Rule
Dramatic Seascapes
Arnarstapi - Dramatic Seascapes - Iceland Coast
Hellnar, West, Iceland
Dramatic coastal photography conditions - powerful waves combined with atmospheric drama and good visibility for seascape shots.
Currently
Real-time conditionsWave Height3.2m
Swell Height0.4m
Wind Speed6.0m/s (moderate winds)
Cloud Cover100%
Upcoming Opportunities
When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.
Times shown in Atlantic/Reykjavik
Next opportunity
Powerful Seascape at Dawn
Arnarstapi
Tue, Feb 10 · 08:00–09:00 · 1h window
Medium confidence
48%
🌊Coastal Drama Score75.3%
Wave Height: 5.6m
Swell Height: 1.8m
Wind Speed: 8.1m/s (moderate winds)
Cloud Cover: 68%
Powerful Seascape at Sunrise
Arnarstapi
Tue, Feb 10 · 09:00–10:00
🌊Coastal Drama Score:75.3%
Medium
Powerful Seascape at Sunrise
Arnarstapi
Tue, Feb 10 · 11:00–12:00
🌊Coastal Drama Score:77.4%
Medium
Powerful Seascape
Arnarstapi
Tue, Feb 10 · 12:00–13:00
🌊Coastal Drama Score:76.2%
Medium
Powerful Seascape at Dawn
Arnarstapi
Thu, Feb 12 · 08:00–09:00
🌊Coastal Drama Score:75.9%
Medium
Spectacular Seascape at Sunset
Arnarstapi
Sun, Feb 15 · 17:00–19:00
🌊Coastal Drama Score:87.8-91.6%
Low
What this forecast looks for
Plain-language explanation from the ruleThis forecast identifies when dramatic conditions align for photography along Iceland's otherworldly coastline. We track cloud drama, visibility, and wind patterns to predict when Atlantic storms create the most photogenic conditions.
Iceland's coastline offers landscapes found nowhere else on Earth—black volcanic sand, basalt columns, sea stacks, glacial icebergs washed ashore, and some of the world's most powerful waves. The interplay between North Atlantic weather and this volcanic shore creates constantly changing drama.
What makes Iceland's coast special for dramatic photography:
- Unique geology - Black sand beaches, columnar basalt, and volcanic formations unlike anywhere else
- Extreme contrast - Dark sand against white waves, blue icebergs, and stormy skies
- Powerful seas - North Atlantic waves create dramatic action (but demand respect and safe distances)
- Arctic light - Long golden hours and dramatic weather fronts
Dramatic conditions peak during autumn and winter storms (September-March), though Iceland can deliver drama year-round. The key is balancing dramatic weather with workable shooting conditions. Our forecast helps identify windows when storms have passed but interesting skies and waves remain. Always maintain safe distances from the waves at Reynisfjara and Diamond Beach—sneaker waves are genuinely dangerous.
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72-hour requirements breakdown
What passed or failed, hour by hourAND logic: all conditions required
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time Atlantic/Reykjavik | Coastal Drama Score ≥ 75.0% | Significant Wave Height ≥ 1.5m | Visibility ≥ 5000.0m | Wind Gusts ≤ 22.0m/s | Precipitation Chance ≤ 30.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Feb 8 | |||||
| 06:00 | 17% | 3.1m | 24134m | 4.7m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | 17% | 3.2m | 24135m | 6.6m/s | 0% |
| 08:00 | 17% | 3.3m | 24134m | 8.1m/s | 0% |
| 09:00 | 48% | 3.3m | 24134m | 8.5m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | 60% | 3.4m | 24135m | 8.8m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | 67% | 3.5m | 24134m | 9.1m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | 64% | 3.5m | 24134m | 9.8m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 64% | 3.7m | 24134m | 10m/s | 0% |
| 14:00 | 56% | 3.9m | 24134m | 9.5m/s | 0% |
| 15:00 | 59% | 4.1m | 24135m | 8.8m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 63% | 4.2m | 24134m | 8.3m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 68% | 4.3m | 24134m | 8.6m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 64% | 4.4m | 22902m | 8.8m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 57% | 4.5m | 19652m | 9.8m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 20% | 4.5m | 20009m | 10m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 20% | 4.5m | 24134m | 9m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 20% | 4.6m | 24135m | 7.4m/s | 7.4% |
| 23:00 | 23% | 4.8m | 24135m | 7.5m/s | 15% |
| Mon, Feb 9 | |||||
| 24:00 | 22% | 4.9m | 24135m | 6.3m/s | 22% |
| 01:00 | 23% | 5m | 23970m | 6.1m/s | 23% |
| 02:00 | 23% | 5m | 24028m | 7m/s | 24% |
| 03:00 | 23% | 5.1m | 24135m | 7.4m/s | 25% |
| 04:00 | 21% | 5.1m | 24135m | 8.3m/s | 33% |
| 05:00 | 20% | 5.1m | 24135m | 9.4m/s | 42% |
| 06:00 | 19% | 5.1m | 24134m | 10m/s | 50% |
| 07:00 | 19% | 5.2m | 24134m | 10m/s | 33% |
| 08:00 | 67% | 5.2m | 24135m | 10m/s | 17% |
| 09:00 | 53% | 5.3m | 24135m | 9.1m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | 60% | 5.2m | 24134m | 7.6m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | 58% | 5.2m | 24134m | 5.7m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | 65% | 5.2m | 24135m | 4.3m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 62% | 5.2m | 24135m | 4.1m/s | 0% |
| 14:00 | 51% | 5.2m | 24134m | 4m/s | 0% |
| 15:00 | 56% | 5.1m | 24134m | 4m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 54% | 5.1m | 24135m | 4.2m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 52% | 5.2m | 24135m | 5m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 52% | 5.2m | 24135m | 5.4m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 46% | 5.3m | 24135m | 6m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 17% | 5.4m | 24135m | 7m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 17% | 5.5m | 24134m | 7.7m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 17% | 5.5m | 24135m | 7.5m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | 18% | 5.5m | 24134m | 7.7m/s | 0% |
| Tue, Feb 10 | |||||
| 24:00 | 22% | 5.6m | 24134m | 7.7m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | 20% | 5.6m | 19489m | 8.8m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | 20% | 5.6m | 24135m | 10m/s | 0% |
| 03:00 | 20% | 5.6m | 24134m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 04:00 | 21% | 5.7m | 24135m | 12m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | 22% | 5.7m | 24134m | 12m/s | 0% |
| 06:00 | 25% | 5.7m | 24135m | 12m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | 23% | 5.7m | 24134m | 12m/s | 3.3% |
| 08:00 | 75% | 5.6m | 24135m | 11m/s | 6.7% |
| 09:00 | 75% | 5.6m | 24135m | 11m/s | 10% |
| 10:00 | 75% | 5.5m | 24135m | 12m/s | 6.7% |
| 11:00 | 77% | 5.5m | 24134m | 12m/s | 3.3% |
| 12:00 | 76% | 5.4m | 24134m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 74% | 5.4m | 24134m | 12m/s | 0% |
| 14:00 | 69% | 5.3m | 24135m | 13m/s | 0% |
| 15:00 | 63% | 5.2m | 24135m | 14m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 63% | 5.2m | 24135m | 14m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 68% | 5.2m | 24135m | 14m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 68% | 5.1m | 24135m | 15m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 71% | 5m | 24135m | 15m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 27% | 4.9m | 24135m | 15m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 25% | 4.7m | 24135m | 15m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 23% | 4.6m | 24135m | 16m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | 22% | 4.5m | 24135m | 16m/s | 0% |
| Wed, Feb 11 | |||||
| 24:00 | 22% | 4.3m | 24135m | 17m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | 22% | 4.2m | 24135m | 17m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | 23% | 4.1m | 24135m | 17m/s | 0% |
| 03:00 | 20% | 4m | 24135m | 17m/s | 0% |
| 04:00 | 20% | 3.8m | 24135m | 16m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | 20% | 3.6m | 24135m | 15m/s | 0% |
How to read: colored cells show whether each predicate requirement is met; highlighted rows mean the full rule matched (an opportunity).
What does Coastal Drama Score mean?
Inputs that drive the scoreThis 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 Atlantic/Reykjavik | High Clouds % | Low Clouds % | Mid-Level Clouds % | Primary Swell Height m | Primary Wave Direction ° | Sea Salt AOD (550nm) | Solar Elevation ° | Total Cloud Coverage % | Wind Direction ° | Wind Speed m/s | Wind Wave Height m | Wind Wave Period s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Feb 8
Sunrise 09:57
Sunset 17:41 | ||||||||||||
| 07:00 ☾ | 0% | 1% | 100% | 0.41m | 36° | 0.01 | -19° | 100% | 15° | 6m/s | 3.1m | 8.1s |
| 08:00 ☾ | 0% | 5% | 100% | 0.42m | 36° | 0.01 | -12° | 100% | 23° | 6.6m/s | 3.2m | 8.2s |
| 09:00 ☾ | 0% | 8% | 100% | 0.43m | 36° | 0.01 | -6.1° | 100% | 25° | 6.8m/s | 3.3m | 8.2s |
| 10:00 | 0% | 9% | 88% | 0.42m | 37° | 0.01 | 0.02° | 88% | 30° | 6.7m/s | 3.4m | 8.3s |
| 11:00 | 0% | 17% | 20% | 0.41m | 38° | 0.01 | 4.4° | 21% | 32° | 6.4m/s | 3.4m | 8.3s |
| 12:00 | 0% | 51% | 1% | 0.4m | 39° | 0.01 | 7.8° | 51% | 33° | 6.8m/s | 3.5m | 8.4s |
| 13:00 | 0% | 45% | 0% | 0.36m | 38° | 0.01 | 9.9° | 45% | 32° | 7.8m/s | 3.7m | 8.6s |
| 14:00 | 0% | 20% | 0% | 0.31m | 37° | 0.01 | 10° | 20% | 31° | 7.2m/s | 3.9m | 8.8s |
| 15:00 | 0% | 16% | 0% | 0.27m | 36° | 0.01 | 9.3° | 16% | 33° | 6.3m/s | 4.1m | 8.9s |
| 16:00 | 0% | 22% | 0% | 0.27m | 36° | 0.01 | 6.7° | 22% | 32° | 5.8m/s | 4.2m | 9.2s |
| 17:00 | 0% | 26% | 0% | 0.28m | 36° | 0.01 | 2.9° | 26% | 41° | 6.4m/s | 4.3m | 9.4s |
| 18:00 ☾ | 5% | 87% | 0% | 0.28m | 35° | 0.01 | -2.3° | 87% | 36° | 5.9m/s | 4.4m | 9.6s |
| 19:00 ☾ | 5% | 71% | 5% | 0.28m | 35° | 0.007 | -8.2° | 71% | 41° | 6.7m/s | 4.4m | 9.6s |
| 20:00 ☾ | 5% | 16% | 5% | 0.29m | 35° | 0.005 | -15° | 16% | 34° | 6.7m/s | 4.5m | 9.6s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 5% | 14% | 7% | 0.29m | 35° | 0.005 | -21° | 14% | 35° | 6.3m/s | 4.5m | 9.6s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 5% | 10% | 14% | 0.29m | 35° | 0.006 | -27° | 14% | 43° | 5.2m/s | 4.6m | 9.8s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 4% | 7% | 64% | 0.29m | 35° | 0.007 | -32° | 64% | 46° | 5.3m/s | 4.8m | 9.9s |
| Mon, Feb 9
Sunrise 09:53
Sunset 17:44 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 1% | 5% | 67% | 0.29m | 35° | 0.008 | -37° | 67% | 37° | 5m/s | 4.9m | 10s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 0% | 28% | 41% | 0.29m | 35° | 0.009 | -39° | 41% | 29° | 5.5m/s | 5m | 10s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 0% | 56% | 17% | 0.28m | 36° | 0.009 | -40° | 56% | 28° | 6.2m/s | 5m | 10s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 0% | 11% | 38% | 0.28m | 36° | 0.008 | -38° | 38% | 28° | 6.5m/s | 5.1m | 10s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 0% | 10% | 76% | 0.27m | 36° | 0.007 | -35° | 76% | 24° | 7m/s | 5.1m | 10s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 0% | 10% | 94% | 0.26m | 36° | 0.007 | -30° | 94% | 26° | 6.8m/s | 5.1m | 10s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 0% | 11% | 100% | 0.25m | 36° | 0.006 | -25° | 100% | 33° | 6.6m/s | 5.1m | 10s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 0% | 9% | 98% | 0.25m | 37° | 0.005 | -18° | 98% | 35° | 6.8m/s | 5.2m | 10s |
| 08:00 ☾ | 0% | 13% | 64% | 0.26m | 37° | 0.005 | -12° | 64% | 37° | 6.7m/s | 5.2m | 10s |
| 09:00 ☾ | 0% | 16% | 96% | 0.26m | 37° | 0.005 | -5.8° | 96% | 35° | 6.2m/s | 5.2m | 10s |
| 10:00 | 0% | 15% | 98% | 0.26m | 37° | 0.005 | 0.27° | 98% | 32° | 5.4m/s | 5.2m | 10s |
| 11:00 | 0% | 9% | 100% | 0.27m | 37° | 0.004 | 4.6° | 100% | 38° | 4.8m/s | 5.2m | 10s |
| 12:00 | 0% | 5% | 46% | 0.27m | 37° | 0.004 | 8.1° | 46% | 31° | 4m/s | 5.2m | 10s |
| 13:00 | 0% | 47% | 38% | 0.28m | 37° | - | 10° | 60% | 23° | 4m/s | 5.2m | 10s |
| 14:00 | 0% | 7% | 88% | 0.29m | 37° | - | 11° | 88% | 19° | 4.1m/s | 5.1m | 10s |
| 15:00 | 1% | 5% | 22% | 0.3m | 37° | - | 9.7° | 22% | 23° | 4.2m/s | 5.1m | 10s |
| 16:00 | 5% | 16% | 94% | 0.32m | 37° | - | 7° | 94% | 21° | 4.4m/s | 5m | 10s |
| 17:00 | 5% | 11% | 100% | 0.33m | 37° | - | 3.1° | 100% | 23° | 5.1m/s | 5m | 10s |
| 18:00 ☾ | 5% | 8% | 100% | 0.35m | 37° | - | -2° | 100% | 26° | 5.5m/s | 5m | 10s |
| 19:00 ☾ | 4% | 8% | 100% | 0.49m | 37° | - | -7.9° | 100% | 20° | 5.9m/s | 5.1m | 10s |
| 20:00 ☾ | 0% | 7% | 100% | 0.62m | 37° | - | -14° | 100% | 20° | 6.6m/s | 5.2m | 10s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 0% | 6% | 100% | 0.76m | 37° | - | -21° | 100% | 20° | 7m/s | 5.3m | 11s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 0% | 1% | 100% | 0.92m | 37° | - | -27° | 100% | 20° | 7m/s | 5.3m | 11s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 0% | 1% | 89% | 1.1m | 37° | - | -32° | 89% | 22° | 7.1m/s | 5.4m | 11s |
| Tue, Feb 10
Sunrise 09:50
Sunset 17:48 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 0% | 9% | 23% | 1.2m | 37° | - | -36° | 23% | 28° | 6.6m/s | 5.5m | 11s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 0% | 11% | 7% | 1.4m | 38° | - | -39° | 13% | 32° | 6.4m/s | 5.4m | 11s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 4% | 6% | 5% | 1.5m | 38° | - | -40° | 10% | 35° | 6.9m/s | 5.4m | 11s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 5% | 2% | 5% | 1.6m | 39° | - | -38° | 5% | 46° | 7.7m/s | 5.4m | 11s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 5% | 2% | 7% | 1.7m | 39° | - | -35° | 7% | 43° | 8m/s | 5.4m | 11s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 5% | 5% | 17% | 1.8m | 40° | - | -30° | 17% | 37° | 8.3m/s | 5.4m | 11s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 4% | 11% | 78% | 1.9m | 40° | - | -24° | 78% | 44° | 8.1m/s | 5.4m | 11s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 1% | 20% | 83% | 1.9m | 40° | - | -18° | 83% | 44° | 8.3m/s | 5.3m | 10s |
| 08:00 ☾ | 0% | 46% | 68% | 1.9m | 41° | - | -12° | 68% | 37° | 8.1m/s | 5.2m | 10s |
| 09:00 ☾ | 0% | 38% | 36% | 2m | 41° | - | -5.5° | 45% | 41° | 8m/s | 5.2m | 10s |
| 10:00 | 0% | 13% | 11% | 2m | 41° | - | 0.52° | 13% | 40° | 8.2m/s | 5.1m | 10s |
| 11:00 | 0% | 10% | 26% | 2m | 42° | - | 4.9° | 27% | 41° | 8.2m/s | 5m | 10s |
| 12:00 | 0% | 7% | 65% | 2m | 42° | - | 8.4° | 65% | 37° | 8.2m/s | 5m | 10s |
| 13:00 | 2% | 25% | 77% | 1.9m | 42° | - | 11° | 77% | 45° | 9m/s | 4.9m | 10s |
| 14:00 | 3% | 44% | 88% | 1.9m | 42° | - | 11° | 88% | 53° | 9.8m/s | 4.8m | 10s |
| 15:00 | 5% | 62% | 100% | 1.8m | 42° | - | 10° | 100% | 60° | 11m/s | 4.8m | 10s |
| 16:00 | 5% | 52% | 100% | 1.8m | 42° | - | 7.3° | 100% | 60° | 11m/s | 4.8m | 10s |
| 17:00 | 5% | 41% | 99% | 1.7m | 42° | - | 3.4° | 99% | 60° | 11m/s | 4.7m | 10s |
| 18:00 ☾ | 5% | 30% | 98% | 1.6m | 42° | - | -1.7° | 98% | 60° | 12m/s | 4.7m | 10s |
| 19:00 ☾ | 3% | 24% | 74% | 1.6m | 42° | - | -7.6° | 74% | 58° | 12m/s | 4.6m | 10s |
| 20:00 ☾ | 2% | 18% | 50% | 1.5m | 43° | - | -14° | 50% | 57° | 12m/s | 4.6m | 9.9s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 0% | 11% | 26% | 1.5m | 43° | - | -20° | 26% | 56° | 13m/s | 4.5m | 9.8s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 0% | 9% | 17% | 1.4m | 43° | - | -26° | 19% | 55° | 13m/s | 4.4m | 9.7s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 1% | 7% | 9% | 1.4m | 43° | - | -32° | 12% | 55° | 13m/s | 4.3m | 9.6s |
| Wed, Feb 11
Sunrise 09:47
Sunset 17:51 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 1% | 5% | 1% | 1.3m | 43° | - | -36° | 5% | 55° | 13m/s | 4.3m | 9.4s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 2% | 9% | 0% | 1.3m | 43° | - | -39° | 9% | 55° | 13m/s | 4.2m | 9.3s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 3% | 13% | 0% | 1.2m | 43° | - | -39° | 13% | 56° | 13m/s | 4m | 9.2s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 4% | 18% | 0% | 1.2m | 43° | - | -38° | 18% | 56° | 13m/s | 3.9m | 9.1s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 2% | 16% | 0% | 1.1m | 43° | - | -35° | 16% | 56° | 13m/s | 3.8m | 8.9s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 1% | 15% | 0% | 1.1m | 43° | - | -30° | 15% | 56° | 12m/s | 3.6m | 8.8s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 0% | 14% | 0% | 1.1m | 43° | - | -24° | 14% | 56° | 12m/s | 3.5m | 8.7s |
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.
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