Skip to content
Rule Storm Chaser

Kansas Flint Hills - Storm Chaser - US Great Plains

Wichita, Kansas, United States

Dramatic storm conditions — from atmospheric builds to active thunderstorms

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover0%
Wind Gusts7.4m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure967.8hPa
CAPE123
Lifted Index-1.0°C
Wind Gusts7.4m/s
Precipitation0.0mm

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in America/Chicago
Next opportunity
Moderate Storm
Kansas Flint Hills
Tomorrow · 22:00–23:00 · 1h window
Medium confidence
49%
⛈️Storm Intensity62.9%
CAPE: 572
Lifted Index: -3.7°C
Wind Gusts: 10.1m/s
Precipitation: 0.7mm
thunderstorms weather icon
Strong Storm
Kansas Flint Hills
Sat, Jul 11 · 16:00–19:00
⛈️Storm Intensity:74.4-82.6%
Low
thunderstorms weather icon
Moderate Storm at Sunset
Kansas Flint Hills
Sat, Jul 11 · 20:00–21:00
⛈️Storm Intensity:58%
Medium

What this forecast looks for

Plain-language explanation from the rule

This forecast tracks the dramatic storm conditions that make the Great Plains the world's premier storm photography destination. We combine severe weather outlooks with visibility, wind, and cloud structure data to predict when supercells and dramatic skies will form.

Tornado Alley stretches across the central United States, where warm Gulf moisture collides with cold Canadian air and dry Rocky Mountain downdrafts. This unique geography creates the most powerful and photogenic storms on Earth.

What makes the Great Plains special for storm photography:

  • Supercell paradise - More structured supercells form here than anywhere else on Earth
  • Big sky country - Flat terrain provides unobstructed views of storm structure
  • Road network - Dense highway system allows positioning and repositioning
  • Predictability - Modern forecasting makes chasing more accessible than ever

Storm season runs from late March through June, with peak activity in May. Late afternoon storms often produce the most dramatic light. The Flint Hills offer particularly striking compositions with rolling tallgrass prairie beneath towering cumulonimbus. Safety is paramount—never position yourself in a storm's path.

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
1matching hours in the next 95 hoursJump to next match
OR logic: one branch per group is enough
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
America/Chicago
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
Tue, Jul 7
09:0014%9.2%220J/kg-0.5°C24135m2.8m/s
10:0015%9.8%343J/kg-1°C24135m2.4m/s
11:0014%7.7%381J/kg-1.2°C24135m2.3m/s
12:0014%4.4%448J/kg-1.4°C24135m1.8m/s
13:0016%5%665J/kg-1.9°C24135m1.5m/s
14:0019%4.9%734J/kg-2.3°C24135m2m/s
15:0017%5.6%579J/kg-1.7°C24134m2.5m/s
16:0020%11%636J/kg-2°C24135m3.7m/s
17:0019%29%617J/kg-1.8°C24135m4m/s
18:0019%38%504J/kg-1.5°C24135m4.4m/s
19:0015%20%432J/kg-1.4°C24134m5.1m/s
20:0018%6.6%192J/kg-0.8°C24134m6.1m/s
21:0020%9.1%133J/kg-0.4°C24135m7.2m/s
22:0017%9.1%52J/kg0.1°C24135m7.8m/s
23:0020%0%48J/kg-0.5°C24135m7.3m/s
Wed, Jul 8
24:0021%7.4%62J/kg-1°C24134m9.1m/s
01:0021%15%51J/kg-1.2°C24135m9.6m/s
02:0024%15%177J/kg-2°C24134m10m/s
03:0021%15%75J/kg-0.6°C24135m10m/s
04:0021%15%20J/kg-0.2°C24134m9.4m/s
05:0018%11%199J/kg-1.2°C24134m5.9m/s
06:0020%29%285J/kg-1.6°C24134m8.3m/s
07:0021%18%260J/kg-2.1°C24134m8.7m/s
08:0020%14%208J/kg-1.4°C24134m7.7m/s
09:0020%13%123J/kg-1°C24135m7.4m/s
10:0018%6.3%308J/kg-2°C24135m6.5m/s
11:0019%6.6%635J/kg-3°C24135m6.2m/s
12:0019%14%901J/kg-3.3°C24135m6.1m/s
13:0041%16%1098J/kg-3.7°C24134m6.3m/s
14:0026%8.3%1262J/kg-3.9°C24134m6.3m/s
15:0028%12%1388J/kg-4.2°C24134m6.2m/s
16:0048%12%1441J/kg-5°C24135m6.3m/s
17:0028%24%1458J/kg-5.4°C24134m6.4m/s
18:0028%31%1462J/kg-5.4°C24134m6.8m/s
19:0049%30%1476J/kg-5.4°C24135m7.6m/s
20:0034%70%1790J/kg-7.5°C24135m9.9m/s
21:0050%33%2066J/kg-7.4°C24135m12m/s
22:0060%52%1779J/kg-6.5°C24134m12m/s
23:0047%15%1766J/kg-5°C24134m12m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:0042%12%1249J/kg-5°C24134m13m/s
01:0042%14%893J/kg-5.9°C24135m13m/s
02:0036%15%550J/kg-4.9°C24135m12m/s
03:0022%15%59J/kg-2.2°C24134m13m/s
04:0035%14%0J/kg0.3°C24135m12m/s
05:0022%13%0J/kg-0.1°C24134m14m/s
06:0019%63%11J/kg-0.4°C24135m14m/s
07:0022%100%2J/kg-0.2°C24135m15m/s
08:0017%84%52J/kg-1.2°C24134m13m/s
09:0019%57%75J/kg-1.2°C24135m12m/s
10:0022%92%109J/kg-1.5°C24135m10m/s
11:0027%58%220J/kg-2.3°C24134m8.6m/s
12:0025%32%343J/kg-3°C24135m6.7m/s
13:0022%36%409J/kg-3.1°C24135m5.2m/s
14:0022%41%578J/kg-3.7°C24134m4.6m/s
15:0022%20%855J/kg-4.6°C24135m4.5m/s
16:0021%18%997J/kg-5.3°C24135m4.3m/s
17:0021%14%987J/kg-5.5°C24135m4.6m/s
18:0023%18%938J/kg-6°C24135m4.5m/s
19:0023%23%921J/kg-6°C24135m3.9m/s
20:0021%23%895J/kg-5.6°C24135m2.1m/s
21:0028%27%858J/kg-5.2°C24135m6.6m/s
22:0063%80%572J/kg-3.7°C3046m10m/s
23:0035%15%369J/kg-3.1°C8529m7.3m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:0029%8.8%290J/kg-2.9°C24134m7m/s
01:0033%0.6%196J/kg-2.7°C24135m2.2m/s
02:0023%2%132J/kg-1.6°C24134m5.6m/s
03:0022%5.5%173J/kg-2.1°C24134m5.6m/s
04:0017%3%156J/kg-1.7°C24135m4.1m/s
05:0018%6.3%146J/kg-1.7°C24134m2.8m/s
06:0023%70%303J/kg-2.8°C24134m6m/s
07:0020%48%351J/kg-3.7°C24134m5.7m/s
08:0021%98%257J/kg-3.5°C24135m6.2m/s
09:0018%40%151J/kg-1.8°C24134m5.3m/s
10:0019%52%79J/kg-1°C24134m5m/s
11:0018%84%68J/kg-1.1°C24135m5.4m/s
12:0018%75%115J/kg-0.5°C24135m4.2m/s
13:0020%44%233J/kg-1.5°C24135m4.9m/s
14:0021%73%445J/kg-2.2°C24135m7.2m/s
15:0020%79%656J/kg-2.9°C24135m9.5m/s
16:0036%85%868J/kg-3.6°C24135m12m/s
17:0034%100%658J/kg-3.3°C24135m13m/s
18:0021%85%449J/kg-2.9°C24135m14m/s
19:0039%71%239J/kg-2.5°C24135m16m/s
20:0022%56%239J/kg-2.7°C24135m13m/s
21:0031%98%240J/kg-2.9°C24135m9.9m/s
22:0027%91%240J/kg-3.1°C24135m7m/s
23:0027%0%280J/kg-3.6°C24135m6.1m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:0026%0%321J/kg-4.2°C24135m5.1m/s
01:0020%0%361J/kg-4.7°C24135m4.1m/s
02:0023%0%569J/kg-4.9°C24135m4.6m/s
03:0022%0%778J/kg-5.1°C24135m5.1m/s
04:0040%0%986J/kg-5.3°C24135m5.6m/s
05:0028%0%1123J/kg-5.5°C24135m5.5m/s
06:0029%46%1260J/kg-5.8°C24135m5.4m/s
07:0048%46%1397J/kg-6.1°C24135m5.3m/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
America/Chicago
Air Pressure
hPa
CAPE
J/kg
Convective Precip Fraction
fraction
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
Wed, Jul 8 Sunrise 06:15 Sunset 20:53
09:00
968hPa 123J/kg 0fraction 0% -1°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 0% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
10:00
967hPa 308J/kg 0fraction 0% -2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 0% 0mm 8.7m/s 11m/s 4.6m/s
11:00
967hPa 635J/kg 0fraction 0% -3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ 54° 0% 0mm - - 5m/s
12:00
966hPa 901J/kg 0fraction 5% -3.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 44% 0mm -20dBZ 65° 5% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
13:00
966hPa 1098J/kg 0fraction 3% -3.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 73° 3% 0mm 9.8m/s 13m/s 5.6m/s
14:00
965hPa 1262J/kg 0fraction 0% -3.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 38% 0mm -20dBZ 74° 0% 0mm - - 5.7m/s
15:00
964hPa 1388J/kg 0fraction 0% -4.2°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 66° 0% 0mm - - 5.8m/s
16:00
964hPa 1441J/kg 0fraction 0% -5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 55° 0% 0mm 12m/s 18m/s 5.9m/s
17:00
963hPa 1458J/kg 0fraction 4% -5.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 35% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 4% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
18:00
963hPa 1462J/kg 0fraction 5% -5.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 37% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 5% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
19:00
962hPa 1476J/kg 0fraction 10% -5.4°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 10% 0mm 20m/s 19m/s 6.5m/s
20:00
962hPa 1790J/kg 0fraction 39% -7.5°C 0% 5% 19% 0mm 51% 0mm -20dBZ 8.8° 39% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
21:00
962hPa 2066J/kg 0fraction 100% -7.4°C 0% 1% 37% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -1.8° 100% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
22:00
962hPa 1779J/kg 0fraction 84% -6.5°C 0% 3% 56% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 84% 0mm 15m/s 23m/s 4.5m/s
23:00
963hPa 1766J/kg 0fraction 100% -5°C 0% 0% 50% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ -20° 100% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 06:16 Sunset 20:52
24:00
962hPa 1249J/kg 0fraction 100% -5°C 0% 3% 44% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ -26° 100% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
01:00
962hPa 893J/kg 0fraction 67% -5.9°C 0% 79% 39% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 80% 0mm 15m/s 18m/s 5.1m/s
02:00
962hPa 550J/kg 0.33fraction 100% -4.9°C 0% 100% 42% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 100% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
03:00
961hPa 59J/kg 0.67fraction 100% -2.2°C 5% 100% 46% 0mm 52% 0.16mm -20dBZ -27° 100% 0.06mm - - 5.4m/s
04:00
961hPa 0J/kg 1fraction 100% 0.3°C 5% 95% 50% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 100% 0.13mm 12m/s 11m/s 5.9m/s
05:00
960hPa 0J/kg 0.79fraction 100% -0.1°C 0% 34% 50% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 100% 0.13mm - - 5.5m/s
06:00
960hPa 11J/kg 0.58fraction 99% -0.4°C 0% 100% 50% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ -3.4° 100% 0.13mm - - 5.3m/s
07:00
960hPa 2J/kg 0.36fraction 20% -0.2°C 0% 11% 50% 0mm 47% 0mm -20dBZ 7.1° 23% 0.13mm 8.7m/s 9.3m/s 5.5m/s
08:00
960hPa 52J/kg 0.58fraction 33% -1.2°C 0% 100% 33% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
09:00
961hPa 75J/kg 0.79fraction 75% -1.2°C 0% 8% 17% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 75% 0mm - - 5.8m/s
10:00
961hPa 109J/kg 1fraction 10% -1.5°C 0% 29% 0% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 29% 0mm 6.8m/s 12m/s 5.9m/s
11:00
960hPa 220J/kg 0.67fraction 0% -2.3°C 0% 78% 33% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 78% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
12:00
960hPa 343J/kg 0.33fraction 0% -3°C 0% 100% 67% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 65° 100% 0mm - - 5.5m/s
13:00
961hPa 409J/kg 0fraction 2% -3.1°C 0% 93% 100% 0mm 36% 0mm -20dBZ 73° 93% 0mm 8.8m/s 10m/s 4.2m/s
14:00
960hPa 578J/kg 0fraction 0% -3.7°C 0% 23% 75% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 74° 23% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
15:00
960hPa 855J/kg 0fraction 4% -4.6°C 0% 4% 51% 0mm 29% 0mm -20dBZ 66° 4% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
16:00
960hPa 997J/kg 0fraction 1% -5.3°C 0% 0% 26% 0mm 28% 0mm -20dBZ 55° 1% 0mm 2.5m/s 4.8m/s 3.4m/s
17:00
959hPa 987J/kg 0fraction 0% -5.5°C 0% 1% 35% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 1% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
18:00
959hPa 938J/kg 0fraction 0% -6°C 0% 5% 44% 0mm 27% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 5% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
19:00
959hPa 921J/kg 0fraction 0% -6°C 0% 4% 53% 0mm 29% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 4% 0mm 2.3m/s 4.3m/s 3.3m/s
20:00
959hPa 895J/kg 0.33fraction 0% -5.6°C 0% 0% 58% 0mm 34% 0mm -10dBZ 8.8° 0% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
21:00
959hPa 858J/kg 0.67fraction 0% -5.2°C 0% 0% 63% 0mm 43% 0mm -0.15dBZ -1.8° 0% 0.19mm - - 3.5m/s
22:00
960hPa 572J/kg 1fraction 41% -3.7°C 0% 0% 69% 0mm 52% 3.6mm 9.8dBZ -12° 41% 0.69mm 6.9m/s 8.3m/s 4.4m/s
23:00
961hPa 369J/kg 0.67fraction 100% -3.1°C 0% 24% 74% 0mm 60% 2.1mm 5.8dBZ -20° 100% 1.1mm - - 3.5m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 06:16 Sunset 20:52
24:00
961hPa 290J/kg 0.33fraction 97% -2.9°C 0% 89% 79% 0mm 60% 0.68mm 1.9dBZ -26° 97% 1.4mm - - 3.3m/s
01:00
962hPa 196J/kg 0fraction 98% -2.7°C 2% 25% 84% 0mm 66% 0.27mm -2dBZ -30° 98% 1.8mm 8.7m/s 12m/s 1m/s
02:00
963hPa 132J/kg 0fraction 36% -1.6°C 0% 46% 69% 0mm 66% 0mm -4.1dBZ -30° 52% 0.13mm - - 3.2m/s
03:00
962hPa 173J/kg 0fraction 100% -2.1°C 0% 99% 53% 0mm 68% 0mm -6.2dBZ -27° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.7m/s
04:00
962hPa 156J/kg 0fraction 7% -1.7°C 0% 98% 38% 0mm 70% 0mm -8.2dBZ -21° 98% 0.13mm 10m/s 12m/s 2.3m/s
05:00
962hPa 146J/kg 0fraction 100% -1.7°C 5% 100% 38% 0mm 71% 0mm -12dBZ -13° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.9m/s
06:00
961hPa 303J/kg 0fraction 39% -2.8°C 0% 100% 38% 0mm 70% 0mm -16dBZ -3.5° 100% 0.13mm - - 3.3m/s
07:00
962hPa 351J/kg 0fraction 8% -3.7°C 0% 100% 38% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 100% 0.13mm 13m/s 15m/s 3m/s
08:00
962hPa 257J/kg 0fraction 12% -3.5°C 0% 72% 25% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 72% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
09:00
963hPa 151J/kg 0fraction 5% -1.8°C 0% 92% 13% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 92% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
10:00
963hPa 79J/kg 0fraction 89% -1°C 0% 100% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 100% 0mm 5.5m/s 9.1m/s 3.5m/s
11:00
963hPa 68J/kg 0fraction 27% -1.1°C 0% 85% 6% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 53° 85% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
12:00
963hPa 115J/kg 0fraction 25% -0.5°C 0% 80% 11% 0mm 39% 0mm -20dBZ 64° 80% 0mm - - 3m/s
13:00
963hPa 233J/kg 0fraction 86% -1.5°C 0% 94% 17% 0mm 33% 0mm -20dBZ 73° 94% 0mm 7.4m/s 9.7m/s 4.1m/s
14:00
963hPa 445J/kg 0fraction 58% -2.2°C 3% 70% 19% 0mm 41% 0.03mm -20dBZ 74° 70% 0.02mm - - 4.4m/s
15:00
963hPa 656J/kg 0fraction 30% -2.9°C 7% 45% 21% 0mm 49% 0.06mm -20dBZ 66° 46% 0.04mm - - 4.7m/s
16:00
964hPa 868J/kg 0fraction 3% -3.6°C 10% 21% 23% 0mm 57% 0.09mm -20dBZ 55° 22% 0.06mm 10m/s 11m/s 5m/s
17:00
964hPa 658J/kg 0.33fraction 35% -3.3°C 7% 47% 31% 0mm 53% 0.06mm -14dBZ 44° 48% 0.1mm - - 5.1m/s
18:00
965hPa 449J/kg 0.67fraction 68% -2.9°C 3% 74% 39% 0mm 48% 0.03mm -8dBZ 32° 74% 0.15mm - - 5.3m/s
19:00
965hPa 239J/kg 1fraction 100% -2.5°C 0% 100% 47% 0mm 44% 0mm -2.1dBZ 20° 100% 0.19mm 5.9m/s 19m/s 5.4m/s
20:00
966hPa 239J/kg 1fraction 71% -2.7°C 0% 89% 44% 0mm 49% 0mm -8dBZ 8.7° 89% 0.17mm - - 4.8m/s
21:00
966hPa 240J/kg 1fraction 41% -2.9°C 0% 78% 41% 0mm 55% 0mm -14dBZ -1.9° 78% 0.15mm - - 4.3m/s
22:00
967hPa 240J/kg 1fraction 12% -3.1°C 0% 67% 37% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 67% 0.13mm 11m/s 23m/s 3.7m/s
23:00
967hPa 280J/kg 0.67fraction 15% -3.6°C 0% 76% 43% 0mm 63% 0.11mm -13dBZ -20° 76% 0.21mm - - 3.3m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 06:17 Sunset 20:52
24:00
967hPa 321J/kg 0.33fraction 17% -4.2°C 0% 86% 49% 0mm 65% 0.23mm -5dBZ -26° 86% 0.29mm - - 2.9m/s
01:00
968hPa 361J/kg 0fraction 20% -4.7°C 0% 95% 55% 0mm 67% 0.34mm 2.4dBZ -30° 95% 0.38mm 9.2m/s 15m/s 2.6m/s
02:00
968hPa 569J/kg 0fraction 46% -4.9°C 0% 65% 46% 0mm 62% 0.23mm -5dBZ -30° 97% 0.38mm - - 3.2m/s
03:00
968hPa 778J/kg 0fraction 73% -5.1°C 0% 35% 36% 0mm 58% 0.11mm -13dBZ -27° 98% 0.38mm - - 3.8m/s
04:00
968hPa 986J/kg 0fraction 100% -5.3°C 0% 5% 27% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 100% 0.38mm 12m/s 16m/s 4.5m/s
05:00
968hPa 1123J/kg 0.33fraction 99% -5.5°C 0% 36% 25% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 100% 0.38mm - - 4.4m/s
06:00
968hPa 1260J/kg 0.67fraction 98% -5.8°C 0% 68% 23% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -3.7° 100% 0.38mm - - 4.3m/s
07:00
968hPa 1397J/kg 1fraction 97% -6.1°C 0% 100% 20% 0mm 42% 0mm -20dBZ 6.9° 100% 0.38mm 5.9m/s 10m/s 4.2m/s
08:00
967hPa 1481J/kg 0.67fraction 85% -6.1°C 9% 80% 47% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 87% 0.25mm - - 4.3m/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