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Rule Storm Chaser

Arnarstapi - Storm Chaser - Iceland Coast

Hellnar, West, Iceland

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 100% failing
Cloud Drama Score 78% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover90%
Wind Gusts1.9m/s
Precipitation Chance26%
Air Pressure1000.9hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index13.0°C
Wind Gusts1.9m/s
Precipitation0.1mm

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Atlantic/Reykjavik

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 tracks North Atlantic storm systems hitting Iceland's volcanic coastline, identifying when conditions create dramatic—but photographable—opportunities. We monitor storm intensity, wave height, wind speed, and post-storm clearing to predict optimal storm photography windows.

Iceland's position in the North Atlantic storm track means powerful weather systems regularly batter its shores. These storms create some of the most dramatic coastal photography opportunities on Earth, with massive waves crashing against black sand, icebergs, and basalt formations. The key is timing—shooting after peak storm intensity when conditions remain dramatic but become safer.

What makes Iceland's coast special for storm photography:

  • North Atlantic power - Powerful storm systems generate massive waves hitting volcanic shores
  • Sneaker wave drama - Reynisfjara's notorious sneaker waves create spectacular but dangerous conditions
  • Storm-driven waterfalls - Coastal waterfalls like Svartifoss and Seljalandsfoss become more dramatic in storms
  • Black sand contrast - Dark volcanic beaches make white storm waves and spray even more dramatic

Reynisfjara black sand beach becomes Iceland's most dramatic—and most dangerous—storm location. The beach's gently sloping profile allows waves to rush far up the sand with little warning. Multiple tourists have been killed here by "sneaker waves" that arrive without warning during storm conditions. Our forecast helps identify post-storm windows when seas remain photogenic but the worst danger has passed—never turn your back on the ocean here. Diamond Beach offers similar drama with the added element of icebergs being tossed by storm waves. Stokksnes combines storm seas with the dramatic Vestrahorn mountain backdrop. Icelandic storms also supercharge coastal waterfalls—wind-driven spray and increased flow create spectacular conditions. Safety is absolutely paramount—maintain safe distances, watch wave patterns for several minutes before positioning, and be prepared to retreat quickly.

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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
Atlantic/Reykjavik
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
Sat, May 16
13:0013%42%1J/kg9.7°C24134m11m/s
14:000%40%1J/kg10°C23516m9.7m/s
15:0014%42%1J/kg10°C17952m8.2m/s
16:0011%47%1J/kg10°C18664m7.3m/s
17:0013%47%1J/kg10°C16968m6.9m/s
18:0024%48%1J/kg10°C18885m6m/s
19:000%60%1J/kg10°C19298m5.6m/s
20:000%60%1J/kg10°C24134m4.8m/s
21:0011%63%0J/kg10°C24135m3.8m/s
22:000%64%0J/kg10°C24135m3.3m/s
23:000%85%0J/kg11°C24134m3.1m/s
Sun, May 17
24:009.8%71%0J/kg10°C24134m1.5m/s
01:000%44%0J/kg11°C24134m2.6m/s
02:000%45%0J/kg12°C24134m2.2m/s
03:009.1%59%1J/kg12°C24134m1.8m/s
04:000%52%1J/kg12°C19839m0.81m/s
05:000%52%1J/kg13°C20944m1.1m/s
06:009.8%52%0J/kg13°C19139m0.92m/s
07:000%49%3J/kg13°C19116m1.1m/s
08:000%59%5J/kg13°C24135m1.6m/s
09:009.1%53%2J/kg14°C24134m2m/s
10:000%54%1J/kg13°C24135m2.2m/s
11:000%51%2J/kg13°C24135m2.1m/s
12:008.4%36%0J/kg13°C24135m1.9m/s
13:000%29%0J/kg13°C24135m1.9m/s
14:000%25%0J/kg13°C23801m1.7m/s
15:000%25%0J/kg13°C24134m2m/s
16:000%27%0J/kg13°C24134m2.7m/s
17:000%27%1J/kg14°C19750m2.9m/s
18:000%44%0J/kg14°C20470m2.9m/s
19:000%42%0J/kg14°C24134m2.9m/s
20:000%23%0J/kg15°C24135m2.7m/s
21:000%23%0J/kg14°C24135m3m/s
22:000%22%0J/kg14°C24135m1.9m/s
23:000%63%0J/kg14°C24134m2m/s
Mon, May 18
24:000%100%0J/kg14°C24135m2.6m/s
01:000%100%0J/kg13°C24134m3.5m/s
02:000%75%0J/kg13°C24135m2.9m/s
03:000%99%0J/kg13°C24135m2.7m/s
04:000%99%0J/kg14°C24135m2.7m/s
05:000%93%0J/kg13°C24134m2.5m/s
06:000%99%0J/kg13°C24135m2m/s
07:000%89%0J/kg13°C24134m1.4m/s
08:000%53%0J/kg13°C24135m1.6m/s
09:000%39%0J/kg13°C24135m1.6m/s
10:000%55%0J/kg12°C24134m1.9m/s
11:000%52%0J/kg12°C24134m1.5m/s
12:000%44%1J/kg12°C24134m1.7m/s
13:000%26%1J/kg11°C24135m2.1m/s
14:000%41%2J/kg11°C24134m2.6m/s
15:000%52%1J/kg11°C24135m3.2m/s
16:000%58%5J/kg11°C24134m3.1m/s
17:000%38%10J/kg10°C24135m2.6m/s
18:000%38%12J/kg10°C24135m3.2m/s
19:000%64%7J/kg10°C24135m4.4m/s
20:000%29%4J/kg10°C24135m4.8m/s
21:000%21%0J/kg11°C24135m4.7m/s
22:000%17%0J/kg11°C24135m4.5m/s
23:000%17%0J/kg11°C24135m4m/s
Tue, May 19
24:000%19%0J/kg11°C24134m3.5m/s
01:000%24%0J/kg11°C24135m3.2m/s
02:000%28%0J/kg11°C24135m3.1m/s
03:000%26%0J/kg11°C24135m3.1m/s
04:000%33%0J/kg11°C24134m2.9m/s
05:000%36%0J/kg11°C24135m2.4m/s
06:000%72%0J/kg11°C24135m1.8m/s
07:000%75%0J/kg11°C24134m1.7m/s
08:000%58%0J/kg12°C24134m1.5m/s
09:000%88%0J/kg11°C24134m1.4m/s
10:000%51%0J/kg11°C24134m1.3m/s
11:000%42%0J/kg11°C24134m1.7m/s
12:000%33%0J/kg11°C24134m2.2m/s
13:000%31%0J/kg11°C24134m2.1m/s
14:000%34%0J/kg11°C24134m2m/s
15:000%34%0J/kg11°C24135m1.9m/s
16:000%49%0J/kg11°C24135m2.8m/s
17:000%45%0J/kg10°C24135m3.6m/s
18:000%39%0J/kg9.6°C24135m3.7m/s
19:000%53%0J/kg9.4°C24135m4m/s
20:000%51%0J/kg9.1°C24135m4.3m/s
21:000%4.2%0J/kg8.9°C24135m4.5m/s
22:000%4.2%0J/kg9.3°C24135m4.8m/s
23:000%4.2%0J/kg9.6°C24135m5.1m/s
Wed, May 20
24:000%4.2%0J/kg10°C24135m5.3m/s
01:000%4.2%0J/kg10°C24135m5.2m/s
02:000%4.2%0J/kg10°C24135m5.1m/s
03:000%4.2%0J/kg10°C24135m5m/s
04:000%4.2%0J/kg10°C24135m4.7m/s
05:000%4.2%0J/kg10°C24135m4.4m/s
06:008.4%4.2%0J/kg11°C24135m4.1m/s
07:000%3.9%0J/kg11°C24135m3.9m/s
08:000%3.9%0J/kg11°C24135m3.8m/s
09:000%3.3%0J/kg11°C24135m3.6m/s
10:000%7.7%0J/kg11°C24135m3.6m/s
11:000%7.7%0J/kg11°C24135m3.5m/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
Atlantic/Reykjavik
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
Sun, May 17 Sunrise 04:06 Sunset 22:57
13:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 90% 1% 26% 0.08mm 73% 0.01mm -2.4dBZ 44° 90% 0.06mm - - 1.8m/s
14:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 99% 0% 13% 0.14mm 73% 0.01mm -0.75dBZ 44° 99% 0.13mm - - 1.5m/s
15:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 100% 0% 0% 0.04mm 74% 0.01mm 0.85dBZ 42° 100% 0.19mm 4.8m/s 7.9m/s 1.9m/s
16:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 100% 0% 0% 0.03mm 75% 0.01mm -0.22dBZ 38° 100% 0.25mm - - 2.4m/s
17:00
1002hPa 1J/kg 0% 14°C 98% 0% 0% 0.04mm 74% 0mm -1.3dBZ 33° 98% 0.25mm - - 2.6m/s
18:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 75% 0% 0% 0.02mm 72% 0mm -2.4dBZ 27° 75% 0.25mm 4.4m/s 5.9m/s 2.5m/s
19:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 18% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -8.2dBZ 21° 18% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
20:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 15°C 8% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -14dBZ 15° 8% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
21:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 6% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 8.7° 6% 0mm 3.3m/s 4.4m/s 2.5m/s
22:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 8% 0% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 3.6° 8% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
23:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 16% 14°C 10% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -0.56° 18% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
Mon, May 18 Sunrise 04:03 Sunset 23:01
24:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 28% 14°C 30% 0% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -3.9° 36% 0mm 4.1m/s 4m/s 2.6m/s
01:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 32% 13°C 39% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -5.5° 40% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
02:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 9% 13°C 36% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -5.5° 36% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
03:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 40% 13°C 22% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -3.9° 44% 0mm 3.3m/s 3.3m/s 2.6m/s
04:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 16% 14°C 19% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -0.67° 26% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
05:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 54% 13°C 23% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 3.5° 58% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
06:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 18% 13°C 22% 0% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 8.6° 28% 0mm 3.6m/s 3.5m/s 2m/s
07:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 14% 13°C 29% 0% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 29% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
08:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 18% 0% 1% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 18% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
09:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 7% 13°C 12% 0% 1% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 27° 12% 0mm 2.7m/s 1.4m/s 1.5m/s
10:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 11% 12°C 13% 0% 1% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 14% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
11:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 21% 12°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 21% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
12:00
1004hPa 1J/kg 16% 12°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 16% 0mm 3.5m/s 0.81m/s 1.2m/s
13:00
1004hPa 1J/kg 5% 11°C 8% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0.01mm -20dBZ 45° 8% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
14:00
1004hPa 2J/kg 6% 11°C 15% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0.01mm -20dBZ 45° 16% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
15:00
1004hPa 1J/kg 5% 11°C 22% 0% 0% 0.01mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 43° 22% 0mm 3.1m/s 1.6m/s 3m/s
16:00
1003hPa 5J/kg 5% 11°C 63% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 63% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
17:00
1003hPa 10J/kg 5% 10°C 88% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 88% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
18:00
1003hPa 12J/kg 5% 10°C 90% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 27° 90% 0mm 2.7m/s 0.59m/s 3.2m/s
19:00
1002hPa 7J/kg 5% 10°C 61% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 61% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
20:00
1002hPa 4J/kg 5% 10°C 6% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 6% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
21:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 8.9° 5% 0mm 3.5m/s 1.5m/s 4.4m/s
22:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 3.8° 5% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
23:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -0.24° 5% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
Tue, May 19 Sunrise 04:00 Sunset 23:04
24:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -3.6° 5% 0mm 4.1m/s 3.6m/s 3.5m/s
01:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -5.2° 5% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
02:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -5.3° 5% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
03:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -3.7° 5% 0mm 3.3m/s 4.9m/s 3.2m/s
04:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 6% 11°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -0.37° 6% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
05:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 9% 11°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 3.7° 9% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
06:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 23% 11°C 5% 1% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 8.8° 23% 0mm 1.8m/s 6.7m/s 1.7m/s
07:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 35% 11°C 5% 1% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 35% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
08:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 96% 12°C 5% 25% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 96% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
09:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 58% 11°C 4% 41% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 27° 58% 0mm 0.55m/s 7.9m/s 1.1m/s
10:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 4% 80% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 100% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
11:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 5% 99% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
12:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 4% 100% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 43° 100% 0mm 1.7m/s 6.7m/s 2.1m/s
13:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 2% 100% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
14:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 98% 11°C 2% 100% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
15:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 84% 11°C 2% 99% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 43° 99% 0mm 2.3m/s 6.1m/s 1.6m/s
16:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 52% 11°C 1% 100% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 100% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
17:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 82% 10°C 1% 100% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 100% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
18:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.6°C 2% 100% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 100% 0mm 2.9m/s 5.8m/s 3.7m/s
19:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 3% 9.4°C 3% 67% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 68% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
20:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 2% 9.1°C 4% 33% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 37% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
21:00
1000hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.9°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 9.1° 5% 0mm 4.7m/s 7.3m/s 3.8m/s
22:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.3°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 4% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
23:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.6°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 0.06° 4% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
Wed, May 20 Sunrise 03:56 Sunset 23:08
24:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -3.4° 4% 0mm 5m/s 8.7m/s 3.6m/s
01:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -5° 2% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
02:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -5° 1% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
03:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -3.5° 0% 0mm 6.3m/s 9.3m/s 3.7m/s
04:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -0.03° 0% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
05:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 3.8° 0% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
06:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 0% 0mm 5.6m/s 11m/s 2.9m/s
07:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 0% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
08:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 0% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
09:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 27° 0% 0mm 4.2m/s 9.4m/s 3m/s
10:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 1% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 1% 0mm - - 3m/s
11:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 3% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 3% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
12:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 4% 11°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 43° 4% 0mm 3.5m/s 8.4m/s 2.9m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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