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Rule Storm Chaser

Reynisfjara - Storm Chaser - Iceland Coast

Vik, South, 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 49% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts12.9m/s
Precipitation Chance47%
Air Pressure946.3hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index6.8°C
Wind Gusts12.9m/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
Fri, Apr 10
19:000%58%0J/kg5.8°C24134m5.7m/s
20:000%19%0J/kg7°C24135m5.4m/s
21:0017%8.7%0J/kg8.8°C24135m5.4m/s
22:000%18%0J/kg8.8°C24135m5.4m/s
23:000%13%0J/kg10°C24134m7.1m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:0014%15%0J/kg11°C24134m7m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg10°C24135m7.7m/s
02:000%7.1%0J/kg8.6°C24134m7.3m/s
03:0014%14%0J/kg10°C24134m6.9m/s
04:000%47%0J/kg11°C24135m5.9m/s
05:000%42%0J/kg11°C24134m5.3m/s
06:000%35%0J/kg11°C24134m5.1m/s
07:000%48%0J/kg12°C24135m5.4m/s
08:000%53%0J/kg12°C24134m5.9m/s
09:000%49%0J/kg8.9°C24134m5.9m/s
10:000%53%0J/kg8.4°C24135m6m/s
11:000%45%0J/kg8.2°C24135m6m/s
12:0015%44%0J/kg7.6°C24134m6.4m/s
13:000%51%0J/kg7.5°C24134m9.6m/s
14:000%50%0J/kg6.8°C24135m11m/s
15:000%43%0J/kg7°C24135m12m/s
16:000%49%0J/kg7°C24135m11m/s
17:000%60%0J/kg6.8°C21344m11m/s
18:000%62%0J/kg6.8°C24135m9.5m/s
19:0018%67%0J/kg6.8°C24135m13m/s
20:0018%64%0J/kg4.9°C22567m13m/s
21:0020%64%0J/kg4.4°C20747m11m/s
22:000%56%0J/kg4.2°C23541m12m/s
23:000%1.2%0J/kg4.5°C24135m9.7m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:000%8.9%0J/kg4.1°C24134m9m/s
01:000%5.3%0J/kg4°C24135m7.2m/s
02:000%8.2%0J/kg3.8°C23980m7m/s
03:000%6.2%0J/kg3.5°C24135m6m/s
04:000%55%0J/kg3.3°C24134m5m/s
05:000%67%0J/kg3.5°C24135m4.1m/s
06:0014%99%0J/kg3.2°C24134m4m/s
07:000%81%0J/kg3.3°C24135m3.5m/s
08:000%75%0J/kg3°C24135m2.8m/s
09:0013%97%0J/kg2.8°C24134m1.6m/s
10:000%56%0J/kg2.4°C24135m0.61m/s
11:000%63%0J/kg2.1°C24135m0.91m/s
12:000%64%0J/kg2.1°C24135m1.5m/s
13:000%82%0J/kg2°C24135m2.4m/s
14:000%57%0J/kg1.7°C24135m3.3m/s
15:000%53%0J/kg1.6°C17793m4.7m/s
16:000%57%0J/kg1.6°C11447m5.8m/s
17:000%58%0J/kg1.5°C11140m6.8m/s
18:000%62%6J/kg1.6°C11062m7.5m/s
19:0022%68%22J/kg1.1°C2219m9.8m/s
20:0025%69%7J/kg1.2°C113m10m/s
21:0047%71%6J/kg0.8°C238m11m/s
22:0040%79%1J/kg0.8°C4640m11m/s
23:0046%6.7%0J/kg0.9°C233m11m/s
Mon, Apr 13
24:0044%10%1J/kg1.1°C126m9.6m/s
01:000%11%4J/kg1°C11059m7.4m/s
02:000%13%0J/kg1.1°C11197m6.4m/s
03:000%11%0J/kg1.3°C24135m5.1m/s
04:000%91%0J/kg1.6°C24134m3.1m/s
05:000%37%0J/kg1.8°C24134m2.6m/s
06:000%40%0J/kg1.8°C24135m2.6m/s
07:000%88%0J/kg2.1°C24135m2.5m/s
08:000%81%0J/kg2.2°C24134m1.9m/s
09:000%85%0J/kg2.4°C24135m1.1m/s
10:000%91%0J/kg2.4°C24134m1m/s
11:000%64%0J/kg2.3°C24135m1.3m/s
12:000%47%0J/kg2.4°C24135m1.2m/s
13:000%100%0J/kg2.4°C13151m1.2m/s
14:000%100%1J/kg2.1°C24135m1.3m/s
15:000%76%0J/kg1.8°C22966m1.8m/s
16:000%44%1J/kg1.8°C24134m2.5m/s
17:000%51%2J/kg1.7°C21036m3.4m/s
18:000%100%3J/kg1.7°C24135m4.1m/s
19:000%100%1J/kg1.7°C24134m4.3m/s
20:000%100%2J/kg1.7°C18843m5m/s
21:000%100%0J/kg2°C18914m5.1m/s
22:000%40%0J/kg1.5°C11173m5.1m/s
23:0016%13%0J/kg1.8°C2289m5.9m/s
Tue, Apr 14
24:000%12%5J/kg1.7°C11152m6m/s
01:000%0%4.3J/kg2°C11142m6m/s
02:000%0%3.7J/kg2.3°C11131m5.9m/s
03:000%0%3J/kg2.6°C11121m5.9m/s
04:000%44%6.3J/kg2.4°C11099m6.3m/s
05:000%52%9.7J/kg2.3°C11077m6.7m/s
06:000%45%13J/kg2.2°C11055m7.2m/s
07:000%48%13J/kg2.3°C11059m6.7m/s
08:000%44%14J/kg2.4°C11063m6.3m/s
09:000%44%14J/kg2.5°C11066m5.9m/s
10:000%78%15J/kg4°C10807m6.2m/s
11:000%53%16J/kg5.5°C10547m6.5m/s
12:000%51%17J/kg7°C10287m6.9m/s
13:000%53%18J/kg8.3°C10716m8.5m/s
14:000%53%20J/kg9.6°C11145m10m/s
15:0020%51%21J/kg11°C11574m12m/s
16:0021%51%19J/kg11°C9450m13m/s
17:0033%62%18J/kg12°C7326m15m/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, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:01 Sunset 20:34
19:00
946hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.8°C 25% 100% 47% 0mm 68% 0mm -13dBZ 9.6° 100% 0mm - - 8.1m/s
20:00
946hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.9°C 72% 100% 38% 0.02mm 70% 0mm -8.1dBZ 3.1° 100% 0mm - - 8.1m/s
21:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.4°C 52% 100% 29% 0.04mm 72% 0mm -3.5dBZ -3.3° 100% 0.06mm 11m/s 9.2m/s 8.3m/s
22:00
944hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.2°C 21% 100% 30% 0.03mm 71% 0mm -3.9dBZ -8.9° 100% 0.06mm - - 7.8m/s
23:00
944hPa 0J/kg 95% 4.5°C 14% 100% 30% 0mm 71% 0mm -4.3dBZ -13° 100% 0.06mm - - 6.5m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 05:58 Sunset 20:37
24:00
944hPa 0J/kg 4% 4.1°C 14% 100% 30% 0mm 72% 0mm -4.6dBZ -16° 100% 0.06mm 10m/s 8.1m/s 6.4m/s
01:00
943hPa 0J/kg 1% 4°C 82% 26% 31% 0.01mm 74% 0mm -9.3dBZ -18° 82% 0mm - - 6.1m/s
02:00
943hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.8°C 82% 12% 33% 0.02mm 75% 0mm -14dBZ -17° 82% 0mm - - 5.9m/s
03:00
943hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.5°C 90% 12% 34% 0mm 75% 0mm -19dBZ -15° 90% 0mm 5.4m/s 8.9m/s 5.3m/s
04:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.3°C 24% 9% 36% 0mm 75% 0mm -19dBZ -12° 24% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
05:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.5°C 8% 54% 37% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -6.5° 54% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
06:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.2°C 34% 64% 39% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -0.03° 64% 0mm 5.8m/s 11m/s 4.4m/s
07:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.3°C 80% 59% 48% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 6.1° 80% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
08:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 3°C 46% 81% 57% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 13° 81% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
09:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.8°C 44% 63% 65% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 70% 0mm 6.4m/s 12m/s 1.8m/s
10:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.4°C 81% 66% 71% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 92% 0mm - - 0.29m/s
11:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.1°C 84% 23% 77% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 84% 0mm - - 0.88m/s
12:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.1°C 56% 10% 82% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 34° 56% 0mm 5.6m/s 8m/s 1.2m/s
13:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 2°C 63% 71% 77% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 75% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
14:00
942hPa 0J/kg 1% 1.7°C 72% 97% 72% 0mm 74% 0mm -19dBZ 35° 97% 0mm - - 3m/s
15:00
942hPa 0J/kg 2% 1.6°C 98% 94% 67% 0.01mm 77% 0mm -19dBZ 32° 99% 0mm 7.4m/s 6.9m/s 4.1m/s
16:00
943hPa 0J/kg 6% 1.6°C 100% 96% 71% 0.05mm 80% 0mm -6dBZ 28° 100% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
17:00
943hPa 0J/kg 3% 1.5°C 99% 100% 76% 0.15mm 86% 0.01mm 6.9dBZ 23° 100% 0.06mm - - 5.5m/s
18:00
943hPa 6J/kg 1% 1.6°C 96% 99% 80% 0.31mm 94% 0.09mm 20dBZ 17° 99% 0.31mm 8m/s 7.5m/s 5.5m/s
19:00
943hPa 22J/kg 1% 1.1°C 98% 100% 69% 0.25mm 96% 0.25mm 24dBZ 9.9° 100% 0.44mm - - 6.1m/s
20:00
944hPa 7J/kg 1% 1.2°C 100% 96% 58% 0.37mm 97% 0.08mm 28dBZ 3.4° 100% 0.81mm - - 6.8m/s
21:00
944hPa 6J/kg 5% 0.8°C 100% 100% 47% 0.88mm 97% 0.04mm 32dBZ -3° 100% 1.4mm 10m/s 10m/s 6.3m/s
22:00
944hPa 1J/kg 25% 0.8°C 100% 99% 48% 1.4mm 96% 0.05mm 32dBZ -8.6° 100% 2.6mm - - 5.9m/s
23:00
944hPa 0J/kg 53% 0.9°C 100% 100% 50% 0.78mm 97% 0.02mm 31dBZ -13° 100% 3.8mm - - 5.5m/s
Mon, Apr 13 Sunrise 05:54 Sunset 20:40
24:00
945hPa 1J/kg 28% 1.1°C 100% 100% 51% 0.18mm 97% 0.03mm 31dBZ -16° 100% 4.2mm 9.3m/s 9.7m/s 4.8m/s
01:00
945hPa 4J/kg 12% 1°C 100% 100% 43% 0.04mm 95% 0.02mm 28dBZ -18° 100% 0.13mm - - 4m/s
02:00
945hPa 0J/kg 5% 1.1°C 82% 100% 34% 0.01mm 93% 0mm 25dBZ -17° 100% 0.13mm - - 3.8m/s
03:00
945hPa 0J/kg 8% 1.3°C 41% 87% 26% 0mm 89% 0mm 21dBZ -15° 87% 0.13mm 8.5m/s 9.1m/s 3.4m/s
04:00
946hPa 0J/kg 8% 1.6°C 13% 60% 28% 0mm 84% 0mm 12dBZ -11° 60% 0.13mm - - 3m/s
05:00
946hPa 0J/kg 5% 1.8°C 9% 5% 31% 0mm 83% 0mm 2.6dBZ -6.1° 9% 0.13mm - - 2.9m/s
06:00
946hPa 0J/kg 10% 1.8°C 5% 9% 34% 0mm 81% 0mm -6.9dBZ 0.28° 10% 0.13mm 5.8m/s 6.4m/s 2.9m/s
07:00
946hPa 0J/kg 9% 2.1°C 5% 36% 38% 0mm 77% 0mm 1.2dBZ 6.4° 36% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
08:00
947hPa 0J/kg 5% 2.2°C 6% 24% 41% 0mm 73% 0mm 9.2dBZ 13° 25% 0mm - - 2m/s
09:00
947hPa 0J/kg 5% 2.4°C 5% 58% 44% 0mm 71% 0mm 17dBZ 20° 58% 0mm 5.7m/s 6.1m/s 1.1m/s
10:00
947hPa 0J/kg 11% 2.4°C 5% 67% 51% 0mm 76% 0mm 19dBZ 26° 67% 0mm - - 0.29m/s
11:00
948hPa 0J/kg 13% 2.3°C 5% 88% 57% 0mm 80% 0mm 21dBZ 31° 88% 0mm - - 0.81m/s
12:00
948hPa 0J/kg 8% 2.4°C 8% 93% 64% 0mm 79% 0mm 23dBZ 34° 93% 0mm 4.8m/s 5.1m/s 0.92m/s
13:00
949hPa 0J/kg 16% 2.4°C 36% 69% 64% 0mm 78% 0.01mm 23dBZ 36° 69% 0mm - - 1m/s
14:00
949hPa 1J/kg 11% 2.1°C 53% 53% 64% 0mm 78% 0.02mm 23dBZ 35° 78% 0mm - - 0.98m/s
15:00
950hPa 0J/kg 5% 1.8°C 82% 28% 64% 0mm 78% 0.03mm 23dBZ 33° 82% 0mm 6m/s 3.1m/s 1.7m/s
16:00
950hPa 1J/kg 5% 1.8°C 86% 6% 67% 0mm 80% 0.02mm 25dBZ 29° 86% 0.06mm - - 2.5m/s
17:00
951hPa 2J/kg 5% 1.7°C 87% 5% 71% 0mm 82% 0.03mm 26dBZ 23° 87% 0.06mm - - 3.4m/s
18:00
951hPa 3J/kg 6% 1.7°C 66% 11% 74% 0mm 84% 0.01mm 28dBZ 17° 66% 0.06mm 3m/s 0.75m/s 4m/s
19:00
952hPa 1J/kg 2% 1.7°C 69% 22% 68% 0mm 83% 0.01mm 12dBZ 10° 69% 0mm - - 3.8m/s
20:00
952hPa 2J/kg 1% 1.7°C 54% 18% 62% 0mm 86% 0.01mm -4dBZ 3.7° 57% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
21:00
953hPa 0J/kg 3% 2°C 58% 16% 56% 0.02mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -2.7° 58% 0mm 5.2m/s 1.5m/s 3.7m/s
22:00
953hPa 0J/kg 3% 1.5°C 98% 5% 65% 0.14mm 94% 0mm -20dBZ -8.3° 98% 0.13mm - - 3.5m/s
23:00
954hPa 0J/kg 3% 1.8°C 95% 5% 74% 0.15mm 96% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 95% 0.25mm - - 3.6m/s
Tue, Apr 14 Sunrise 05:51 Sunset 20:43
24:00
954hPa 5J/kg 3% 1.7°C 97% 9% 83% 0.06mm 95% 0.01mm -20dBZ -16° 97% 0.31mm 6.9m/s 4.2m/s 3.7m/s
01:00
954hPa 4.3J/kg 2% 2°C 81% 6% 76% 0.05mm 95% 0.01mm -20dBZ -17° 81% 0.29mm - - 3.7m/s
02:00
955hPa 3.7J/kg 1% 2.3°C 64% 4% 70% 0.04mm 95% 0.02mm -20dBZ -17° 64% 0.27mm - - 3.8m/s
03:00
955hPa 3J/kg 0% 2.6°C 48% 2% 64% 0.03mm 95% 0.02mm -20dBZ -15° 48% 0.25mm 5m/s 4.8m/s 3.9m/s
04:00
956hPa 6.3J/kg 0% 2.4°C 59% 2% 65% 0.04mm 92% 0.06mm -14dBZ -11° 59% 0.33mm - - 4.4m/s
05:00
956hPa 9.7J/kg 0% 2.3°C 69% 2% 67% 0.06mm 89% 0.09mm -8dBZ -5.8° 69% 0.42mm - - 5m/s
06:00
956hPa 13J/kg 0% 2.2°C 80% 2% 68% 0.07mm 87% 0.13mm -2dBZ 0.58° 80% 0.5mm 6.5m/s 6m/s 5.5m/s
07:00
956hPa 13J/kg 0% 2.3°C 78% 1% 73% 0.07mm 85% 0.1mm -8dBZ 6.7° 78% 0.48mm - - 5.2m/s
08:00
956hPa 14J/kg 0% 2.4°C 77% 1% 78% 0.06mm 83% 0.08mm -14dBZ 13° 77% 0.46mm - - 4.9m/s
09:00
956hPa 14J/kg 0% 2.5°C 75% 0% 83% 0.06mm 82% 0.05mm -20dBZ 20° 75% 0.44mm 6m/s 4m/s 4.6m/s
10:00
956hPa 15J/kg 33% 4°C 58% 14% 85% 0.07mm 82% 0.07mm -15dBZ 26° 83% 0.6mm - - 5m/s
11:00
956hPa 16J/kg 67% 5.5°C 40% 29% 87% 0.07mm 83% 0.09mm -9.3dBZ 31° 92% 0.77mm - - 5.3m/s
12:00
956hPa 17J/kg 100% 7°C 22% 43% 90% 0.08mm 83% 0.11mm -4dBZ 34° 100% 0.94mm 7.8m/s 8.5m/s 5.7m/s
13:00
955hPa 18J/kg 100% 8.3°C 31% 62% 69% 0.05mm 84% 0.15mm 0.26dBZ 36° 100% 0.77mm - - 6.3m/s
14:00
955hPa 20J/kg 100% 9.6°C 40% 81% 48% 0.03mm 86% 0.18mm 4.5dBZ 36° 100% 0.6mm - - 6.8m/s
15:00
955hPa 21J/kg 100% 11°C 48% 100% 27% 0mm 88% 0.22mm 8.7dBZ 33° 100% 0.44mm 6.2m/s 10m/s 7.4m/s
16:00
954hPa 19J/kg 100% 11°C 65% 100% 37% 0.26mm 88% 0.21mm 12dBZ 29° 100% 0.75mm - - 8.7m/s
17:00
953hPa 18J/kg 100% 12°C 83% 100% 46% 0.52mm 89% 0.2mm 14dBZ 23° 100% 1.1mm - - 10m/s
18:00
952hPa 16J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 100% 56% 0.78mm 90% 0.19mm 17dBZ 17° 100% 1.4mm 3.6m/s 20m/s 11m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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