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Rule Storm Chaser

Lóndrangar - Storm Chaser - Iceland Coast

Hellnar, 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 53% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover4%
Wind Gusts6.3m/s
Precipitation Chance76%
Air Pressure997.7hPa
CAPE33
Lifted Index5.3°C
Wind Gusts6.3m/s
Precipitation0.1mm

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%51%14J/kg4°C24134m2.9m/s
14:000%49%18J/kg3.8°C24135m2.1m/s
15:000%51%5J/kg4°C24134m2.3m/s
16:000%61%1J/kg4°C24135m2.3m/s
17:000%63%2J/kg3.5°C24135m1.3m/s
18:000%63%2J/kg3.1°C15362m3m/s
19:000%71%15J/kg3.3°C20693m3.2m/s
20:0015%70%15J/kg3.5°C9431m5.8m/s
21:0018%74%23J/kg3.9°C8274m11m/s
22:0037%68%11J/kg4.9°C535m10m/s
23:0018%87%12J/kg5.8°C24135m9.3m/s
Sun, May 24
24:0027%72%23J/kg6°C13701m9.5m/s
01:0014%92%34J/kg5.5°C14168m10m/s
02:0014%85%38J/kg5.6°C19890m11m/s
03:0025%79%20J/kg6°C19142m12m/s
04:0013%71%5J/kg6°C19310m12m/s
05:0022%67%2J/kg6.5°C24135m9.3m/s
06:0026%69%15J/kg6.6°C24134m8.2m/s
07:000%61%33J/kg5.7°C23851m9m/s
08:000%59%28J/kg5.7°C23138m8.8m/s
09:0016%52%28J/kg6.2°C18013m8.4m/s
10:000%62%30J/kg6.2°C19737m8m/s
11:0013%89%28J/kg5.8°C23022m7.4m/s
12:0024%28%31J/kg5.3°C23802m6.7m/s
13:000%24%33J/kg5.3°C24135m6.3m/s
14:000%23%22J/kg5.3°C21420m6m/s
15:0011%22%15J/kg5°C24134m5.9m/s
16:000%26%11J/kg4.9°C24134m5.5m/s
17:000%34%10J/kg4.6°C24134m5.3m/s
18:0011%22%4J/kg4.5°C24134m4.5m/s
19:000%40%10J/kg4.7°C24135m4.5m/s
20:000%39%8J/kg4.4°C24134m3.9m/s
21:000%27%6J/kg4.3°C24135m4.1m/s
22:000%58%11J/kg4°C24134m4.9m/s
23:000%99%21J/kg3.7°C15187m5.9m/s
Mon, May 25
24:000%71%12J/kg3.6°C23881m6.7m/s
01:000%67%4J/kg3.3°C23921m6.9m/s
02:000%66%3J/kg3.3°C24135m7.4m/s
03:000%62%5J/kg3.4°C20322m6m/s
04:000%97%1J/kg3.4°C23857m5m/s
05:000%64%1J/kg3.3°C24134m4.2m/s
06:000%57%2J/kg3°C24134m3.7m/s
07:000%60%2J/kg2.9°C24135m3.8m/s
08:000%58%4J/kg2.7°C24134m4m/s
09:000%85%1J/kg2.9°C24135m3.8m/s
10:000%80%1J/kg2.8°C24135m3.7m/s
11:000%83%5J/kg2.7°C24134m4.2m/s
12:000%58%4J/kg3.1°C24135m5m/s
13:000%53%3J/kg3.5°C24134m5.8m/s
14:000%37%2J/kg3.7°C24134m6.8m/s
15:000%35%2J/kg4.1°C24134m7.1m/s
16:000%63%2J/kg4.6°C24134m7.6m/s
17:000%36%4J/kg4.5°C24135m7.8m/s
18:0012%63%8J/kg4.2°C24134m7.4m/s
19:000%94%11J/kg4.4°C24135m7m/s
20:000%90%14J/kg4.7°C24134m6.7m/s
21:000%38%19J/kg5.2°C24135m6.5m/s
22:000%40%19J/kg5.4°C24134m6.3m/s
23:000%64%19J/kg5.4°C24134m6.2m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%71%20J/kg5.7°C24135m6.2m/s
01:000%64%20J/kg5.8°C24134m6.3m/s
02:000%54%20J/kg6°C24135m6.1m/s
03:000%43%26J/kg6°C24134m6.1m/s
04:000%35%28J/kg6.1°C24134m5.8m/s
05:000%33%29J/kg6.6°C24134m6m/s
06:000%38%34J/kg6.8°C22145m6.3m/s
07:000%33%33J/kg7.5°C22428m6.5m/s
08:000%57%21J/kg8.2°C24135m6.6m/s
09:000%28%19J/kg8.8°C24134m6.9m/s
10:000%25%13J/kg8.8°C24135m7.7m/s
11:000%29%14J/kg8.6°C24134m8.3m/s
12:000%25%17J/kg8.4°C24134m8.7m/s
13:000%24%22J/kg8.4°C23009m8.8m/s
14:000%26%12J/kg9.3°C23544m9.9m/s
15:0014%20%7J/kg11°C24135m9.6m/s
16:000%19%5J/kg11°C24134m9.6m/s
17:000%20%13J/kg11°C24135m9.7m/s
18:0014%19%14J/kg11°C24134m10m/s
19:000%22%15J/kg11°C24134m10m/s
20:000%25%16J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
21:000%25%17J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
22:000%32%18J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
23:000%32%18J/kg9.9°C24135m11m/s
Wed, May 27
24:000%32%19J/kg9.9°C24135m11m/s
01:000%85%19J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
02:000%64%20J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
03:0014%64%20J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
04:000%64%19J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
05:000%64%19J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
06:0015%60%18J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
07:000%62%19J/kg10°C24135m11m/s
08:000%73%19J/kg10°C24135m10m/s
09:000%84%20J/kg10°C24135m9.9m/s
10:000%91%19J/kg10°C24135m9.6m/s
11:000%92%18J/kg10°C24135m9.3m/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 03:43 Sunset 23:22
13:00
998hPa 33J/kg 0% 5.3°C 4% 1% 76% 0mm 80% 0.03mm -12dBZ 46° 4% 0.06mm - - 5.4m/s
14:00
998hPa 22J/kg 0% 5.3°C 7% 3% 58% 0mm 80% 0.17mm -12dBZ 46° 8% 0.25mm - - 5m/s
15:00
998hPa 15J/kg 0% 5°C 7% 1% 39% 0mm 78% 0.01mm -13dBZ 44° 7% 0.38mm 1.6m/s 15m/s 5.1m/s
16:00
998hPa 11J/kg 0% 4.9°C 6% 0% 45% 0mm 78% 0.04mm -15dBZ 40° 6% 0.44mm - - 4.9m/s
17:00
998hPa 10J/kg 0% 4.6°C 14% 1% 50% 0mm 79% 0.04mm -18dBZ 35° 14% 0.44mm - - 4.7m/s
18:00
998hPa 4J/kg 0% 4.5°C 5% 4% 56% 0mm 79% 0.02mm -20dBZ 29° 5% 0.5mm 1.9m/s 13m/s 4.1m/s
19:00
998hPa 10J/kg 0% 4.7°C 12% 5% 59% 0mm 78% 0.05mm -20dBZ 22° 12% 0.06mm - - 4.1m/s
20:00
998hPa 8J/kg 0% 4.4°C 14% 5% 61% 0mm 78% 0.03mm -20dBZ 16° 14% 0.13mm - - 3.5m/s
21:00
998hPa 6J/kg 0% 4.3°C 5% 5% 64% 0mm 78% 0.01mm -20dBZ 10° 5% 0.13mm 1.6m/s 7.9m/s 3.6m/s
22:00
998hPa 11J/kg 0% 4°C 5% 17% 66% 0mm 78% 0.02mm -20dBZ 4.9° 17% 0.13mm - - 3.9m/s
23:00
998hPa 21J/kg 0% 3.7°C 69% 68% 67% 0mm 82% 0.28mm -20dBZ 0.89° 71% 0.25mm - - 5.8m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 03:40 Sunset 23:25
24:00
998hPa 12J/kg 0% 3.6°C 86% 99% 69% 0.01mm 86% 0.07mm -20dBZ -2.4° 99% 0.38mm 2.2m/s 4.1m/s 6.7m/s
01:00
998hPa 4J/kg 0% 3.3°C 100% 99% 55% 0.17mm 89% 0.04mm -18dBZ -4° 100% 0.19mm - - 5.6m/s
02:00
997hPa 3J/kg 0% 3.3°C 96% 81% 42% 0.01mm 88% 0.02mm -16dBZ -4.1° 96% 0.31mm - - 5.6m/s
03:00
997hPa 5J/kg 0% 3.4°C 56% 98% 29% 0.01mm 84% 0.03mm -14dBZ -2.5° 98% 0.31mm 0.43m/s 7.5m/s 5.3m/s
04:00
997hPa 1J/kg 0% 3.4°C 30% 58% 29% 0mm 82% 0.07mm -16dBZ 0.76° 60% 0.38mm - - 4.2m/s
05:00
997hPa 1J/kg 0% 3.3°C 16% 89% 29% 0mm 80% 0.02mm -18dBZ 4.7° 89% 0.38mm - - 3.8m/s
06:00
997hPa 2J/kg 0% 3°C 12% 100% 30% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 9.8° 100% 0.38mm 1.4m/s 8.3m/s 3.4m/s
07:00
996hPa 2J/kg 0% 2.9°C 15% 92% 47% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 92% 0mm - - 3.6m/s
08:00
997hPa 4J/kg 0% 2.7°C 10% 99% 65% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 99% 0mm - - 3.7m/s
09:00
997hPa 1J/kg 0% 2.9°C 21% 33% 82% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 33% 0mm 1.1m/s 6.6m/s 3.5m/s
10:00
998hPa 1J/kg 0% 2.8°C 17% 16% 82% 0mm 76% 0.01mm -20dBZ 34° 21% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
11:00
999hPa 5J/kg 0% 2.7°C 16% 58% 82% 0mm 74% 0.02mm -20dBZ 40° 58% 0.06mm - - 3.8m/s
12:00
999hPa 4J/kg 0% 3.1°C 10% 63% 82% 0mm 74% 0.01mm -20dBZ 44° 63% 0.06mm 2.2m/s 6.8m/s 4.7m/s
13:00
1000hPa 3J/kg 0% 3.5°C 6% 72% 61% 0mm 76% 0.01mm -20dBZ 46° 72% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
14:00
1001hPa 2J/kg 0% 3.7°C 6% 14% 41% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -20dBZ 46° 14% 0mm - - 6.4m/s
15:00
1002hPa 2J/kg 0% 4.1°C 6% 12% 20% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -20dBZ 44° 12% 0mm 1.2m/s 8.9m/s 6.5m/s
16:00
1003hPa 2J/kg 0% 4.6°C 5% 51% 26% 0mm 77% 0.01mm -20dBZ 40° 51% 0mm - - 6.7m/s
17:00
1003hPa 4J/kg 0% 4.5°C 5% 98% 33% 0mm 79% 0.03mm -20dBZ 35° 98% 0.06mm - - 6.7m/s
18:00
1004hPa 8J/kg 0% 4.2°C 9% 68% 39% 0mm 80% 0.03mm -20dBZ 29° 68% 0.06mm 4.4m/s 11m/s 6.1m/s
19:00
1005hPa 11J/kg 0% 4.4°C 17% 66% 43% 0mm 81% 0.03mm -20dBZ 22° 66% 0.06mm - - 5.7m/s
20:00
1006hPa 14J/kg 0% 4.7°C 11% 36% 46% 0mm 83% 0.03mm -20dBZ 16° 36% 0.06mm - - 5.1m/s
21:00
1007hPa 19J/kg 0% 5.2°C 12% 8% 50% 0mm 85% 0.06mm -20dBZ 10° 13% 0.06mm 4.9m/s 5.3m/s 4.8m/s
22:00
1008hPa 19J/kg 0% 5.4°C 15% 5% 65% 0mm 86% 0.07mm -20dBZ 15% 0.19mm - - 4.5m/s
23:00
1008hPa 19J/kg 5% 5.4°C 18% 5% 80% 0mm 87% 0.06mm -20dBZ 18% 0.19mm - - 4.5m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 03:37 Sunset 23:28
24:00
1009hPa 20J/kg 5% 5.7°C 20% 5% 95% 0mm 87% 0.07mm -20dBZ -2.2° 20% 0.25mm 4.4m/s 6.7m/s 4.8m/s
01:00
1009hPa 20J/kg 5% 5.8°C 19% 5% 90% 0mm 87% 0.06mm -15dBZ -3.8° 19% 0.06mm - - 5m/s
02:00
1010hPa 20J/kg 5% 6°C 12% 5% 86% 0mm 87% 0.06mm -9.6dBZ -3.9° 12% 0.13mm - - 4.8m/s
03:00
1010hPa 26J/kg 5% 6°C 6% 4% 82% 0mm 89% 0.13mm -4.5dBZ -2.3° 6% 0.19mm 5.7m/s 6.9m/s 4.8m/s
04:00
1010hPa 28J/kg 5% 6.1°C 5% 5% 86% 0mm 90% 0.04mm -1.7dBZ 0.91° 5% 0.31mm - - 4.4m/s
05:00
1010hPa 29J/kg 5% 6.6°C 5% 1% 90% 0mm 90% 0.12mm 1.1dBZ 4.8° 5% 0.38mm - - 4.7m/s
06:00
1010hPa 34J/kg 5% 6.8°C 8% 1% 95% 0mm 90% 0.16mm 3.9dBZ 10° 8% 0.5mm 6.7m/s 6.9m/s 5.3m/s
07:00
1011hPa 33J/kg 5% 7.5°C 7% 0% 76% 0mm 90% 0.17mm 7dBZ 16° 7% 0.13mm - - 5.4m/s
08:00
1011hPa 21J/kg 1% 8.2°C 78% 4% 58% 0mm 87% 0.14mm 10dBZ 22° 78% 0.25mm - - 4.9m/s
09:00
1011hPa 19J/kg 0% 8.8°C 99% 0% 39% 0mm 82% 0.08mm 13dBZ 28° 99% 0.38mm 7.8m/s 6.6m/s 5.4m/s
10:00
1012hPa 13J/kg 0% 8.8°C 98% 0% 59% 0mm 81% 0.04mm 11dBZ 35° 98% 0.44mm - - 6.3m/s
11:00
1012hPa 14J/kg 0% 8.6°C 98% 0% 79% 0mm 79% 0.06mm 9.3dBZ 40° 98% 0.5mm - - 6.7m/s
12:00
1012hPa 17J/kg 0% 8.4°C 98% 0% 98% 0mm 81% 0.08mm 7.3dBZ 44° 98% 0.5mm 8.8m/s 10m/s 7.5m/s
13:00
1013hPa 22J/kg 0% 8.4°C 98% 0% 93% 0.01mm 86% 0.12mm 7dBZ 46° 98% 0.13mm - - 8m/s
14:00
1014hPa 12J/kg 0% 9.3°C 93% 0% 87% 0mm 87% 0.1mm 6.7dBZ 46° 93% 0.25mm - - 9.7m/s
15:00
1014hPa 7J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 0% 82% 0mm 82% 0.03mm 6.4dBZ 44° 100% 0.31mm 6.4m/s 11m/s 8.6m/s
16:00
1014hPa 5J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 0% 86% 0.05mm 77% 0.01mm 6.3dBZ 40° 100% 0.38mm - - 8m/s
17:00
1014hPa 13J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 0% 90% 0.03mm 79% 0.05mm 6.2dBZ 35° 100% 0.44mm - - 8.1m/s
18:00
1014hPa 14J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 0% 95% 0.03mm 80% 0.07mm 6dBZ 29° 100% 0.5mm 9.6m/s 14m/s 8.8m/s
19:00
1013hPa 15J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 0% 96% 0.03mm 80% 0.08mm 5.8dBZ 23° 100% 0.44mm - - 8.5m/s
20:00
1012hPa 16J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 1% 97% 0.02mm 81% 0.08mm 5.6dBZ 16° 100% 0.38mm - - 8.1m/s
21:00
1011hPa 17J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 1% 98% 0.02mm 82% 0.09mm 5.4dBZ 10° 100% 0.31mm 9.5m/s 12m/s 7.8m/s
22:00
1011hPa 18J/kg 1% 10°C 100% 1% 98% 0.03mm 82% 0.07mm 6.5dBZ 5.2° 100% 0.42mm - - 7.8m/s
23:00
1011hPa 18J/kg 2% 9.9°C 100% 0% 99% 0.05mm 82% 0.05mm 7.6dBZ 1.2° 100% 0.52mm - - 7.8m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 03:34 Sunset 23:32
24:00
1011hPa 19J/kg 3% 9.9°C 100% 0% 99% 0.06mm 82% 0.03mm 8.8dBZ -2° 100% 0.63mm 8.3m/s 11m/s 7.7m/s
01:00
1011hPa 19J/kg 34% 10°C 100% 24% 95% 0.04mm 81% 0.05mm 7.6dBZ -3.7° 100% 0.52mm - - 7.9m/s
02:00
1011hPa 20J/kg 66% 10°C 99% 48% 91% 0.02mm 80% 0.08mm 6.5dBZ -3.7° 100% 0.42mm - - 8m/s
03:00
1011hPa 20J/kg 98% 10°C 99% 72% 87% 0mm 80% 0.1mm 5.4dBZ -2.2° 100% 0.31mm 8.9m/s 14m/s 8.2m/s
04:00
1011hPa 19J/kg 94% 10°C 83% 81% 90% 0.02mm 79% 0.08mm 4.8dBZ 100% 0.4mm - - 8.3m/s
05:00
1011hPa 19J/kg 90% 10°C 67% 91% 92% 0.03mm 78% 0.06mm 4.1dBZ 100% 0.48mm - - 8.5m/s
06:00
1011hPa 18J/kg 87% 10°C 51% 100% 95% 0.05mm 78% 0.04mm 3.5dBZ 10° 100% 0.56mm 8.8m/s 15m/s 8.7m/s
07:00
1011hPa 19J/kg 76% 10°C 57% 79% 89% 0.03mm 77% 0.06mm 5.5dBZ 16° 90% 0.46mm - - 8.4m/s
08:00
1011hPa 19J/kg 65% 10°C 63% 58% 84% 0.02mm 77% 0.07mm 7.6dBZ 22° 81% 0.35mm - - 8.1m/s
09:00
1011hPa 20J/kg 54% 10°C 68% 37% 78% 0mm 77% 0.09mm 9.6dBZ 29° 71% 0.25mm 9.7m/s 16m/s 7.8m/s
10:00
1011hPa 19J/kg 41% 10°C 62% 25% 84% 0.01mm 77% 0.07mm 9.1dBZ 35° 64% 0.33mm - - 7.6m/s
11:00
1011hPa 18J/kg 29% 10°C 56% 13% 89% 0.03mm 77% 0.06mm 8.6dBZ 40° 57% 0.42mm - - 7.3m/s
12:00
1011hPa 17J/kg 16% 10°C 50% 1% 95% 0.04mm 77% 0.04mm 8dBZ 44° 50% 0.5mm 9.3m/s 15m/s 7.1m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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