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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
Cloud Drama Score 72% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover99%
Wind Gusts8.1m/s
Precipitation Chance11%
Air Pressure976.4hPa
CAPE12
Lifted Index6.3°C
Wind Gusts8.1m/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%76%5J/kg3.9°C24134m2.5m/s
14:000%68%6J/kg4.1°C24135m2.2m/s
15:000%55%10J/kg3.8°C24134m2.4m/s
16:000%85%6J/kg4°C24135m2.8m/s
17:000%91%0J/kg4.4°C24135m3.7m/s
18:000%93%5J/kg4°C24134m4.6m/s
19:000%68%2J/kg3.7°C24134m5.3m/s
20:000%100%0J/kg3.9°C24134m7.6m/s
21:000%85%0J/kg3.5°C24135m7.9m/s
22:000%92%2J/kg3.6°C22693m9.3m/s
23:000%87%0J/kg3.8°C14865m9.5m/s
Sun, May 24
24:0018%87%0J/kg4°C21373m9.3m/s
01:000%88%23J/kg4.6°C17134m7.7m/s
02:000%86%19J/kg4.8°C17480m5.4m/s
03:000%79%24J/kg5.2°C23017m6.8m/s
04:0015%64%19J/kg5.6°C21505m7m/s
05:0016%67%21J/kg5.6°C16551m8.6m/s
06:0032%70%6J/kg5.8°C17240m11m/s
07:0031%62%1J/kg5.5°C1070m10m/s
08:0017%82%0J/kg5.4°C15497m10m/s
09:0027%42%11J/kg6.1°C22494m7.1m/s
10:0014%46%25J/kg5.9°C15840m6.4m/s
11:0016%46%27J/kg5.7°C20073m7.7m/s
12:0028%43%20J/kg5.9°C22356m8.7m/s
13:000%44%12J/kg6.3°C24135m8.1m/s
14:000%42%12J/kg6.2°C24135m7.6m/s
15:0017%43%9J/kg6°C23527m7.3m/s
16:000%34%5J/kg6°C24134m6.8m/s
17:000%34%1J/kg6.1°C24134m6m/s
18:0015%45%0J/kg6.2°C24134m5.2m/s
19:000%63%0J/kg6.3°C24135m4.4m/s
20:000%63%0J/kg6.1°C24134m3.7m/s
21:0011%25%1J/kg5.8°C24135m3.1m/s
22:000%22%0J/kg5.2°C24134m2.4m/s
23:000%22%0J/kg4.8°C24135m1m/s
Mon, May 25
24:009.8%21%0J/kg4.7°C24135m0.9m/s
01:000%22%0J/kg4.6°C24135m0.71m/s
02:000%22%0J/kg4.4°C24135m0.62m/s
03:009.8%25%0J/kg4.3°C24135m0.23m/s
04:000%29%0J/kg4.5°C24134m0.4m/s
05:000%46%2J/kg4.6°C24134m0.8m/s
06:0011%66%3J/kg4.4°C24134m1.3m/s
07:000%86%5J/kg4.2°C24135m1.7m/s
08:000%86%8J/kg4.2°C24134m2.1m/s
09:000%75%8J/kg4.2°C24135m2.5m/s
10:000%56%7J/kg4.2°C24135m2.8m/s
11:000%82%7J/kg4.4°C24134m3.6m/s
12:000%49%6J/kg4.6°C24135m4.4m/s
13:000%45%7J/kg4.7°C24134m5.1m/s
14:000%42%17J/kg4.3°C24134m6m/s
15:0015%39%19J/kg4.3°C24134m6.8m/s
16:000%49%16J/kg5.1°C12874m7.5m/s
17:0016%45%11J/kg5.8°C4219m8.2m/s
18:000%49%5J/kg6.5°C21230m7.8m/s
19:000%54%0J/kg6.9°C21241m7.1m/s
20:000%57%0J/kg7.2°C24134m6m/s
21:000%65%0J/kg7.4°C24135m4.6m/s
22:000%92%0J/kg7.5°C24134m3.7m/s
23:000%73%0J/kg7.5°C24134m3.2m/s
Tue, May 26
24:000%72%0J/kg7.6°C24135m3.1m/s
01:000%70%0J/kg7.6°C24134m3.8m/s
02:000%49%0J/kg7.7°C24135m4.4m/s
03:000%51%3J/kg7.3°C24134m4.8m/s
04:000%53%6J/kg7.8°C24134m5.1m/s
05:000%77%14J/kg8°C24134m6.8m/s
06:000%79%24J/kg8°C22258m6.5m/s
07:000%68%21J/kg8.2°C22765m6.2m/s
08:000%60%20J/kg8.6°C23253m6.6m/s
09:000%55%19J/kg8.8°C23289m7m/s
10:000%63%20J/kg8.8°C23987m7.8m/s
11:000%33%21J/kg8.2°C24134m9.3m/s
12:0018%30%17J/kg8°C24134m8.7m/s
13:000%23%15J/kg8.6°C24134m9.2m/s
14:000%27%0J/kg9.4°C24135m11m/s
15:000%25%17J/kg8.9°C24135m11m/s
16:0014%36%3J/kg9.9°C24134m12m/s
17:0014%32%10J/kg11°C24135m12m/s
18:0023%32%17J/kg11°C23466m13m/s
19:0013%30%19J/kg11°C23287m12m/s
20:0013%30%22J/kg10°C23109m12m/s
21:0015%30%24J/kg10°C22930m12m/s
22:0013%32%27J/kg10°C21939m12m/s
23:0014%32%31J/kg9.8°C20947m13m/s
Wed, May 27
24:0015%36%34J/kg9.7°C19955m13m/s
01:0014%42%31J/kg10°C20782m13m/s
02:0014%42%28J/kg10°C21609m13m/s
03:0024%48%25J/kg11°C22436m13m/s
04:0014%48%25J/kg11°C22410m13m/s
05:0014%48%24J/kg11°C22385m13m/s
06:0024%44%24J/kg11°C22359m13m/s
07:0014%42%23J/kg10°C22483m12m/s
08:0014%44%23J/kg10°C22607m12m/s
09:0024%52%22J/kg10°C22731m12m/s
10:0014%34%20J/kg10°C23199m11m/s
11:0014%30%18J/kg10°C23667m11m/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 03:30 Sunset 23:38
13:00
976hPa 12J/kg 0% 6.3°C 85% 99% 11% 0mm 79% 0.08mm 5.3dBZ 45° 99% 0.06mm - - 6.4m/s
14:00
977hPa 12J/kg 0% 6.2°C 54% 99% 6% 0mm 76% 0.06mm 2.5dBZ 45° 99% 0.19mm - - 6.7m/s
15:00
977hPa 9J/kg 0% 6°C 29% 100% 0% 0mm 75% 0.08mm -0.35dBZ 43° 100% 0.25mm 5.3m/s 18m/s 6.5m/s
16:00
977hPa 5J/kg 0% 6°C 4% 100% 0% 0mm 73% 0.01mm -6.9dBZ 39° 100% 0.25mm - - 5.6m/s
17:00
977hPa 1J/kg 0% 6.1°C 4% 98% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -13dBZ 34° 98% 0.25mm - - 4.7m/s
18:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.2°C 5% 80% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 80% 0.25mm 3.7m/s 15m/s 3.9m/s
19:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.3°C 4% 52% 2% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 52% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
20:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.1°C 5% 30% 5% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 30% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
21:00
977hPa 1J/kg 0% 5.8°C 5% 4% 7% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 6% 0mm 2m/s 13m/s 2.4m/s
22:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.2°C 5% 0% 5% 0mm 71% 0mm -17dBZ 5.5° 5% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
23:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.8°C 5% 0% 2% 0mm 74% 0mm -13dBZ 1.6° 5% 0mm - - 0.91m/s
Mon, May 25 Sunrise 03:26 Sunset 23:42
24:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.7°C 5% 2% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -10dBZ -1.5° 5% 0mm 0.38m/s 12m/s 0.89m/s
01:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.6°C 5% 2% 6% 0mm 79% 0mm -9.3dBZ -3.2° 5% 0mm - - 0.74m/s
02:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.4°C 5% 2% 11% 0mm 81% 0mm -8.5dBZ -3.2° 5% 0mm - - 0.53m/s
03:00
977hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.3°C 5% 3% 17% 0mm 83% 0mm -7.6dBZ -1.7° 5% 0mm 1.4m/s 11m/s 0.17m/s
04:00
976hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.5°C 5% 5% 24% 0mm 84% 0mm -6.1dBZ 1.3° 8% 0mm - - 0.31m/s
05:00
977hPa 2J/kg 0% 4.6°C 5% 12% 32% 0mm 84% 0mm -4.5dBZ 5.1° 12% 0mm - - 0.82m/s
06:00
977hPa 3J/kg 0% 4.4°C 5% 37% 39% 0mm 83% 0.02mm -3dBZ 10° 37% 0mm 1m/s 10m/s 1.2m/s
07:00
977hPa 5J/kg 0% 4.2°C 13% 20% 39% 0mm 81% 0.03mm 2.3dBZ 16° 27% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
08:00
977hPa 8J/kg 0% 4.2°C 19% 12% 39% 0mm 79% 0.03mm 7.7dBZ 22° 21% 0.06mm - - 2m/s
09:00
977hPa 8J/kg 0% 4.2°C 24% 11% 39% 0mm 75% 0.03mm 13dBZ 28° 24% 0.06mm 1.1m/s 9.2m/s 2.3m/s
10:00
978hPa 7J/kg 0% 4.2°C 28% 5% 39% 0mm 72% 0.02mm 12dBZ 34° 28% 0.13mm - - 2.8m/s
11:00
978hPa 7J/kg 0% 4.4°C 26% 28% 39% 0mm 69% 0.02mm 11dBZ 39° 36% 0.13mm - - 3.7m/s
12:00
978hPa 6J/kg 0% 4.6°C 32% 88% 39% 0mm 67% 0.01mm 10dBZ 43° 88% 0.13mm 1.6m/s 7.8m/s 4.5m/s
13:00
979hPa 7J/kg 0% 4.7°C 31% 99% 29% 0mm 68% 0.02mm 7.1dBZ 45° 99% 0mm - - 4.9m/s
14:00
980hPa 17J/kg 0% 4.3°C 41% 100% 19% 0mm 73% 0.07mm 4.2dBZ 45° 100% 0.06mm - - 5.4m/s
15:00
980hPa 19J/kg 0% 4.3°C 89% 100% 9% 0mm 78% 0.1mm 1.3dBZ 43° 100% 0.13mm 1.6m/s 11m/s 5.7m/s
16:00
981hPa 16J/kg 0% 5.1°C 90% 93% 14% 0.01mm 82% 0.15mm 0.5dBZ 39° 94% 0.25mm - - 5.6m/s
17:00
982hPa 11J/kg 0% 5.8°C 89% 97% 18% 0.05mm 87% 0.11mm -0.29dBZ 34° 97% 0.38mm - - 5m/s
18:00
983hPa 5J/kg 0% 6.5°C 86% 97% 22% 0.01mm 88% 0.04mm -1.1dBZ 29° 98% 0.5mm 2.3m/s 6.7m/s 4.7m/s
19:00
983hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.9°C 85% 96% 32% 0mm 87% 0.02mm -7.4dBZ 23° 96% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
20:00
984hPa 0J/kg 0% 7.2°C 98% 59% 42% 0.01mm 85% 0mm -14dBZ 16° 98% 0.06mm - - 4m/s
21:00
985hPa 0J/kg 3% 7.4°C 98% 59% 52% 0.01mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 98% 0.06mm 4.3m/s 3.4m/s 3.4m/s
22:00
986hPa 0J/kg 15% 7.5°C 97% 100% 57% 0.01mm 84% 0mm -15dBZ 5.7° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.9m/s
23:00
987hPa 0J/kg 5% 7.5°C 95% 100% 63% 0mm 84% 0mm -11dBZ 1.8° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.5m/s
Tue, May 26 Sunrise 03:23 Sunset 23:46
24:00
987hPa 0J/kg 5% 7.6°C 98% 87% 69% 0.01mm 84% 0mm -6.4dBZ -1.3° 99% 0.06mm 6.5m/s 6.6m/s 2.3m/s
01:00
988hPa 0J/kg 2% 7.6°C 100% 70% 64% 0.01mm 84% 0mm -0.53dBZ -3° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
02:00
988hPa 0J/kg 5% 7.7°C 100% 5% 60% 0.02mm 84% 0mm 5.4dBZ -3° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.4m/s
03:00
988hPa 3J/kg 5% 7.3°C 100% 5% 56% 0.02mm 83% 0mm 11dBZ -1.5° 100% 0.06mm 6.8m/s 7.2m/s 2.5m/s
04:00
988hPa 6J/kg 5% 7.8°C 100% 5% 65% 0.01mm 85% 0.02mm 3.5dBZ 1.5° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.3m/s
05:00
988hPa 14J/kg 5% 8°C 73% 0% 73% 0mm 85% 0.08mm -4.2dBZ 5.3° 73% 0.13mm - - 3m/s
06:00
988hPa 24J/kg 5% 8°C 57% 0% 82% 0mm 86% 0.16mm -12dBZ 10° 57% 0.25mm 6.2m/s 5.5m/s 3.5m/s
07:00
989hPa 21J/kg 0% 8.2°C 66% 5% 82% 0mm 84% 0.14mm -8.5dBZ 16° 66% 0.13mm - - 3.7m/s
08:00
989hPa 20J/kg 5% 8.6°C 81% 5% 82% 0mm 84% 0.14mm -5.1dBZ 22° 81% 0.31mm - - 3.7m/s
09:00
989hPa 19J/kg 5% 8.8°C 82% 5% 82% 0mm 82% 0.13mm -1.8dBZ 28° 82% 0.44mm 6.5m/s 5.7m/s 4.3m/s
10:00
989hPa 20J/kg 5% 8.8°C 61% 0% 86% 0mm 80% 0.13mm -2.4dBZ 34° 61% 0.56mm - - 5.1m/s
11:00
990hPa 21J/kg 0% 8.2°C 97% 0% 90% 0mm 76% 0.12mm -2.9dBZ 39° 97% 0.69mm - - 7.2m/s
12:00
990hPa 17J/kg 0% 8°C 98% 0% 95% 0mm 78% 0.1mm -3.5dBZ 43° 98% 0.75mm 11m/s 11m/s 6.2m/s
13:00
990hPa 15J/kg 0% 8.6°C 99% 0% 96% 0mm 78% 0.09mm 2.5dBZ 45° 99% 0.13mm - - 5.9m/s
14:00
991hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.4°C 97% 0% 97% 0mm 77% 0.02mm 8.6dBZ 45° 97% 0.13mm - - 7.4m/s
15:00
991hPa 17J/kg 0% 8.9°C 100% 0% 98% 0.02mm 85% 0.06mm 15dBZ 43° 100% 0.19mm 4.1m/s 7.9m/s 7.7m/s
16:00
991hPa 3J/kg 0% 9.9°C 90% 0% 99% 0mm 86% 0.03mm 13dBZ 40° 90% 0.31mm - - 9.7m/s
17:00
991hPa 10J/kg 0% 11°C 97% 0% 99% 0mm 81% 0.06mm 11dBZ 35° 97% 0.38mm - - 10m/s
18:00
991hPa 17J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 0% 99% 0.01mm 84% 0.1mm 8.8dBZ 29° 100% 0.5mm 7.3m/s 11m/s 10m/s
19:00
991hPa 19J/kg 0% 11°C 100% 2% 98% 0.007mm 85% 0.11mm 8.7dBZ 23° 100% 0.46mm - - 9.9m/s
20:00
991hPa 22J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 3% 96% 0.003mm 87% 0.13mm 8.7dBZ 17° 100% 0.42mm - - 9.6m/s
21:00
991hPa 24J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 5% 95% 0mm 89% 0.14mm 8.5dBZ 11° 100% 0.38mm 7.5m/s 10m/s 9.3m/s
22:00
991hPa 27J/kg 0% 10°C 100% 5% 96% 0.03mm 89% 0.13mm 9.7dBZ 5.9° 100% 0.56mm - - 9.6m/s
23:00
991hPa 31J/kg 0% 9.8°C 100% 5% 98% 0.06mm 89% 0.12mm 11dBZ 1.9° 100% 0.75mm - - 9.8m/s
Wed, May 27 Sunrise 03:19 Sunset 23:50
24:00
991hPa 34J/kg 0% 9.7°C 100% 5% 99% 0.09mm 90% 0.11mm 12dBZ -1.1° 100% 0.94mm 6.7m/s 8.4m/s 10m/s
01:00
991hPa 31J/kg 2% 10°C 100% 3% 98% 0.07mm 88% 0.11mm 13dBZ -2.8° 100% 0.79mm - - 10m/s
02:00
991hPa 28J/kg 5% 10°C 100% 2% 96% 0.05mm 86% 0.11mm 13dBZ -2.9° 100% 0.65mm - - 10m/s
03:00
991hPa 25J/kg 7% 11°C 100% 0% 94% 0.03mm 85% 0.11mm 14dBZ -1.3° 100% 0.5mm 7.6m/s 11m/s 10m/s
04:00
991hPa 25J/kg 8% 11°C 100% 0% 95% 0.04mm 83% 0.09mm 15dBZ 1.6° 100% 0.63mm - - 11m/s
05:00
991hPa 24J/kg 8% 11°C 99% 0% 96% 0.06mm 82% 0.07mm 15dBZ 5.4° 99% 0.75mm - - 11m/s
06:00
991hPa 24J/kg 8% 11°C 99% 0% 98% 0.07mm 81% 0.05mm 16dBZ 10° 99% 0.88mm 7.4m/s 13m/s 11m/s
07:00
991hPa 23J/kg 9% 10°C 97% 2% 89% 0.05mm 79% 0.06mm 15dBZ 16° 97% 0.69mm - - 10m/s
08:00
991hPa 23J/kg 10% 10°C 95% 3% 81% 0.03mm 78% 0.07mm 14dBZ 22° 95% 0.5mm - - 10m/s
09:00
991hPa 22J/kg 11% 10°C 93% 5% 72% 0.01mm 76% 0.08mm 13dBZ 28° 93% 0.31mm 8m/s 14m/s 9.9m/s
10:00
991hPa 20J/kg 7% 10°C 94% 4% 75% 0.02mm 77% 0.07mm 13dBZ 34° 94% 0.4mm - - 9.3m/s
11:00
991hPa 18J/kg 4% 10°C 94% 3% 79% 0.04mm 77% 0.05mm 13dBZ 39° 94% 0.48mm - - 8.8m/s
12:00
991hPa 16J/kg 0% 10°C 95% 2% 82% 0.05mm 78% 0.04mm 13dBZ 43° 95% 0.56mm 7.7m/s 12m/s 8.3m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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