Before the shoot · Planning

Lightning

Lightning scouting and forecast (M1): answers "can I shoot lightning from this spot tonight?". The server grades CAPE (convective available potential energy) and WMO thunderstorm codes (95/96/99) into a 0–100 chance index, with the peak hour and a confidence level. On screen you get a CAPE atmospheric profile (instability drawn as a sounding-style curve, with vertical ticks at the hours the model actually produces storms), an hour-by-hour window for 16:00–23:00 tonight, and a three-day outlook. The chance index and the profile are free to preview; the hourly window and the three-day outlook need Pro. You can subscribe to a location and get a push when the evening window looks promising. Note: this is a weighted heuristic, not a lightning probability forecast — follow your met office warnings when deciding to go out.

When it helps

• lightning
• lightning bolt
• thunderstorm
• thunder
• shoot lightning
• photograph lightning
• thunder and rain
• stormy weather
• will there be thunder tonight
• when will it thunder
• how to photograph lightning
• best time for lightning
• thunderstorm forecast
• convection
• CAPE
• severe convection
• thunderclouds
• cumulonimbus
• summer lightning photography
• storm chasing
• lightning forecast

At a glance

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