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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 Cover97%
Wind Gusts14.2m/s
Precipitation Chance99%
Air Pressure947.8hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index4.3°C
Wind Gusts14.2m/s
Precipitation0.9mm

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
Sun, Feb 22
01:0044%0.8%2J/kg8°C47m19m/s
02:0049%2%0J/kg7.7°C47m19m/s
03:0059%0.7%0J/kg7.6°C81m18m/s
04:0047%0.5%0J/kg7.8°C142m18m/s
05:0051%0.1%0J/kg7.2°C145m18m/s
06:0062%0.1%0J/kg6.4°C133m18m/s
07:0040%0.3%1J/kg6.1°C144m18m/s
08:0043%99%0J/kg6°C167m18m/s
09:0050%99%0J/kg6.1°C208m17m/s
10:0046%88%0J/kg6.1°C147m17m/s
11:0046%88%0J/kg5.9°C113m16m/s
12:0052%89%2J/kg5.4°C80m16m/s
13:0036%71%0J/kg4°C1750m17m/s
14:0039%70%0J/kg4.1°C363m17m/s
15:0050%76%0J/kg4.2°C220m17m/s
16:0042%89%0J/kg4.4°C161m17m/s
17:0047%99%0J/kg4.5°C115m17m/s
18:0053%100%0J/kg4.6°C108m17m/s
19:0042%82%0J/kg4.7°C111m17m/s
20:0042%1.4%0J/kg4.3°C184m17m/s
21:0049%1.4%0J/kg4.1°C316m17m/s
22:0047%2.6%0J/kg3.6°C271m16m/s
23:0044%2.8%0J/kg3.8°C167m16m/s
Mon, Feb 23
24:0050%5.4%0J/kg4.1°C255m15m/s
01:0038%5.5%0J/kg4.2°C267m15m/s
02:0035%7.8%0J/kg4.3°C170m14m/s
03:0044%7.2%0J/kg4.3°C174m12m/s
04:0035%8.4%0J/kg3.8°C194m10m/s
05:0034%9.4%0J/kg3.3°C730m11m/s
06:0036%9.4%0J/kg3°C4282m10m/s
07:000%6.2%0J/kg2.9°C10953m8.8m/s
08:000%61%0J/kg2.8°C8059m8.2m/s
09:0040%60%0J/kg2.8°C442m9.4m/s
10:0036%68%0J/kg2.7°C143m12m/s
11:0036%60%3J/kg2.2°C98m12m/s
12:0048%58%4J/kg1.7°C67m10m/s
13:0037%59%2J/kg2.4°C245m5m/s
14:0035%63%0J/kg2.6°C815m4.4m/s
15:0044%63%2J/kg2.3°C11080m6.4m/s
16:0027%68%6J/kg2.4°C10772m12m/s
17:0027%70%0J/kg3.1°C11051m12m/s
18:0052%70%3J/kg4.1°C349m11m/s
19:0022%70%6J/kg4.3°C620m11m/s
20:0038%62%6J/kg5.5°C864m12m/s
21:0038%0%7J/kg6.7°C11049m12m/s
22:0034%0%6J/kg7.9°C11050m12m/s
23:0034%0%4J/kg8.4°C11051m13m/s
Tue, Feb 24
24:0042%0%0J/kg8.5°C11001m13m/s
01:000%0%3J/kg8.9°C11050m12m/s
02:0040%0%2J/kg8.7°C294m11m/s
03:0045%0%2J/kg8.6°C309m10m/s
04:0041%0%5J/kg8.2°C81m9.7m/s
05:0041%0%2J/kg9°C117m9.9m/s
06:0054%0%4J/kg9.4°C70m11m/s
07:0042%60%2J/kg9.6°C72m11m/s
08:0043%67%0J/kg9°C79m12m/s
09:0054%70%0J/kg9.7°C98m12m/s
10:0051%70%0J/kg9.6°C65m13m/s
11:0045%60%0J/kg8.5°C78m6.8m/s
12:0049%57%0J/kg8.3°C713m6.3m/s
13:000%55%0J/kg8.1°C21474m5.9m/s
14:000%52%0J/kg8.1°C24135m5.5m/s
15:000%52%0J/kg7.6°C24134m5.8m/s
16:000%44%0J/kg6.9°C24134m5.6m/s
17:000%62%0J/kg6.4°C24134m6m/s
18:0018%63%0J/kg7.2°C24134m5.9m/s
19:000%70%0J/kg7.8°C24135m5.9m/s
20:000%57%0J/kg8.8°C24135m6.6m/s
21:0022%13%0J/kg9.2°C15526m9.1m/s
22:000%15%0J/kg9.4°C23795m9m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg10°C12486m8.1m/s
Wed, Feb 25
24:0025%15%0J/kg12°C11862m10m/s
01:000%15%0J/kg13°C11815m11m/s
02:0019%15%0J/kg15°C12117m14m/s
03:0035%15%0J/kg17°C16059m13m/s
04:000%15%0J/kg17°C24135m10m/s
05:000%15%0J/kg18°C24134m9.3m/s
06:0020%15%0J/kg17°C24135m5.8m/s
07:000%77%0.33J/kg16°C16142m4.6m/s
08:000%62%0.67J/kg15°C8149m3.4m/s
09:0036%62%1J/kg13°C156m2.1m/s
10:0016%62%3J/kg13°C1612m2.4m/s
11:0015%57%5J/kg13°C3067m2.7m/s
12:0035%57%7J/kg13°C4523m3m/s
13:0025%57%6.3J/kg12°C4500m2.7m/s
14:0015%77%5.7J/kg12°C4477m2.4m/s
15:0030%56%5J/kg12°C4454m2.1m/s
16:0025%77%5.7J/kg12°C3007m2.5m/s
17:0027%62%6.3J/kg11°C1560m2.9m/s
18:0036%62%7J/kg11°C113m3.3m/s
19:0030%62%6.7J/kg10°C104m3.5m/s
20:0032%55%6.3J/kg9.1°C95m3.8m/s
21:0041%0%6J/kg8°C86m4m/s
22:0037%0%5.7J/kg7.6°C90m5m/s
23:0037%0%5.3J/kg7.2°C95m5.9m/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
Mon, Feb 23 Sunrise 08:42 Sunset 18:17
02:00
948hPa 0J/kg 5% 4.3°C 97% 6% 99% 0.58mm 95% 0mm 3dBZ -36° 97% 0.94mm - - 7.6m/s
03:00
948hPa 0J/kg 7% 4.3°C 100% 40% 99% 0.5mm 95% 0mm 3.5dBZ -34° 100% 1.4mm 11m/s 13m/s 5.7m/s
04:00
949hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.8°C 97% 10% 99% 0.4mm 95% 0mm 3.3dBZ -30° 97% 1.9mm - - 5.2m/s
05:00
949hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.3°C 97% 6% 100% 0.13mm 93% 0mm 3.2dBZ -25° 97% 2.1mm - - 5.1m/s
06:00
949hPa 0J/kg 0% 3°C 98% 5% 100% 0.08mm 92% 0mm 3dBZ -19° 98% 2.1mm 13m/s 13m/s 4.9m/s
07:00
949hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.9°C 98% 62% 100% 0.09mm 92% 0mm 6.5dBZ -12° 98% 0.06mm - - 4.6m/s
08:00
950hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.8°C 100% 95% 100% 0.22mm 93% 0mm 10dBZ -5.3° 100% 0.19mm - - 4.8m/s
09:00
950hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.8°C 100% 100% 100% 0.48mm 95% 0mm 14dBZ 1.4° 100% 0.5mm 14m/s 16m/s 4.8m/s
10:00
950hPa 0J/kg 2% 2.7°C 100% 100% 100% 0.84mm 97% 0mm 15dBZ 6.9° 100% 1.1mm - - 4.9m/s
11:00
950hPa 3J/kg 0% 2.2°C 100% 100% 100% 1mm 98% 0mm 17dBZ 12° 100% 2mm - - 4.8m/s
12:00
950hPa 4J/kg 0% 1.7°C 100% 100% 100% 1.8mm 98% 0.01mm 18dBZ 15° 100% 3.3mm 17m/s 18m/s 4.1m/s
13:00
950hPa 2J/kg 3% 2.4°C 100% 100% 99% 2.5mm 98% 0.01mm 19dBZ 17° 100% 2.1mm - - 3.3m/s
14:00
949hPa 0J/kg 9% 2.6°C 100% 100% 98% 3mm 98% 0.02mm 20dBZ 17° 100% 4.9mm - - 2.5m/s
15:00
949hPa 2J/kg 100% 2.3°C 100% 100% 98% 1.4mm 98% 0.03mm 21dBZ 15° 100% 7mm 12m/s 17m/s 3.3m/s
16:00
949hPa 6J/kg 100% 2.4°C 100% 100% 98% 1.1mm 98% 0.12mm 13dBZ 12° 100% 8mm - - 6.4m/s
17:00
948hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.1°C 100% 100% 99% 0.89mm 98% 0.07mm 5.5dBZ 6.9° 100% 8.9mm - - 5.8m/s
18:00
948hPa 3J/kg 100% 4.1°C 100% 100% 100% 0.78mm 98% 0.08mm -2.3dBZ 1.4° 100% 9.8mm 11m/s 18m/s 4.6m/s
19:00
948hPa 6J/kg 100% 4.3°C 100% 100% 97% 0.93mm 98% 0.15mm 4.5dBZ -5.3° 100% 0.88mm - - 5.1m/s
20:00
947hPa 6J/kg 5% 5.5°C 100% 100% 95% 0.46mm 98% 0.17mm 11dBZ -12° 100% 1.6mm - - 5.5m/s
21:00
947hPa 7J/kg 5% 6.7°C 100% 96% 93% 0.48mm 98% 0.12mm 18dBZ -19° 100% 2.1mm 6.6m/s 22m/s 6.1m/s
22:00
946hPa 6J/kg 100% 7.9°C 100% 100% 94% 0.6mm 98% 0.15mm 19dBZ -25° 100% 2.8mm - - 6.2m/s
23:00
946hPa 4J/kg 100% 8.4°C 100% 100% 95% 0.76mm 98% 0.08mm 20dBZ -30° 100% 3.6mm - - 6.4m/s
Tue, Feb 24 Sunrise 08:39 Sunset 18:20
24:00
945hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.5°C 100% 100% 96% 0.86mm 98% 0.06mm 21dBZ -34° 100% 4.4mm 5.1m/s 24m/s 6.6m/s
01:00
944hPa 3J/kg 100% 8.9°C 100% 100% 95% 0.55mm 98% 0.06mm 23dBZ -36° 100% 0.63mm - - 6.2m/s
02:00
943hPa 2J/kg 100% 8.7°C 100% 100% 94% 0.62mm 99% 0.1mm 25dBZ -36° 100% 1.3mm - - 5.7m/s
03:00
941hPa 2J/kg 100% 8.6°C 100% 100% 93% 0.52mm 99% 0.14mm 27dBZ -34° 100% 1.9mm 7m/s 20m/s 5.1m/s
04:00
940hPa 5J/kg 100% 8.2°C 100% 100% 94% 1.1mm 99% 0.01mm 28dBZ -30° 100% 2.7mm - - 3.9m/s
05:00
939hPa 2J/kg 100% 9°C 100% 100% 94% 1.3mm 99% 0.05mm 30dBZ -24° 100% 3.9mm - - 4.2m/s
06:00
938hPa 4J/kg 100% 9.4°C 100% 100% 95% 1.4mm 99% 0.07mm 32dBZ -18° 100% 5.3mm 9.8m/s 19m/s 5m/s
07:00
936hPa 2J/kg 100% 9.6°C 100% 100% 81% 1.3mm 99% 0.05mm 33dBZ -12° 100% 1.3mm - - 5.9m/s
08:00
935hPa 0J/kg 100% 9°C 100% 100% 66% 1.7mm 98% 0.04mm 34dBZ -4.9° 100% 2.6mm - - 5.4m/s
09:00
934hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.7°C 100% 100% 52% 1.8mm 98% 0.03mm 35dBZ 1.7° 100% 4.6mm 5.6m/s 23m/s 6.2m/s
10:00
933hPa 0J/kg 100% 9.6°C 100% 100% 50% 1.8mm 98% 0mm 34dBZ 7.2° 100% 6.3mm - - 6.6m/s
11:00
931hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.5°C 100% 100% 49% 0.97mm 98% 0mm 33dBZ 12° 100% 7.6mm - - 4.8m/s
12:00
931hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.3°C 100% 100% 47% 0.93mm 97% 0mm 32dBZ 15° 100% 8.5mm 3.4m/s 15m/s 4.7m/s
13:00
930hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.1°C 99% 100% 31% 0.18mm 93% 0mm 20dBZ 17° 100% 0.5mm - - 4.5m/s
14:00
930hPa 0J/kg 100% 8.1°C 97% 100% 16% 0.02mm 89% 0mm 8.1dBZ 17° 100% 0.56mm - - 4.4m/s
15:00
930hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.6°C 60% 100% 0% 0mm 87% 0mm -3.8dBZ 15° 100% 0.56mm 7.1m/s 8m/s 4.5m/s
16:00
930hPa 0J/kg 98% 6.9°C 3% 98% 17% 0mm 87% 0mm -9.2dBZ 12° 99% 0.56mm - - 4.8m/s
17:00
931hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.4°C 39% 82% 33% 0mm 87% 0mm -15dBZ 7.2° 100% 0.56mm - - 5.2m/s
18:00
932hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.2°C 40% 92% 50% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ 1.7° 100% 0.56mm 13m/s 10m/s 5.4m/s
19:00
934hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.8°C 12% 100% 50% 0mm 87% 0mm -20dBZ -5° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
20:00
936hPa 0J/kg 76% 8.8°C 3% 100% 50% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 100% 0mm - - 6.3m/s
21:00
938hPa 0J/kg 86% 9.2°C 35% 5% 50% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 86% 0mm 16m/s 20m/s 8m/s
22:00
940hPa 0J/kg 0% 9.4°C 2% 0% 50% 0.01mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 2% 0mm - - 7.4m/s
23:00
942hPa 0J/kg 0% 10°C 3% 0% 50% 0.03mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -30° 3% 0mm - - 6.3m/s
Wed, Feb 25 Sunrise 08:35 Sunset 18:23
24:00
944hPa 0J/kg 0% 12°C 13% 0% 50% 0.03mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 13% 0.06mm 20m/s 25m/s 6.4m/s
01:00
945hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 36% 0% 50% 0.03mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 36% 0mm - - 6.5m/s
02:00
947hPa 0J/kg 0% 15°C 41% 0% 50% 0.02mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -35° 41% 0.06mm - - 8.3m/s
03:00
948hPa 0J/kg 0% 17°C 39% 0% 50% 0.01mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -33° 39% 0.06mm 20m/s 25m/s 7.8m/s
04:00
950hPa 0J/kg 0% 17°C 7% 0% 40% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -29° 7% 0.06mm - - 5.8m/s
05:00
951hPa 0J/kg 3% 18°C 5% 2% 31% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ -24° 5% 0.06mm - - 5.5m/s
06:00
952hPa 0J/kg 60% 17°C 4% 59% 21% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 65% 0.06mm 17m/s 26m/s 3.8m/s
07:00
951hPa 0.33J/kg 74% 16°C 36% 73% 28% 0.05mm 83% 0.007mm -20dBZ -11° 77% 0.1mm - - 2.9m/s
08:00
951hPa 0.67J/kg 87% 15°C 67% 86% 35% 0.11mm 88% 0.01mm -20dBZ -4.6° 88% 0.15mm - - 1.9m/s
09:00
951hPa 1J/kg 100% 13°C 99% 100% 42% 0.16mm 92% 0.02mm -20dBZ 100% 0.19mm 14m/s 24m/s 1m/s
10:00
951hPa 3J/kg 100% 13°C 99% 97% 48% 0.21mm 91% 0.02mm -20dBZ 7.6° 100% 0.5mm - - 1.1m/s
11:00
950hPa 5J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 94% 55% 0.27mm 91% 0.02mm -20dBZ 12° 100% 0.81mm - - 1.3m/s
12:00
949hPa 7J/kg 100% 13°C 100% 91% 61% 0.32mm 90% 0.02mm -20dBZ 16° 100% 1.1mm 11m/s 20m/s 1.4m/s
13:00
948hPa 6.3J/kg 68% 12°C 100% 65% 61% 0.31mm 90% 0.03mm -13dBZ 17° 100% 1mm - - 1.4m/s
14:00
947hPa 5.7J/kg 37% 12°C 100% 39% 60% 0.3mm 91% 0.04mm -5.8dBZ 17° 100% 0.92mm - - 1.4m/s
15:00
946hPa 5J/kg 5% 12°C 100% 13% 60% 0.29mm 91% 0.05mm 1.4dBZ 16° 100% 0.81mm 11m/s 20m/s 1.3m/s
16:00
945hPa 5.7J/kg 37% 12°C 100% 35% 61% 0.4mm 92% 0.07mm 2.8dBZ 12° 100% 1.3mm - - 1.7m/s
17:00
944hPa 6.3J/kg 68% 11°C 100% 56% 62% 0.51mm 93% 0.1mm 4.3dBZ 7.5° 100% 1.9mm - - 2.2m/s
18:00
943hPa 7J/kg 100% 11°C 100% 78% 62% 0.62mm 94% 0.12mm 5.7dBZ 100% 2.4mm 8.9m/s 17m/s 2.6m/s
19:00
942hPa 6.7J/kg 81% 10°C 100% 85% 67% 0.75mm 95% 0.1mm 7.5dBZ -4.6° 100% 2.4mm - - 2.8m/s
20:00
940hPa 6.3J/kg 62% 9.1°C 100% 92% 72% 0.87mm 95% 0.09mm 9.2dBZ -11° 100% 2.4mm - - 3.1m/s
21:00
939hPa 6J/kg 44% 8°C 100% 100% 77% 1mm 96% 0.07mm 11dBZ -18° 100% 2.4mm 10m/s 18m/s 3.3m/s
22:00
938hPa 5.7J/kg 50% 7.6°C 100% 99% 80% 1.1mm 96% 0.06mm 13dBZ -24° 100% 3.6mm - - 3.4m/s
23:00
937hPa 5.3J/kg 56% 7.2°C 100% 99% 84% 1.2mm 96% 0.05mm 14dBZ -29° 100% 4.9mm - - 3.4m/s
Thu, Feb 26 Sunrise 08:32 Sunset 18:26
24:00
936hPa 5J/kg 62% 6.7°C 100% 98% 87% 1.3mm 96% 0.04mm 16dBZ -33° 100% 6.1mm 11m/s 16m/s 3.4m/s
01:00
935hPa 3.3J/kg 73% 6.3°C 100% 99% 85% 1.2mm 94% 0.04mm 18dBZ -35° 100% 5.4mm - - 5m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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