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Rule Storm Chaser

Djúpalónssandur - Storm Chaser - Iceland Coast

Hellissandur, 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 67% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts12.0m/s
Precipitation Chance92%
Air Pressure978.0hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index1.8°C
Wind Gusts12.0m/s
Precipitation1.3mm

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
Wed, Apr 8
01:0014%7.5%12J/kg9.2°C22822m12m/s
02:0018%3.1%20J/kg9.5°C24134m14m/s
03:0020%3.3%11J/kg8.6°C22177m15m/s
04:0020%1.6%0J/kg6.7°C6347m16m/s
05:0041%56%0J/kg4.7°C133m16m/s
06:0053%72%0J/kg2.6°C103m18m/s
07:0046%65%0J/kg2.4°C155m15m/s
08:0023%65%23J/kg1.9°C7685m9.5m/s
09:0027%58%41J/kg0.5°C6994m9.3m/s
10:0024%58%31J/kg1°C10855m8.6m/s
11:0021%46%15J/kg1.1°C12751m7.5m/s
12:0022%46%9J/kg1.4°C20137m7.2m/s
13:000%44%9J/kg1.5°C21798m7.2m/s
14:000%42%10J/kg1°C23486m7.4m/s
15:000%46%4J/kg1.7°C24135m7.4m/s
16:000%52%6J/kg2.1°C24135m7.8m/s
17:000%59%6J/kg2.6°C24134m7.4m/s
18:000%59%5J/kg3.2°C24135m7.4m/s
19:000%39%2J/kg3.2°C24135m9.4m/s
20:000%41%0J/kg2.8°C24134m11m/s
21:000%63%2J/kg2.2°C12425m11m/s
22:0033%51%0J/kg1.6°C571m9.6m/s
23:0037%52%1J/kg2.2°C94m9.8m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:0045%2.5%0J/kg2°C86m10m/s
01:0039%1.2%0J/kg1.8°C98m12m/s
02:0041%3.9%0J/kg0.8°C101m10m/s
03:0042%1%1J/kg0.4°C95m9.2m/s
04:0041%0.3%7J/kg0.3°C145m8.7m/s
05:0030%53%5J/kg0.7°C15791m8.7m/s
06:0038%63%2J/kg0.7°C12802m9.5m/s
07:0017%61%5J/kg1.5°C12961m11m/s
08:0035%71%0J/kg1.1°C656m12m/s
09:0041%68%3J/kg0.6°C138m11m/s
10:0026%63%14J/kg0.4°C15715m11m/s
11:0030%30%26J/kg0.3°C24135m10m/s
12:0020%30%13J/kg0.3°C22866m10m/s
13:0014%50%8J/kg0.6°C21668m12m/s
14:0015%54%1J/kg0.1°C21220m13m/s
15:0017%58%2J/kg0.2°C20230m15m/s
16:0017%58%0J/kg1.4°C20512m17m/s
17:0018%68%0J/kg1.9°C11061m17m/s
18:0029%62%13J/kg2.1°C3307m16m/s
19:0017%60%6J/kg1.8°C22295m14m/s
20:0015%100%1J/kg2.1°C24134m12m/s
21:0015%80%2J/kg2.3°C24134m12m/s
22:0018%62%3J/kg1.5°C24135m13m/s
23:0016%57%2J/kg1.1°C24134m12m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:000%1.5%12J/kg1°C23373m9.4m/s
01:000%1.6%6J/kg1.2°C14622m8m/s
02:0017%0.8%3J/kg1.5°C13922m11m/s
03:0045%1.4%9J/kg3°C181m16m/s
04:0038%3%1J/kg3.4°C200m20m/s
05:0034%32%30J/kg4.3°C2494m18m/s
06:0039%91%25J/kg4.2°C3730m16m/s
07:0017%94%20J/kg4.6°C6085m15m/s
08:0015%70%10J/kg4.8°C23015m14m/s
09:0024%60%14J/kg4.8°C24135m12m/s
10:0013%97%8J/kg4.5°C23801m11m/s
11:0013%60%1J/kg4.4°C24134m9.6m/s
12:0015%54%2J/kg4.1°C24134m7.2m/s
13:000%82%3J/kg4.4°C24134m6.2m/s
14:000%42%3J/kg4.8°C24134m5.6m/s
15:0014%19%5J/kg5.1°C24134m5.5m/s
16:000%16%1J/kg5.4°C24134m4.6m/s
17:000%21%0J/kg5°C24135m3.8m/s
18:0012%22%0J/kg4.8°C24135m3.3m/s
19:000%25%0J/kg5°C24135m2.4m/s
20:000%36%0J/kg4.9°C24134m2.2m/s
21:000%52%0J/kg4.3°C24135m2.2m/s
22:000%45%0J/kg4.1°C24134m2.1m/s
23:000%57%0J/kg4.1°C24135m3m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%5.3%0J/kg4.2°C24134m4.2m/s
01:000%7.6%0J/kg4.7°C24134m5.3m/s
02:000%8%0J/kg4.5°C24134m5.8m/s
03:000%7.3%0J/kg4.3°C24135m5.9m/s
04:000%0.1%0J/kg4.4°C24135m6.4m/s
05:000%26%0J/kg4.5°C24135m6.4m/s
06:0016%25%0J/kg3.9°C24135m7.2m/s
07:000%53%0J/kg4.9°C24135m8.3m/s
08:000%49%0J/kg5.9°C24135m9.4m/s
09:0015%26%0J/kg6.9°C24135m11m/s
10:000%26%0J/kg6.2°C23965m11m/s
11:000%22%0J/kg5.5°C23795m12m/s
12:0015%20%0J/kg4.7°C23624m13m/s
13:000%20%0J/kg4.9°C23795m13m/s
14:000%22%0J/kg5.1°C23965m14m/s
15:0015%31%0J/kg5.2°C24135m14m/s
16:000%24%0J/kg5.5°C24135m15m/s
17:000%29%0J/kg5.7°C24135m15m/s
18:0015%29%0J/kg6°C24135m15m/s
19:000%31%1.7J/kg6.2°C24135m15m/s
20:000%34%3.3J/kg6.4°C24135m15m/s
21:0017%31%5J/kg6.6°C24135m15m/s
22:000%59%3.3J/kg6.8°C24135m15m/s
23:0013%71%1.7J/kg7°C24135m14m/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
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:23 Sunset 20:53
01:00
978hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.8°C 100% 100% 92% 1.2mm 97% 0.05mm 30dBZ -17° 100% 1.3mm - - 9.3m/s
02:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 0.8°C 100% 100% 87% 1.4mm 98% 0.12mm 30dBZ -17° 100% 2.8mm - - 9.1m/s
03:00
977hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.4°C 100% 100% 83% 1.1mm 97% 0.03mm 29dBZ -16° 100% 4.3mm 9.8m/s 5.5m/s 8.6m/s
04:00
977hPa 7J/kg 0% 0.3°C 100% 99% 88% 0.18mm 97% 0.04mm 23dBZ -13° 100% 4.8mm - - 8.4m/s
05:00
977hPa 5J/kg 0% 0.7°C 56% 100% 92% 0mm 95% 0.09mm 17dBZ -8.4° 100% 4.9mm - - 8.2m/s
06:00
976hPa 2J/kg 0% 0.7°C 58% 99% 96% 0mm 95% 0.04mm 11dBZ -2.9° 99% 5mm 7.6m/s 6.3m/s 8.8m/s
07:00
976hPa 5J/kg 0% 1.5°C 98% 100% 94% 0.16mm 94% 0.03mm 15dBZ 3.2° 100% 0.06mm - - 9m/s
08:00
976hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.1°C 100% 100% 92% 1.2mm 97% 0.01mm 19dBZ 9.4° 100% 1mm - - 10m/s
09:00
975hPa 3J/kg 0% 0.6°C 100% 18% 90% 0.4mm 97% 0.07mm 23dBZ 16° 100% 1.8mm 9.3m/s 13m/s 10m/s
10:00
975hPa 14J/kg 0% 0.4°C 100% 100% 92% 0.2mm 95% 0.26mm 17dBZ 22° 100% 2.3mm - - 9.7m/s
11:00
976hPa 26J/kg 0% 0.3°C 100% 2% 94% 0.02mm 87% 0.11mm 11dBZ 27° 100% 2.6mm - - 8.1m/s
12:00
975hPa 13J/kg 0% 0.3°C 100% 6% 95% 0mm 84% 0.1mm 5.3dBZ 30° 100% 2.7mm 9.5m/s 9m/s 7.2m/s
13:00
975hPa 8J/kg 0% 0.6°C 100% 35% 88% 0.02mm 89% 0.06mm -0.14dBZ 32° 100% 0.06mm - - 9.8m/s
14:00
975hPa 1J/kg 0% 0.1°C 100% 22% 80% 0.01mm 92% 0.02mm -5.6dBZ 33° 100% 0.13mm - - 11m/s
15:00
975hPa 2J/kg 0% 0.2°C 100% 50% 73% 0.02mm 93% 0.01mm -11dBZ 31° 100% 0.19mm 3.8m/s 3.5m/s 13m/s
16:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.4°C 100% 98% 77% 0mm 94% 0.02mm -14dBZ 28° 100% 0.25mm - - 16m/s
17:00
978hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.9°C 100% 100% 82% 0.03mm 96% 0.04mm -17dBZ 23° 100% 0.25mm - - 15m/s
18:00
979hPa 13J/kg 0% 2.1°C 100% 100% 86% 0mm 96% 0.12mm -20dBZ 17° 100% 0.38mm 2.4m/s 3m/s 14m/s
19:00
980hPa 6J/kg 0% 1.8°C 97% 98% 87% 0.03mm 88% 0.05mm -12dBZ 11° 100% 0.13mm - - 13m/s
20:00
981hPa 1J/kg 0% 2.1°C 52% 57% 89% 0mm 81% 0.02mm -4.2dBZ 4.8° 59% 0.19mm - - 10m/s
21:00
981hPa 2J/kg 0% 2.3°C 7% 46% 90% 0mm 78% 0.01mm 3.7dBZ -1.2° 47% 0.19mm 1.5m/s 3.7m/s 10m/s
22:00
981hPa 3J/kg 0% 1.5°C 14% 13% 93% 0mm 83% 0.01mm 12dBZ -6.9° 15% 0.25mm - - 9.7m/s
23:00
981hPa 2J/kg 0% 1.1°C 92% 55% 96% 0.01mm 83% 0.02mm 19dBZ -12° 92% 0.25mm - - 9.2m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:19 Sunset 20:56
24:00
982hPa 12J/kg 0% 1°C 74% 98% 99% 0mm 83% 0.1mm 27dBZ -15° 99% 0.31mm 6.9m/s 8.2m/s 7.4m/s
01:00
983hPa 6J/kg 0% 1.2°C 30% 100% 93% 0mm 87% 0.06mm 23dBZ -17° 100% 0.13mm - - 7m/s
02:00
984hPa 3J/kg 0% 1.5°C 100% 100% 88% 0.06mm 92% 0.04mm 19dBZ -17° 100% 0.19mm - - 11m/s
03:00
985hPa 9J/kg 0% 3°C 100% 74% 83% 0.05mm 96% 0.08mm 15dBZ -16° 100% 0.31mm 11m/s 24m/s 15m/s
04:00
987hPa 1J/kg 0% 3.4°C 100% 17% 81% 0.34mm 95% 0.09mm 13dBZ -12° 100% 0.63mm - - 18m/s
05:00
989hPa 30J/kg 0% 4.3°C 100% 8% 78% 0.26mm 94% 0.18mm 9.9dBZ -8° 100% 1mm - - 15m/s
06:00
990hPa 25J/kg 46% 4.2°C 100% 95% 76% 0.11mm 85% 0.14mm 7.3dBZ -2.6° 100% 1.3mm 6m/s 22m/s 13m/s
07:00
991hPa 20J/kg 19% 4.6°C 91% 100% 56% 0.05mm 82% 0.11mm 1.1dBZ 3.6° 100% 0.31mm - - 14m/s
08:00
993hPa 10J/kg 2% 4.8°C 67% 100% 35% 0mm 75% 0.08mm -5dBZ 9.8° 100% 0.44mm - - 12m/s
09:00
994hPa 14J/kg 0% 4.8°C 65% 97% 15% 0mm 74% 0.11mm -11dBZ 16° 97% 0.56mm 5.8m/s 18m/s 10m/s
10:00
996hPa 8J/kg 0% 4.5°C 44% 16% 20% 0mm 68% 0.14mm -12dBZ 22° 44% 0.63mm - - 10m/s
11:00
997hPa 1J/kg 0% 4.4°C 8% 78% 26% 0mm 61% 0.03mm -13dBZ 27° 78% 0.69mm - - 9.1m/s
12:00
998hPa 2J/kg 0% 4.1°C 90% 100% 31% 0mm 57% 0.12mm -13dBZ 31° 100% 0.81mm 3.6m/s 18m/s 6.1m/s
13:00
999hPa 3J/kg 0% 4.4°C 24% 53% 21% 0mm 54% 0.11mm -12dBZ 33° 54% 0.13mm - - 5.4m/s
14:00
1000hPa 3J/kg 0% 4.8°C 5% 14% 10% 0mm 50% 0mm -9.9dBZ 33° 17% 0.13mm - - 4.1m/s
15:00
1001hPa 5J/kg 0% 5.1°C 6% 2% 0% 0mm 46% 0.02mm -8.2dBZ 31° 6% 0.13mm 1.7m/s 23m/s 4.4m/s
16:00
1002hPa 1J/kg 0% 5.4°C 5% 0% 13% 0mm 44% 0.01mm -12dBZ 28° 5% 0.19mm - - 3.8m/s
17:00
1002hPa 0J/kg 0% 5°C 5% 0% 26% 0mm 43% 0.01mm -16dBZ 23° 5% 0.19mm - - 3.2m/s
18:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.8°C 5% 0% 39% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 5% 0.19mm 6.7m/s 18m/s 2.9m/s
19:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0% 5°C 5% 5% 26% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 7% 0mm - - 2m/s
20:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.9°C 1% 100% 13% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 5.1° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
21:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.3°C 14% 100% 0% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ -0.86° 100% 0mm 11m/s 14m/s 2.1m/s
22:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.1°C 37% 100% 0% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ -6.6° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
23:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.1°C 6% 52% 0% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 52% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:15 Sunset 20:59
24:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.2°C 91% 35% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 91% 0mm 9m/s 12m/s 4.8m/s
01:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.7°C 100% 96% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 100% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
02:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.5°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 100% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
03:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 3% 4.3°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 100% 0mm 12m/s 11m/s 6.6m/s
04:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.4°C 67% 100% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 100% 0mm - - 7.2m/s
05:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 5% 4.5°C 5% 100% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -7.6° 100% 0mm - - 7.2m/s
06:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.9°C 5% 100% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -2.2° 100% 0mm 18m/s 17m/s 8.2m/s
07:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 1% 4.9°C 36% 67% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 3.9° 100% 0mm - - 8.8m/s
08:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 3% 5.9°C 68% 33% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 10° 99% 0mm - - 9.4m/s
09:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 4% 6.9°C 99% 0% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 99% 0mm 14m/s 18m/s 10m/s
10:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 3% 6.2°C 98% 0% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 98% 0mm - - 11m/s
11:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 1% 5.5°C 96% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 27° 96% 0mm - - 11m/s
12:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.7°C 95% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 95% 0mm 11m/s 17m/s 12m/s
13:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.9°C 92% 0% 13% 0mm 70% 0mm -16dBZ 33° 92% 0mm - - 12m/s
14:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.1°C 88% 0% 27% 0mm 70% 0mm -13dBZ 33° 88% 0mm - - 13m/s
15:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.2°C 85% 0% 40% 0mm 71% 0mm -8.8dBZ 32° 85% 0mm 11m/s 13m/s 13m/s
16:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.5°C 89% 0% 43% 0.003mm 71% 0mm -8.4dBZ 28° 89% 0mm - - 13m/s
17:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.7°C 94% 0% 47% 0.007mm 71% 0mm -8dBZ 24° 94% 0mm - - 13m/s
18:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 6°C 98% 0% 50% 0.01mm 72% 0mm -7.6dBZ 18° 98% 0mm 12m/s 13m/s 13m/s
19:00
1006hPa 1.7J/kg 1% 6.2°C 98% 2% 39% 0.01mm 71% 0mm -7.5dBZ 12° 98% 0mm - - 12m/s
20:00
1006hPa 3.3J/kg 3% 6.4°C 98% 5% 28% 0.01mm 70% 0mm -7.3dBZ 5.4° 98% 0mm - - 12m/s
21:00
1006hPa 5J/kg 4% 6.6°C 97% 7% 18% 0.01mm 69% 0mm -7.3dBZ -0.44° 97% 0mm 12m/s 17m/s 11m/s
22:00
1005hPa 3.3J/kg 9% 6.8°C 88% 38% 21% 0.007mm 69% 0mm -6.1dBZ -6.3° 98% 0.02mm - - 11m/s
23:00
1005hPa 1.7J/kg 14% 7°C 78% 69% 25% 0.003mm 68% 0mm -4.9dBZ -11° 99% 0.04mm - - 11m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:11 Sunset 21:02
24:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 19% 7.2°C 69% 100% 28% 0mm 68% 0mm -3.8dBZ -14° 100% 0.06mm 8.9m/s 11m/s 10m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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