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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 56% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts5.2m/s
Precipitation Chance42%
Air Pressure973.1hPa
CAPE2
Lifted Index10.1°C
Wind Gusts5.2m/s
Precipitation0.2mm

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 79 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, Jul 8
05:0032%27%0J/kg8.8°C3206m8m/s
06:0037%28%3J/kg10°C1118m8.2m/s
07:0025%58%18J/kg10°C428m7.8m/s
08:0025%60%15J/kg10°C24135m8.5m/s
09:0020%55%0J/kg9.4°C22282m7m/s
10:0025%31%2J/kg9°C24134m6.8m/s
11:0023%28%0J/kg8.9°C24134m6.6m/s
12:0022%26%0J/kg9.4°C24134m6.3m/s
13:0020%24%1J/kg9.9°C24134m5.9m/s
14:0019%24%2J/kg10°C24135m5.2m/s
15:0015%18%1J/kg10°C24135m4.5m/s
16:000%21%0J/kg10°C24135m3.7m/s
17:000%20%0J/kg9.9°C24135m3.2m/s
18:0015%20%0J/kg10°C24134m2.7m/s
19:0016%26%0J/kg9.9°C24134m2.9m/s
20:0018%29%4J/kg9.5°C24134m3m/s
21:0016%59%6J/kg8.6°C24135m2.9m/s
22:0018%57%4J/kg7.5°C24134m2m/s
23:0021%75%9J/kg6.4°C24092m2m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:0022%52%10J/kg5.6°C20147m1.6m/s
01:0024%53%12J/kg4.5°C14854m1.5m/s
02:0023%52%11J/kg4.1°C24135m1.8m/s
03:0023%55%14J/kg3°C24134m1.5m/s
04:0018%54%11J/kg2.6°C20150m1.1m/s
05:0018%54%11J/kg2.4°C21024m1.4m/s
06:0018%53%10J/kg2.1°C19822m0.91m/s
07:0021%56%10J/kg2.2°C17546m0.91m/s
08:0019%55%14J/kg2.5°C16996m1.3m/s
09:0015%48%19J/kg2.7°C17543m1.5m/s
10:0015%48%23J/kg3°C19691m1.4m/s
11:0015%53%12J/kg3.3°C24135m1.1m/s
12:0018%59%5J/kg3.2°C24135m1.2m/s
13:000%83%16J/kg3°C24134m1.6m/s
14:0018%53%24J/kg2.9°C24135m1.8m/s
15:0018%51%16J/kg3.1°C19216m1.9m/s
16:0017%48%19J/kg3.4°C24134m2m/s
17:000%49%16J/kg3.6°C20967m2m/s
18:000%47%17J/kg3.9°C24135m2.2m/s
19:0014%60%10J/kg4.2°C24134m2.2m/s
20:0017%62%7J/kg4.8°C24135m2.6m/s
21:0017%92%6J/kg5.9°C24135m2.6m/s
22:0016%90%5J/kg6.7°C24135m2.7m/s
23:000%94%1J/kg7.2°C24135m3m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:000%54%0J/kg8.3°C24135m2.6m/s
01:000%29%0J/kg9.2°C24135m2.6m/s
02:000%24%0J/kg10°C24135m2.2m/s
03:0011%29%0J/kg11°C24134m1.8m/s
04:000%31%1J/kg11°C24135m1.8m/s
05:0016%48%11J/kg11°C24134m2.8m/s
06:0018%76%15J/kg11°C22601m3.2m/s
07:0018%74%12J/kg11°C24134m4.7m/s
08:0019%100%11J/kg11°C24134m5.2m/s
09:0014%63%18J/kg11°C24037m6.6m/s
10:000%61%19J/kg10°C23394m7.3m/s
11:0023%69%25J/kg10°C21851m8.5m/s
12:0020%67%10J/kg11°C24134m9m/s
13:0022%48%0J/kg11°C24135m8.8m/s
14:0021%67%0J/kg11°C24134m8.6m/s
15:0019%68%0J/kg12°C24134m8.2m/s
16:0023%63%0J/kg12°C24135m8.5m/s
17:0022%67%3J/kg12°C24135m9.5m/s
18:0028%71%2J/kg12°C24135m10m/s
19:000%100%1.7J/kg8.9°C23534m11m/s
20:0024%91%1.3J/kg5.8°C22932m11m/s
21:0023%60%1J/kg2.7°C22331m12m/s
22:0018%65%0.67J/kg2.6°C15110m12m/s
23:0018%65%0.33J/kg2.5°C7889m13m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:0044%65%0J/kg2.5°C668m13m/s
01:0031%65%0.33J/kg3.1°C525m13m/s
02:0034%82%0.67J/kg3.8°C383m13m/s
03:0044%25%1J/kg4.4°C240m13m/s
04:0035%30%0.67J/kg4.4°C201m12m/s
05:0022%33%0.33J/kg4.4°C162m12m/s
06:0042%38%0J/kg4.4°C124m11m/s
07:0023%38%5J/kg4.6°C119m11m/s
08:0023%38%10J/kg4.8°C115m12m/s
09:0039%26%15J/kg4.9°C110m12m/s
10:0032%31%11J/kg5.9°C107m13m/s
11:0032%31%7J/kg6.9°C104m13m/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
Convective Precip Fraction
fraction
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
Wed, Jul 8 Sunrise 02:55 Sunset 24:27
14:00
973hPa 2J/kg 0.42fraction 0% 10°C 100% 0% 42% 0.01mm 83% 0.06mm 7.6dBZ 47° 100% 0.19mm - - 3.1m/s
15:00
973hPa 1J/kg 0.5fraction 0% 10°C 100% 0% 22% 0mm 79% 0.04mm 7.3dBZ 45° 100% 0.25mm 5.3m/s 15m/s 2.9m/s
16:00
973hPa 0J/kg 0.39fraction 0% 10°C 88% 0% 35% 0mm 75% 0.01mm 0.11dBZ 41° 88% 0.31mm - - 2.4m/s
17:00
973hPa 0J/kg 0.28fraction 0% 9.9°C 98% 0% 48% 0mm 73% 0.01mm -7.1dBZ 36° 98% 0.31mm - - 2.3m/s
18:00
972hPa 0J/kg 0.16fraction 0% 10°C 100% 0% 61% 0mm 74% 0mm -14dBZ 31° 100% 0.31mm 7.7m/s 13m/s 2.2m/s
19:00
972hPa 0J/kg 0.26fraction 0% 9.9°C 87% 0% 68% 0mm 74% 0mm -8.3dBZ 25° 87% 0mm - - 2.3m/s
20:00
972hPa 4J/kg 0.37fraction 0% 9.5°C 89% 3% 75% 0mm 73% 0.01mm -2.3dBZ 18° 89% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
21:00
971hPa 6J/kg 0.47fraction 5% 8.6°C 100% 15% 82% 0.01mm 74% 0mm 3.7dBZ 13° 100% 0mm 8.8m/s 14m/s 1.9m/s
22:00
971hPa 4J/kg 0.35fraction 3% 7.5°C 100% 100% 86% 0.02mm 78% 0mm 8.3dBZ 7.5° 100% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
23:00
970hPa 9J/kg 0.24fraction 12% 6.4°C 100% 100% 89% 0.06mm 84% 0.04mm 13dBZ 3.4° 100% 0.13mm - - 1.7m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 02:59 Sunset 24:23
24:00
970hPa 10J/kg 0.12fraction 0% 5.6°C 100% 100% 93% 0.1mm 88% 0.1mm 17dBZ 0.55° 100% 0.19mm 13m/s 17m/s 1.5m/s
01:00
969hPa 12J/kg 0.2fraction 0% 4.5°C 100% 94% 90% 0.47mm 91% 0.11mm 17dBZ -1.5° 100% 0.44mm - - 1.5m/s
02:00
969hPa 11J/kg 0.27fraction 0% 4.1°C 96% 89% 87% 0.18mm 91% 0.03mm 16dBZ -1.8° 97% 0.81mm - - 1.8m/s
03:00
969hPa 14J/kg 0.34fraction 0% 3°C 53% 91% 84% 0.07mm 92% 0.04mm 16dBZ -0.32° 91% 0.94mm 5.6m/s 3.9m/s 1.5m/s
04:00
969hPa 11J/kg 0.26fraction 0% 2.6°C 100% 95% 86% 0.01mm 92% 0.16mm 20dBZ 2.1° 100% 1.1mm - - 0.82m/s
05:00
969hPa 11J/kg 0.18fraction 0% 2.4°C 100% 100% 88% 0.01mm 90% 0.14mm 25dBZ 5.8° 100% 1.3mm - - 0.91m/s
06:00
969hPa 10J/kg 0.09fraction 0% 2.1°C 100% 100% 90% 0.1mm 90% 0.18mm 29dBZ 11° 100% 1.5mm 1.3m/s 4.7m/s 0.69m/s
07:00
969hPa 10J/kg 0.07fraction 0% 2.2°C 100% 100% 81% 0.28mm 91% 0.17mm 13dBZ 16° 100% 0.38mm - - 0.68m/s
08:00
969hPa 14J/kg 0.05fraction 0% 2.5°C 96% 100% 72% 0.31mm 91% 0.16mm -3.7dBZ 22° 100% 0.75mm - - 1m/s
09:00
969hPa 19J/kg 0.03fraction 0% 2.7°C 93% 100% 64% 0.22mm 90% 0.18mm -20dBZ 28° 100% 1.2mm 4m/s 4.7m/s 1.3m/s
10:00
970hPa 23J/kg 0.06fraction 0% 3°C 91% 100% 68% 0.15mm 84% 0.15mm -8.6dBZ 34° 100% 1.5mm - - 1.1m/s
11:00
970hPa 12J/kg 0.1fraction 0% 3.3°C 78% 94% 72% 0.03mm 79% 0.07mm 2.8dBZ 40° 94% 1.6mm - - 0.92m/s
12:00
970hPa 5J/kg 0.13fraction 0% 3.2°C 27% 93% 76% 0mm 70% 0.01mm 14dBZ 44° 93% 1.6mm 2.2m/s 5.2m/s 1m/s
13:00
970hPa 16J/kg 0.35fraction 0% 3°C 57% 50% 59% 0mm 67% 0.08mm 15dBZ 46° 63% 0.06mm - - 1.4m/s
14:00
970hPa 24J/kg 0.56fraction 0% 2.9°C 70% 5% 43% 0mm 68% 0.14mm 17dBZ 47° 70% 0.13mm - - 2m/s
15:00
970hPa 16J/kg 0.77fraction 0% 3.1°C 66% 4% 26% 0mm 70% 0.22mm 18dBZ 45° 66% 0.38mm 0.33m/s 5.4m/s 2m/s
16:00
971hPa 19J/kg 0.57fraction 0% 3.4°C 61% 3% 27% 0mm 73% 0.13mm 15dBZ 41° 61% 0.56mm - - 2.3m/s
17:00
971hPa 16J/kg 0.37fraction 0% 3.6°C 53% 4% 28% 0mm 73% 0.14mm 12dBZ 36° 53% 0.75mm - - 2.5m/s
18:00
971hPa 17J/kg 0.17fraction 0% 3.9°C 74% 3% 28% 0mm 72% 0.01mm 8.9dBZ 31° 74% 0.81mm 1m/s 8.5m/s 2.5m/s
19:00
972hPa 10J/kg 0.45fraction 0% 4.2°C 35% 2% 32% 0mm 71% 0.01mm 9dBZ 24° 35% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
20:00
972hPa 7J/kg 0.72fraction 0% 4.8°C 27% 6% 35% 0mm 74% 0.03mm 9.1dBZ 18° 27% 0mm - - 3.4m/s
21:00
973hPa 6J/kg 1fraction 0% 5.9°C 31% 48% 39% 0mm 80% 0.01mm 9.3dBZ 13° 50% 0mm 3.1m/s 7.9m/s 3m/s
22:00
973hPa 5J/kg 0.68fraction 0% 6.7°C 40% 73% 45% 0mm 84% 0.01mm 1dBZ 7.4° 73% 0.06mm - - 3m/s
23:00
974hPa 1J/kg 0.37fraction 0% 7.2°C 41% 23% 50% 0.01mm 87% 0mm -7.2dBZ 3.3° 51% 0.06mm - - 2.9m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 03:02 Sunset 24:20
24:00
974hPa 0J/kg 0.05fraction 0% 8.3°C 25% 0% 56% 0mm 88% 0mm -15dBZ 0.45° 25% 0.06mm 5.4m/s 8.7m/s 2.4m/s
01:00
975hPa 0J/kg 0.03fraction 0% 9.2°C 8% 0% 50% 0mm 90% 0mm -17dBZ -1.6° 8% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
02:00
975hPa 0J/kg 0.02fraction 0% 10°C 5% 0% 45% 0mm 91% 0mm -18dBZ -1.9° 5% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
03:00
976hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 5% 11°C 6% 0% 39% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -0.51° 6% 0mm 4m/s 12m/s 1.3m/s
04:00
976hPa 1J/kg 0.33fraction 5% 11°C 7% 0% 45% 0mm 88% 0.01mm -10dBZ 7% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
05:00
976hPa 11J/kg 0.67fraction 5% 11°C 16% 0% 50% 0mm 88% 0.06mm -0.22dBZ 5.7° 16% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
06:00
977hPa 15J/kg 1fraction 16% 11°C 13% 5% 56% 0mm 87% 0.1mm 9.7dBZ 10° 16% 0.13mm 7.9m/s 16m/s 2.3m/s
07:00
977hPa 12J/kg 0.7fraction 5% 11°C 29% 5% 50% 0mm 82% 0.06mm 3dBZ 16° 29% 0.13mm - - 2.5m/s
08:00
978hPa 11J/kg 0.41fraction 17% 11°C 30% 5% 45% 0mm 78% 0.04mm -3.7dBZ 22° 30% 0.13mm - - 3.2m/s
09:00
979hPa 18J/kg 0.11fraction 5% 11°C 32% 5% 39% 0mm 80% 0.1mm -10dBZ 28° 32% 0.25mm 7.1m/s 14m/s 4.6m/s
10:00
979hPa 19J/kg 0.18fraction 5% 10°C 40% 5% 53% 0mm 80% 0.1mm -5.6dBZ 34° 40% 0.31mm - - 5.4m/s
11:00
979hPa 25J/kg 0.25fraction 5% 10°C 59% 0% 68% 0mm 82% 0.17mm -0.81dBZ 39° 59% 0.5mm - - 6.6m/s
12:00
980hPa 10J/kg 0.31fraction 0% 11°C 67% 0% 82% 0mm 83% 0.07mm 4dBZ 44° 67% 0.63mm 8.6m/s 15m/s 7.4m/s
13:00
981hPa 0J/kg 0.52fraction 5% 11°C 99% 5% 68% 0.01mm 82% 0.04mm 4.4dBZ 46° 99% 0.06mm - - 6.8m/s
14:00
981hPa 0J/kg 0.72fraction 96% 11°C 100% 62% 53% 0.02mm 83% 0.01mm 4.8dBZ 46° 100% 0.06mm - - 6.2m/s
15:00
982hPa 0J/kg 0.93fraction 45% 12°C 99% 43% 39% 0.01mm 82% 0.01mm 5.3dBZ 45° 99% 0.13mm 9.3m/s 13m/s 5.7m/s
16:00
982hPa 0J/kg 0.71fraction 100% 12°C 93% 88% 45% 0mm 80% 0.03mm 4.2dBZ 41° 100% 0.13mm - - 6.3m/s
17:00
983hPa 3J/kg 0.5fraction 100% 12°C 52% 100% 51% 0mm 83% 0.03mm 3dBZ 36° 100% 0.19mm - - 7.6m/s
18:00
983hPa 2J/kg 0.28fraction 5% 12°C 30% 5% 56% 0mm 81% 0.01mm 1.9dBZ 31° 30% 0.19mm 9.2m/s 16m/s 8.1m/s
19:00
983hPa 1.7J/kg 0.4fraction 37% 8.9°C 53% 37% 50% 0.04mm 84% 0.02mm 1.1dBZ 24° 53% 0.17mm - - 7.4m/s
20:00
983hPa 1.3J/kg 0.52fraction 68% 5.8°C 77% 68% 44% 0.09mm 88% 0.02mm 0.23dBZ 18° 77% 0.15mm - - 6.6m/s
21:00
984hPa 1J/kg 0.64fraction 100% 2.7°C 100% 100% 38% 0.13mm 91% 0.03mm -0.6dBZ 12° 100% 0.13mm 11m/s 17m/s 5.8m/s
22:00
983hPa 0.67J/kg 0.5fraction 100% 2.6°C 100% 100% 45% 0.14mm 93% 0.02mm -0.99dBZ 7.3° 100% 0.25mm - - 6.2m/s
23:00
983hPa 0.33J/kg 0.36fraction 100% 2.5°C 100% 100% 53% 0.15mm 94% 0.01mm -1.4dBZ 3.2° 100% 0.38mm - - 6.6m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 03:06 Sunset 24:16
24:00
983hPa 0J/kg 0.22fraction 100% 2.5°C 100% 100% 61% 0.16mm 96% 0mm -1.8dBZ 0.35° 100% 0.5mm 19m/s 17m/s 7.1m/s
01:00
983hPa 0.33J/kg 0.21fraction 67% 3.1°C 100% 67% 51% 0.16mm 96% 0.01mm 3.6dBZ -1.7° 100% 0.48mm - - 7.8m/s
02:00
984hPa 0.67J/kg 0.2fraction 33% 3.8°C 100% 33% 40% 0.15mm 96% 0.02mm 8.9dBZ -2.1° 100% 0.46mm - - 8.5m/s
03:00
984hPa 1J/kg 0.19fraction 0% 4.4°C 100% 0% 30% 0.15mm 96% 0.03mm 14dBZ -0.69° 100% 0.44mm 16m/s 15m/s 9.3m/s
04:00
984hPa 0.67J/kg 0.13fraction 2% 4.4°C 100% 2% 37% 0.11mm 96% 0.02mm 14dBZ 1.9° 100% 0.54mm - - 8.1m/s
05:00
985hPa 0.33J/kg 0.06fraction 4% 4.4°C 100% 3% 45% 0.07mm 97% 0.01mm 14dBZ 5.6° 100% 0.65mm - - 6.9m/s
06:00
986hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 6% 4.4°C 100% 5% 52% 0.03mm 97% 0mm 13dBZ 10° 100% 0.75mm 16m/s 16m/s 5.8m/s
07:00
986hPa 5J/kg 0.06fraction 6% 4.6°C 100% 5% 47% 0.05mm 97% 0mm 13dBZ 16° 100% 0.56mm - - 5.8m/s
08:00
986hPa 10J/kg 0.12fraction 5% 4.8°C 100% 5% 42% 0.07mm 97% 0mm 12dBZ 22° 100% 0.38mm - - 5.9m/s
09:00
987hPa 15J/kg 0.18fraction 5% 4.9°C 100% 5% 37% 0.09mm 97% 0mm 12dBZ 28° 100% 0.19mm 13m/s 12m/s 6m/s
10:00
987hPa 11J/kg 0.12fraction 3% 5.9°C 100% 5% 44% 0.08mm 97% 0mm 9.3dBZ 34° 100% 0.27mm - - 6.5m/s
11:00
987hPa 7J/kg 0.07fraction 2% 6.9°C 100% 5% 51% 0.08mm 97% 0mm 7dBZ 39° 100% 0.35mm - - 6.9m/s
12:00
988hPa 3J/kg 0.009fraction 0% 7.8°C 100% 5% 57% 0.07mm 97% 0mm 4.5dBZ 43° 100% 0.44mm 10m/s 13m/s 7.4m/s
13:00
988hPa 2.3J/kg 0.01fraction 33% 8.3°C 100% 29% 56% 0.17mm 97% 0mm 6.7dBZ 46° 100% 0.48mm - - 7.1m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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