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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 72% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover36%
Wind Gusts7.4m/s
Precipitation Chance68%
Air Pressure1005.1hPa
CAPE2
Lifted Index5.8°C
Wind Gusts7.4m/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
Sat, May 23
13:000%36%10J/kg4°C24134m8.5m/s
14:000%35%6J/kg4.2°C24135m8m/s
15:000%35%3J/kg4.2°C24134m8.6m/s
16:0012%40%2J/kg4.2°C24135m9.9m/s
17:0012%46%2J/kg4°C24135m10m/s
18:0012%68%1J/kg4°C24134m12m/s
19:0014%77%4J/kg3.6°C14908m12m/s
20:000%76%13J/kg3.2°C24134m9.2m/s
21:000%65%12J/kg3.5°C12961m7.5m/s
22:0013%70%25J/kg3.7°C10263m6.1m/s
23:0014%88%18J/kg4.6°C24135m8.1m/s
Sun, May 24
24:0020%84%7J/kg5.7°C24135m6.4m/s
01:000%65%20J/kg6°C24135m6m/s
02:000%62%32J/kg5.3°C24050m7.1m/s
03:0013%67%29J/kg5.7°C23111m9.7m/s
04:0013%81%15J/kg6°C20614m13m/s
05:0013%68%1J/kg6.3°C24135m12m/s
06:0017%66%1J/kg6.3°C24134m9.6m/s
07:000%56%18J/kg5.6°C24134m8m/s
08:0013%56%16J/kg5.8°C24134m9.8m/s
09:0026%48%17J/kg5.8°C23618m10m/s
10:000%54%10J/kg6.1°C24135m9.5m/s
11:000%57%5J/kg6°C24134m8.8m/s
12:000%45%7J/kg5.9°C24135m8.2m/s
13:000%50%2J/kg5.8°C24135m7.4m/s
14:000%21%6J/kg5.7°C24135m6.6m/s
15:000%20%4J/kg5.6°C24134m6m/s
16:000%22%3J/kg5.3°C24134m5.1m/s
17:000%21%8J/kg5.1°C24134m4.7m/s
18:000%19%4J/kg4.7°C24134m4.3m/s
19:000%20%2J/kg4.7°C24135m4.2m/s
20:000%22%8J/kg4.5°C24134m4m/s
21:000%22%5J/kg4.2°C24135m3m/s
22:000%25%3J/kg4.2°C24134m2.3m/s
23:000%25%4J/kg4.3°C24135m2.1m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%29%5J/kg3.8°C24135m2.7m/s
01:000%42%5J/kg3.4°C24135m2.6m/s
02:000%65%7J/kg3.3°C24135m1.7m/s
03:000%62%6J/kg3.5°C24135m1.4m/s
04:000%62%5J/kg3.5°C24134m1.6m/s
05:000%64%3J/kg3.6°C24134m1.4m/s
06:000%63%1J/kg3.6°C24134m2.2m/s
07:000%37%0J/kg3.8°C24135m3.4m/s
08:000%49%0J/kg3.8°C24134m4.4m/s
09:000%48%1J/kg4°C24135m4.6m/s
10:000%49%0J/kg4°C24135m4.6m/s
11:000%36%0J/kg3.8°C24134m5.1m/s
12:000%22%0J/kg3.8°C24135m5.3m/s
13:000%21%1J/kg3.8°C24134m5.5m/s
14:000%48%3J/kg4.1°C24134m6.1m/s
15:000%30%7J/kg4.3°C24134m6.4m/s
16:000%32%23J/kg4.1°C24134m6.9m/s
17:000%52%23J/kg4.2°C23964m7m/s
18:000%52%19J/kg4.6°C24134m6.5m/s
19:000%92%12J/kg5.2°C24135m6.2m/s
20:000%92%7J/kg5.8°C24134m5.8m/s
21:000%35%1J/kg6.4°C24135m5.3m/s
22:000%37%0J/kg6.5°C24134m4.8m/s
23:000%75%0J/kg6.6°C24134m5.2m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%75%1J/kg6.8°C24135m5.1m/s
01:000%46%1J/kg6.7°C24134m5.6m/s
02:000%74%7J/kg6.6°C24135m5.6m/s
03:000%74%20J/kg6.3°C24134m6.5m/s
04:000%37%20J/kg6.5°C24134m7.6m/s
05:000%35%23J/kg6.8°C24134m7.7m/s
06:000%34%27J/kg7.2°C24135m7.9m/s
07:000%29%26J/kg7.7°C24134m8.2m/s
08:000%58%18J/kg8.1°C24135m8.5m/s
09:000%32%13J/kg8.9°C24134m8.8m/s
10:000%27%10J/kg9°C24135m9m/s
11:000%30%10J/kg8.8°C24134m9.4m/s
12:000%25%14J/kg8.3°C24134m9.2m/s
13:000%24%15J/kg8.6°C24134m9.2m/s
14:000%22%21J/kg8.7°C22051m10m/s
15:0011%24%3J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
16:000%27%7J/kg11°C24134m12m/s
17:000%22%15J/kg11°C24135m12m/s
18:0011%21%16J/kg11°C24134m12m/s
19:000%25%17J/kg11°C24134m12m/s
20:000%25%18J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
21:0012%23%19J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
22:000%25%20J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
23:000%25%20J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%25%21J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
01:000%81%21J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
02:000%64%20J/kg10°C24135m12m/s
03:0012%64%20J/kg11°C24135m12m/s
04:000%64%19J/kg11°C24135m12m/s
05:000%64%19J/kg11°C24135m12m/s
06:0012%56%18J/kg11°C24135m12m/s
07:000%56%17J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
08:000%56%17J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
09:0011%47%16J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
10:000%47%16J/kg10°C24135m10m/s
11:000%50%16J/kg10°C24135m10m/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 24 Sunrise 03:41 Sunset 23:25
13:00
1005hPa 2J/kg 0% 5.8°C 5% 34% 68% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 36% 0mm - - 5.8m/s
14:00
1005hPa 6J/kg 0% 5.7°C 3% 0% 53% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 3% 0.06mm - - 5.3m/s
15:00
1005hPa 4J/kg 0% 5.6°C 4% 0% 39% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 4% 0.06mm 1.7m/s 16m/s 4.8m/s
16:00
1005hPa 3J/kg 0% 5.3°C 5% 0% 45% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 40° 5% 0.06mm - - 4.2m/s
17:00
1005hPa 8J/kg 0% 5.1°C 5% 0% 50% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 5% 0.06mm - - 3.9m/s
18:00
1005hPa 4J/kg 0% 4.7°C 5% 0% 56% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 5% 0.06mm 1.6m/s 14m/s 3.7m/s
19:00
1005hPa 2J/kg 0% 4.7°C 5% 0% 51% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 5% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
20:00
1005hPa 8J/kg 0% 4.5°C 5% 3% 47% 0mm 75% 0.01mm -20dBZ 16° 5% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
21:00
1005hPa 5J/kg 0% 4.2°C 5% 5% 42% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 10° 5% 0mm 1.5m/s 11m/s 2.7m/s
22:00
1005hPa 3J/kg 0% 4.2°C 2% 5% 49% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 5.1° 5% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
23:00
1005hPa 4J/kg 0% 4.3°C 4% 5% 56% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 1.1° 5% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 03:38 Sunset 23:29
24:00
1005hPa 5J/kg 0% 3.8°C 6% 6% 64% 0mm 76% 0.01mm -20dBZ -2.2° 6% 0.06mm 1.8m/s 5m/s 2m/s
01:00
1005hPa 5J/kg 0% 3.4°C 6% 100% 53% 0.01mm 80% 0mm -17dBZ -3.8° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
02:00
1005hPa 7J/kg 0% 3.3°C 33% 100% 42% 0mm 81% 0.02mm -14dBZ -3.9° 100% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
03:00
1005hPa 6J/kg 0% 3.5°C 86% 99% 31% 0mm 79% 0.01mm -10dBZ -2.4° 99% 0.06mm 0.97m/s 6.3m/s 1.2m/s
04:00
1005hPa 5J/kg 0% 3.5°C 92% 100% 37% 0mm 81% 0.01mm -14dBZ 0.83° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.5m/s
05:00
1005hPa 3J/kg 0% 3.6°C 85% 100% 43% 0mm 82% 0.01mm -17dBZ 4.7° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.2m/s
06:00
1005hPa 1J/kg 0% 3.6°C 60% 100% 49% 0.01mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 9.8° 100% 0.06mm 2.2m/s 9m/s 2.2m/s
07:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.8°C 5% 100% 46% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 100% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
08:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.8°C 5% 82% 42% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 82% 0mm - - 4m/s
09:00
1006hPa 1J/kg 0% 4°C 5% 23% 39% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 23% 0mm 0.85m/s 6.2m/s 3.9m/s
10:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 4°C 5% 76% 39% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 76% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
11:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.8°C 6% 86% 39% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 40° 86% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
12:00
1008hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.8°C 5% 8% 39% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 8% 0mm 2.3m/s 7.5m/s 4.4m/s
13:00
1008hPa 1J/kg 0% 3.8°C 5% 6% 33% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 6% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
14:00
1009hPa 3J/kg 0% 4.1°C 5% 45% 26% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 45% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
15:00
1010hPa 7J/kg 0% 4.3°C 5% 99% 20% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 99% 0mm 1.8m/s 8.3m/s 5.2m/s
16:00
1011hPa 23J/kg 0% 4.1°C 5% 100% 26% 0mm 84% 0.07mm -20dBZ 40° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
17:00
1011hPa 23J/kg 0% 4.2°C 33% 92% 33% 0mm 85% 0.13mm -20dBZ 35° 92% 0.13mm - - 5.4m/s
18:00
1012hPa 19J/kg 0% 4.6°C 35% 86% 39% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -20dBZ 29° 86% 0.19mm 4.3m/s 10m/s 4.8m/s
19:00
1013hPa 12J/kg 0% 5.2°C 43% 49% 43% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -20dBZ 22° 58% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
20:00
1014hPa 7J/kg 0% 5.8°C 57% 22% 46% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -20dBZ 16° 57% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
21:00
1015hPa 1J/kg 0% 6.4°C 85% 5% 50% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -20dBZ 10° 85% 0mm 3.7m/s 3.9m/s 4.2m/s
22:00
1015hPa 0J/kg 5% 6.5°C 100% 5% 65% 0.01mm 86% 0.01mm -20dBZ 5.2° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.1m/s
23:00
1016hPa 0J/kg 5% 6.6°C 100% 29% 80% 0.02mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 1.2° 100% 0.06mm - - 3.9m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 03:35 Sunset 23:32
24:00
1017hPa 1J/kg 5% 6.8°C 100% 20% 95% 0.02mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ -2° 100% 0.13mm 2.9m/s 4.8m/s 3.9m/s
01:00
1017hPa 1J/kg 5% 6.7°C 100% 5% 90% 0.02mm 82% 0mm -12dBZ -3.7° 100% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
02:00
1017hPa 7J/kg 5% 6.6°C 59% 5% 86% 0mm 82% 0.02mm -4.7dBZ -3.7° 59% 0.06mm - - 4.6m/s
03:00
1018hPa 20J/kg 5% 6.3°C 31% 5% 82% 0mm 86% 0.07mm 2.9dBZ -2.2° 31% 0.06mm 3.9m/s 5.4m/s 5.1m/s
04:00
1018hPa 20J/kg 5% 6.5°C 5% 5% 86% 0mm 87% 0.07mm 6.5dBZ 0.98° 5% 0.19mm - - 6.1m/s
05:00
1018hPa 23J/kg 5% 6.8°C 5% 0% 90% 0mm 88% 0.06mm 10dBZ 4.9° 5% 0.25mm - - 6.3m/s
06:00
1018hPa 27J/kg 5% 7.2°C 5% 0% 95% 0mm 88% 0.02mm 14dBZ 9.9° 5% 0.31mm 5.9m/s 6m/s 6.5m/s
07:00
1018hPa 26J/kg 0% 7.7°C 5% 0% 76% 0mm 88% 0.04mm 14dBZ 16° 5% 0.06mm - - 6.7m/s
08:00
1019hPa 18J/kg 5% 8.1°C 21% 5% 58% 0mm 87% 0.07mm 14dBZ 22° 21% 0.13mm - - 7.1m/s
09:00
1019hPa 13J/kg 5% 8.9°C 85% 2% 39% 0mm 82% 0.06mm 14dBZ 28° 85% 0.13mm 7m/s 6m/s 7.3m/s
10:00
1019hPa 10J/kg 0% 9°C 94% 0% 59% 0mm 78% 0.03mm 14dBZ 34° 94% 0.19mm - - 7.4m/s
11:00
1019hPa 10J/kg 0% 8.8°C 99% 0% 79% 0mm 77% 0.03mm 13dBZ 40° 99% 0.25mm - - 7.6m/s
12:00
1020hPa 14J/kg 0% 8.3°C 100% 0% 98% 0mm 82% 0.05mm 13dBZ 44° 100% 0.31mm 8m/s 9.5m/s 7.3m/s
13:00
1020hPa 15J/kg 0% 8.6°C 99% 0% 93% 0mm 86% 0.04mm 9.4dBZ 46° 99% 0.06mm - - 6.7m/s
14:00
1021hPa 21J/kg 0% 8.7°C 99% 0% 87% 0.01mm 88% 0.15mm 6dBZ 46° 99% 0.19mm - - 8.2m/s
15:00
1021hPa 3J/kg 0% 10°C 97% 0% 82% 0.01mm 85% 0.01mm 2.6dBZ 44° 97% 0.25mm 5.1m/s 10m/s 11m/s
16:00
1021hPa 7J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 0% 88% 0.01mm 78% 0.02mm 4.9dBZ 40° 100% 0.25mm - - 11m/s
17:00
1021hPa 15J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 0% 93% 0.01mm 80% 0.07mm 7.3dBZ 35° 100% 0.31mm - - 10m/s
18:00
1021hPa 16J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 0% 99% 0.02mm 81% 0.06mm 9.6dBZ 29° 100% 0.44mm 7.2m/s 12m/s 10m/s
19:00
1021hPa 17J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 1% 99% 0.02mm 81% 0.07mm 10dBZ 23° 100% 0.42mm - - 10m/s
20:00
1021hPa 18J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 2% 98% 0.03mm 81% 0.09mm 11dBZ 16° 100% 0.4mm - - 10m/s
21:00
1021hPa 19J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 2% 98% 0.03mm 81% 0.1mm 11dBZ 11° 100% 0.38mm 7.1m/s 10m/s 10m/s
22:00
1020hPa 20J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 2% 99% 0.04mm 80% 0.08mm 12dBZ 5.4° 100% 0.48mm - - 10m/s
23:00
1020hPa 20J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 1% 99% 0.06mm 80% 0.06mm 12dBZ 1.4° 100% 0.58mm - - 9.9m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 03:32 Sunset 23:36
24:00
1020hPa 21J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 0% 99% 0.07mm 80% 0.04mm 13dBZ -1.8° 100% 0.69mm 6.7m/s 9.7m/s 9.9m/s
01:00
1020hPa 21J/kg 32% 10°C 100% 22% 96% 0.05mm 79% 0.05mm 13dBZ -3.5° 100% 0.56mm - - 10m/s
02:00
1020hPa 20J/kg 65% 10°C 100% 43% 93% 0.04mm 79% 0.07mm 13dBZ -3.6° 100% 0.44mm - - 10m/s
03:00
1021hPa 20J/kg 97% 11°C 100% 65% 90% 0.02mm 78% 0.08mm 14dBZ -2° 100% 0.31mm 7.4m/s 13m/s 10m/s
04:00
1021hPa 19J/kg 98% 11°C 99% 69% 93% 0.03mm 78% 0.07mm 13dBZ 1.1° 100% 0.4mm - - 10m/s
05:00
1021hPa 19J/kg 99% 11°C 98% 74% 96% 0.04mm 78% 0.05mm 12dBZ 100% 0.48mm - - 10m/s
06:00
1021hPa 18J/kg 100% 11°C 98% 78% 99% 0.05mm 78% 0.04mm 11dBZ 10° 100% 0.56mm 7.7m/s 14m/s 9.9m/s
07:00
1021hPa 17J/kg 100% 10°C 94% 60% 90% 0.03mm 77% 0.05mm 7.8dBZ 16° 100% 0.46mm - - 9.7m/s
08:00
1021hPa 17J/kg 100% 10°C 91% 42% 81% 0.02mm 77% 0.06mm 4.5dBZ 22° 100% 0.35mm - - 9.6m/s
09:00
1021hPa 16J/kg 100% 10°C 88% 23% 72% 0mm 77% 0.07mm 1.2dBZ 28° 100% 0.25mm 8.2m/s 14m/s 9.4m/s
10:00
1021hPa 16J/kg 66% 10°C 89% 16% 75% 0.01mm 77% 0.06mm 3.7dBZ 35° 97% 0.31mm - - 9m/s
11:00
1021hPa 16J/kg 33% 10°C 90% 8% 78% 0.03mm 77% 0.06mm 6.2dBZ 40° 94% 0.38mm - - 8.7m/s
12:00
1021hPa 16J/kg 0% 10°C 91% 0% 82% 0.04mm 77% 0.05mm 8.6dBZ 44° 91% 0.44mm 7.6m/s 14m/s 8.3m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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