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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 39% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts13.3m/s
Precipitation Chance80%
Air Pressure939.3hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index8.4°C
Wind Gusts13.3m/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
Wed, Mar 11
07:000%49%0J/kg4°C24135m7.6m/s
08:000%59%0J/kg4.2°C24134m7.3m/s
09:000%54%0J/kg4.3°C22375m7.1m/s
10:000%56%0J/kg4.4°C9652m6.4m/s
11:000%52%0J/kg4.5°C6053m6.2m/s
12:000%49%0J/kg4.4°C24135m5.7m/s
13:000%49%0J/kg4.5°C24135m3.5m/s
14:000%49%0J/kg4.6°C24135m2.9m/s
15:000%49%0J/kg4.4°C24134m2.7m/s
16:000%50%0J/kg4°C24135m3.1m/s
17:000%50%0J/kg4.1°C24134m3.7m/s
18:000%57%0J/kg4.3°C24135m3m/s
19:000%56%0J/kg3.3°C24135m2.4m/s
20:000%57%0J/kg3.7°C24135m2.3m/s
21:0013%49%0J/kg4.3°C24134m2.5m/s
22:000%0.4%0J/kg4.9°C24135m2.6m/s
23:000%0%0J/kg5.2°C24134m2.3m/s
Thu, Mar 12
24:0013%8.4%0J/kg5.6°C24134m1.8m/s
01:000%8.3%0J/kg5.5°C24134m1.9m/s
02:000%7.9%0J/kg6.2°C7356m5.8m/s
03:0013%0.7%0J/kg6°C17919m3.6m/s
04:000%0%0J/kg6.3°C24134m3.1m/s
05:000%0%0J/kg7.2°C24135m4.9m/s
06:000%0%0J/kg7.5°C21999m9m/s
07:0016%62%0J/kg8.4°C15304m13m/s
08:0019%73%0J/kg8.4°C13963m16m/s
09:0032%77%0J/kg9.4°C3884m16m/s
10:0033%72%0J/kg11°C2958m18m/s
11:0041%72%14J/kg11°C357m18m/s
12:0042%72%12J/kg11°C276m18m/s
13:0041%73%12J/kg11°C361m18m/s
14:0041%72%14J/kg10°C315m18m/s
15:0041%72%20J/kg10°C350m19m/s
16:0044%72%14J/kg10°C361m20m/s
17:0043%74%18J/kg10°C321m19m/s
18:0044%74%23J/kg9.7°C170m19m/s
19:0041%79%10J/kg10°C530m21m/s
20:0022%81%3J/kg11°C17988m25m/s
21:0033%71%0J/kg10°C24134m22m/s
22:0035%0.1%0J/kg9.4°C4335m21m/s
23:0039%0%12J/kg8.7°C108m18m/s
Fri, Mar 13
24:0041%0.2%18J/kg8.3°C125m16m/s
01:0037%2.9%29J/kg8.3°C116m14m/s
02:0040%1.4%3J/kg9.1°C153m16m/s
03:0039%3.3%13J/kg9.2°C5180m17m/s
04:0040%2.5%11J/kg9.2°C1290m17m/s
05:0043%1.1%0J/kg9.2°C476m18m/s
06:0047%1.1%0J/kg7.8°C275m17m/s
07:0039%66%0J/kg5.7°C692m17m/s
08:0035%99%0J/kg5°C1353m17m/s
09:0036%77%0J/kg4.9°C2576m16m/s
10:0020%100%0J/kg5.4°C9984m14m/s
11:0029%98%0J/kg5.7°C3589m12m/s
12:000%68%0J/kg6.1°C24135m10m/s
13:000%72%0J/kg6.6°C24135m8.5m/s
14:000%95%0J/kg7.3°C24135m8m/s
15:000%67%1J/kg7.2°C23100m8.7m/s
16:0016%68%6J/kg6.7°C4061m9.2m/s
17:0034%70%9J/kg5.7°C100m7.2m/s
18:0034%66%11J/kg5.3°C83m6.7m/s
19:0033%64%16J/kg5.3°C139m7.4m/s
20:0032%68%13J/kg5.7°C825m7m/s
21:0016%85%1J/kg6.6°C24134m7.7m/s
22:0015%13%0J/kg7°C24134m7.3m/s
23:0015%14%0J/kg7°C24135m5.5m/s
Sat, Mar 14
24:0015%15%0J/kg6.7°C24134m7.6m/s
01:000%14%0J/kg6.7°C24134m6.8m/s
02:000%14%0J/kg6.6°C23721m6.5m/s
03:000%14%0J/kg6.5°C10399m9.5m/s
04:0015%13%3J/kg6.5°C21842m12m/s
05:000%15%0J/kg6.4°C20668m11m/s
06:000%15%0J/kg5.9°C10501m12m/s
07:0021%77%0J/kg5.5°C1199m11m/s
08:000%50%0J/kg5.6°C16161m9.1m/s
09:000%82%0J/kg6°C16330m7.8m/s
10:000%96%0J/kg6.3°C15659m6m/s
11:000%77%0J/kg7.1°C19835m4.3m/s
12:000%100%0J/kg7.9°C24135m2.5m/s
13:000%99%0J/kg9.6°C24135m7.5m/s
14:0017%68%0J/kg11°C24135m12m/s
15:0018%72%0J/kg13°C24135m17m/s
16:0019%69%0J/kg13°C24135m18m/s
17:0019%69%0J/kg12°C24135m18m/s
18:0030%69%0J/kg12°C24135m19m/s
19:0019%71%0J/kg11°C23441m19m/s
20:0019%74%0J/kg9.9°C22746m19m/s
21:0035%64%0J/kg9.1°C22052m19m/s
22:0020%0%0J/kg8.7°C15445m20m/s
23:0023%0%0J/kg8.2°C8839m20m/s
Sun, Mar 15
24:0043%0%0J/kg7.7°C2233m21m/s
01:0023%0%0J/kg7.3°C9534m21m/s
02:0020%0%0J/kg6.9°C16834m21m/s
03:0023%0%0J/kg6.5°C24135m21m/s
04:0020%0%0J/kg6.3°C18060m20m/s
05:0022%0%0J/kg6°C11986m20m/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
Thu, Mar 12 Sunrise 08:06 Sunset 19:26
07:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.4°C 77% 100% 80% 0.01mm 85% 0.02mm -4.7dBZ -7.7° 100% 0mm - - 7.5m/s
08:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.4°C 71% 100% 76% 0.02mm 84% 0.01mm 0.37dBZ -1.3° 100% 0.06mm - - 9.8m/s
09:00
939hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.4°C 87% 100% 72% 0.04mm 87% 0.04mm 5.5dBZ 4.7° 100% 0.06mm 5.5m/s 6.9m/s 11m/s
10:00
940hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 88% 100% 79% 0.05mm 87% 0.07mm 7.9dBZ 10° 100% 0.19mm - - 11m/s
11:00
940hPa 14J/kg 100% 11°C 84% 97% 86% 0.19mm 92% 0.09mm 10dBZ 15° 100% 0.31mm - - 12m/s
12:00
940hPa 12J/kg 100% 11°C 88% 54% 93% 0.25mm 93% 0.09mm 13dBZ 19° 100% 0.56mm 1.4m/s 7.7m/s 12m/s
13:00
940hPa 12J/kg 100% 11°C 88% 63% 95% 0.2mm 92% 0.07mm 12dBZ 21° 100% 0.25mm - - 13m/s
14:00
940hPa 14J/kg 100% 10°C 91% 52% 97% 0.19mm 92% 0.1mm 11dBZ 21° 100% 0.5mm - - 12m/s
15:00
940hPa 20J/kg 100% 10°C 91% 65% 100% 0.16mm 92% 0.16mm 9.9dBZ 20° 100% 0.75mm 2.9m/s 9m/s 13m/s
16:00
940hPa 14J/kg 98% 10°C 90% 98% 100% 0.16mm 91% 0.11mm 10dBZ 17° 100% 1mm - - 14m/s
17:00
941hPa 18J/kg 100% 10°C 97% 100% 100% 0.18mm 91% 0.12mm 11dBZ 13° 100% 1.3mm - - 15m/s
18:00
941hPa 23J/kg 100% 9.7°C 94% 100% 100% 0.41mm 94% 0.17mm 11dBZ 7.8° 100% 1.6mm 1.2m/s 7.4m/s 15m/s
19:00
942hPa 10J/kg 99% 10°C 86% 100% 100% 0.15mm 89% 0.07mm 3.1dBZ 2.2° 100% 0.31mm - - 17m/s
20:00
943hPa 3J/kg 100% 11°C 86% 83% 100% 0.01mm 80% 0.01mm -4.9dBZ -4.2° 100% 0.5mm - - 17m/s
21:00
944hPa 0J/kg 90% 10°C 90% 60% 100% 0.01mm 76% 0mm -13dBZ -10° 92% 0.5mm 4.5m/s 14m/s 15m/s
22:00
944hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.4°C 95% 42% 100% 0.06mm 82% 0.01mm -7.4dBZ -16° 100% 0.56mm - - 15m/s
23:00
945hPa 12J/kg 100% 8.7°C 99% 100% 100% 0.88mm 96% 0.13mm -1.9dBZ -21° 100% 0.94mm - - 13m/s
Fri, Mar 13 Sunrise 08:03 Sunset 19:29
24:00
946hPa 18J/kg 100% 8.3°C 100% 100% 100% 0.6mm 96% 0.12mm 3.7dBZ -25° 100% 1.8mm 4.5m/s 9.7m/s 11m/s
01:00
946hPa 29J/kg 100% 8.3°C 100% 12% 99% 0.85mm 95% 0.24mm 6.8dBZ -27° 100% 0.69mm - - 9.6m/s
02:00
947hPa 3J/kg 99% 9.1°C 100% 9% 98% 0.5mm 95% 0.04mm 10dBZ -27° 100% 1.6mm - - 11m/s
03:00
947hPa 13J/kg 100% 9.2°C 90% 34% 98% 0.01mm 80% 0.09mm 13dBZ -26° 100% 1.7mm 3m/s 10m/s 13m/s
04:00
948hPa 11J/kg 100% 9.2°C 88% 43% 98% 0.06mm 85% 0.09mm 14dBZ -23° 100% 1.8mm - - 14m/s
05:00
948hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.2°C 83% 61% 98% 0.14mm 90% 0.06mm 15dBZ -19° 100% 2mm - - 15m/s
06:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.8°C 77% 100% 98% 0.2mm 94% 0.08mm 15dBZ -13° 100% 2.4mm 7.3m/s 14m/s 13m/s
07:00
950hPa 0J/kg 99% 5.7°C 73% 100% 87% 0.11mm 93% 0.06mm 11dBZ -7.3° 100% 0.13mm - - 12m/s
08:00
950hPa 0J/kg 19% 5°C 58% 100% 77% 0.1mm 90% 0.04mm 5.9dBZ -0.82° 100% 0.25mm - - 12m/s
09:00
951hPa 0J/kg 6% 4.9°C 56% 95% 67% 0.05mm 88% 0.03mm 1.2dBZ 5.1° 95% 0.38mm 4.9m/s 13m/s 12m/s
10:00
952hPa 0J/kg 3% 5.4°C 55% 60% 72% 0.04mm 88% 0.06mm -0.69dBZ 11° 61% 0.38mm - - 11m/s
11:00
953hPa 0J/kg 2% 5.7°C 61% 75% 77% 0.01mm 92% 0.04mm -2.6dBZ 15° 75% 0.5mm - - 8.7m/s
12:00
953hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.1°C 11% 89% 82% 0mm 85% 0mm -4.4dBZ 19° 89% 0.5mm 4.5m/s 7.6m/s 6.3m/s
13:00
954hPa 0J/kg 4% 6.6°C 37% 94% 74% 0mm 84% 0mm -0.33dBZ 21° 94% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
14:00
955hPa 0J/kg 4% 7.3°C 11% 27% 67% 0mm 78% 0mm 3.8dBZ 22° 27% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
15:00
955hPa 1J/kg 3% 7.2°C 68% 85% 59% 0mm 78% 0.03mm 7.9dBZ 20° 85% 0mm 8.1m/s 8.7m/s 4.7m/s
16:00
956hPa 6J/kg 2% 6.7°C 86% 100% 67% 0.03mm 84% 0.07mm 9.3dBZ 18° 100% 0.06mm - - 5.4m/s
17:00
956hPa 9J/kg 0% 5.7°C 98% 98% 75% 1.2mm 97% 0.04mm 11dBZ 13° 98% 0.56mm - - 3.4m/s
18:00
956hPa 11J/kg 0% 5.3°C 100% 96% 83% 1.7mm 98% 0.18mm 12dBZ 8.2° 100% 2.1mm 3.9m/s 1m/s 3.4m/s
19:00
957hPa 16J/kg 0% 5.3°C 100% 93% 77% 0.69mm 96% 0.23mm 1.5dBZ 2.5° 100% 1.3mm - - 4.1m/s
20:00
958hPa 13J/kg 0% 5.7°C 96% 80% 72% 0.08mm 90% 0.14mm -9.3dBZ -3.9° 98% 1.7mm - - 3.8m/s
21:00
958hPa 1J/kg 0% 6.6°C 37% 11% 66% 0mm 80% 0.01mm -20dBZ -10° 37% 1.8mm 1.7m/s 5.1m/s 4.4m/s
22:00
959hPa 0J/kg 0% 7°C 6% 10% 63% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 10% 1.8mm - - 4.8m/s
23:00
960hPa 0J/kg 0% 7°C 5% 11% 60% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -21° 11% 1.8mm - - 4m/s
Sat, Mar 14 Sunrise 07:59 Sunset 19:32
24:00
960hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.7°C 50% 5% 56% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 50% 1.8mm 4.1m/s 3.5m/s 4.8m/s
01:00
961hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.7°C 7% 5% 43% 0mm 74% 0mm -15dBZ -26° 7% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
02:00
962hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.6°C 21% 44% 30% 0.01mm 79% 0mm -11dBZ -27° 48% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
03:00
963hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.5°C 72% 84% 17% 0.01mm 86% 0.01mm -6.1dBZ -26° 89% 0.06mm 3.1m/s 3.8m/s 5.6m/s
04:00
963hPa 3J/kg 0% 6.5°C 59% 47% 24% 0mm 81% 0.03mm -4.6dBZ -23° 68% 0.06mm - - 6.5m/s
05:00
964hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.4°C 63% 2% 32% 0.02mm 83% 0.03mm -3dBZ -18° 63% 0.13mm - - 6.1m/s
06:00
964hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.9°C 64% 0% 39% 0.03mm 90% 0.02mm -1.5dBZ -13° 64% 0.19mm 6.1m/s 8m/s 7.2m/s
07:00
965hPa 0J/kg 9% 5.5°C 69% 0% 26% 0.05mm 95% 0.04mm -5dBZ -6.9° 69% 0.13mm - - 6.3m/s
08:00
965hPa 0J/kg 98% 5.6°C 67% 0% 13% 0mm 90% 0.01mm -8.6dBZ -0.28° 98% 0.13mm - - 5.8m/s
09:00
966hPa 0J/kg 8% 6°C 52% 5% 0% 0mm 92% 0.01mm -12dBZ 5.5° 54% 0.13mm 5.8m/s 4.5m/s 4.8m/s
10:00
966hPa 0J/kg 23% 6.3°C 54% 5% 17% 0mm 92% 0.01mm -15dBZ 11° 64% 0.13mm - - 4.3m/s
11:00
966hPa 0J/kg 7% 7.1°C 52% 6% 33% 0.01mm 92% 0mm -17dBZ 16° 53% 0.19mm - - 3.5m/s
12:00
966hPa 0J/kg 32% 7.9°C 51% 5% 50% 0mm 89% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 64% 0.19mm 5.6m/s 7.8m/s 2.2m/s
13:00
963hPa 0J/kg 55% 9.6°C 49% 37% 65% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 76% 0.13mm - - 5.3m/s
14:00
960hPa 0J/kg 77% 11°C 47% 68% 80% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 88% 0.06mm - - 8.5m/s
15:00
956hPa 0J/kg 100% 13°C 45% 100% 95% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 21° 100% 0mm 3.3m/s 9.2m/s 12m/s
16:00
955hPa 0J/kg 100% 13°C 37% 100% 68% 0mm 86% 0mm -16dBZ 18° 100% 0mm - - 12m/s
17:00
954hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 28% 100% 41% 0mm 86% 0mm -12dBZ 14° 100% 0mm - - 13m/s
18:00
953hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 19% 100% 14% 0mm 85% 0mm -8.3dBZ 8.5° 100% 0mm 5.3m/s 13m/s 13m/s
19:00
952hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 44% 100% 31% 0.02mm 85% 0mm -4.9dBZ 2.8° 100% 0mm - - 13m/s
20:00
952hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.9°C 68% 100% 47% 0.04mm 84% 0mm -1.6dBZ -3.5° 100% 0mm - - 13m/s
21:00
951hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.1°C 92% 100% 64% 0.06mm 83% 0mm 1.8dBZ -9.7° 100% 0mm 9m/s 20m/s 13m/s
22:00
950hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.7°C 94% 100% 66% 0.1mm 84% 0mm -1.2dBZ -15° 100% 0.25mm - - 14m/s
23:00
950hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.2°C 97% 100% 69% 0.13mm 85% 0mm -4.1dBZ -20° 100% 0.5mm - - 14m/s
Sun, Mar 15 Sunrise 07:55 Sunset 19:35
24:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.7°C 100% 100% 71% 0.17mm 86% 0mm -7.1dBZ -24° 100% 0.75mm 10m/s 18m/s 15m/s
01:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.3°C 89% 100% 60% 0.11mm 84% 0mm -3.4dBZ -26° 100% 0.56mm - - 15m/s
02:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.9°C 79% 100% 49% 0.06mm 82% 0mm 0.2dBZ -27° 100% 0.38mm - - 16m/s
03:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.5°C 68% 100% 38% 0mm 81% 0mm 3.8dBZ -25° 100% 0.19mm 11m/s 9.4m/s 16m/s
04:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.3°C 69% 100% 40% 0.02mm 82% 0mm 7.1dBZ -22° 100% 0.21mm - - 16m/s
05:00
950hPa 0J/kg 99% 6°C 69% 100% 43% 0.03mm 83% 0mm 10dBZ -18° 100% 0.23mm - - 15m/s
06:00
950hPa 0J/kg 99% 5.7°C 70% 100% 46% 0.05mm 84% 0mm 14dBZ -12° 100% 0.25mm 15m/s 16m/s 15m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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