Skip to content
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

Get notified
Free alerts · takes 30 seconds
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 51% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover55%
Wind Gusts3.6m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure995.1hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index7.0°C
Wind Gusts3.6m/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.

Create your own Storm Chaser alerts

Get notified when these conditions match at your own locations.

Get this template

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
Fri, Jun 12
20:000%66%0J/kg6.7°C24134m2.1m/s
21:000%32%0J/kg7°C24134m2m/s
22:000%58%0J/kg6.9°C24135m1.8m/s
23:000%65%0J/kg6.9°C24135m1.5m/s
Sat, Jun 13
24:000%75%0J/kg6.9°C24134m1.9m/s
01:000%30%0J/kg7.2°C24135m2.1m/s
02:000%44%0J/kg7.6°C24134m1.9m/s
03:000%75%0J/kg7.8°C24135m1.8m/s
04:000%71%0J/kg8.1°C24135m1.1m/s
05:000%75%0J/kg7.9°C24135m1.3m/s
06:000%63%0J/kg7.9°C24134m1.5m/s
07:000%63%0J/kg7.3°C24134m1.6m/s
08:000%62%0J/kg7.4°C24135m1.8m/s
09:000%37%0J/kg7.6°C24134m2.2m/s
10:000%55%0J/kg8°C24134m2.6m/s
11:000%56%0J/kg8.2°C24135m2.3m/s
12:000%48%0J/kg8.3°C24135m2.2m/s
13:000%25%0J/kg8.6°C24135m1.9m/s
14:000%42%0J/kg8.7°C24135m2.1m/s
15:000%38%0J/kg8.6°C24135m2.7m/s
16:000%70%0J/kg8.1°C24134m4.2m/s
17:000%79%0J/kg7.6°C24135m4.4m/s
18:000%57%0J/kg7.4°C24135m4.4m/s
19:000%51%0J/kg7.4°C24135m4.1m/s
20:000%88%0J/kg7.4°C24134m3.6m/s
21:000%88%0J/kg7.2°C24135m3.5m/s
22:000%94%0J/kg7°C24134m3.7m/s
23:000%77%0J/kg7°C24134m3.7m/s
Sun, Jun 14
24:000%80%0J/kg6.9°C24134m3.3m/s
01:000%90%0J/kg7.1°C24134m2.8m/s
02:000%95%0J/kg7.4°C24134m2.4m/s
03:000%71%0J/kg7.6°C24134m1.9m/s
04:000%65%0J/kg7.9°C24135m1.4m/s
05:000%53%0J/kg8.1°C24135m1.1m/s
06:000%66%0J/kg8.2°C24134m0.8m/s
07:000%55%0J/kg8.6°C24135m0.7m/s
08:000%53%0J/kg8.6°C24135m1m/s
09:000%63%0J/kg8.3°C24135m1m/s
10:000%85%1J/kg7.9°C24134m1.1m/s
11:000%55%5J/kg7.4°C24135m1.3m/s
12:000%43%4J/kg7.1°C24134m1.4m/s
13:000%39%3J/kg6.8°C24135m1.6m/s
14:000%39%5J/kg6.5°C24135m2m/s
15:000%36%6J/kg6.5°C24134m2.2m/s
16:000%48%4J/kg6.6°C24134m2.2m/s
17:000%60%3J/kg6.6°C24135m2.3m/s
18:000%60%5J/kg6.6°C24135m2.1m/s
19:000%68%4J/kg6.7°C24135m1.7m/s
20:000%68%1J/kg6.8°C24134m1.4m/s
21:000%46%2J/kg6.7°C24135m0.82m/s
22:000%82%2J/kg6.3°C24135m1m/s
23:000%51%2J/kg6.1°C24134m1.3m/s
Mon, Jun 15
24:000%65%3J/kg5.9°C24135m1.1m/s
01:000%53%7J/kg5.7°C24134m1m/s
02:000%58%6J/kg5.5°C24134m0.83m/s
03:000%66%8J/kg5.4°C24134m0.82m/s
04:000%65%11J/kg5.5°C24134m0.9m/s
05:000%63%10J/kg5.6°C24135m1.1m/s
06:000%57%9J/kg5.5°C24134m0.91m/s
07:000%55%8J/kg5.7°C24135m0.71m/s
08:000%52%8J/kg5.6°C24134m0.8m/s
09:000%44%7J/kg5.4°C24134m0.8m/s
10:000%44%6J/kg4.9°C24135m0.61m/s
11:000%36%7J/kg5°C24135m0.5m/s
12:000%36%8J/kg4.9°C24135m0.63m/s
13:000%37%9J/kg4.5°C24135m1.1m/s
14:000%53%6J/kg4.4°C24135m1.2m/s
15:000%42%5J/kg4.4°C24134m1.4m/s
16:000%43%4J/kg4.4°C24135m1.8m/s
17:000%56%3J/kg4.5°C24135m2m/s
18:000%60%2J/kg4.5°C24135m2.3m/s
19:000%75%0J/kg4.5°C24134m2.2m/s
20:000%100%0J/kg4.7°C24134m2.3m/s
21:000%60%0J/kg4.8°C24135m2.3m/s
22:000%51%0J/kg4.8°C24134m2m/s
23:000%49%0J/kg4.9°C24135m2.2m/s
Tue, Jun 16
24:000%46%0J/kg5.1°C24134m2.2m/s
01:000%56%0J/kg5.6°C24134m2.5m/s
02:000%77%0J/kg6.1°C24135m2.7m/s
03:000%53%0J/kg6.6°C24135m2.9m/s
04:000%53%0.67J/kg5.8°C24135m2.7m/s
05:000%53%1.3J/kg4.9°C24135m2.5m/s
06:000%47%2J/kg4°C24135m2.4m/s
07:000%57%2.3J/kg3.7°C24135m2.4m/s
08:000%77%2.7J/kg3.4°C24135m2.5m/s
09:000%65%3J/kg3.1°C24135m2.6m/s
10:000%65%3.3J/kg3.1°C24135m2.5m/s
11:000%34%3.7J/kg3.2°C24135m2.5m/s
12:000%32%4J/kg3.2°C24135m2.5m/s
13:000%30%2.7J/kg3.8°C24135m3.3m/s
14:000%30%1.3J/kg4.4°C24135m4m/s
15:000%21%0J/kg4.9°C24135m4.8m/s
16:000%25%0J/kg5.2°C24135m5.4m/s
17:000%36%0J/kg5.5°C24135m5.9m/s
18:000%39%0J/kg5.8°C24135m6.5m/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
Sat, Jun 13 Sunrise 02:20 Sunset 24:51
20:00
995hPa 0J/kg 51% 7°C 43% 0% 0% 0mm 72% 0.01mm -17dBZ 19° 55% 0mm - - 3m/s
21:00
996hPa 0J/kg 56% 7°C 46% 0% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -16dBZ 13° 56% 0mm 3.6m/s 5.3m/s 3m/s
22:00
996hPa 0J/kg 47% 6.9°C 15% 0% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -17dBZ 47% 0mm - - 3m/s
23:00
996hPa 0J/kg 53% 7.2°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -19dBZ 3.9° 53% 0mm - - 3m/s
Sun, Jun 14 Sunrise 02:17 Sunset 24:54
24:00
997hPa 0J/kg 95% 7.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 1.1° 95% 0mm 2.4m/s 6.3m/s 2.5m/s
01:00
997hPa 0J/kg 64% 7.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -0.5° 64% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
02:00
997hPa 0J/kg 47% 7.9°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ -0.71° 47% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
03:00
997hPa 0J/kg 49% 8°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 0.74° 49% 0mm 1.5m/s 4.5m/s 1.4m/s
04:00
997hPa 0J/kg 53% 8.3°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 3.2° 53% 0mm - - 0.92m/s
05:00
997hPa 0J/kg 55% 8.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 55% 0mm - - 0.8m/s
06:00
997hPa 0J/kg 61% 8.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 61% 0mm 1m/s 2.6m/s 0.8m/s
07:00
997hPa 0J/kg 59% 8.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 59% 0mm - - 0.98m/s
08:00
997hPa 0J/kg 84% 8.7°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 84% 0mm - - 0.78m/s
09:00
997hPa 0J/kg 58% 8.5°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 58% 0mm 2m/s 2.7m/s 0.14m/s
10:00
997hPa 1J/kg 59% 8.1°C 33% 0% 13% 0mm 67% 0mm -18dBZ 36° 59% 0mm - - 0.6m/s
11:00
997hPa 5J/kg 48% 7.7°C 46% 0% 26% 0mm 64% 0mm -16dBZ 41° 52% 0mm - - 1m/s
12:00
997hPa 4J/kg 5% 7.3°C 44% 0% 39% 0mm 62% 0mm -13dBZ 45° 44% 0mm 2.6m/s 3.2m/s 1.6m/s
13:00
997hPa 1J/kg 5% 7.1°C 24% 0% 26% 0mm 61% 0mm -16dBZ 47° 24% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
14:00
997hPa 0J/kg 5% 7°C 4% 0% 13% 0mm 60% 0mm -18dBZ 48° 6% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
15:00
997hPa 1J/kg 26% 6.8°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 27% 0mm 3.1m/s 5m/s 2m/s
16:00
996hPa 0J/kg 30% 6.8°C 3% 0% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 42° 30% 0mm - - 2m/s
17:00
996hPa 1J/kg 5% 6.8°C 9% 0% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 9% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
18:00
996hPa 1J/kg 5% 6.7°C 12% 0% 0% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 12% 0mm 2.8m/s 7m/s 1.7m/s
19:00
995hPa 2J/kg 5% 6.5°C 21% 0% 0% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 21% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
20:00
995hPa 3J/kg 5% 6.3°C 21% 2% 0% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 21% 0mm - - 0.91m/s
21:00
995hPa 3J/kg 5% 6.1°C 4% 2% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 6% 0mm 2.8m/s 8.1m/s 0.27m/s
22:00
995hPa 3J/kg 29% 6.1°C 5% 0% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -20dBZ 29% 0mm - - 0.28m/s
23:00
994hPa 4J/kg 42% 5.9°C 13% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 42% 0mm - - 0.7m/s
Mon, Jun 15 Sunrise 02:15 Sunset 24:57
24:00
994hPa 4J/kg 85% 5.7°C 10% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 1.2° 85% 0mm 2.5m/s 7.9m/s 1m/s
01:00
994hPa 4J/kg 99% 5.6°C 9% 6% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -0.43° 99% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
02:00
993hPa 5J/kg 100% 5.4°C 12% 82% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -0.65° 100% 0mm - - 1m/s
03:00
993hPa 7J/kg 100% 5.2°C 24% 100% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 0.77° 100% 0mm 2.1m/s 7.2m/s 0.81m/s
04:00
992hPa 7J/kg 100% 5.2°C 28% 100% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ 3.3° 100% 0mm - - 0.65m/s
05:00
992hPa 6J/kg 99% 5.1°C 18% 100% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 7.1° 100% 0mm - - 0.62m/s
06:00
991hPa 6J/kg 100% 5°C 23% 100% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 100% 0mm 1.8m/s 7.2m/s 0.82m/s
07:00
991hPa 6J/kg 100% 4.9°C 28% 100% 5% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 100% 0mm - - 0.85m/s
08:00
991hPa 5J/kg 100% 4.8°C 24% 100% 11% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 100% 0mm - - 0.74m/s
09:00
990hPa 6J/kg 100% 4.8°C 29% 100% 16% 0mm 70% 0.01mm -20dBZ 30° 100% 0mm 1.2m/s 8.1m/s 0.98m/s
10:00
990hPa 7J/kg 100% 4.7°C 20% 100% 24% 0mm 69% 0.03mm -16dBZ 36° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.2m/s
11:00
989hPa 4J/kg 100% 4.4°C 8% 100% 31% 0mm 68% 0.03mm -12dBZ 41° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.3m/s
12:00
989hPa 7J/kg 100% 4.3°C 14% 100% 39% 0mm 67% 0.03mm -8.3dBZ 45° 100% 0.13mm 2.1m/s 7.3m/s 1.4m/s
13:00
989hPa 8J/kg 100% 4.1°C 11% 100% 26% 0mm 66% 0.04mm -12dBZ 47° 100% 0.06mm - - 1.8m/s
14:00
988hPa 6J/kg 46% 4.1°C 6% 92% 13% 0mm 65% 0.05mm -16dBZ 48° 92% 0.13mm - - 2.1m/s
15:00
988hPa 4J/kg 0% 4.1°C 9% 76% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 76% 0.19mm 0.39m/s 2.5m/s 2.4m/s
16:00
987hPa 4J/kg 0% 4.1°C 11% 74% 0% 0mm 62% 0.04mm -17dBZ 42° 74% 0.19mm - - 2.6m/s
17:00
987hPa 3J/kg 0% 4.2°C 14% 56% 0% 0mm 61% 0.02mm -14dBZ 37° 56% 0.19mm - - 2.6m/s
18:00
986hPa 3J/kg 5% 4.5°C 48% 34% 0% 0mm 61% 0.01mm -11dBZ 31° 57% 0.25mm 0.33m/s 3.1m/s 2.8m/s
19:00
986hPa 1J/kg 17% 4.8°C 12% 5% 0% 0mm 62% 0mm -14dBZ 25° 17% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
20:00
986hPa 0J/kg 95% 4.9°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 63% 0mm -17dBZ 19° 95% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
21:00
985hPa 0J/kg 72% 5.4°C 5% 5% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 72% 0mm 1.5m/s 5.2m/s 2.4m/s
22:00
985hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.8°C 5% 53% 17% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 8.1° 100% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
23:00
985hPa 1J/kg 99% 6.2°C 5% 47% 33% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 99% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
Tue, Jun 16 Sunrise 02:12 Sunset 01:00
24:00
984hPa 1J/kg 100% 6.2°C 5% 57% 50% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 1.2° 100% 0mm 2.2m/s 7.2m/s 1.9m/s
01:00
984hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.3°C 5% 99% 33% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -0.36° 100% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
02:00
984hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.3°C 5% 100% 17% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -0.6° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
03:00
984hPa 0J/kg 55% 6°C 5% 100% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 0.8° 100% 0mm 2m/s 6.5m/s 2.3m/s
04:00
984hPa 0J/kg 5% 5.4°C 5% 100% 13% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 3.3° 100% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
05:00
984hPa 0J/kg 5% 5.3°C 5% 100% 26% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 7.1° 100% 0mm - - 2.6m/s
06:00
984hPa 0J/kg 5% 6°C 24% 100% 39% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 100% 0mm 3.7m/s 8.8m/s 2.6m/s
07:00
984hPa 1.7J/kg 3% 5.1°C 47% 97% 39% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 18° 98% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
08:00
984hPa 3.3J/kg 2% 4.2°C 70% 94% 39% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 97% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
09:00
984hPa 5J/kg 0% 3.3°C 94% 90% 39% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 95% 0mm 1.8m/s 6m/s 1.3m/s
10:00
984hPa 4J/kg 0% 3.4°C 95% 61% 33% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 36° 96% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
11:00
984hPa 3J/kg 0% 3.5°C 96% 32% 28% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 41° 97% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
12:00
984hPa 2J/kg 0% 3.6°C 97% 3% 22% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 45° 97% 0mm 7m/s 7.5m/s 1.3m/s
13:00
984hPa 1.3J/kg 0% 4.1°C 88% 2% 15% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 47° 88% 0mm - - 0.91m/s
14:00
984hPa 0.67J/kg 0% 4.6°C 79% 1% 7% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 48° 79% 0mm - - 0.54m/s
15:00
983hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.1°C 69% 0% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 69% 0mm 9.7m/s 7.6m/s 0.18m/s
16:00
983hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.1°C 50% 2% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -18dBZ 42° 50% 0mm - - 0.37m/s
17:00
984hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.1°C 30% 3% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -15dBZ 37° 30% 0mm - - 0.56m/s
18:00
984hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.1°C 11% 5% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -13dBZ 31° 11% 0mm 11m/s 8.5m/s 0.74m/s
19:00
984hPa 0J/kg 0% 5°C 35% 15% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -15dBZ 25° 35% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

Get Notified of Opportunities

Create your own custom alerts for this location and more.

Create Free Account