Skip to content
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

Get notified
Free alerts · takes 30 seconds
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 76% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts5.6m/s
Precipitation Chance52%
Air Pressure1001.4hPa
CAPE1
Lifted Index11.1°C
Wind Gusts5.6m/s
Precipitation0.0mm

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.

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
0matching hours in the next 79 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, Jul 8
05:0017%31%3J/kg11°C15290m8.3m/s
06:0018%30%2J/kg11°C23245m8.8m/s
07:0018%68%8J/kg12°C24134m8.4m/s
08:000%51%4J/kg12°C24135m8.2m/s
09:0015%77%0J/kg11°C24134m7.7m/s
10:0019%31%9J/kg11°C24134m7.2m/s
11:0021%24%15J/kg11°C24134m7.4m/s
12:0018%22%0J/kg11°C24134m6.6m/s
13:0016%20%6J/kg11°C24134m6.2m/s
14:0014%20%1J/kg11°C24135m5.6m/s
15:0011%15%0J/kg11°C24135m4.8m/s
16:0013%16%1J/kg11°C24135m3.6m/s
17:000%18%1J/kg11°C24135m2.8m/s
18:009.1%18%4J/kg10°C24134m2.4m/s
19:000%22%3J/kg9.8°C24134m2.1m/s
20:0016%30%3J/kg8.5°C24134m2.3m/s
21:0020%57%7J/kg7.1°C24135m2.9m/s
22:0023%60%11J/kg6.3°C23576m3m/s
23:0023%52%18J/kg5.7°C24134m3m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:0020%52%33J/kg4.8°C17931m3.2m/s
01:0022%52%32J/kg4.2°C19087m2.7m/s
02:0021%52%26J/kg3.3°C14407m2.1m/s
03:0030%52%27J/kg2.5°C7900m2.4m/s
04:0021%54%24J/kg2.1°C9549m2.9m/s
05:0020%57%14J/kg2.6°C24134m3.2m/s
06:0020%59%8J/kg2.8°C24135m3.6m/s
07:0017%61%10J/kg2.8°C24135m3.3m/s
08:0017%58%13J/kg2.6°C24134m2.6m/s
09:0018%29%18J/kg2.4°C24135m2.1m/s
10:0017%28%17J/kg2.3°C24134m0.8m/s
11:0019%29%18J/kg2.5°C24135m1.2m/s
12:0021%31%10J/kg2.7°C24135m2m/s
13:0017%30%5J/kg2.9°C24134m2.7m/s
14:0015%50%12J/kg2.8°C24135m2.2m/s
15:0016%50%21J/kg2.9°C24134m1.7m/s
16:0015%23%21J/kg3.3°C17977m1.5m/s
17:0014%24%18J/kg3.8°C24135m2.2m/s
18:0013%27%17J/kg4.2°C24135m3m/s
19:000%36%21J/kg4.3°C24134m3.2m/s
20:0014%59%23J/kg4.3°C24135m3.4m/s
21:0012%49%20J/kg4.7°C24135m4.2m/s
22:0014%28%9J/kg5.7°C24135m4.2m/s
23:0015%28%1J/kg6.8°C24135m4.8m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:0017%30%0J/kg7.3°C24135m4.4m/s
01:0014%22%0J/kg8.1°C24135m5m/s
02:000%19%1J/kg9.1°C24135m4.9m/s
03:009.8%27%8J/kg9.4°C24134m4.7m/s
04:000%28%13J/kg9.9°C24135m5.2m/s
05:0015%22%18J/kg10°C24134m5.9m/s
06:0021%37%29J/kg10°C24135m6.3m/s
07:0017%43%34J/kg10°C24134m6.4m/s
08:0016%48%20J/kg11°C24134m6.7m/s
09:000%27%16J/kg10°C24135m7.9m/s
10:000%30%19J/kg10°C24134m9m/s
11:000%36%7J/kg11°C24134m9.7m/s
12:0014%44%0J/kg12°C24134m9.8m/s
13:000%60%0J/kg12°C24135m9.5m/s
14:000%56%0J/kg12°C24134m9.3m/s
15:0013%54%0J/kg13°C24134m8.9m/s
16:000%64%2J/kg13°C24135m9.9m/s
17:000%93%3J/kg12°C24135m11m/s
18:0014%33%1J/kg12°C24135m10m/s
19:000%100%1J/kg8.7°C23765m11m/s
20:000%87%1J/kg5.6°C23395m12m/s
21:0017%52%1J/kg2.5°C23025m13m/s
22:000%55%0.67J/kg3.2°C21276m13m/s
23:000%55%0.33J/kg3.9°C19527m13m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:0017%59%0J/kg4.7°C17778m13m/s
01:000%59%0J/kg4.4°C19148m13m/s
02:000%78%0J/kg4.2°C20517m13m/s
03:0015%29%0J/kg4°C21887m13m/s
04:000%34%0J/kg4.4°C21888m13m/s
05:000%51%0J/kg4.8°C21889m12m/s
06:0015%57%0J/kg5.2°C21890m12m/s
07:000%49%0.33J/kg5.1°C21724m12m/s
08:000%52%0.67J/kg5.1°C21558m13m/s
09:0013%44%1J/kg5°C21391m13m/s
10:000%45%1J/kg6.2°C20489m14m/s
11:000%26%1J/kg7.4°C19587m14m/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
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 03:13 Sunset 24:08
14:00
1001hPa 1J/kg 0.52fraction 0% 11°C 100% 0% 52% 0mm 75% 0.01mm 3.7dBZ 47° 100% 0mm - - 5m/s
15:00
1001hPa 0J/kg 0.51fraction 0% 11°C 100% 0% 38% 0mm 76% 0.02mm 1dBZ 46° 100% 0.06mm 4.7m/s 15m/s 4.2m/s
16:00
1001hPa 1J/kg 0.45fraction 0% 11°C 100% 0% 39% 0mm 75% 0.02mm 0.64dBZ 42° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.1m/s
17:00
1001hPa 1J/kg 0.39fraction 0% 11°C 100% 0% 40% 0mm 74% 0.02mm 0.25dBZ 37° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.1m/s
18:00
1000hPa 4J/kg 0.32fraction 0% 10°C 100% 0% 41% 0mm 73% 0.01mm -0.15dBZ 31° 100% 0.06mm 8.4m/s 14m/s 1.6m/s
19:00
1000hPa 3J/kg 0.34fraction 0% 9.8°C 100% 5% 59% 0mm 75% 0.01mm 6dBZ 25° 100% 0mm - - 2m/s
20:00
1000hPa 3J/kg 0.36fraction 4% 8.5°C 100% 5% 76% 0.05mm 78% 0.02mm 12dBZ 18° 100% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
21:00
999hPa 7J/kg 0.37fraction 5% 7.1°C 100% 100% 94% 0.11mm 81% 0.04mm 18dBZ 12° 100% 0.13mm 9.3m/s 15m/s 3.2m/s
22:00
999hPa 11J/kg 0.58fraction 67% 6.3°C 100% 100% 95% 0.12mm 83% 0.04mm 13dBZ 7.1° 100% 0.31mm - - 3.1m/s
23:00
998hPa 18J/kg 0.79fraction 0% 5.7°C 100% 100% 97% 0.03mm 84% 0.03mm 8dBZ 2.9° 100% 0.38mm - - 3.4m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 03:16 Sunset 24:05
24:00
998hPa 33J/kg 1fraction 0% 4.8°C 100% 100% 98% 0.03mm 86% 0.35mm 2.9dBZ 0.005° 100% 0.69mm 6.7m/s 14m/s 3.3m/s
01:00
997hPa 32J/kg 0.75fraction 0% 4.2°C 99% 100% 93% 0.03mm 84% 0.26mm 14dBZ -2.2° 100% 0.44mm - - 2.4m/s
02:00
997hPa 26J/kg 0.51fraction 0% 3.3°C 100% 100% 88% 0.12mm 83% 0.33mm 24dBZ -2.5° 100% 0.81mm - - 1.8m/s
03:00
997hPa 27J/kg 0.26fraction 0% 2.5°C 100% 100% 83% 1.1mm 86% 0.3mm 35dBZ -1.2° 100% 1.6mm 6.4m/s 7.6m/s 2.5m/s
04:00
997hPa 24J/kg 0.18fraction 0% 2.1°C 100% 99% 88% 0.69mm 90% 0.22mm 26dBZ 1.6° 100% 3mm - - 3.2m/s
05:00
997hPa 14J/kg 0.09fraction 0% 2.6°C 100% 83% 92% 0.03mm 85% 0.09mm 17dBZ 5.4° 100% 3.3mm - - 3.4m/s
06:00
997hPa 8J/kg 0.006fraction 0% 2.8°C 54% 92% 97% 0mm 80% 0.01mm 7.9dBZ 10° 92% 3.4mm 2.3m/s 6.9m/s 3.5m/s
07:00
997hPa 10J/kg 0.34fraction 0% 2.8°C 36% 10% 92% 0mm 77% 0.03mm 7.4dBZ 16° 36% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
08:00
997hPa 13J/kg 0.67fraction 0% 2.6°C 79% 7% 87% 0mm 76% 0.01mm 6.8dBZ 22° 79% 0.06mm - - 2m/s
09:00
998hPa 18J/kg 1fraction 0% 2.4°C 87% 4% 82% 0mm 76% 0mm 6.3dBZ 29° 87% 0.06mm 2.5m/s 3.6m/s 1.6m/s
10:00
998hPa 17J/kg 0.96fraction 0% 2.3°C 100% 5% 83% 0mm 76% 0.01mm 9.2dBZ 35° 100% 0.06mm - - 0.9m/s
11:00
998hPa 18J/kg 0.93fraction 0% 2.5°C 99% 0% 84% 0mm 78% 0.03mm 12dBZ 40° 99% 0.06mm - - 1.6m/s
12:00
998hPa 10J/kg 0.89fraction 0% 2.7°C 99% 0% 84% 0.01mm 80% 0.02mm 15dBZ 44° 99% 0.13mm 1.9m/s 1.9m/s 2.4m/s
13:00
998hPa 5J/kg 0.91fraction 0% 2.9°C 100% 3% 69% 0mm 80% 0.01mm 15dBZ 47° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.8m/s
14:00
998hPa 12J/kg 0.92fraction 0% 2.8°C 100% 14% 54% 0mm 79% 0.01mm 16dBZ 47° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.4m/s
15:00
999hPa 21J/kg 0.93fraction 0% 2.9°C 98% 39% 39% 0mm 77% 0.08mm 16dBZ 45° 98% 0.13mm 1.2m/s 5.5m/s 1.9m/s
16:00
999hPa 21J/kg 0.68fraction 0% 3.3°C 100% 7% 49% 0mm 77% 0.23mm 4dBZ 42° 100% 0.31mm - - 1.9m/s
17:00
999hPa 18J/kg 0.43fraction 0% 3.8°C 100% 8% 59% 0mm 78% 0.08mm -8dBZ 37° 100% 0.44mm - - 2.8m/s
18:00
1000hPa 17J/kg 0.18fraction 0% 4.2°C 100% 9% 69% 0.01mm 79% 0.03mm -20dBZ 31° 100% 0.56mm 1.6m/s 10m/s 3.8m/s
19:00
1000hPa 21J/kg 0.35fraction 0% 4.3°C 96% 5% 59% 0mm 81% 0.03mm -20dBZ 24° 96% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
20:00
1000hPa 23J/kg 0.52fraction 0% 4.3°C 66% 0% 49% 0mm 83% 0.01mm -20dBZ 18° 66% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
21:00
1001hPa 20J/kg 0.69fraction 0% 4.7°C 20% 0% 39% 0mm 85% 0.01mm -20dBZ 12° 20% 0.06mm 0.74m/s 10m/s 4.5m/s
22:00
1002hPa 9J/kg 0.47fraction 0% 5.7°C 8% 5% 53% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -20dBZ 8% 0.06mm - - 4.5m/s
23:00
1002hPa 1J/kg 0.24fraction 0% 6.8°C 8% 5% 67% 0mm 85% 0.01mm -20dBZ 2.7° 8% 0.06mm - - 4.8m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 03:19 Sunset 23:59
24:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0.01fraction 0% 7.3°C 6% 5% 82% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -0.2° 6% 0.06mm 2.3m/s 8.3m/s 4m/s
01:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0.01fraction 0% 8.1°C 5% 0% 67% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -2.3° 5% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
02:00
1004hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 0% 9.1°C 5% 0% 53% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -2.6° 5% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
03:00
1004hPa 8J/kg 0fraction 1% 9.4°C 6% 0% 39% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -1.3° 6% 0mm 2.9m/s 13m/s 3.9m/s
04:00
1005hPa 13J/kg 0.33fraction 5% 9.9°C 5% 0% 45% 0mm 79% 0mm -17dBZ 1.5° 5% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
05:00
1005hPa 18J/kg 0.67fraction 5% 10°C 5% 0% 50% 0mm 80% 0.01mm -14dBZ 5.3° 5% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
06:00
1006hPa 29J/kg 1fraction 5% 10°C 96% 5% 56% 0mm 83% 0.1mm -11dBZ 10° 96% 0.06mm 7.3m/s 17m/s 5.5m/s
07:00
1006hPa 34J/kg 0.76fraction 5% 10°C 13% 5% 50% 0mm 83% 0.12mm -14dBZ 16° 13% 0.13mm - - 5.8m/s
08:00
1007hPa 20J/kg 0.52fraction 12% 11°C 5% 5% 45% 0mm 83% 0mm -17dBZ 22° 12% 0.13mm - - 5.8m/s
09:00
1008hPa 16J/kg 0.28fraction 5% 10°C 5% 5% 39% 0mm 83% 0.01mm -20dBZ 28° 5% 0.13mm 7m/s 14m/s 6.4m/s
10:00
1008hPa 19J/kg 0.21fraction 5% 10°C 5% 5% 39% 0mm 84% 0.07mm -20dBZ 34° 5% 0.19mm - - 7.9m/s
11:00
1009hPa 7J/kg 0.15fraction 0% 11°C 12% 0% 39% 0mm 85% 0.03mm -20dBZ 40° 12% 0.25mm - - 8.8m/s
12:00
1009hPa 0J/kg 0.08fraction 0% 12°C 83% 0% 39% 0.01mm 82% 0.01mm -20dBZ 44° 83% 0.25mm 7.8m/s 14m/s 8.6m/s
13:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0.05fraction 42% 12°C 100% 1% 39% 0mm 82% 0.01mm -20dBZ 47° 100% 0mm - - 8.5m/s
14:00
1010hPa 0J/kg 0.03fraction 100% 12°C 100% 100% 39% 0mm 80% 0.01mm -20dBZ 47° 100% 0.06mm - - 8.2m/s
15:00
1011hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 13°C 16% 59% 39% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 100% 0.06mm 9m/s 13m/s 8.1m/s
16:00
1011hPa 2J/kg 0.02fraction 58% 13°C 4% 98% 41% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 98% 0.06mm - - 8.1m/s
17:00
1012hPa 3J/kg 0.04fraction 56% 12°C 1% 69% 44% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 69% 0.06mm - - 8.8m/s
18:00
1012hPa 1J/kg 0.06fraction 5% 12°C 0% 5% 46% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 5% 0.06mm 9.7m/s 16m/s 8.6m/s
19:00
1012hPa 1J/kg 0.04fraction 37% 8.7°C 33% 35% 36% 0.03mm 86% 0.003mm -20dBZ 24° 37% 0.1mm - - 8.8m/s
20:00
1012hPa 1J/kg 0.02fraction 68% 5.6°C 67% 65% 25% 0.07mm 87% 0.007mm -20dBZ 18° 68% 0.15mm - - 9m/s
21:00
1012hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 100% 2.5°C 100% 95% 15% 0.1mm 88% 0.01mm -20dBZ 12° 100% 0.19mm 11m/s 14m/s 9.2m/s
22:00
1012hPa 0.67J/kg 0fraction 98% 3.2°C 100% 94% 22% 0.09mm 90% 0.007mm -20dBZ 6.9° 100% 0.25mm - - 9.5m/s
23:00
1012hPa 0.33J/kg 0fraction 96% 3.9°C 100% 94% 30% 0.09mm 92% 0.003mm -19dBZ 2.6° 100% 0.31mm - - 9.7m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 03:22 Sunset 23:56
24:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 94% 4.7°C 100% 93% 37% 0.08mm 94% 0mm -19dBZ -0.39° 100% 0.38mm 12m/s 12m/s 10m/s
01:00
1012hPa 0J/kg 0.03fraction 64% 4.4°C 100% 62% 34% 0.1mm 93% 0.02mm -10dBZ -2.5° 100% 0.33mm - - 10m/s
02:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 0.06fraction 34% 4.2°C 100% 31% 30% 0.13mm 92% 0.04mm -1.3dBZ -2.8° 100% 0.29mm - - 10m/s
03:00
1013hPa 0J/kg 0.08fraction 5% 4°C 100% 0% 26% 0.15mm 91% 0.06mm 7.6dBZ -1.4° 100% 0.25mm 14m/s 14m/s 11m/s
04:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 0.06fraction 9% 4.4°C 100% 2% 32% 0.11mm 91% 0.04mm 4.1dBZ 1.4° 100% 0.31mm - - 10m/s
05:00
1014hPa 0J/kg 0.04fraction 12% 4.8°C 100% 3% 38% 0.07mm 92% 0.02mm 0.6dBZ 5.1° 100% 0.38mm - - 10m/s
06:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 0.01fraction 16% 5.2°C 100% 5% 44% 0.03mm 92% 0mm -2.9dBZ 10° 100% 0.44mm 13m/s 13m/s 9.7m/s
07:00
1015hPa 0.33J/kg 0.1fraction 11% 5.1°C 100% 10% 39% 0.03mm 93% 0.003mm 3.7dBZ 16° 100% 0.31mm - - 9.8m/s
08:00
1016hPa 0.67J/kg 0.19fraction 5% 5.1°C 100% 14% 35% 0.03mm 93% 0.007mm 10dBZ 22° 100% 0.19mm - - 9.9m/s
09:00
1016hPa 1J/kg 0.28fraction 0% 5°C 100% 19% 30% 0.03mm 93% 0.01mm 17dBZ 28° 100% 0.06mm 13m/s 15m/s 10m/s
10:00
1017hPa 1J/kg 0.2fraction 2% 6.2°C 100% 14% 38% 0.02mm 94% 0.007mm 12dBZ 34° 100% 0.08mm - - 10m/s
11:00
1017hPa 1J/kg 0.11fraction 3% 7.4°C 100% 10% 46% 0.02mm 94% 0.003mm 7.7dBZ 40° 100% 0.1mm - - 11m/s
12:00
1017hPa 1J/kg 0.02fraction 5% 8.6°C 100% 5% 54% 0.01mm 94% 0mm 3.2dBZ 44° 100% 0.13mm 7.3m/s 12m/s 11m/s
13:00
1017hPa 1.3J/kg 0.08fraction 36% 8.6°C 100% 34% 53% 0.22mm 95% 0mm 2.5dBZ 47° 100% 0.21mm - - 11m/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