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Rule Storm Chaser

Dyrhólaey - Storm Chaser - Iceland Coast

Vik, South, 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)
CAPE 100% failing
Storm Intensity 99% failing
Visibility 56% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts16.8m/s
Precipitation Chance95%
Air Pressure945.2hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index4.7°C
Wind Gusts16.8m/s
Precipitation1.0mm

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, Feb 21
19:0044%77%3J/kg12°C69m19m/s
20:0049%0%2J/kg11°C50m19m/s
21:0058%0%0J/kg11°C49m19m/s
22:0054%0%2J/kg9.7°C57m19m/s
23:0054%0%4J/kg8.9°C69m18m/s
Sun, Feb 22
24:0056%0.3%9J/kg7.9°C3416m18m/s
01:0044%0.8%2J/kg8°C47m19m/s
02:0049%2%0J/kg7.7°C47m19m/s
03:0059%0.7%0J/kg7.6°C81m18m/s
04:0047%0.5%0J/kg7.8°C142m18m/s
05:0051%0.1%0J/kg7.2°C145m18m/s
06:0062%1.1%0J/kg6.4°C133m18m/s
07:0040%0.3%1J/kg6.1°C144m18m/s
08:0043%99%0J/kg6°C167m18m/s
09:0050%99%0J/kg6.1°C208m17m/s
10:0046%88%0J/kg6.1°C147m17m/s
11:0046%88%0J/kg5.9°C113m16m/s
12:0052%89%2J/kg5.4°C80m16m/s
13:0036%71%0J/kg4°C1750m17m/s
14:0039%70%0J/kg4.1°C363m17m/s
15:0050%76%0J/kg4.2°C220m17m/s
16:0042%89%0J/kg4.4°C161m17m/s
17:0047%99%0J/kg4.5°C115m17m/s
18:0053%100%0J/kg4.6°C108m17m/s
19:0042%97%0J/kg4.7°C90m17m/s
20:0042%4.7%0J/kg4.4°C157m17m/s
21:0053%2.3%0J/kg4.1°C320m17m/s
22:0047%2.2%0J/kg3.8°C331m17m/s
23:0047%3.1%0J/kg3.7°C198m16m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:0051%3.4%0J/kg3.6°C171m15m/s
01:0035%5.1%0J/kg3.8°C142m14m/s
02:0038%5.9%0J/kg3.9°C190m14m/s
03:0044%4.4%0J/kg3.7°C210m12m/s
04:0034%6.5%0J/kg3.7°C226m10m/s
05:0034%8.4%0J/kg3.4°C309m9.6m/s
06:0044%6.7%0J/kg3.3°C510m10m/s
07:0022%3.4%0J/kg3.3°C432m10m/s
08:0022%68%0J/kg3.1°C358m9.9m/s
09:0039%66%0J/kg3.1°C273m9.9m/s
10:0022%65%0J/kg2.9°C206m11m/s
11:0035%60%0J/kg2.6°C152m11m/s
12:0043%61%0J/kg2.4°C144m12m/s
13:0037%65%1J/kg2.3°C102m13m/s
14:0037%78%1J/kg2.6°C106m12m/s
15:0043%62%1J/kg2.6°C82m7.8m/s
16:0040%60%1J/kg2.3°C436m4.1m/s
17:0041%64%3J/kg2.7°C330m3.7m/s
18:0047%70%6J/kg3.8°C169m8.3m/s
19:0024%70%4J/kg3.9°C130m9.4m/s
20:0037%80%20J/kg4.4°C207m9.9m/s
21:0037%0.9%16J/kg5.6°C2407m12m/s
22:0025%0.7%24J/kg7.9°C11053m12m/s
23:0024%0%17J/kg9°C11065m11m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:0044%0%0J/kg8.9°C8702m11m/s
01:0040%0%5J/kg8.4°C115m12m/s
02:0044%0%8J/kg8.2°C109m11m/s
03:0051%0%1J/kg7.8°C67m12m/s
04:0049%0%10J/kg8°C73m13m/s
05:0049%0%2J/kg8°C84m12m/s
06:0055%0%7J/kg8.8°C100m12m/s
07:0042%62%1J/kg9.3°C74m13m/s
08:0042%73%1J/kg9.8°C52m13m/s
09:0049%70%0J/kg9.7°C52m12m/s
10:0043%67%0J/kg9.7°C49m11m/s
11:0040%57%0J/kg9°C62m5.3m/s
12:0034%57%0J/kg8.3°C5699m4.5m/s
13:000%57%0J/kg8.2°C24134m4m/s
14:000%55%0J/kg9°C24135m6.2m/s
15:000%43%0J/kg8.5°C24135m6.1m/s
16:000%43%0J/kg7.6°C24134m5.9m/s
17:000%52%0J/kg7.3°C24135m6m/s
18:000%68%0J/kg7.6°C11229m5.6m/s
19:000%30%0J/kg7.9°C24134m6m/s
20:000%51%0J/kg8.6°C24134m7.7m/s
21:0034%14%0J/kg8.8°C18964m9.4m/s
22:000%14%0J/kg9.1°C21936m9.2m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg9.4°C12887m8.5m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:0025%15%0J/kg10°C12074m11m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg12°C16057m8.1m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg15°C20040m5.7m/s
03:0019%0%0J/kg17°C24023m3.2m/s
04:000%0%1.7J/kg17°C16059m3.1m/s
05:000%0%3.3J/kg17°C8095m3m/s
06:0037%0%5J/kg17°C131m2.8m/s
07:0016%71%7.7J/kg16°C3781m5.8m/s
08:0019%76%10J/kg15°C7431m8.8m/s
09:0042%67%13J/kg14°C11082m12m/s
10:0019%67%12J/kg14°C11093m11m/s
11:0022%62%12J/kg14°C11105m11m/s
12:0043%73%11J/kg14°C11117m10m/s
13:0023%62%14J/kg13°C11106m9.7m/s
14:0019%65%16J/kg12°C11096m9.4m/s
15:0033%65%19J/kg11°C11085m9m/s
16:0020%62%16J/kg11°C9010m8.1m/s
17:0021%67%12J/kg11°C6935m7.2m/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, Feb 22 Sunrise 08:45 Sunset 18:14
19:00
945hPa 0J/kg 50% 4.7°C 100% 52% 95% 1.2mm 97% 0.01mm 19dBZ -5.6° 100% 1mm - - 11m/s
20:00
946hPa 0J/kg 49% 4.4°C 98% 100% 90% 0.84mm 96% 0.01mm 15dBZ -12° 100% 1.9mm - - 10m/s
21:00
946hPa 0J/kg 5% 4.1°C 99% 100% 85% 0.51mm 94% 0mm 10dBZ -19° 100% 2.6mm 11m/s 13m/s 9.1m/s
22:00
947hPa 0J/kg 13% 3.8°C 98% 100% 87% 0.43mm 93% 0.01mm 10dBZ -25° 100% 3mm - - 9.4m/s
23:00
947hPa 0J/kg 42% 3.7°C 98% 93% 90% 0.61mm 95% 0.01mm 10dBZ -30° 99% 3.5mm - - 8.4m/s
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 08:42 Sunset 18:17
24:00
947hPa 0J/kg 57% 3.6°C 98% 71% 92% 0.67mm 95% 0mm 9.9dBZ -34° 99% 4.1mm 11m/s 12m/s 8.8m/s
01:00
948hPa 0J/kg 23% 3.8°C 98% 88% 92% 0.72mm 96% 0mm 9.8dBZ -36° 98% 0.63mm - - 7.6m/s
02:00
948hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.9°C 97% 62% 91% 0.5mm 95% 0mm 9.8dBZ -36° 97% 1.2mm - - 6.7m/s
03:00
949hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.7°C 99% 80% 90% 0.44mm 94% 0mm 9.7dBZ -34° 99% 1.6mm 12m/s 12m/s 5.7m/s
04:00
949hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.7°C 99% 93% 93% 0.39mm 94% 0mm 0.75dBZ -30° 100% 2mm - - 5.4m/s
05:00
949hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.4°C 99% 77% 96% 0.24mm 94% 0mm -8.2dBZ -25° 99% 2.3mm - - 5.2m/s
06:00
949hPa 0J/kg 1% 3.3°C 92% 72% 99% 0.17mm 94% 0mm -17dBZ -19° 92% 2.5mm 11m/s 13m/s 5m/s
07:00
949hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.3°C 88% 47% 96% 0.21mm 95% 0mm -9.1dBZ -12° 88% 0.19mm - - 5m/s
08:00
950hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.1°C 90% 71% 93% 0.21mm 96% 0mm -1dBZ -5.3° 90% 0.38mm - - 4.9m/s
09:00
950hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.1°C 99% 78% 90% 0.25mm 96% 0mm 7dBZ 1.4° 99% 0.56mm 12m/s 15m/s 4.8m/s
10:00
951hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.9°C 100% 100% 92% 0.34mm 96% 0mm 12dBZ 6.9° 100% 0.81mm - - 4.7m/s
11:00
951hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.6°C 100% 84% 95% 0.5mm 97% 0mm 17dBZ 12° 100% 1.3mm - - 4.4m/s
12:00
950hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.4°C 100% 90% 97% 0.56mm 97% 0mm 23dBZ 15° 100% 1.8mm 13m/s 14m/s 4.8m/s
13:00
950hPa 1J/kg 0% 2.3°C 100% 94% 96% 1.2mm 98% 0mm 21dBZ 17° 100% 0.81mm - - 4.9m/s
14:00
950hPa 1J/kg 58% 2.6°C 100% 81% 95% 1.6mm 98% 0mm 19dBZ 17° 100% 2.3mm - - 4.5m/s
15:00
949hPa 1J/kg 100% 2.6°C 100% 100% 94% 2.6mm 98% 0mm 17dBZ 15° 100% 4.4mm 7.2m/s 13m/s 3.6m/s
16:00
949hPa 1J/kg 100% 2.3°C 100% 100% 96% 2.1mm 98% 0.03mm 19dBZ 12° 100% 6.7mm - - 2.7m/s
17:00
949hPa 3J/kg 100% 2.7°C 100% 100% 97% 1.1mm 98% 0.03mm 20dBZ 6.9° 100% 8.2mm - - 2.2m/s
18:00
948hPa 6J/kg 100% 3.8°C 100% 100% 98% 1.1mm 98% 0.07mm 22dBZ 1.4° 100% 9.3mm 4.8m/s 15m/s 2.4m/s
19:00
948hPa 4J/kg 100% 3.9°C 100% 100% 99% 0.97mm 98% 0.12mm 22dBZ -5.3° 100% 0.94mm - - 3.7m/s
20:00
947hPa 20J/kg 31% 4.4°C 99% 100% 99% 0.51mm 98% 0.25mm 22dBZ -12° 100% 1.8mm - - 4.4m/s
21:00
947hPa 16J/kg 5% 5.6°C 96% 89% 100% 0.19mm 98% 0.21mm 22dBZ -19° 96% 2.3mm 5m/s 19m/s 5.1m/s
22:00
947hPa 24J/kg 95% 7.9°C 89% 67% 100% 0.13mm 98% 0.26mm 23dBZ -25° 99% 2.7mm - - 6.2m/s
23:00
946hPa 17J/kg 100% 9°C 100% 100% 100% 0.11mm 96% 0.22mm 25dBZ -30° 100% 3mm - - 6.2m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 08:39 Sunset 18:20
24:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.9°C 100% 100% 100% 0.93mm 98% 0.09mm 26dBZ -34° 100% 3.4mm 5.3m/s 23m/s 6.4m/s
01:00
944hPa 5J/kg 100% 8.4°C 100% 100% 100% 1.5mm 99% 0.31mm 24dBZ -36° 100% 1.3mm - - 6.2m/s
02:00
943hPa 8J/kg 100% 8.2°C 100% 100% 99% 1.3mm 99% 0.3mm 21dBZ -36° 100% 2.8mm - - 5.8m/s
03:00
942hPa 1J/kg 100% 7.8°C 100% 100% 99% 2.4mm 99% 0.11mm 19dBZ -34° 100% 4.6mm 7.6m/s 23m/s 7m/s
04:00
941hPa 10J/kg 100% 8°C 100% 100% 99% 1.4mm 99% 0.09mm 23dBZ -30° 100% 6.6mm - - 7.4m/s
05:00
940hPa 2J/kg 100% 8°C 100% 100% 99% 1.7mm 99% 0.03mm 27dBZ -24° 100% 8mm - - 6.8m/s
06:00
939hPa 7J/kg 100% 8.8°C 100% 98% 99% 1.1mm 99% 0.14mm 31dBZ -18° 100% 9.3mm 5.9m/s 19m/s 7.3m/s
07:00
937hPa 1J/kg 100% 9.3°C 100% 100% 88% 1mm 99% 0.02mm 31dBZ -12° 100% 1.2mm - - 7m/s
08:00
936hPa 1J/kg 100% 9.8°C 100% 100% 78% 1mm 99% 0.03mm 31dBZ -4.9° 100% 2.1mm - - 6.3m/s
09:00
935hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.7°C 100% 100% 68% 1mm 98% 0mm 32dBZ 1.7° 100% 3mm 5.4m/s 13m/s 6.1m/s
10:00
934hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.7°C 100% 100% 65% 0.62mm 98% 0mm 31dBZ 7.2° 100% 3.9mm - - 5.4m/s
11:00
933hPa 0J/kg 100% 9°C 100% 100% 63% 0.02mm 98% 0mm 30dBZ 12° 100% 4.1mm - - 4m/s
12:00
932hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.3°C 100% 100% 60% 0mm 96% 0mm 30dBZ 15° 100% 4.2mm 4.3m/s 12m/s 4.2m/s
13:00
931hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.2°C 81% 100% 42% 0mm 90% 0mm 19dBZ 17° 100% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
14:00
931hPa 0J/kg 100% 9°C 54% 100% 23% 0mm 84% 0mm 7.8dBZ 17° 100% 0mm - - 5m/s
15:00
931hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.5°C 0% 100% 5% 0mm 79% 0mm -3.2dBZ 15° 100% 0mm 7.3m/s 3.9m/s 5m/s
16:00
931hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.6°C 2% 100% 3% 0mm 80% 0mm -8.8dBZ 12° 100% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
17:00
932hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.3°C 3% 100% 2% 0mm 84% 0mm -14dBZ 7.2° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
18:00
933hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.6°C 32% 68% 0% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 1.7° 100% 0mm 11m/s 9.8m/s 5.4m/s
19:00
934hPa 0J/kg 98% 7.9°C 9% 0% 13% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ -5° 98% 0mm - - 5.6m/s
20:00
935hPa 0J/kg 13% 8.6°C 3% 0% 26% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 13% 0mm - - 6.8m/s
21:00
937hPa 0J/kg 6% 8.8°C 17% 0% 39% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 19% 0mm 17m/s 22m/s 8.4m/s
22:00
939hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.1°C 2% 0% 32% 0.01mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 5% 0mm - - 7.6m/s
23:00
941hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.4°C 2% 0% 24% 0.02mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 2% 0mm - - 7.2m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 08:35 Sunset 18:23
24:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 2% 0% 17% 0.03mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 2% 0.06mm 20m/s 25m/s 6.9m/s
01:00
946hPa 0J/kg 33% 12°C 5% 0% 17% 0.03mm 82% 0.003mm -20dBZ -35° 35% 0.06mm - - 5.7m/s
02:00
950hPa 0J/kg 67% 15°C 9% 0% 17% 0.03mm 83% 0.007mm -20dBZ -35° 67% 0.06mm - - 4.5m/s
03:00
954hPa 0J/kg 100% 17°C 12% 0% 17% 0.03mm 84% 0.01mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0.06mm 22m/s 25m/s 3.3m/s
04:00
954hPa 1.7J/kg 71% 17°C 41% 1% 21% 0.12mm 87% 0.02mm -20dBZ -29° 99% 0.21mm - - 2.5m/s
05:00
954hPa 3.3J/kg 42% 17°C 70% 3% 25% 0.2mm 90% 0.03mm -20dBZ -24° 99% 0.35mm - - 1.6m/s
06:00
954hPa 5J/kg 13% 17°C 98% 4% 30% 0.29mm 93% 0.04mm -20dBZ -18° 98% 0.5mm 23m/s 27m/s 0.8m/s
07:00
954hPa 7.7J/kg 33% 16°C 99% 36% 36% 0.39mm 90% 0.05mm -20dBZ -11° 99% 0.94mm - - 3.3m/s
08:00
953hPa 10J/kg 54% 15°C 99% 68% 43% 0.49mm 86% 0.06mm -20dBZ -4.6° 99% 1.4mm - - 5.8m/s
09:00
952hPa 13J/kg 75% 14°C 100% 100% 49% 0.59mm 83% 0.07mm -20dBZ 100% 1.8mm 18m/s 28m/s 8.4m/s
10:00
951hPa 12J/kg 68% 14°C 100% 80% 55% 0.51mm 82% 0.05mm -9.8dBZ 7.6° 100% 2.3mm - - 7.8m/s
11:00
951hPa 12J/kg 62% 14°C 100% 61% 61% 0.43mm 80% 0.03mm -0.01dBZ 12° 100% 2.8mm - - 7.3m/s
12:00
950hPa 11J/kg 56% 14°C 100% 42% 66% 0.35mm 79% 0.01mm 9.8dBZ 16° 100% 3.3mm 16m/s 22m/s 6.7m/s
13:00
949hPa 14J/kg 69% 13°C 100% 57% 69% 0.35mm 80% 0.07mm 11dBZ 17° 100% 2.6mm - - 6.6m/s
14:00
948hPa 16J/kg 82% 12°C 100% 72% 71% 0.34mm 82% 0.14mm 13dBZ 17° 100% 2mm - - 6.5m/s
15:00
947hPa 19J/kg 95% 11°C 100% 88% 73% 0.34mm 84% 0.2mm 14dBZ 16° 100% 1.3mm 8.1m/s 16m/s 6.4m/s
16:00
946hPa 16J/kg 96% 11°C 100% 91% 78% 0.43mm 86% 0.17mm 12dBZ 12° 100% 1.9mm - - 5.7m/s
17:00
945hPa 12J/kg 98% 11°C 100% 95% 83% 0.53mm 88% 0.13mm 10dBZ 7.5° 100% 2.6mm - - 5m/s
18:00
944hPa 9J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 98% 87% 0.62mm 90% 0.1mm 8.4dBZ 100% 3.2mm 3.8m/s 17m/s 4.3m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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