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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 74% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover3%
Wind Gusts3.1m/s
Precipitation Chance0%
Air Pressure964.7hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index11.4°C
Wind Gusts3.1m/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 17
19:000%53%0J/kg5.5°C24135m3.2m/s
20:000%51%0J/kg5.5°C11095m3.8m/s
21:0016%60%0J/kg5.2°C11062m3.6m/s
22:000%52%0J/kg5.2°C11070m4.3m/s
23:000%59%0J/kg5°C24134m6.1m/s
Sat, Apr 18
24:0017%14%0J/kg6.3°C24134m5.9m/s
01:000%11%0J/kg5.9°C24135m6m/s
02:000%14%0J/kg6.6°C24134m7.8m/s
03:0018%15%0J/kg7.1°C24135m8.5m/s
04:000%100%0J/kg7.8°C24135m8.2m/s
05:000%54%0J/kg8.4°C24134m6.9m/s
06:000%21%0J/kg8.2°C24135m5.7m/s
07:000%22%0J/kg8.2°C24134m5.6m/s
08:000%22%0J/kg8.2°C24134m5.7m/s
09:000%21%0J/kg8.4°C24135m4.9m/s
10:000%22%0J/kg9.5°C24134m4.6m/s
11:000%16%0J/kg9.3°C24135m4.5m/s
12:000%16%0J/kg9.4°C24134m4.3m/s
13:000%17%0J/kg9.9°C24134m3.8m/s
14:000%15%0J/kg10°C24135m3.5m/s
15:0014%17%0J/kg11°C24134m3.6m/s
16:000%27%0J/kg11°C24135m3.1m/s
17:000%42%0J/kg11°C24135m3.5m/s
18:0014%23%0J/kg11°C24134m3.1m/s
19:000%17%0J/kg11°C24135m3.1m/s
20:000%25%0J/kg11°C24134m3.2m/s
21:000%31%0J/kg12°C24135m3.5m/s
22:000%22%0J/kg12°C24135m3.2m/s
23:000%24%0J/kg13°C24134m3.2m/s
Sun, Apr 19
24:000%9.3%0J/kg13°C24135m3m/s
01:000%13%0J/kg13°C24135m3.2m/s
02:000%14%0J/kg12°C24134m2m/s
03:000%14%0J/kg13°C24134m1.2m/s
04:000%31%0J/kg13°C24135m1.8m/s
05:000%37%0J/kg13°C24134m1.6m/s
06:000%37%0J/kg12°C24135m1.8m/s
07:000%72%0J/kg13°C24135m2.5m/s
08:000%44%0J/kg14°C24135m3.9m/s
09:000%37%0J/kg13°C24134m4.7m/s
10:000%31%0J/kg13°C16708m5.2m/s
11:000%31%0J/kg13°C12667m5.6m/s
12:0015%37%0J/kg13°C12349m6m/s
13:000%33%0J/kg12°C11258m6.3m/s
14:000%34%3J/kg12°C11110m6.4m/s
15:0018%33%5J/kg12°C11070m6.5m/s
16:000%52%7J/kg11°C11072m6.8m/s
17:000%80%9J/kg11°C11074m6.2m/s
18:0016%59%9J/kg10°C11076m6.2m/s
19:000%60%14J/kg11°C9213m6.4m/s
20:000%62%21J/kg11°C9453m6.6m/s
21:0016%62%19J/kg11°C10156m6.3m/s
22:000%53%19J/kg11°C10020m5.8m/s
23:000%50%18J/kg11°C11076m4.6m/s
Mon, Apr 20
24:000%0.5%15J/kg11°C11079m3.1m/s
01:000%0.9%11J/kg11°C11079m2.7m/s
02:000%0%7J/kg11°C11097m2.7m/s
03:000%0%7J/kg11°C11311m3m/s
04:000%51%4J/kg11°C11279m2.9m/s
05:000%63%3J/kg11°C12368m3.5m/s
06:000%66%2J/kg11°C13914m3.6m/s
07:000%69%1J/kg11°C11711m3.8m/s
08:000%100%1J/kg11°C24135m3.4m/s
09:000%100%0J/kg11°C24134m2.4m/s
10:000%97%0J/kg11°C24135m1.9m/s
11:000%27%0J/kg11°C24134m1.6m/s
12:000%22%0J/kg11°C24135m1.3m/s
13:000%22%0J/kg11°C24134m1.2m/s
14:000%25%0J/kg11°C24135m0.81m/s
15:000%26%0J/kg11°C24135m1m/s
16:000%32%0J/kg11°C24135m1m/s
17:000%92%0J/kg10°C24135m0.83m/s
18:000%76%0J/kg10°C24134m1m/s
19:000%77%0J/kg10°C24134m0.91m/s
20:000%53%0J/kg10°C24134m1m/s
21:000%64%0J/kg11°C24134m1.6m/s
22:000%69%0J/kg11°C24135m1.8m/s
23:000%34%0J/kg11°C24134m1.7m/s
Tue, Apr 21
24:000%13%0J/kg10°C24135m1.5m/s
01:000%0%0J/kg11°C24135m1.4m/s
02:000%0%0J/kg11°C24135m1.2m/s
03:0011%0%0J/kg12°C24135m1m/s
04:000%48%0J/kg12°C24135m1.2m/s
05:000%56%0J/kg12°C24135m1.4m/s
06:0011%35%0J/kg11°C24135m1.6m/s
07:000%56%0J/kg11°C24135m1.8m/s
08:000%52%0J/kg11°C24135m2m/s
09:0011%52%0J/kg11°C24135m2.2m/s
10:000%44%0J/kg11°C24135m2.1m/s
11:000%44%0J/kg11°C24135m2m/s
12:0011%36%0J/kg11°C24135m1.8m/s
13:000%36%0J/kg11°C24135m1.6m/s
14:000%53%0J/kg10°C24135m1.3m/s
15:009.8%28%0J/kg9.7°C24135m1m/s
16:000%23%0J/kg9.4°C24135m1m/s
17:000%25%0J/kg9.1°C24135m1m/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 18 Sunrise 05:37 Sunset 20:55
19:00
965hPa 0J/kg 3% 11°C 2% 2% 0% 0mm 60% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 3% 0mm - - 3.1m/s
20:00
965hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 5.1° 5% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
21:00
966hPa 0J/kg 7% 12°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -1° 7% 0mm 6.1m/s 9.5m/s 3m/s
22:00
967hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 3% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -6.7° 5% 0mm - - 2.7m/s
23:00
968hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 3% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -11° 5% 0mm - - 3m/s
Sun, Apr 19 Sunrise 05:34 Sunset 20:58
24:00
968hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 2% 0mm 6m/s 6.8m/s 2.9m/s
01:00
968hPa 0J/kg 0% 13°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 2% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
02:00
968hPa 0J/kg 10% 12°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 10% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
03:00
969hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 1% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 5% 0mm 7.1m/s 7.4m/s 1.2m/s
04:00
969hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 0% 0% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ -9° 5% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
05:00
970hPa 0J/kg 8% 13°C 2% 0% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ -4° 8% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
06:00
970hPa 0J/kg 5% 12°C 7% 0% 0% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 2.1° 8% 0mm 5.9m/s 4.3m/s 1.2m/s
07:00
971hPa 0J/kg 5% 13°C 32% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -14dBZ 8.4° 32% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
08:00
972hPa 0J/kg 100% 14°C 77% 0% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -7.8dBZ 15° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
09:00
972hPa 0J/kg 100% 13°C 86% 0% 0% 0.01mm 74% 0mm -1.7dBZ 22° 100% 0mm 8.5m/s 8.4m/s 3m/s
10:00
973hPa 0J/kg 62% 13°C 89% 0% 7% 0.01mm 75% 0mm -4.3dBZ 28° 89% 0mm - - 4m/s
11:00
973hPa 0J/kg 100% 13°C 94% 0% 15% 0.02mm 77% 0mm -6.8dBZ 33° 100% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
12:00
974hPa 0J/kg 64% 13°C 100% 0% 22% 0.03mm 80% 0mm -9.4dBZ 36° 100% 0.06mm 11m/s 11m/s 5m/s
13:00
974hPa 0J/kg 61% 12°C 100% 0% 28% 0.04mm 84% 0mm -8.6dBZ 38° 100% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
14:00
974hPa 3J/kg 90% 12°C 100% 2% 33% 0.06mm 88% 0mm -7.8dBZ 37° 100% 0.06mm - - 4.1m/s
15:00
975hPa 5J/kg 100% 12°C 100% 5% 39% 0.04mm 91% 0.01mm -7dBZ 35° 100% 0.13mm 12m/s 11m/s 3.5m/s
16:00
975hPa 7J/kg 100% 11°C 99% 81% 33% 0.03mm 92% 0.01mm -8.7dBZ 30° 100% 0.19mm - - 3.4m/s
17:00
976hPa 9J/kg 35% 11°C 98% 86% 28% 0.01mm 94% 0.06mm -10dBZ 25° 100% 0.25mm - - 3.1m/s
18:00
976hPa 9J/kg 100% 10°C 94% 57% 22% 0.04mm 94% 0.11mm -12dBZ 19° 100% 0.38mm 12m/s 11m/s 3.4m/s
19:00
977hPa 14J/kg 100% 11°C 87% 34% 28% 0.01mm 95% 0.16mm -8.6dBZ 12° 100% 0.13mm - - 3.5m/s
20:00
978hPa 21J/kg 100% 11°C 86% 100% 33% 0.01mm 96% 0.17mm -5.3dBZ 5.4° 100% 0.31mm - - 3.8m/s
21:00
978hPa 19J/kg 100% 11°C 81% 100% 39% 0mm 97% 0.18mm -2dBZ -0.63° 100% 0.44mm 12m/s 12m/s 3.6m/s
22:00
979hPa 19J/kg 100% 11°C 80% 99% 39% 0mm 98% 0.18mm -0.29dBZ -6.4° 100% 0.63mm - - 3.3m/s
23:00
980hPa 18J/kg 100% 11°C 81% 48% 39% 0mm 98% 0.15mm 1.4dBZ -11° 100% 0.81mm - - 2.8m/s
Mon, Apr 20 Sunrise 05:30 Sunset 21:01
24:00
980hPa 15J/kg 100% 11°C 87% 20% 39% 0mm 99% 0.11mm 3dBZ -14° 100% 0.88mm 9.4m/s 9.9m/s 2.5m/s
01:00
980hPa 11J/kg 100% 11°C 82% 7% 26% 0mm 98% 0.07mm -0.77dBZ -15° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.4m/s
02:00
981hPa 7J/kg 100% 11°C 72% 47% 14% 0mm 98% 0.04mm -4.6dBZ -15° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.5m/s
03:00
981hPa 7J/kg 100% 11°C 69% 49% 1% 0mm 96% 0mm -8.4dBZ -12° 100% 0.13mm 6.6m/s 6.3m/s 2.7m/s
04:00
982hPa 4J/kg 100% 11°C 48% 70% 1% 0mm 94% 0mm -12dBZ -8.7° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.8m/s
05:00
982hPa 3J/kg 100% 11°C 43% 83% 0% 0mm 93% 0mm -16dBZ -3.6° 100% 0.13mm - - 3.2m/s
06:00
983hPa 2J/kg 100% 11°C 34% 95% 0% 0mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ 2.4° 100% 0.19mm 3.3m/s 2.6m/s 3.4m/s
07:00
984hPa 1J/kg 94% 11°C 41% 90% 0% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ 8.8° 96% 0mm - - 3.3m/s
08:00
984hPa 1J/kg 37% 11°C 39% 23% 0% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 15° 44% 0mm - - 2.9m/s
09:00
985hPa 0J/kg 52% 11°C 20% 35% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 54% 0mm 2.4m/s 2.1m/s 2.2m/s
10:00
985hPa 0J/kg 26% 11°C 11% 13% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 26% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
11:00
986hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 6% 5% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 6% 0mm - - 1.7m/s
12:00
986hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 4% 5% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 5% 0mm 2.6m/s 5.6m/s 1.4m/s
13:00
986hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 2% 5% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 5% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
14:00
987hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 4% 3% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 5% 0mm - - 0.96m/s
15:00
987hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 2% 5% 0% 0mm 64% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 5% 0mm 2.8m/s 3m/s 0.71m/s
16:00
987hPa 0J/kg 8% 11°C 4% 5% 0% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 8% 0mm - - 0.89m/s
17:00
987hPa 0J/kg 42% 10°C 3% 37% 0% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 59% 0mm - - 1m/s
18:00
987hPa 0J/kg 46% 10°C 6% 93% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 93% 0mm 2.6m/s 1.1m/s 0.86m/s
19:00
988hPa 0J/kg 25% 10°C 3% 99% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ 12° 99% 0mm - - 0.46m/s
20:00
988hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 2% 93% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 5.7° 93% 0mm - - 0.86m/s
21:00
988hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 81% 0% 0mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ -0.19° 81% 0mm 5.7m/s 6.9m/s 1.6m/s
22:00
988hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 56% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -6.1° 56% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
23:00
988hPa 0J/kg 5% 11°C 0% 7% 0% 0mm 75% 0mm -20dBZ -10° 7% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
Tue, Apr 21 Sunrise 05:27 Sunset 21:04
24:00
988hPa 0J/kg 5% 10°C 0% 4% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ -13° 5% 0mm 5.3m/s 9.7m/s 1.6m/s
01:00
987hPa 0J/kg 36% 11°C 7% 28% 0% 0mm 77% 0mm -20dBZ -15° 36% 0mm - - 1.4m/s
02:00
986hPa 0J/kg 67% 11°C 13% 52% 0% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ -14° 67% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
03:00
985hPa 0J/kg 98% 12°C 20% 76% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ -12° 98% 0mm 7.8m/s 11m/s 0.92m/s
04:00
985hPa 0J/kg 99% 12°C 36% 53% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ -8.3° 99% 0mm - - 1.2m/s
05:00
985hPa 0J/kg 100% 12°C 52% 29% 0% 0mm 78% 0mm -20dBZ -3.3° 100% 0mm - - 1.5m/s
06:00
984hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 68% 5% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 2.8° 100% 0mm 8.2m/s 12m/s 1.7m/s
07:00
984hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 60% 16% 0% 0mm 74% 0mm -20dBZ 9.1° 100% 0mm - - 1.9m/s
08:00
984hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 53% 27% 0% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 100% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
09:00
984hPa 0J/kg 100% 11°C 45% 38% 0% 0mm 70% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 100% 0mm 8.4m/s 13m/s 2.4m/s
10:00
984hPa 0J/kg 99% 11°C 31% 59% 0% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 28° 100% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
11:00
984hPa 0J/kg 98% 11°C 17% 79% 0% 0mm 67% 0mm -20dBZ 33° 100% 0mm - - 1.8m/s
12:00
983hPa 0J/kg 96% 11°C 4% 100% 0% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 37° 100% 0mm 6.5m/s 14m/s 1.6m/s
13:00
984hPa 0J/kg 66% 11°C 3% 100% 0% 0mm 71% 0mm -20dBZ 39° 100% 0mm - - 1.3m/s
14:00
984hPa 0J/kg 36% 10°C 2% 100% 0% 0mm 76% 0mm -20dBZ 38° 100% 0mm - - 1.1m/s
15:00
984hPa 0J/kg 5% 9.7°C 2% 100% 0% 0mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 100% 0mm 4.7m/s 13m/s 0.85m/s
16:00
984hPa 0J/kg 3% 9.4°C 2% 96% 0% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 96% 0mm - - 0.89m/s
17:00
984hPa 0J/kg 2% 9.1°C 3% 93% 0% 0mm 83% 0mm -20dBZ 25° 93% 0mm - - 0.93m/s
18:00
984hPa 0J/kg 0% 8.8°C 4% 89% 0% 0mm 84% 0mm -20dBZ 19° 89% 0mm 4.6m/s 13m/s 0.98m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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