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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 60% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover100%
Wind Gusts11.2m/s
Precipitation Chance100%
Air Pressure937.4hPa
CAPE25
Lifted Index2.1°C
Wind Gusts11.2m/s
Precipitation0.6mm

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
01:000%2%15J/kg11°C11070m11m/s
02:0022%6.4%13J/kg11°C5376m11m/s
03:0055%3.1%10J/kg9.1°C60m12m/s
04:0049%0%0J/kg6.9°C51m13m/s
05:0052%60%0J/kg4.3°C57m17m/s
06:0063%71%3J/kg3.4°C92m16m/s
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%0.1%25J/kg2.1°C7298m11m/s
02:0020%1.1%21J/kg2.2°C11068m11m/s
03:0037%1.2%9J/kg1.8°C1585m11m/s
04:0048%0.1%31J/kg0.9°C3665m10m/s
05:0021%51%12J/kg2.2°C11057m9.3m/s
06:0025%59%11J/kg1.8°C11071m9.1m/s
07:0018%60%7J/kg0.8°C5849m7m/s
08:0018%59%4J/kg0.3°C11046m6.5m/s
09:0034%56%5J/kg0.3°C11046m7.8m/s
10:0036%58%30J/kg0°C2265m10m/s
11:0040%50%68J/kg-0.2°C10150m11m/s
12:0052%52%47J/kg0.2°C85m15m/s
13:0033%56%9J/kg1.7°C11047m16m/s
14:0035%54%9J/kg2°C5632m14m/s
15:0039%56%5J/kg2.6°C5172m14m/s
16:0043%54%10J/kg3.4°C3068m14m/s
17:0043%64%6J/kg4.2°C2219m13m/s
18:0040%59%10J/kg4.7°C10056m13m/s
19:0033%73%6J/kg4.4°C2935m13m/s
20:0032%79%9J/kg4.4°C10177m14m/s
21:0041%48%12J/kg4.3°C1121m14m/s
22:0042%60%14J/kg4.2°C1367m14m/s
23:0042%4.3%14J/kg4.1°C1433m14m/s
Fri, Apr 10
24:0045%2.8%10J/kg4°C1161m14m/s
01:0032%2.1%12J/kg3.6°C11079m14m/s
02:0038%3.6%10J/kg3.7°C1025m14m/s
03:0041%5.1%9J/kg3.5°C6773m13m/s
04:0040%6.2%5J/kg3.4°C4663m12m/s
05:0038%62%11J/kg3.2°C6516m12m/s
06:0027%83%6J/kg3.3°C8623m10m/s
07:000%77%5J/kg3.4°C6787m8.8m/s
08:000%70%10J/kg3.7°C8327m8.5m/s
09:000%69%6J/kg3.5°C14417m7.4m/s
10:000%25%1J/kg3.6°C24135m7.5m/s
11:000%52%5J/kg3°C24134m6.8m/s
12:0029%52%2J/kg3.4°C21253m5.5m/s
13:000%82%2J/kg3.1°C24134m3.8m/s
14:000%79%1J/kg2.8°C24134m3.4m/s
15:0013%53%3J/kg2.5°C15242m3.6m/s
16:000%55%0J/kg2.5°C12122m3.1m/s
17:000%90%1J/kg2.6°C11314m2.7m/s
18:0014%52%0J/kg2.7°C24135m1.5m/s
19:000%43%0J/kg3.6°C24135m2.8m/s
20:000%68%0J/kg5.2°C24134m3.7m/s
21:0014%67%0J/kg5.2°C24135m4.8m/s
22:000%65%0J/kg5°C24134m4.6m/s
23:000%7.8%0J/kg5°C24135m5.7m/s
Sat, Apr 11
24:000%11%0J/kg4.8°C24134m5.8m/s
01:000%11%0J/kg4.6°C24134m5.7m/s
02:000%15%0J/kg4.2°C24134m5.2m/s
03:000%15%0J/kg4.3°C24135m4.8m/s
04:000%33%0J/kg4.2°C24135m4.4m/s
05:000%25%0J/kg4°C24135m4.3m/s
06:000%23%0J/kg4.1°C24135m4.8m/s
07:000%100%0J/kg5.3°C24135m4.3m/s
08:000%75%0J/kg6.5°C24135m3.8m/s
09:000%43%0J/kg7.7°C24135m3.3m/s
10:000%46%0J/kg7.4°C24135m3.9m/s
11:000%39%0J/kg7.2°C24135m4.5m/s
12:000%39%0J/kg6.9°C24135m5.1m/s
13:000%39%0J/kg6.8°C24135m5.8m/s
14:000%39%0J/kg6.7°C24135m6.5m/s
15:000%39%0J/kg6.6°C24135m7.1m/s
16:000%41%0J/kg6.1°C24135m7.9m/s
17:000%48%0J/kg5.5°C24135m8.7m/s
18:000%51%0J/kg4.9°C24135m9.5m/s
19:0018%67%0J/kg4.3°C23033m12m/s
20:0018%70%0J/kg3.7°C21931m14m/s
21:0019%70%0J/kg3.2°C20829m16m/s
22:0020%60%0J/kg3.1°C21931m15m/s
23:0018%0%0J/kg3°C23033m15m/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
01:00
937hPa 25J/kg 0% 2.1°C 99% 100% 100% 0.27mm 91% 0.34mm 20dBZ -19° 100% 0.63mm - - 7.1m/s
02:00
937hPa 21J/kg 0% 2.2°C 99% 100% 100% 0.3mm 90% 0.26mm 19dBZ -19° 100% 1.3mm - - 7.3m/s
03:00
936hPa 9J/kg 0% 1.8°C 100% 100% 100% 0.81mm 92% 0.27mm 18dBZ -16° 100% 1.9mm 6.5m/s 7.6m/s 7.3m/s
04:00
936hPa 31J/kg 0% 0.9°C 100% 100% 100% 1.2mm 96% 0.61mm 18dBZ -13° 100% 3.3mm - - 6.3m/s
05:00
936hPa 12J/kg 0% 2.2°C 95% 100% 100% 0.3mm 90% 0.29mm 18dBZ -7.6° 100% 4.4mm - - 5.2m/s
06:00
935hPa 11J/kg 0% 1.8°C 100% 100% 100% 0.52mm 90% 0.19mm 19dBZ -1.5° 100% 4.9mm 6.3m/s 9.4m/s 5.6m/s
07:00
935hPa 7J/kg 0% 0.8°C 100% 100% 100% 1.2mm 96% 0.24mm 19dBZ 100% 1.1mm - - 4.1m/s
08:00
935hPa 4J/kg 0% 0.3°C 100% 96% 100% 0.88mm 94% 0.2mm 20dBZ 12° 100% 2.3mm - - 3.6m/s
09:00
936hPa 5J/kg 0% 0.3°C 100% 100% 100% 1.1mm 94% 0.19mm 21dBZ 18° 100% 3.3mm 5.7m/s 11m/s 4m/s
10:00
936hPa 30J/kg 0% 0°C 97% 98% 100% 0.9mm 91% 0.39mm 23dBZ 24° 98% 4.4mm - - 7.7m/s
11:00
937hPa 68J/kg 0% -0.2°C 100% 91% 100% 1.3mm 96% 0.29mm 24dBZ 29° 100% 5.6mm - - 8.4m/s
12:00
937hPa 47J/kg 0% 0.2°C 100% 100% 100% 2.1mm 98% 0.46mm 26dBZ 33° 100% 7.4mm 1.4m/s 8.1m/s 11m/s
13:00
938hPa 9J/kg 0% 1.7°C 100% 57% 100% 0.77mm 93% 0.09mm 23dBZ 34° 100% 1.3mm - - 12m/s
14:00
939hPa 9J/kg 0% 2°C 100% 50% 100% 1.5mm 95% 0.1mm 21dBZ 34° 100% 2.4mm - - 11m/s
15:00
939hPa 5J/kg 0% 2.6°C 100% 59% 100% 1.8mm 94% 0.07mm 18dBZ 31° 100% 4mm 2.2m/s 8m/s 11m/s
16:00
940hPa 10J/kg 0% 3.4°C 100% 58% 100% 1.5mm 92% 0.11mm 17dBZ 27° 100% 5.6mm - - 11m/s
17:00
941hPa 6J/kg 0% 4.2°C 95% 81% 100% 0.88mm 85% 0.05mm 17dBZ 22° 95% 6.6mm - - 11m/s
18:00
941hPa 10J/kg 0% 4.7°C 87% 79% 100% 0.48mm 82% 0.1mm 17dBZ 16° 96% 7.3mm 0.76m/s 9.4m/s 9.9m/s
19:00
942hPa 6J/kg 0% 4.4°C 89% 49% 98% 0.63mm 83% 0.1mm 17dBZ 89% 0.56mm - - 9.4m/s
20:00
942hPa 9J/kg 0% 4.4°C 90% 18% 97% 0.58mm 82% 0.1mm 17dBZ 2.5° 90% 1.2mm - - 9.7m/s
21:00
943hPa 12J/kg 0% 4.3°C 91% 8% 95% 0.67mm 84% 0.18mm 18dBZ -3.9° 91% 1.9mm 0.95m/s 11m/s 10m/s
22:00
943hPa 14J/kg 0% 4.2°C 97% 13% 96% 0.76mm 84% 0.16mm 18dBZ -9.6° 97% 2.6mm - - 10m/s
23:00
944hPa 14J/kg 0% 4.1°C 97% 52% 96% 0.76mm 83% 0.16mm 18dBZ -14° 97% 3.5mm - - 10m/s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:04 Sunset 20:31
24:00
944hPa 10J/kg 0% 4°C 94% 87% 97% 0.73mm 84% 0.41mm 18dBZ -17° 94% 4.4mm 1.9m/s 14m/s 10m/s
01:00
945hPa 12J/kg 0% 3.6°C 97% 96% 92% 0.82mm 84% 0.37mm 18dBZ -19° 97% 1.1mm - - 9.9m/s
02:00
945hPa 10J/kg 0% 3.7°C 88% 93% 88% 0.78mm 80% 0.48mm 18dBZ -18° 93% 2.2mm - - 9.6m/s
03:00
946hPa 9J/kg 0% 3.5°C 89% 86% 83% 0.48mm 78% 0.47mm 19dBZ -16° 89% 3.1mm 4m/s 11m/s 8.9m/s
04:00
947hPa 5J/kg 0% 3.4°C 87% 82% 88% 0.34mm 76% 0.45mm 17dBZ -12° 87% 3.9mm - - 8.5m/s
05:00
948hPa 11J/kg 0% 3.2°C 85% 84% 92% 0.36mm 77% 0.39mm 16dBZ -7.2° 87% 4.5mm - - 8.5m/s
06:00
948hPa 6J/kg 0% 3.3°C 79% 81% 97% 0.1mm 75% 0.31mm 15dBZ -1.1° 85% 5.1mm 4.5m/s 6.6m/s 7.2m/s
07:00
949hPa 5J/kg 0% 3.4°C 83% 84% 74% 0.08mm 76% 0.27mm 14dBZ 5.4° 86% 0.31mm - - 6.4m/s
08:00
950hPa 10J/kg 0% 3.7°C 68% 66% 51% 0.15mm 75% 0.12mm 13dBZ 12° 85% 0.63mm - - 6.1m/s
09:00
951hPa 6J/kg 0% 3.5°C 38% 6% 28% 0.01mm 72% 0.08mm 12dBZ 19° 38% 0.81mm 4.3m/s 8.8m/s 5.1m/s
10:00
951hPa 1J/kg 0% 3.6°C 5% 0% 31% 0mm 63% 0.01mm 1.2dBZ 24° 5% 0.94mm - - 5m/s
11:00
952hPa 5J/kg 0% 3°C 65% 0% 34% 0mm 59% 0.04mm -9.4dBZ 29° 65% 0.94mm - - 4.9m/s
12:00
953hPa 2J/kg 0% 3.4°C 42% 3% 37% 0mm 60% 0.14mm -20dBZ 33° 42% 1.1mm 9m/s 24m/s 4.3m/s
13:00
953hPa 2J/kg 0% 3.1°C 39% 50% 38% 0mm 58% 0.01mm -20dBZ 35° 68% 0.06mm - - 2.6m/s
14:00
954hPa 1J/kg 0% 2.8°C 52% 11% 38% 0mm 59% 0.01mm -20dBZ 34° 52% 0.06mm - - 2.3m/s
15:00
954hPa 3J/kg 0% 2.5°C 92% 12% 39% 0.01mm 63% 0.02mm -20dBZ 32° 92% 0.06mm 8.9m/s 14m/s 2.6m/s
16:00
954hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.5°C 95% 71% 33% 0.04mm 74% 0.01mm -20dBZ 28° 95% 0.13mm - - 2.2m/s
17:00
955hPa 1J/kg 0% 2.6°C 80% 33% 27% 0.06mm 83% 0.05mm -20dBZ 22° 80% 0.25mm - - 1.6m/s
18:00
955hPa 0J/kg 0% 2.7°C 25% 4% 21% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 25% 0.25mm 8.4m/s 14m/s 1m/s
19:00
955hPa 0J/kg 6% 3.6°C 5% 5% 47% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 9.3° 8% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
20:00
955hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.2°C 5% 84% 74% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 2.8° 100% 0mm - - 3.2m/s
21:00
956hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.2°C 8% 97% 100% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -3.6° 100% 0mm 7.3m/s 12m/s 4.2m/s
22:00
956hPa 0J/kg 100% 5°C 21% 96% 73% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -9.2° 100% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
23:00
957hPa 0J/kg 100% 5°C 20% 100% 46% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 100% 0mm - - 5m/s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:01 Sunset 20:34
24:00
957hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.8°C 5% 100% 19% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ -17° 100% 0mm 5.9m/s 8m/s 4.9m/s
01:00
956hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.6°C 2% 100% 46% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 100% 0mm - - 5.1m/s
02:00
956hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.2°C 0% 100% 73% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -18° 100% 0mm - - 5.4m/s
03:00
955hPa 0J/kg 9% 4.3°C 0% 6% 100% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ -16° 9% 0mm 9.7m/s 6.9m/s 5.2m/s
04:00
955hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.2°C 0% 5% 73% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 5% 0mm - - 4.9m/s
05:00
955hPa 0J/kg 0% 4°C 0% 0% 47% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ -6.8° 0% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
06:00
955hPa 0J/kg 0% 4.1°C 0% 0% 20% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ -0.6° 0% 0mm 11m/s 6.4m/s 5.1m/s
07:00
954hPa 0J/kg 33% 5.3°C 0% 33% 19% 0mm 48% 0mm -20dBZ 5.7° 33% 0mm - - 4.1m/s
08:00
954hPa 0J/kg 67% 6.5°C 0% 67% 19% 0mm 46% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 67% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
09:00
953hPa 0J/kg 100% 7.7°C 0% 100% 18% 0mm 45% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 100% 0mm 4.6m/s 8.8m/s 2.1m/s
10:00
952hPa 0J/kg 94% 7.4°C 0% 100% 22% 0mm 49% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 100% 0mm - - 2.8m/s
11:00
952hPa 0J/kg 88% 7.2°C 0% 100% 26% 0mm 53% 0mm -20dBZ 30° 100% 0mm - - 3.5m/s
12:00
951hPa 0J/kg 82% 6.9°C 0% 100% 29% 0mm 57% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 100% 0mm 7.2m/s 5.9m/s 4.2m/s
13:00
951hPa 0J/kg 88% 6.8°C 0% 100% 25% 0mm 58% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 100% 0mm - - 5m/s
14:00
950hPa 0J/kg 94% 6.7°C 0% 100% 20% 0mm 59% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 100% 0mm - - 5.8m/s
15:00
950hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.6°C 0% 100% 15% 0mm 61% 0mm -20dBZ 32° 100% 0mm 11m/s 7m/s 6.6m/s
16:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 6.1°C 2% 100% 24% 0mm 63% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 100% 0mm - - 7m/s
17:00
949hPa 0J/kg 100% 5.5°C 3% 100% 33% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 100% 0mm - - 7.4m/s
18:00
948hPa 0J/kg 100% 4.9°C 5% 100% 42% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 100% 0mm 11m/s 5.8m/s 7.9m/s
19:00
947hPa 0J/kg 97% 4.3°C 23% 100% 46% 0.03mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 9.6° 100% 0.02mm - - 8.2m/s
20:00
946hPa 0J/kg 95% 3.7°C 42% 100% 50% 0.05mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 3.1° 100% 0.04mm - - 8.5m/s
21:00
945hPa 0J/kg 92% 3.2°C 61% 100% 54% 0.08mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -3.3° 100% 0.06mm 8.4m/s 1.6m/s 8.8m/s
22:00
945hPa 0J/kg 92% 3.1°C 44% 100% 55% 0.05mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -8.9° 100% 0.1mm - - 8.4m/s
23:00
945hPa 0J/kg 91% 3°C 28% 100% 55% 0.03mm 66% 0mm -19dBZ -13° 100% 0.15mm - - 7.9m/s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 05:58 Sunset 20:37
24:00
944hPa 0J/kg 90% 3°C 11% 100% 56% 0mm 64% 0mm -19dBZ -16° 100% 0.19mm 5.8m/s 9.3m/s 7.4m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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