 0.2°C 25% 46% 0% 0mm 31% 0mm -20dBZ 59° 46% 0mm - - 6.6m/s
14:00
833hPa 22J/kg 0% 0.1°C 2% 83% 0% 0mm 29% 0mm -20dBZ 55° 83% 0mm 2m/s 5.3m/s 6.2m/s
15:00
833hPa 27J/kg 0% 0°C 1% 100% 0% 0mm 29% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 100% 0mm - - 6m/s
16:00
832hPa 27J/kg 5% 0°C 2% 100% 0% 0mm 30% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 100% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
17:00
833hPa 19J/kg 5% 0°C 2% 100% 0% 0mm 32% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 100% 0mm 1.8m/s 3.5m/s 5.6m/s
18:00
833hPa 5J/kg 5% 0.2°C 5% 96% 0% 0mm 36% 0mm -11dBZ 96% 0mm - - 5.7m/s
19:00
833hPa 10J/kg 2% 0.2°C 17% 100% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -2.6dBZ -4.7° 100% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
20:00
834hPa 25J/kg 0% -0.1°C 16% 100% 0% 0mm 38% 0mm 6.1dBZ -19° 100% 0mm 3.8m/s 3.7m/s 2.8m/s
21:00
834hPa 32J/kg 3% -0.2°C 1% 91% 17% 0mm 39% 0mm -2.6dBZ -32° 91% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
22:00
835hPa 21J/kg 4% 0.8°C 2% 68% 33% 0mm 42% 0mm -11dBZ -46° 68% 0mm - - 4.9m/s
23:00
835hPa 7J/kg 5% 0.8°C 0% 5% 50% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ -59° 5% 0mm 5.6m/s 7.7m/s 3.7m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 07:02 Sunset 18:42
24:00
835hPa 6J/kg 2% 0.5°C 0% 5% 50% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ -71° 5% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
01:00
835hPa 4J/kg 0% 0.2°C 0% 5% 50% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ -76° 5% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
02:00
834hPa 0J/kg 5% 0°C 0% 5% 50% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -68° 5% 0mm 4.7m/s 5.9m/s 0.95m/s
03:00
834hPa 3J/kg 46% -0.4°C 0% 7% 33% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -56° 46% 0mm - - 0.76m/s
04:00
834hPa 0J/kg 6% -0.2°C 0% 42% 17% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ -43° 42% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
05:00
833hPa 0J/kg 100% 0°C 0% 6% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 100% 0mm 4.4m/s 7.5m/s 1.3m/s
06:00
834hPa 0J/kg 100% 0.2°C 0% 5% 17% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 100% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
07:00
834hPa 0J/kg 98% 0.3°C 0% 5% 33% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ -1.3° 98% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
08:00
835hPa 3J/kg 100% 0.7°C 0% 5% 50% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 100% 0mm 4.8m/s 8m/s 1.2m/s
09:00
834hPa 38J/kg 67% 0.16°C 29% 37% 39% 0mm 50% 0.09mm -20dBZ 25° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.8m/s
10:00
833hPa 73J/kg 33% -0.38°C 59% 68% 28% 0mm 45% 0.19mm -20dBZ 38° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.5m/s
11:00
832hPa 108J/kg 0% -0.93°C 88% 100% 17% 0mm 39% 0.28mm -20dBZ 49° 100% 0.19mm 1.8m/s 5.9m/s 3.2m/s
12:00
832hPa 165J/kg 2% -1.3°C 59% 68% 25% 0mm 45% 0.25mm -20dBZ 56° 68% 0.29mm - - 2.4m/s
13:00
832hPa 221J/kg 3% -1.7°C 30% 37% 33% 0mm 51% 0.23mm -19dBZ 59° 37% 0.4mm - - 1.6m/s
14:00
832hPa 278J/kg 5% -2.2°C 0% 5% 41% 0mm 56% 0.2mm -19dBZ 55° 5% 0.5mm 1.2m/s 5m/s 0.81m/s
15:00
833hPa 270J/kg 36% -2.3°C 2% 23% 47% 0mm 60% 0.58mm -7.4dBZ 46° 36% 0.77mm - - 1.2m/s
16:00
833hPa 262J/kg 67% -2.4°C 3% 41% 53% 0mm 63% 0.96mm 4.4dBZ 35° 67% 1mm - - 1.7m/s
17:00
833hPa 254J/kg 98% -2.6°C 5% 59% 59% 0mm 66% 1.3mm 16dBZ 22° 98% 1.3mm 2.6m/s 11m/s 2.1m/s
18:00
833hPa 216J/kg 99% -2.4°C 6% 72% 64% 0.007mm 73% 1.6mm 4.1dBZ 8.8° 99% 3.1mm - - 1.8m/s
19:00
833hPa 178J/kg 99% -2.3°C 6% 85% 70% 0.01mm 80% 1.9mm -7.9dBZ -4.9° 99% 4.9mm - - 1.6m/s
20:00
833hPa 140J/kg 100% -2.2°C 7% 98% 76% 0.02mm 86% 2.2mm -20dBZ -19° 100% 6.8mm 6.4m/s 12m/s 1.3m/s
21:00
832hPa 133J/kg 100% -1.9°C 10% 99% 70% 0.14mm 87% 1.6mm -19dBZ -33° 100% 6mm - - 1.6m/s
22:00
832hPa 125J/kg 100% -1.5°C 13% 99% 64% 0.27mm 88% 1mm -19dBZ -46° 100% 5.3mm - - 1.9m/s
23:00
832hPa 118J/kg 100% -1.1°C 16% 100% 58% 0.39mm 88% 0.4mm -18dBZ -60° 100% 4.6mm 12m/s 12m/s 2.2m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 18:41
24:00
832hPa 120J/kg 67% -1°C 12% 68% 61% 0.27mm 87% 0.27mm -1.6dBZ -71° 69% 5.1mm - - 2.2m/s
01:00
832hPa 123J/kg 33% -0.93°C 9% 37% 63% 0.14mm 86% 0.13mm 15dBZ -76° 38% 5.6mm - - 2.2m/s
02:00
833hPa 125J/kg 0% -0.82°C 5% 5% 66% 0.02mm 84% 0mm 32dBZ -69° 8% 6.1mm 11m/s 14m/s 2.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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