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Rule Storm Chaser

Hvítserkur - Storm Chaser - Iceland Coast

Hvammstangi, Northwest, 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 47% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts3.9m/s
Precipitation Chance34%
Air Pressure991.6hPa
CAPE1
Lifted Index9.6°C
Wind Gusts3.9m/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 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
05:000%39%0J/kg8.8°C24134m7.8m/s
06:000%39%0J/kg10°C24135m7.4m/s
07:000%46%9J/kg11°C24134m6.2m/s
08:0013%39%12J/kg12°C24135m5.6m/s
09:0012%42%12J/kg12°C24134m5.6m/s
10:0013%86%8J/kg11°C24134m5.2m/s
11:000%51%5J/kg9.4°C23565m5.6m/s
12:0014%27%0J/kg9.4°C24134m3.5m/s
13:000%22%2J/kg10°C24134m3.7m/s
14:000%21%1J/kg9.6°C24135m3.9m/s
15:0013%21%0J/kg9.1°C24135m4.4m/s
16:000%27%0J/kg8.5°C24135m4.1m/s
17:000%25%1J/kg7.8°C24135m2.6m/s
18:0012%23%2J/kg7.1°C24134m1.1m/s
19:0014%26%4J/kg6.7°C24134m4.1m/s
20:0019%26%7J/kg6.4°C19708m5.8m/s
21:0021%28%3J/kg5.9°C20584m6.4m/s
22:0024%52%4J/kg5.1°C18029m6.8m/s
23:0032%52%7J/kg4.6°C2414m6.9m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:0051%52%11J/kg4.8°C678m6.1m/s
01:0040%52%4J/kg4.2°C767m2.3m/s
02:0027%51%0J/kg3.6°C7680m4.2m/s
03:0038%48%1J/kg4°C4302m1m/s
04:0022%49%5J/kg2.9°C10227m1.3m/s
05:0022%57%13J/kg2.7°C19193m5.6m/s
06:0035%60%9J/kg3°C23527m5.8m/s
07:0017%63%3J/kg3.8°C24135m3.5m/s
08:0017%68%3J/kg4.5°C24134m4.6m/s
09:0017%49%9J/kg5.3°C24135m5.5m/s
10:0022%38%8J/kg5.4°C24134m5.5m/s
11:0024%55%17J/kg5.1°C24135m4.9m/s
12:0021%34%25J/kg4.9°C24135m4m/s
13:0021%58%23J/kg4.8°C13684m2.8m/s
14:0027%57%23J/kg4.8°C13500m1.6m/s
15:0020%55%21J/kg4.9°C20537m1.2m/s
16:0021%60%19J/kg4.9°C24134m1.6m/s
17:0021%63%14J/kg4.8°C24135m2.1m/s
18:0022%90%17J/kg4.9°C24135m3.1m/s
19:0022%65%14J/kg4.9°C24134m3.7m/s
20:0017%66%19J/kg4.7°C24135m2.7m/s
21:000%61%22J/kg4.7°C24135m1.7m/s
22:000%63%20J/kg4.8°C24135m1.2m/s
23:000%64%14J/kg5.3°C24135m1.1m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:009.1%97%10J/kg5.5°C24135m0.92m/s
01:000%93%7J/kg5.7°C24135m0.91m/s
02:0013%50%3J/kg6°C24135m1.5m/s
03:0012%48%3J/kg6.1°C24134m2.9m/s
04:0015%93%12J/kg6.2°C24135m3.8m/s
05:000%57%9J/kg7.1°C24134m4.7m/s
06:0011%57%2J/kg8.1°C24135m5.3m/s
07:000%67%0J/kg9°C24134m5.3m/s
08:0015%41%0J/kg9.9°C24134m5m/s
09:0015%29%0J/kg11°C24135m4.8m/s
10:0014%34%5J/kg10°C24134m5.6m/s
11:0013%100%16J/kg9.8°C24134m6.2m/s
12:0013%60%16J/kg9.6°C24134m7.5m/s
13:000%67%14J/kg9.6°C24135m7.9m/s
14:0016%48%13J/kg9.5°C24134m9.2m/s
15:0014%66%10J/kg9.5°C24134m9.7m/s
16:0013%61%12J/kg9.3°C24135m11m/s
17:0016%71%9J/kg9.6°C24135m10m/s
18:0025%46%7J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
19:000%55%4.7J/kg9.5°C24135m11m/s
20:000%55%2.3J/kg8.5°C24135m11m/s
21:0017%65%0J/kg7.6°C24135m11m/s
22:000%68%0J/kg5.6°C24135m10m/s
23:000%100%0J/kg3.6°C24135m10m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:0017%100%0J/kg1.7°C24135m9.9m/s
01:000%100%0J/kg3.2°C24135m11m/s
02:0013%82%0J/kg4.8°C24135m12m/s
03:0027%26%0J/kg6.3°C24135m13m/s
04:0013%53%0J/kg5.3°C24135m14m/s
05:0013%65%0J/kg4.2°C24135m14m/s
06:0015%42%0J/kg3.2°C24135m15m/s
07:0013%86%0J/kg3.8°C24135m15m/s
08:000%64%0J/kg4.4°C24135m14m/s
09:000%54%0J/kg5°C24135m14m/s
10:000%54%0J/kg4.8°C24135m14m/s
11:000%74%0J/kg4.6°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
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 02:48 Sunset 24:09
14:00
992hPa 1J/kg 0.01fraction 0% 9.6°C 100% 0% 34% 0mm 74% 0mm 15dBZ 47° 100% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
15:00
991hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 9.1°C 100% 0% 26% 0mm 72% 0mm 12dBZ 45° 100% 0mm 8m/s 15m/s 3.4m/s
16:00
991hPa 0J/kg 0.01fraction 0% 8.5°C 88% 0% 37% 0mm 72% 0mm 2.4dBZ 41° 88% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
17:00
991hPa 1J/kg 0.02fraction 0% 7.8°C 100% 0% 48% 0mm 72% 0mm -7.3dBZ 35° 100% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
18:00
990hPa 2J/kg 0.03fraction 0% 7.1°C 100% 0% 59% 0.02mm 76% 0mm -17dBZ 30° 100% 0mm 11m/s 16m/s 1.1m/s
19:00
990hPa 4J/kg 0.02fraction 0% 6.7°C 100% 0% 70% 0mm 84% 0mm -7.9dBZ 23° 100% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
20:00
990hPa 7J/kg 0.01fraction 0% 6.4°C 100% 0% 81% 0.02mm 91% 0mm 1.2dBZ 17° 100% 0mm - - 5m/s
21:00
989hPa 3J/kg 0fraction 0% 5.9°C 97% 0% 92% 0.04mm 94% 0mm 10dBZ 11° 97% 0mm 14m/s 17m/s 5.1m/s
22:00
989hPa 4J/kg 0fraction 0% 5.1°C 100% 93% 94% 0.22mm 96% 0mm 13dBZ 6.5° 100% 0.13mm - - 5.2m/s
23:00
988hPa 7J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.6°C 100% 100% 97% 1.9mm 98% 0mm 15dBZ 2.5° 100% 1.3mm - - 5.1m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 02:52 Sunset 24:05
24:00
987hPa 11J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.8°C 100% 100% 99% 4.7mm 99% 0mm 17dBZ -0.02° 100% 4.2mm 17m/s 23m/s 4.6m/s
01:00
988hPa 4J/kg 0.01fraction 0% 4.2°C 100% 100% 73% 6.9mm 99% 0.04mm 21dBZ -1.9° 100% 7.1mm - - 2m/s
02:00
987hPa 0J/kg 0.01fraction 0% 3.6°C 100% 100% 47% 1.1mm 99% 0.01mm 25dBZ -1.9° 100% 11mm - - 3.8m/s
03:00
987hPa 1J/kg 0.02fraction 0% 4°C 100% 98% 21% 1mm 97% 0.09mm 29dBZ 0.04° 100% 11mm 8.4m/s 8.8m/s 0.74m/s
04:00
987hPa 5J/kg 0.01fraction 0% 2.9°C 100% 100% 32% 0.43mm 95% 0.05mm 12dBZ 2.6° 100% 12mm - - 0.33m/s
05:00
987hPa 13J/kg 0.01fraction 0% 2.7°C 100% 99% 43% 0.37mm 92% 0.08mm -3.8dBZ 6.6° 100% 13mm - - 3.2m/s
06:00
987hPa 9J/kg 0fraction 0% 3°C 100% 93% 54% 0.15mm 87% 0.08mm -20dBZ 12° 100% 13mm 1.1m/s 12m/s 3.6m/s
07:00
988hPa 3J/kg 0fraction 0% 3.8°C 100% 71% 64% 0.08mm 84% 0.02mm -17dBZ 17° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.1m/s
08:00
988hPa 3J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.5°C 100% 27% 74% 0.01mm 82% 0.01mm -15dBZ 23° 100% 0.19mm - - 2.5m/s
09:00
988hPa 9J/kg 0fraction 0% 5.3°C 76% 4% 84% 0mm 79% 0.01mm -12dBZ 30° 76% 0.19mm 2.6m/s 15m/s 3.6m/s
10:00
988hPa 8J/kg 0.33fraction 0% 5.4°C 11% 4% 87% 0mm 74% 0mm -11dBZ 36° 11% 0.19mm - - 3.9m/s
11:00
988hPa 17J/kg 0.67fraction 0% 5.1°C 43% 4% 90% 0mm 69% 0.04mm -11dBZ 41° 43% 0.19mm - - 3.5m/s
12:00
988hPa 25J/kg 1fraction 0% 4.9°C 85% 9% 93% 0mm 68% 0.2mm -9.7dBZ 45° 85% 0.38mm 0.56m/s 11m/s 3m/s
13:00
988hPa 23J/kg 1fraction 0% 4.8°C 90% 61% 92% 0mm 70% 0.54mm 0.51dBZ 47° 90% 0.38mm - - 2.1m/s
14:00
988hPa 23J/kg 1fraction 0% 4.8°C 90% 86% 91% 0mm 71% 0.49mm 11dBZ 47° 91% 0.88mm - - 1.1m/s
15:00
988hPa 21J/kg 1fraction 0% 4.9°C 89% 100% 91% 0mm 72% 0.24mm 21dBZ 44° 100% 1.3mm 2.3m/s 3.9m/s 0.65m/s
16:00
988hPa 19J/kg 0.9fraction 5% 4.9°C 64% 100% 91% 0mm 72% 0.07mm 22dBZ 41° 100% 1.6mm - - 1.4m/s
17:00
989hPa 14J/kg 0.8fraction 5% 4.8°C 56% 98% 90% 0mm 74% 0.09mm 22dBZ 35° 98% 1.8mm - - 2.3m/s
18:00
989hPa 17J/kg 0.69fraction 5% 4.9°C 43% 59% 90% 0mm 77% 0.14mm 23dBZ 29° 59% 1.9mm 4.2m/s 2.1m/s 3.4m/s
19:00
989hPa 14J/kg 0.56fraction 0% 4.9°C 67% 100% 73% 0mm 83% 0.08mm 16dBZ 23° 100% 0.19mm - - 3.7m/s
20:00
990hPa 19J/kg 0.43fraction 0% 4.7°C 85% 82% 56% 0.04mm 86% 0.03mm 8.7dBZ 17° 87% 0.31mm - - 2.7m/s
21:00
991hPa 22J/kg 0.29fraction 0% 4.7°C 100% 50% 39% 0.04mm 87% 0.03mm 1.3dBZ 11° 100% 0.44mm 3.7m/s 6.2m/s 2m/s
22:00
991hPa 20J/kg 0.23fraction 0% 4.8°C 100% 65% 45% 0.01mm 88% 0.02mm 0.37dBZ 6.4° 100% 0.5mm - - 0.63m/s
23:00
992hPa 14J/kg 0.17fraction 0% 5.3°C 99% 42% 50% 0mm 88% 0.01mm -0.61dBZ 2.4° 99% 0.56mm - - 0.25m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 02:56 Sunset 23:59
24:00
992hPa 10J/kg 0.1fraction 0% 5.5°C 60% 20% 56% 0mm 89% 0.02mm -1.6dBZ -0.22° 60% 0.56mm 3.7m/s 12m/s 0.36m/s
01:00
993hPa 7J/kg 0.4fraction 0% 5.7°C 27% 17% 50% 0mm 90% 0.01mm 2.4dBZ -2° 28% 0mm - - 0.66m/s
02:00
993hPa 3J/kg 0.7fraction 0% 6°C 16% 1% 45% 0mm 90% 0mm 6.3dBZ -2° 16% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
03:00
993hPa 3J/kg 1fraction 0% 6.1°C 15% 0% 39% 0mm 88% 0.01mm 10dBZ -0.14° 15% 0mm 4.5m/s 12m/s 2.7m/s
04:00
994hPa 12J/kg 0.67fraction 0% 6.2°C 55% 11% 45% 0mm 88% 0.02mm 0.2dBZ 2.5° 55% 0.06mm - - 3.2m/s
05:00
994hPa 9J/kg 0.33fraction 0% 7.1°C 24% 4% 50% 0mm 88% 0.02mm -9.9dBZ 6.5° 24% 0.13mm - - 3.6m/s
06:00
995hPa 2J/kg 0fraction 0% 8.1°C 21% 1% 56% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 21% 0.13mm 2m/s 11m/s 4m/s
07:00
996hPa 0J/kg 0.33fraction 5% 9°C 21% 0% 50% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 21% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
08:00
996hPa 0J/kg 0.67fraction 5% 9.9°C 9% 0% 45% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 9% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
09:00
997hPa 0J/kg 1fraction 5% 11°C 5% 5% 39% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 5% 0mm 6.9m/s 19m/s 3.6m/s
10:00
998hPa 5J/kg 0.78fraction 6% 10°C 10% 5% 39% 0mm 66% 0mm -17dBZ 35° 10% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
11:00
998hPa 16J/kg 0.55fraction 11% 9.8°C 61% 20% 39% 0mm 64% 0.02mm -14dBZ 41° 61% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
12:00
998hPa 16J/kg 0.33fraction 4% 9.6°C 64% 5% 39% 0mm 64% 0.04mm -11dBZ 44° 64% 0.06mm 8.5m/s 14m/s 5.7m/s
13:00
999hPa 14J/kg 0.4fraction 5% 9.6°C 65% 0% 26% 0mm 64% 0.03mm -11dBZ 47° 65% 0.06mm - - 5.9m/s
14:00
1000hPa 13J/kg 0.47fraction 4% 9.5°C 82% 0% 13% 0mm 63% 0.01mm -11dBZ 47° 82% 0.06mm - - 7.3m/s
15:00
1000hPa 10J/kg 0.54fraction 5% 9.5°C 44% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -12dBZ 44° 44% 0.06mm 7.6m/s 14m/s 7.5m/s
16:00
1000hPa 12J/kg 0.5fraction 74% 9.3°C 70% 93% 0% 0mm 67% 0.01mm -12dBZ 40° 97% 0.06mm - - 8.3m/s
17:00
1001hPa 9J/kg 0.46fraction 5% 9.6°C 6% 26% 0% 0mm 70% 0.01mm -12dBZ 35° 26% 0.06mm - - 7.5m/s
18:00
1001hPa 7J/kg 0.41fraction 96% 10°C 64% 7% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -13dBZ 29° 96% 0.13mm 9m/s 15m/s 8.2m/s
19:00
1002hPa 4.7J/kg 0.28fraction 83% 9.5°C 76% 38% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -15dBZ 23° 97% 0.08mm - - 7.7m/s
20:00
1003hPa 2.3J/kg 0.14fraction 70% 8.5°C 88% 69% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -18dBZ 17° 99% 0.04mm - - 7.1m/s
21:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 57% 7.6°C 100% 100% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 100% 0mm 11m/s 18m/s 6.6m/s
22:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 53% 5.6°C 80% 72% 7% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ 6.3° 85% 0.02mm - - 6.7m/s
23:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 48% 3.6°C 61% 45% 15% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 2.3° 70% 0.04mm - - 6.7m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 02:59 Sunset 23:55
24:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 44% 1.7°C 42% 17% 22% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -0.42° 55% 0.06mm 14m/s 17m/s 6.7m/s
01:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 29% 3.2°C 31% 12% 22% 0mm 78% 0mm -6.4dBZ -2.2° 40% 0.04mm - - 7.7m/s
02:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 15% 4.8°C 21% 7% 22% 0mm 77% 0mm 7.2dBZ -2.1° 25% 0.02mm - - 8.7m/s
03:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 6.3°C 10% 2% 22% 0mm 76% 0mm 21dBZ -0.36° 10% 0mm 12m/s 13m/s 9.7m/s
04:00
1003hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 2% 5.3°C 36% 2% 31% 0mm 77% 0mm 7.2dBZ 2.4° 36% 0mm - - 10m/s
05:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 5% 4.2°C 62% 1% 41% 0mm 77% 0mm -6.4dBZ 6.3° 62% 0mm - - 10m/s
06:00
1004hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 8% 3.2°C 88% 0% 50% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 88% 0mm 7.9m/s 9.9m/s 11m/s
07:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 37% 3.8°C 77% 34% 46% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 92% 0mm - - 10m/s
08:00
1005hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 67% 4.4°C 66% 67% 43% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 23° 96% 0mm - - 10m/s
09:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 97% 5°C 55% 100% 39% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 100% 0mm 9.3m/s 9.2m/s 10m/s
10:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 65% 4.8°C 42% 95% 39% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 95% 0mm - - 10m/s
11:00
1006hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 32% 4.6°C 30% 90% 39% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 40° 90% 0mm - - 10m/s
12:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.4°C 17% 85% 39% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 44° 85% 0mm 12m/s 9.7m/s 10m/s
13:00
1007hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 33% 5.9°C 36% 57% 33% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 90% 0mm - - 10m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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