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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 40% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover97%
Wind Gusts10.1m/s
Precipitation Chance100%
Air Pressure935.0hPa
CAPE15
Lifted Index0.5°C
Wind Gusts10.1m/s
Precipitation0.7mm

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, Apr 8
07:0040%72%27J/kg3.1°C343m13m/s
08:0021%65%16J/kg4°C11052m12m/s
09:0044%62%19J/kg3.9°C7798m10m/s
10:0022%63%4J/kg4.9°C11047m7.2m/s
11:0033%55%30J/kg4.9°C4684m8m/s
12:0038%52%39J/kg4.3°C5151m6.8m/s
13:000%57%41J/kg3.9°C6834m8.3m/s
14:000%58%33J/kg3.1°C7195m9.6m/s
15:0041%51%26J/kg4.2°C882m9.6m/s
16:0035%49%20J/kg4.8°C1389m9.7m/s
17:0025%58%21J/kg5.3°C6440m10m/s
18:0026%59%19J/kg5.4°C7039m11m/s
19:0021%62%14J/kg3.7°C11086m12m/s
20:0036%64%7J/kg2.2°C1500m12m/s
21:0044%62%32J/kg-0.2°C84m10m/s
22:0025%55%17J/kg1.4°C6218m12m/s
23:0037%0.9%30J/kg1.5°C11071m12m/s
Thu, Apr 9
24:0030%1.8%24J/kg1.8°C7104m12m/s
01:000%0.6%22J/kg1.6°C6326m11m/s
02:0022%1.6%21J/kg1.8°C5660m11m/s
03:0022%0.4%13J/kg2°C7212m11m/s
04:0031%0.1%26J/kg1.1°C6724m11m/s
05:0025%53%17J/kg1.8°C7483m11m/s
06:0029%63%16J/kg1.2°C7508m10m/s
07:000%64%15J/kg0.5°C11061m10m/s
08:0031%64%54J/kg-0.3°C6314m12m/s
09:0037%66%20J/kg0.5°C4588m12m/s
10:0038%68%29J/kg0.5°C2320m14m/s
11:0036%58%25J/kg0.7°C11055m15m/s
12:0046%53%19J/kg1.3°C113m15m/s
13:0044%52%18J/kg1.5°C111m16m/s
14:0045%52%18J/kg2.3°C929m15m/s
15:0049%54%7J/kg3.7°C7491m15m/s
16:0045%58%7J/kg4.5°C2106m15m/s
17:0047%67%6J/kg5.1°C1599m15m/s
18:0050%67%6J/kg5.3°C1483m14m/s
19:0033%72%6J/kg5.2°C2827m14m/s
20:0032%75%11J/kg4.9°C10129m14m/s
21:0041%75%12J/kg4.7°C1710m15m/s
22:0038%62%10J/kg4.7°C8917m15m/s
23:0040%3.4%11J/kg4.7°C2098m14m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:0046%4.2%10J/kg5°C1292m14m/s
01:0022%4.7%10J/kg5°C7754m14m/s
02:0034%4.3%9J/kg4.9°C6410m13m/s
03:0035%6%7J/kg4.6°C7933m12m/s
04:0020%8.6%11J/kg4.1°C6555m10m/s
05:0030%62%14J/kg3.9°C5580m9.9m/s
06:0022%100%8J/kg4°C11627m8.7m/s
07:000%82%4J/kg4.2°C17407m6.4m/s
08:000%93%4J/kg4.2°C6188m6.8m/s
09:000%65%7J/kg4°C22257m6.6m/s
10:000%27%0J/kg5.9°C24135m6.4m/s
11:000%53%2J/kg5.5°C24135m5.1m/s
12:0018%42%0J/kg4.8°C24135m4.6m/s
13:000%52%0J/kg4.5°C24135m3.3m/s
14:000%52%0J/kg4.1°C24134m2.7m/s
15:0014%51%0J/kg3.4°C24135m2.5m/s
16:000%89%0J/kg3.6°C24134m2.2m/s
17:000%100%0J/kg5.1°C24135m2.7m/s
18:0017%57%0J/kg4.6°C24134m4.2m/s
19:000%57%0J/kg4.7°C24135m4.3m/s
20:000%57%0J/kg5°C24135m5.1m/s
21:000%56%0J/kg4.7°C24134m5.9m/s
22:000%56%0J/kg4.8°C24135m6.8m/s
23:000%15%0J/kg4.2°C24135m6.8m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:0015%15%0J/kg3.7°C24134m6.5m/s
01:000%13%0J/kg3.8°C24135m4.9m/s
02:000%8.7%0J/kg4.6°C24134m4.2m/s
03:000%9.4%0J/kg6.1°C24135m4.3m/s
04:000%25%0J/kg7°C24134m4.5m/s
05:000%37%0J/kg7.3°C24135m4.7m/s
06:000%100%0J/kg7°C24135m5.1m/s
07:000%66%0J/kg7.1°C24134m6.5m/s
08:000%56%0J/kg6.1°C24134m6.1m/s
09:000%38%0J/kg7.1°C24134m6.4m/s
10:000%57%0J/kg8.7°C24135m6.3m/s
11:000%59%0J/kg8.4°C24135m4.9m/s
12:000%98%0J/kg9.5°C24134m2.4m/s
13:000%81%0J/kg8.5°C24134m3.5m/s
14:000%67%0J/kg7.6°C24135m4.6m/s
15:0016%62%0J/kg6.6°C24135m5.7m/s
16:000%64%0J/kg5.4°C23749m6.6m/s
17:000%78%0J/kg4.2°C23364m7.5m/s
18:000%78%0J/kg2.9°C22978m8.3m/s
19:000%81%0J/kg3°C22406m8.7m/s
20:000%67%0J/kg3.1°C21834m9m/s
21:000%67%0J/kg3.2°C21262m9.3m/s
22:000%55%0J/kg2.8°C22220m7.6m/s
23:000%0%0J/kg2.4°C23177m5.9m/s
Sun, Apr 12
24:0018%0%0J/kg2°C24135m4.1m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg1.9°C17059m4.1m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg1.9°C9983m4.1m/s
03:0018%0%0J/kg1.8°C2907m4m/s
04:000%71%0J/kg2.5°C5654m4.1m/s
05:0016%71%0J/kg3.2°C8401m4.1m/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, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:08 Sunset 20:28
07:00
935hPa 15J/kg 0% 0.5°C 97% 84% 100% 0.46mm 91% 0.15mm 16dBZ 97% 0.69mm - - 5.9m/s
08:00
935hPa 54J/kg 0% -0.3°C 100% 99% 100% 0.65mm 96% 0.46mm 16dBZ 12° 100% 1.6mm - - 7.4m/s
09:00
935hPa 20J/kg 0% 0.5°C 90% 36% 100% 0.11mm 91% 0.44mm 16dBZ 18° 90% 2.1mm 5.3m/s 8.5m/s 8.5m/s
10:00
936hPa 29J/kg 0% 0.5°C 100% 61% 100% 0.83mm 90% 0.19mm 17dBZ 24° 100% 2.8mm - - 11m/s
11:00
937hPa 25J/kg 0% 0.7°C 100% 71% 100% 0.68mm 95% 0.26mm 19dBZ 29° 100% 3.6mm - - 11m/s
12:00
938hPa 19J/kg 0% 1.3°C 100% 100% 100% 1.6mm 98% 0.28mm 20dBZ 33° 100% 4.8mm 1.2m/s 4.8m/s 12m/s
13:00
939hPa 18J/kg 0% 1.5°C 100% 100% 100% 1.9mm 98% 0.14mm 21dBZ 34° 100% 1.8mm - - 12m/s
14:00
939hPa 18J/kg 0% 2.3°C 100% 94% 99% 1.9mm 95% 0.06mm 21dBZ 34° 100% 3.7mm - - 11m/s
15:00
940hPa 7J/kg 0% 3.7°C 100% 86% 99% 1.2mm 86% 0.02mm 21dBZ 31° 100% 5.1mm 3.3m/s 12m/s 12m/s
16:00
941hPa 7J/kg 0% 4.5°C 95% 32% 99% 0.81mm 85% 0.09mm 19dBZ 27° 95% 6mm - - 12m/s
17:00
941hPa 6J/kg 0% 5.1°C 94% 72% 100% 0.59mm 84% 0.12mm 17dBZ 22° 94% 6.8mm - - 11m/s
18:00
942hPa 6J/kg 0% 5.3°C 90% 92% 100% 0.69mm 83% 0.1mm 14dBZ 16° 95% 7.4mm 2.4m/s 11m/s 11m/s
19:00
942hPa 6J/kg 0% 5.2°C 93% 94% 100% 0.68mm 82% 0.1mm 15dBZ 97% 0.75mm - - 11m/s
20:00
943hPa 11J/kg 0% 4.9°C 89% 96% 100% 0.62mm 82% 0.06mm 17dBZ 2.5° 97% 1.4mm - - 10m/s
21:00
944hPa 12J/kg 0% 4.7°C 97% 53% 99% 0.84mm 84% 0.13mm 18dBZ -3.9° 97% 2.2mm 1.5m/s 15m/s 10m/s
22:00
945hPa 10J/kg 0% 4.7°C 97% 54% 100% 0.75mm 81% 0.11mm 18dBZ -9.6° 97% 3mm - - 10m/s
23:00
945hPa 11J/kg 0% 4.7°C 97% 85% 100% 0.79mm 80% 0.07mm 19dBZ -14° 97% 3.8mm - - 10m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:04 Sunset 20:31
24:00
946hPa 10J/kg 0% 5°C 92% 92% 100% 0.69mm 78% 0.17mm 20dBZ -17° 95% 4.6mm 2.6m/s 15m/s 9.9m/s
01:00
946hPa 10J/kg 0% 5°C 87% 81% 97% 0.46mm 76% 0.31mm 20dBZ -19° 96% 0.63mm - - 9.9m/s
02:00
947hPa 9J/kg 0% 4.9°C 89% 91% 94% 0.12mm 72% 0.23mm 20dBZ -18° 95% 1.2mm - - 9.4m/s
03:00
948hPa 7J/kg 0% 4.6°C 90% 81% 91% 0.07mm 72% 0.28mm 20dBZ -16° 90% 1.6mm 4.9m/s 7.5m/s 8.4m/s
04:00
949hPa 11J/kg 0% 4.1°C 88% 87% 92% 0.18mm 75% 0.36mm 19dBZ -12° 90% 1.9mm - - 7.8m/s
05:00
949hPa 14J/kg 0% 3.9°C 88% 94% 93% 0.34mm 78% 0.56mm 19dBZ -7.2° 94% 2.6mm - - 7.4m/s
06:00
950hPa 8J/kg 0% 4°C 40% 70% 95% 0.02mm 74% 0.32mm 19dBZ -1.1° 70% 3.3mm 4.9m/s 6.7m/s 6.1m/s
07:00
950hPa 4J/kg 0% 4.2°C 77% 83% 82% 0mm 75% 0.32mm 18dBZ 5.4° 83% 0.25mm - - 5m/s
08:00
951hPa 4J/kg 0% 4.2°C 78% 43% 69% 0.01mm 72% 0.34mm 17dBZ 12° 78% 0.5mm - - 5.1m/s
09:00
952hPa 7J/kg 0% 4°C 42% 0% 56% 0.01mm 66% 0.1mm 16dBZ 19° 42% 0.75mm 4.5m/s 5.3m/s 4.6m/s
10:00
953hPa 0J/kg 0% 5.9°C 5% 3% 50% 0mm 60% 0mm 13dBZ 24° 5% 0.81mm - - 4.4m/s
11:00
953hPa 2J/kg 0% 5.5°C 47% 0% 44% 0mm 52% 0mm 10dBZ 29° 47% 0.81mm - - 3.7m/s
12:00
954hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.8°C 20% 4% 39% 0mm 50% 0mm 7.8dBZ 33° 20% 0.81mm 5.9m/s 26m/s 3.2m/s
13:00
954hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.5°C 3% 73% 26% 0mm 50% 0mm -1.4dBZ 35° 73% 0mm - - 2.5m/s
14:00
955hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.1°C 74% 100% 13% 0mm 54% 0mm -11dBZ 34° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
15:00
955hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.4°C 72% 100% 0% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 100% 0mm 9m/s 16m/s 1.5m/s
16:00
955hPa 0J/kg 7% 3.6°C 64% 33% 7% 0mm 56% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 64% 0mm - - 1.6m/s
17:00
955hPa 0J/kg 58% 5.1°C 55% 41% 15% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 71% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
18:00
955hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.6°C 5% 95% 22% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 100% 0mm 11m/s 19m/s 3.6m/s
19:00
955hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.7°C 5% 99% 48% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 9.3° 100% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
20:00
956hPa 0J/kg 100% 5°C 5% 100% 74% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 2.8° 100% 0mm - - 4.3m/s
21:00
956hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.7°C 1% 100% 100% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ -3.6° 100% 0mm 11m/s 7.9m/s 5.1m/s
22:00
957hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.8°C 5% 100% 100% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -9.2° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
23:00
956hPa 0J/kg 8% 4.2°C 2% 86% 100% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 86% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:01 Sunset 20:34
24:00
956hPa 0J/kg 0% 3.7°C 0% 39% 100% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 39% 0mm 14m/s 10m/s 5.5m/s
01:00
955hPa 0J/kg 5% 3.8°C 0% 5% 77% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 5% 0mm - - 4.9m/s
02:00
955hPa 0J/kg 3% 4.6°C 0% 5% 53% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 5% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
03:00
955hPa 0J/kg 0% 6.1°C 0% 2% 30% 0mm 52% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 2% 0mm 6.5m/s 5.7m/s 4.8m/s
04:00
955hPa 0J/kg 3% 7°C 0% 0% 28% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 3% 0mm - - 5m/s
05:00
954hPa 0J/kg 5% 7.3°C 0% 7% 27% 0mm 43% 0mm -20dBZ -6.8° 9% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
06:00
955hPa 0J/kg 32% 7°C 0% 14% 26% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ -0.6° 38% 0mm 8.2m/s 7.1m/s 4.7m/s
07:00
955hPa 0J/kg 18% 7.1°C 0% 6% 38% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 5.7° 18% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
08:00
955hPa 0J/kg 5% 6.1°C 0% 12% 50% 0mm 54% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 12% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
09:00
955hPa 0J/kg 2% 7.1°C 0% 6% 62% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 6% 0mm 6.4m/s 6.8m/s 4.4m/s
10:00
955hPa 0J/kg 14% 8.7°C 0% 0% 65% 0mm 50% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 14% 0mm - - 3.9m/s
11:00
954hPa 0J/kg 60% 8.4°C 0% 6% 68% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 60% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
12:00
954hPa 0J/kg 44% 9.5°C 0% 23% 71% 0mm 40% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 60% 0mm 9.2m/s 8.8m/s 1.7m/s
13:00
952hPa 0J/kg 34% 8.5°C 5% 49% 67% 0mm 49% 0mm -15dBZ 35° 73% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
14:00
951hPa 0J/kg 24% 7.6°C 10% 74% 64% 0mm 59% 0mm -11dBZ 35° 87% 0mm - - 4.2m/s
15:00
949hPa 0J/kg 14% 6.6°C 16% 100% 60% 0mm 68% 0mm -6.1dBZ 32° 100% 0mm 11m/s 10m/s 5.4m/s
16:00
948hPa 0J/kg 14% 5.4°C 44% 100% 67% 0.007mm 69% 0mm -5dBZ 28° 100% 0.02mm - - 6m/s
17:00
947hPa 0J/kg 15% 4.2°C 72% 100% 74% 0.01mm 71% 0mm -3.9dBZ 22° 100% 0.04mm - - 6.7m/s
18:00
946hPa 0J/kg 15% 2.9°C 100% 100% 81% 0.02mm 73% 0mm -2.7dBZ 16° 100% 0.06mm 6m/s 7.8m/s 7.3m/s
19:00
945hPa 0J/kg 43% 3°C 100% 100% 69% 0.04mm 72% 0mm -8.5dBZ 9.6° 100% 0.1mm - - 6.9m/s
20:00
944hPa 0J/kg 72% 3.1°C 100% 100% 57% 0.06mm 72% 0mm -14dBZ 3.1° 100% 0.15mm - - 6.4m/s
21:00
943hPa 0J/kg 100% 3.2°C 100% 100% 45% 0.08mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -3.3° 100% 0.19mm 5.8m/s 8.9m/s 6m/s
22:00
943hPa 0J/kg 76% 2.8°C 100% 100% 50% 0.07mm 73% 0mm -11dBZ -8.9° 100% 0.27mm - - 5.1m/s
23:00
942hPa 0J/kg 52% 2.4°C 100% 100% 55% 0.07mm 75% 0mm -1.3dBZ -13° 100% 0.35mm - - 4.3m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 05:58 Sunset 20:37
24:00
942hPa 0J/kg 28% 2°C 100% 100% 60% 0.06mm 76% 0mm 8dBZ -16° 100% 0.44mm 12m/s 13m/s 3.4m/s
01:00
942hPa 0J/kg 26% 1.9°C 100% 100% 58% 0.13mm 78% 0mm 6.5dBZ -18° 100% 0.44mm - - 3.1m/s
02:00
942hPa 0J/kg 24% 1.9°C 100% 100% 56% 0.2mm 80% 0mm 5.1dBZ -17° 100% 0.44mm - - 2.7m/s
03:00
941hPa 0J/kg 22% 1.8°C 100% 100% 53% 0.27mm 82% 0mm 3.6dBZ -15° 100% 0.44mm 13m/s 7.5m/s 2.4m/s
04:00
942hPa 0J/kg 30% 2.5°C 97% 100% 61% 0.24mm 85% 0mm 6.7dBZ -12° 100% 0.81mm - - 2.6m/s
05:00
942hPa 0J/kg 37% 3.2°C 94% 100% 69% 0.22mm 88% 0mm 9.8dBZ -6.5° 100% 1.2mm - - 2.9m/s
06:00
942hPa 0J/kg 44% 3.8°C 90% 100% 76% 0.19mm 91% 0mm 13dBZ -0.03° 100% 1.6mm 8.8m/s 3.6m/s 3.2m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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