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Rule Storm Chaser

Raudisandur - Storm Chaser - Iceland Coast

Patreksfjordur, Westfjords, 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
Visibility 61% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts2.3m/s
Precipitation Chance79%
Air Pressure966.1hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index3.8°C
Wind Gusts2.3m/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
Sun, Feb 22
01:000%0%0J/kg9.8°C24135m4.4m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg9.8°C24134m4.1m/s
03:0013%0%0J/kg10°C24135m4.4m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg10°C24134m4.4m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg10°C24135m4.5m/s
06:0015%0.4%0J/kg10°C24134m4.4m/s
07:000%2.9%0J/kg10°C24134m4.5m/s
08:000%42%0J/kg9.6°C24134m4.1m/s
09:0015%47%0J/kg9.2°C24135m3.9m/s
10:000%47%0J/kg8.9°C24135m3.8m/s
11:000%47%0J/kg8.9°C24135m3.8m/s
12:0013%44%0J/kg8.8°C24134m3.8m/s
13:000%45%0J/kg8.4°C24135m3.3m/s
14:000%45%0J/kg8.1°C24135m3m/s
15:0012%43%0J/kg7.9°C24135m2.7m/s
16:000%43%0J/kg7.6°C24135m2.5m/s
17:000%46%0J/kg7.3°C24135m2.3m/s
18:0012%47%0J/kg6.9°C24135m2.2m/s
19:000%46%0J/kg5.4°C24135m1.9m/s
20:000%40%0J/kg5.5°C24135m2.1m/s
21:000%0.2%0J/kg5.3°C24134m2m/s
22:000%3.6%0J/kg5.1°C24134m2.2m/s
23:000%1.4%0J/kg5°C24135m2.3m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:000%2.6%0J/kg4.2°C24134m2.6m/s
01:000%2.5%0J/kg3.8°C24134m2.7m/s
02:000%2.1%0J/kg3.8°C24135m2.3m/s
03:0014%0.9%0J/kg3.7°C24134m1.8m/s
04:000%1%0J/kg3.5°C24134m2.1m/s
05:000%1%0J/kg2.9°C24134m2.8m/s
06:0027%0.7%0J/kg2.4°C4520m2.9m/s
07:0020%0.1%0J/kg1.8°C292m3.7m/s
08:0031%56%0J/kg1°C107m4.7m/s
09:0039%64%0J/kg0.8°C109m5.6m/s
10:0035%67%0J/kg0.3°C124m6.8m/s
11:0040%67%0J/kg0.3°C117m11m/s
12:0052%68%0J/kg0.4°C101m16m/s
13:0035%65%2J/kg0.9°C80m17m/s
14:0038%85%2J/kg1.2°C113m16m/s
15:0041%63%2J/kg1.3°C111m16m/s
16:0036%58%3J/kg1°C76m15m/s
17:0036%62%0J/kg1.2°C61m14m/s
18:0042%64%0J/kg1.5°C63m14m/s
19:0034%63%0J/kg1.8°C82m14m/s
20:0034%42%0J/kg1.9°C122m13m/s
21:0038%6.2%1J/kg2.1°C201m13m/s
22:0034%6.2%2J/kg1.6°C111m12m/s
23:0025%5.1%6J/kg2°C107m10m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:0036%0.5%12J/kg2°C83m9.4m/s
01:0021%0.1%10J/kg2.4°C50m7.4m/s
02:0020%0%10J/kg3.4°C51m7.1m/s
03:0038%1.4%6J/kg3.9°C108m4m/s
04:0033%0.1%9J/kg4.2°C72m2m/s
05:0035%0.1%2J/kg4.7°C39m4.5m/s
06:0046%0.1%0J/kg5.3°C35m5.3m/s
07:0020%0.5%0J/kg5.9°C130m6.6m/s
08:0020%51%0J/kg6.7°C199m6.6m/s
09:0046%58%0J/kg7.5°C198m7.1m/s
10:0034%44%0J/kg9.8°C170m8.6m/s
11:0034%72%0J/kg13°C336m8.7m/s
12:0041%68%0J/kg14°C7666m8.5m/s
13:000%57%0J/kg15°C24135m8.3m/s
14:000%43%0J/kg16°C24135m8.4m/s
15:0021%38%0J/kg18°C24134m8.8m/s
16:000%40%1J/kg18°C24134m10m/s
17:0015%40%0J/kg18°C24134m11m/s
18:0034%39%1J/kg18°C24134m12m/s
19:0017%36%1J/kg18°C24135m14m/s
20:0019%35%2J/kg18°C5414m14m/s
21:0034%0.7%2J/kg18°C9702m16m/s
22:0018%0%3J/kg17°C21347m17m/s
23:0018%0%2J/kg16°C17289m19m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:0033%0%3J/kg15°C17455m20m/s
01:0019%0%2J/kg15°C20156m20m/s
02:0020%1.7%3J/kg16°C22145m21m/s
03:0039%0%3J/kg18°C22082m22m/s
04:0022%0%2J/kg19°C24135m22m/s
05:0022%0%2J/kg20°C24134m23m/s
06:0043%0%0J/kg20°C24135m24m/s
07:0020%0%0J/kg16°C16132m19m/s
08:0032%55%0J/kg11°C8130m13m/s
09:0043%62%0J/kg7.2°C127m7.5m/s
10:0038%85%0J/kg7.9°C129m7.3m/s
11:0036%64%0J/kg8.6°C132m7m/s
12:0046%60%0J/kg9.2°C134m6.7m/s
13:0036%60%0J/kg8.4°C139m5.4m/s
14:0034%57%0J/kg7.6°C143m4.1m/s
15:0042%57%0J/kg6.8°C148m2.7m/s
16:0034%57%0J/kg6.9°C147m2.3m/s
17:0034%62%0J/kg7°C146m1.9m/s
18:0051%62%0J/kg7.1°C145m1.4m/s
19:0034%62%0J/kg7°C150m1.4m/s
20:0034%55%0J/kg6.9°C155m1.5m/s
21:0046%0%0J/kg6.8°C160m1.5m/s
22:0034%0%0J/kg7°C181m1.4m/s
23:0034%0%0J/kg7.2°C201m1.4m/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
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 09:10 Sunset 18:29
02:00
966hPa 0J/kg 95% 3.8°C 100% 100% 79% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -34° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
03:00
966hPa 0J/kg 54% 3.7°C 100% 100% 82% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 100% 0mm 11m/s 11m/s 1.8m/s
04:00
966hPa 0J/kg 99% 3.5°C 95% 99% 86% 0mm 78% 0mm -19dBZ -30° 99% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
05:00
966hPa 0J/kg 82% 2.9°C 89% 100% 90% 0mm 79% 0mm -17dBZ -25° 100% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
06:00
965hPa 0J/kg 93% 2.4°C 100% 99% 94% 0.19mm 82% 0mm -16dBZ -20° 100% 0.06mm 14m/s 15m/s 2.9m/s
07:00
965hPa 0J/kg 100% 1.8°C 100% 100% 86% 0.49mm 94% 0mm -13dBZ -14° 100% 0.38mm - - 3.5m/s
08:00
965hPa 0J/kg 100% 1°C 100% 100% 79% 1mm 97% 0mm -10dBZ -7.8° 100% 1.1mm - - 3.8m/s
09:00
965hPa 0J/kg 71% 0.8°C 100% 100% 72% 0.8mm 97% 0mm -7.9dBZ -1.6° 100% 1.9mm 14m/s 16m/s 4.2m/s
10:00
965hPa 0J/kg 68% 0.3°C 100% 100% 74% 0.66mm 98% 0.04mm -1.7dBZ 100% 2.6mm - - 4.7m/s
11:00
964hPa 0J/kg 65% 0.3°C 100% 100% 76% 0.42mm 98% 0.02mm 4.6dBZ 8.6° 100% 3.2mm - - 5.9m/s
12:00
964hPa 0J/kg 88% 0.4°C 100% 99% 79% 0.51mm 97% 0mm 11dBZ 12° 100% 3.8mm 16m/s 15m/s 7.6m/s
13:00
964hPa 2J/kg 62% 0.9°C 100% 89% 70% 0.31mm 98% 0mm 9dBZ 14° 100% 0.44mm - - 7.9m/s
14:00
963hPa 2J/kg 22% 1.2°C 100% 98% 61% 0.04mm 97% 0mm 7.1dBZ 15° 100% 0.63mm - - 8.1m/s
15:00
963hPa 2J/kg 3% 1.3°C 100% 100% 52% 0.03mm 97% 0mm 5.3dBZ 14° 100% 0.69mm 13m/s 13m/s 7.7m/s
16:00
963hPa 3J/kg 0% 1°C 100% 100% 58% 0.04mm 98% 0mm 12dBZ 11° 100% 0.75mm - - 7.9m/s
17:00
963hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.2°C 99% 98% 63% 0.03mm 97% 0.01mm 19dBZ 7.1° 100% 0.81mm - - 7.3m/s
18:00
962hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.5°C 100% 53% 68% 0.01mm 97% 0.01mm 26dBZ 2.3° 100% 0.81mm 12m/s 14m/s 7.3m/s
19:00
962hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.8°C 98% 14% 69% 0mm 97% 0mm 27dBZ -3.6° 98% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
20:00
961hPa 0J/kg 0% 1.9°C 98% 7% 70% 0.01mm 97% 0mm 28dBZ -9.8° 98% 0mm - - 7.1m/s
21:00
961hPa 1J/kg 0% 2.1°C 94% 42% 71% 0.01mm 96% 0.01mm 30dBZ -16° 94% 0mm 10m/s 11m/s 7.3m/s
22:00
961hPa 2J/kg 0% 1.6°C 96% 76% 74% 0mm 97% 0.03mm 29dBZ -22° 96% 0.06mm - - 6.4m/s
23:00
960hPa 6J/kg 0% 2°C 97% 45% 77% 0.01mm 98% 0.04mm 29dBZ -27° 97% 0.13mm - - 5.9m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 09:06 Sunset 18:33
24:00
960hPa 12J/kg 0% 2°C 100% 84% 79% 0.13mm 98% 0.32mm 28dBZ -31° 100% 0.31mm 9.5m/s 12m/s 5.2m/s
01:00
959hPa 10J/kg 0% 2.4°C 100% 62% 69% 0.26mm 99% 0.17mm 23dBZ -33° 100% 0.44mm - - 4.9m/s
02:00
958hPa 10J/kg 0% 3.4°C 100% 11% 59% 0.45mm 99% 0.02mm 19dBZ -34° 100% 0.88mm - - 4.6m/s
03:00
958hPa 6J/kg 0% 3.9°C 100% 57% 49% 0.69mm 99% 0.21mm 14dBZ -33° 100% 1.6mm 13m/s 14m/s 3.4m/s
04:00
958hPa 9J/kg 0% 4.2°C 100% 9% 52% 1.2mm 100% 0.21mm 9.3dBZ -30° 100% 2.6mm - - 1.9m/s
05:00
958hPa 2J/kg 0% 4.7°C 100% 6% 54% 1.3mm 99% 0.07mm 4.7dBZ -25° 100% 3.8mm - - 3.8m/s
06:00
958hPa 0J/kg 2% 5.3°C 100% 0% 56% 0.76mm 99% 0.01mm 0.07dBZ -20° 100% 4.8mm 18m/s 20m/s 4.2m/s
07:00
958hPa 0J/kg 7% 5.9°C 99% 0% 51% 0.47mm 97% 0.01mm -1.4dBZ -14° 99% 0.5mm - - 5.3m/s
08:00
958hPa 0J/kg 48% 6.7°C 98% 0% 45% 0.43mm 96% 0.03mm -2.8dBZ -7.4° 99% 0.88mm - - 5.3m/s
09:00
958hPa 0J/kg 14% 7.5°C 93% 0% 39% 0.36mm 96% 0.03mm -4.2dBZ -1.2° 93% 1.2mm 20m/s 26m/s 5.8m/s
10:00
959hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.8°C 95% 0% 47% 0.34mm 94% 0.03mm -1.7dBZ 4.3° 95% 1.5mm - - 6m/s
11:00
959hPa 0J/kg 30% 13°C 87% 0% 56% 0.17mm 92% 0.04mm 0.8dBZ 8.9° 87% 1.8mm - - 5.9m/s
12:00
959hPa 0J/kg 9% 14°C 73% 0% 64% 0.02mm 82% 0.01mm 3.3dBZ 12° 73% 1.8mm 16m/s 25m/s 5.5m/s
13:00
959hPa 0J/kg 5% 15°C 84% 0% 64% 0mm 74% 0.01mm -0.13dBZ 15° 84% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
14:00
959hPa 0J/kg 2% 16°C 93% 0% 64% 0.01mm 75% 0.01mm -3.6dBZ 15° 93% 0mm - - 5.2m/s
15:00
959hPa 0J/kg 0% 18°C 95% 0% 64% 0mm 71% 0.02mm -7dBZ 14° 95% 0.06mm 14m/s 25m/s 5.9m/s
16:00
959hPa 1J/kg 0% 18°C 96% 0% 73% 0mm 67% 0.02mm -3.6dBZ 11° 96% 0.06mm - - 7.9m/s
17:00
959hPa 0J/kg 0% 18°C 99% 0% 82% 0mm 67% 0.01mm -0.13dBZ 7.4° 99% 0.06mm - - 8.3m/s
18:00
959hPa 1J/kg 0% 18°C 100% 0% 91% 0mm 68% 0.02mm 3.3dBZ 2.6° 100% 0.06mm 13m/s 24m/s 9m/s
19:00
960hPa 1J/kg 0% 18°C 100% 0% 82% 0mm 69% 0.02mm 3.1dBZ -3.3° 100% 0mm - - 9.9m/s
20:00
960hPa 2J/kg 0% 18°C 100% 0% 73% 0.05mm 78% 0.02mm 2.9dBZ -9.5° 100% 0.06mm - - 10m/s
21:00
960hPa 2J/kg 0% 18°C 100% 0% 64% 0.02mm 76% 0.02mm 2.7dBZ -16° 100% 0.13mm 5.2m/s 18m/s 13m/s
22:00
960hPa 3J/kg 0% 17°C 100% 0% 68% 0.01mm 73% 0.01mm 2.7dBZ -21° 100% 0.13mm - - 15m/s
23:00
960hPa 2J/kg 0% 16°C 100% 0% 72% 0.01mm 72% 0.01mm 2.7dBZ -27° 100% 0.19mm - - 16m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 09:02 Sunset 18:36
24:00
961hPa 3J/kg 0% 15°C 100% 0% 76% 0.03mm 71% 0.02mm 2.7dBZ -30° 100% 0.19mm 4.5m/s 22m/s 17m/s
01:00
962hPa 2J/kg 0% 15°C 100% 0% 64% 0.04mm 69% 0.02mm 1.4dBZ -33° 100% 0.06mm - - 17m/s
02:00
963hPa 3J/kg 0% 16°C 100% 0% 51% 0mm 69% 0.01mm 0.03dBZ -33° 100% 0.06mm - - 17m/s
03:00
963hPa 3J/kg 0% 18°C 100% 0% 39% 0mm 69% 0.01mm -1.3dBZ -32° 100% 0.13mm 7.2m/s 23m/s 17m/s
04:00
964hPa 2J/kg 0% 19°C 100% 0% 45% 0mm 67% 0.01mm -7.3dBZ -29° 100% 0.13mm - - 17m/s
05:00
964hPa 2J/kg 0% 20°C 100% 0% 51% 0mm 63% 0mm -13dBZ -25° 100% 0.13mm - - 18m/s
06:00
965hPa 0J/kg 0% 20°C 100% 0% 57% 0mm 62% 0mm -19dBZ -19° 100% 0.13mm 16m/s 21m/s 19m/s
07:00
963hPa 0J/kg 0% 16°C 100% 33% 59% 0.27mm 73% 0.02mm -8.5dBZ -13° 100% 0.85mm - - 14m/s
08:00
962hPa 0J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 67% 61% 0.53mm 84% 0.03mm 2.4dBZ -7.1° 100% 1.6mm - - 8.5m/s
09:00
961hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.2°C 100% 100% 63% 0.8mm 94% 0.05mm 13dBZ -0.75° 100% 2.3mm 20m/s 16m/s 3.4m/s
10:00
961hPa 0J/kg 31% 7.9°C 100% 100% 63% 0.77mm 95% 0.04mm 12dBZ 4.7° 100% 3.1mm - - 3.1m/s
11:00
961hPa 0J/kg 61% 8.6°C 100% 100% 64% 0.75mm 95% 0.03mm 11dBZ 9.3° 100% 3.9mm - - 2.8m/s
12:00
960hPa 0J/kg 91% 9.2°C 100% 100% 64% 0.72mm 95% 0.02mm 9.4dBZ 13° 100% 4.8mm 26m/s 22m/s 2.6m/s
13:00
960hPa 0J/kg 92% 8.4°C 100% 100% 58% 0.75mm 95% 0.02mm 13dBZ 15° 100% 3.9mm - - 2.4m/s
14:00
959hPa 0J/kg 93% 7.6°C 100% 100% 52% 0.79mm 95% 0.02mm 16dBZ 15° 100% 3mm - - 2.1m/s
15:00
959hPa 0J/kg 94% 6.8°C 100% 100% 46% 0.82mm 95% 0.02mm 19dBZ 14° 100% 2.2mm 24m/s 30m/s 1.9m/s
16:00
958hPa 0J/kg 95% 6.9°C 100% 100% 50% 0.8mm 95% 0.02mm 18dBZ 12° 100% 3.2mm - - 1.6m/s
17:00
957hPa 0J/kg 97% 7°C 100% 100% 55% 0.79mm 96% 0.02mm 17dBZ 7.8° 100% 4.2mm - - 1.3m/s
18:00
956hPa 0J/kg 99% 7.1°C 100% 100% 60% 0.77mm 96% 0.02mm 17dBZ 2.9° 100% 5.3mm 21m/s 28m/s 1m/s
19:00
956hPa 0J/kg 99% 7°C 100% 100% 68% 0.8mm 96% 0.03mm 18dBZ -3° 100% 4.4mm - - 1.1m/s
20:00
955hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.9°C 100% 100% 75% 0.82mm 96% 0.03mm 19dBZ -9.2° 100% 3.6mm - - 1.3m/s
21:00
954hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.8°C 100% 100% 83% 0.85mm 96% 0.04mm 20dBZ -15° 100% 2.8mm 26m/s 28m/s 1.4m/s
22:00
953hPa 0J/kg 73% 7°C 100% 100% 87% 0.78mm 95% 0.03mm 18dBZ -21° 100% 3.4mm - - 1.3m/s
23:00
953hPa 0J/kg 47% 7.2°C 100% 100% 92% 0.71mm 95% 0.01mm 16dBZ -26° 100% 4mm - - 1.2m/s
Thu, Feb 26 Sunrise 08:59 Sunset 18:39
24:00
952hPa 0J/kg 20% 7.4°C 100% 100% 96% 0.64mm 95% 0mm 15dBZ -30° 100% 4.7mm 30m/s 30m/s 1.1m/s
01:00
951hPa 0J/kg 15% 7.3°C 100% 100% 93% 0.58mm 95% 0mm 16dBZ -33° 100% 3.6mm - - 0.88m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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