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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 86% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover96%
Wind Gusts4.3m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure1014.7hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index12.4°C
Wind Gusts4.3m/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.

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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
Fri, Apr 17
13:000%63%15J/kg9°C24135m4m/s
14:000%77%16J/kg9.2°C24134m3.6m/s
15:009.8%78%15J/kg9.2°C24135m3.6m/s
16:000%56%14J/kg9.1°C24135m3.9m/s
17:000%39%14J/kg8.8°C24135m4.7m/s
18:0013%76%14J/kg8.4°C24135m5.3m/s
19:000%72%11J/kg7.9°C24135m5.5m/s
20:000%72%12J/kg7.1°C23934m5.9m/s
21:0015%76%16J/kg6.8°C21394m5.9m/s
22:0016%74%13J/kg6.8°C1006m6m/s
23:000%91%18J/kg6.8°C17700m6.9m/s
Sat, Apr 18
24:0013%15%3J/kg7.1°C24134m7.2m/s
01:000%15%6J/kg7.2°C24134m7.7m/s
02:000%15%17J/kg7.2°C4742m8.1m/s
03:0032%7.9%0J/kg7.8°C87m12m/s
04:000%24%0J/kg9.7°C22576m9.1m/s
05:000%32%0J/kg12°C24134m7.8m/s
06:000%58%0J/kg12°C24135m6.9m/s
07:000%47%0J/kg13°C24134m5m/s
08:000%31%0J/kg13°C24134m3.8m/s
09:000%93%0J/kg12°C24135m3.4m/s
10:000%83%0J/kg12°C24134m3.7m/s
11:000%52%0J/kg12°C24135m3.9m/s
12:000%29%0J/kg12°C24134m4m/s
13:000%38%0J/kg12°C24134m4.3m/s
14:000%63%0J/kg13°C24135m4.4m/s
15:000%47%0J/kg13°C24135m4.4m/s
16:000%41%0J/kg14°C24135m4.1m/s
17:000%61%0J/kg14°C24135m4m/s
18:000%46%0J/kg15°C24134m4m/s
19:000%49%0J/kg15°C24135m4.1m/s
20:000%76%0J/kg16°C24135m3.9m/s
21:000%43%0J/kg17°C24134m3.8m/s
22:000%51%0J/kg17°C24134m3.7m/s
23:000%49%0J/kg17°C24135m4.1m/s
Sun, Apr 19
24:000%50%0J/kg17°C24135m4.6m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg17°C24135m5.4m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg17°C24135m5.3m/s
03:000%10%0J/kg17°C24135m6.1m/s
04:000%25%0J/kg16°C24135m7.2m/s
05:000%36%0J/kg15°C24134m8.3m/s
06:000%55%0J/kg15°C24134m9.3m/s
07:000%55%0J/kg14°C24135m9.7m/s
08:000%48%0J/kg14°C24134m9.6m/s
09:000%55%0J/kg13°C24134m12m/s
10:000%52%0J/kg13°C24134m12m/s
11:000%46%0J/kg12°C24135m13m/s
12:000%48%0J/kg12°C24134m13m/s
13:000%46%0J/kg12°C24135m14m/s
14:000%46%0J/kg12°C24135m14m/s
15:000%49%1J/kg12°C24134m16m/s
16:000%52%0J/kg12°C24134m16m/s
17:000%53%0J/kg12°C24134m17m/s
18:000%50%0J/kg12°C24134m18m/s
19:000%58%0J/kg11°C24134m18m/s
20:000%54%0J/kg11°C24134m17m/s
21:000%52%0J/kg10°C24135m17m/s
22:000%48%0J/kg9.8°C24134m16m/s
23:000%49%0J/kg9.8°C24135m14m/s
Mon, Apr 20
24:000%39%0J/kg9.3°C24134m13m/s
01:000%7.5%0J/kg9.7°C24135m14m/s
02:000%10%0J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
03:000%60%0J/kg10°C24134m8.5m/s
04:000%25%0J/kg10°C24135m7.1m/s
05:000%75%0J/kg11°C24134m5.9m/s
06:000%23%0J/kg11°C24134m5.6m/s
07:000%52%0J/kg11°C24134m5.1m/s
08:000%50%0J/kg11°C24135m5.1m/s
09:000%25%0J/kg11°C24135m5.3m/s
10:000%62%0J/kg11°C24134m5.2m/s
11:000%25%0J/kg12°C24134m5.2m/s
12:000%27%0J/kg12°C24135m4.8m/s
13:000%27%0J/kg12°C24135m4.8m/s
14:000%58%0J/kg12°C24134m5m/s
15:000%32%0J/kg12°C24134m5.8m/s
16:000%21%0J/kg12°C24135m6.4m/s
17:000%57%0J/kg12°C24135m6.1m/s
18:000%19%0J/kg12°C24135m5.5m/s
19:000%10%0J/kg13°C24135m5.2m/s
20:000%11%0J/kg13°C24135m4.9m/s
21:000%11%0J/kg13°C24135m4.5m/s
22:000%5.6%0J/kg13°C24135m4.2m/s
23:000%4.8%0J/kg13°C24135m3.9m/s
Tue, Apr 21
24:000%4.8%0J/kg13°C24135m3.5m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg13°C24135m3.4m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg13°C24135m3.2m/s
03:000%0%0J/kg13°C24135m3.1m/s
04:000%4.8%0J/kg13°C24135m3.6m/s
05:000%5.6%0J/kg13°C24135m4.2m/s
06:000%11%0J/kg13°C24135m4.7m/s
07:000%11%0J/kg14°C24135m4.8m/s
08:000%10%0J/kg14°C24135m4.9m/s
09:000%10%0J/kg14°C24135m5m/s
10:000%4.4%0J/kg14°C24135m4.5m/s
11:000%4.4%0J/kg14°C24135m3.9m/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
Sat, Apr 18 Sunrise 05:49 Sunset 21:22
13:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 6% 96% 0% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 96% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
14:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 24% 13°C 6% 6% 0% 0mm 55% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 24% 0mm - - 4m/s
15:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 98% 13°C 6% 93% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 98% 0mm 5.7m/s 14m/s 4m/s
16:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 14°C 5% 100% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 100% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
17:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 49% 14°C 5% 82% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 82% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
18:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 15°C 5% 92% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 100% 0mm 7.6m/s 21m/s 3.8m/s
19:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 15°C 1% 82% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 100% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
20:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 38% 16°C 1% 7% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 7.5° 38% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
21:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 96% 17°C 1% 12% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 1.6° 96% 0mm 8.9m/s 16m/s 3.2m/s
22:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 95% 17°C 5% 100% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -4.1° 100% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
23:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 78% 17°C 6% 100% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -8.6° 100% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
Sun, Apr 19 Sunrise 05:46 Sunset 21:25
24:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 81% 17°C 5% 84% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 87% 0mm 8m/s 14m/s 3.9m/s
01:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 53% 17°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 53% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
02:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 57% 17°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 57% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
03:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 17°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 100% 0mm 7.3m/s 9.8m/s 4.8m/s
04:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 16°C 26% 5% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ -9.2° 100% 0mm - - 5.7m/s
05:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 15°C 77% 5% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -4.8° 100% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
06:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 100% 15°C 67% 80% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 0.92° 100% 0mm 6.7m/s 10m/s 6.6m/s
07:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 100% 14°C 50% 100% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 6.6° 100% 0mm - - 6.5m/s
08:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 98% 14°C 83% 100% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 100% 0mm - - 5.7m/s
09:00
1017hPa 0J/kg 85% 13°C 66% 85% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 98% 0mm 5.8m/s 9.1m/s 6.3m/s
10:00
1017hPa 0J/kg 82% 13°C 54% 100% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -17dBZ 25° 100% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
11:00
1017hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 83% 100% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -14dBZ 30° 100% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
12:00
1018hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 92% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -12dBZ 34° 100% 0mm 6.2m/s 8.8m/s 7.6m/s
13:00
1018hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 57% 95% 0% 0mm 72% 0.01mm -9.7dBZ 36° 100% 0mm - - 8.1m/s
14:00
1018hPa 0J/kg 99% 12°C 62% 100% 1% 0mm 73% 0.01mm -7.9dBZ 36° 100% 0mm - - 8.2m/s
15:00
1018hPa 1J/kg 98% 12°C 74% 85% 1% 0mm 74% 0mm -6.1dBZ 34° 100% 0mm 8.1m/s 9.9m/s 8.7m/s
16:00
1019hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 82% 100% 1% 0mm 76% 0mm -11dBZ 31° 100% 0mm - - 9m/s
17:00
1019hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 50% 92% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -15dBZ 26° 100% 0.06mm - - 10m/s
18:00
1020hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 7% 92% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 100% 0.06mm 9.2m/s 8.5m/s 11m/s
19:00
1020hPa 0J/kg 94% 11°C 23% 100% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -19dBZ 14° 100% 0mm - - 11m/s
20:00
1021hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 8% 100% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -19dBZ 7.8° 100% 0mm - - 10m/s
21:00
1022hPa 0J/kg 100% 10°C 4% 100% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -18dBZ 1.9° 100% 0mm 12m/s 4.7m/s 10m/s
22:00
1023hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.8°C 7% 94% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -19dBZ -3.8° 100% 0mm - - 9.5m/s
23:00
1023hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.8°C 35% 98% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -19dBZ -8.3° 100% 0mm - - 8.9m/s
Mon, Apr 20 Sunrise 05:42 Sunset 21:28
24:00
1024hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.3°C 8% 98% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 100% 0mm 7.3m/s 9.6m/s 8.9m/s
01:00
1025hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.7°C 13% 33% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 100% 0mm - - 8.7m/s
02:00
1026hPa 0J/kg 24% 10°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 24% 0mm - - 7.4m/s
03:00
1026hPa 0J/kg 53% 10°C 4% 0% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 53% 0mm 4.8m/s 8.3m/s 6m/s
04:00
1027hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -8.8° 5% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
05:00
1028hPa 0J/kg 21% 11°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -4.4° 21% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
06:00
1029hPa 0J/kg 99% 11°C 5% 1% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 1.2° 99% 0mm 1.7m/s 3.8m/s 4.8m/s
07:00
1029hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 5% 100% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 100% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
08:00
1030hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 5% 35% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 100% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
09:00
1031hPa 0J/kg 92% 11°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 92% 0mm 3.2m/s 4.4m/s 4.2m/s
10:00
1033hPa 0J/kg 20% 11°C 5% 6% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 20% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
11:00
1033hPa 0J/kg 6% 12°C 4% 5% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 6% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
12:00
1034hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 4% 2% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 5% 0mm 4.8m/s 3.6m/s 4m/s
13:00
1035hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 6% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
14:00
1035hPa 0J/kg 58% 12°C 6% 0% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 58% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
15:00
1036hPa 0J/kg 81% 12°C 4% 2% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 81% 0mm 4.8m/s 2.7m/s 4.5m/s
16:00
1036hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 3% 5% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
17:00
1036hPa 0J/kg 47% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 47% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
18:00
1037hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 5% 0mm 4.5m/s 1m/s 4.5m/s
19:00
1037hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 5% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
20:00
1037hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 5% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
21:00
1038hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ 2.2° 5% 0mm 2.7m/s 1.3m/s 4.1m/s
22:00
1037hPa 0J/kg 3% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -3.4° 3% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
23:00
1037hPa 0J/kg 2% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -8° 2% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
Tue, Apr 21 Sunrise 05:38 Sunset 21:31
24:00
1037hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 0% 0mm 3.8m/s 2.6m/s 3.6m/s
01:00
1037hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 0% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
02:00
1037hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 0% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
03:00
1037hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 0% 0mm 3.2m/s 3.7m/s 3.1m/s
04:00
1036hPa 0J/kg 2% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ -8.5° 2% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
05:00
1036hPa 0J/kg 3% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -4.1° 3% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
06:00
1036hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 1.5° 5% 0mm 2.5m/s 3.7m/s 4m/s
07:00
1036hPa 0J/kg 5% 14°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 7.3° 5% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
08:00
1036hPa 0J/kg 5% 14°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 14° 5% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
09:00
1035hPa 0J/kg 5% 14°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 20° 5% 0mm 2m/s 2.6m/s 4.3m/s
10:00
1035hPa 0J/kg 3% 14°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 26° 3% 0mm - - 4m/s
11:00
1035hPa 0J/kg 2% 14°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 2% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
12:00
1035hPa 0J/kg 0% 14°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 0% 0mm 2.7m/s 0.84m/s 3.3m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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