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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 56% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Cloud Cover40%
Wind Gusts1.7m/s
Precipitation Chance33%
Air Pressure955.2hPa
CAPE0
Lifted Index6.0°C
Wind Gusts1.7m/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 79 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, Jul 8
05:0018%60%1J/kg13°C142m2.1m/s
06:0018%58%2J/kg13°C11097m2.9m/s
07:000%55%0J/kg7.7°C11148m1.7m/s
08:000%52%0J/kg7.1°C24135m2.4m/s
09:0015%51%0J/kg7.3°C24134m2.2m/s
10:000%48%1J/kg6.5°C24134m1.8m/s
11:000%59%1J/kg6.1°C24134m1.7m/s
12:0017%66%1J/kg5.6°C24134m1.8m/s
13:000%54%1J/kg5.9°C24134m2.6m/s
14:000%88%0J/kg6°C24135m1.7m/s
15:0018%35%0J/kg5.7°C24135m2.5m/s
16:000%34%0J/kg5.4°C24135m1.8m/s
17:0019%51%0J/kg4.8°C24135m2.4m/s
18:0020%36%0J/kg4.7°C24134m2.1m/s
19:0019%25%1J/kg3.9°C24134m2.2m/s
20:0020%25%14J/kg4°C11261m2.6m/s
21:0045%27%1J/kg3.8°C944m3.7m/s
22:0025%28%14J/kg5°C180m2.8m/s
23:0040%39%31J/kg5.9°C97m6m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:0047%45%43J/kg7.5°C11079m9.3m/s
01:0030%62%21J/kg11°C24135m7.4m/s
02:0029%62%19J/kg10°C11062m7.9m/s
03:0030%61%45J/kg9.3°C11160m8.7m/s
04:0034%74%30J/kg9.6°C8499m8.1m/s
05:0025%100%16J/kg9.8°C9916m6.7m/s
06:0041%83%21J/kg9.3°C22473m5.9m/s
07:0029%69%24J/kg8.8°C19077m5.9m/s
08:0031%67%17J/kg8.8°C11449m6m/s
09:0026%59%22J/kg8.8°C13794m5.7m/s
10:0032%54%34J/kg8.2°C8988m5.6m/s
11:0022%53%28J/kg8.2°C18348m5.4m/s
12:0034%52%13J/kg8.1°C24135m4.8m/s
13:0025%49%7J/kg8°C24134m4.6m/s
14:0029%47%0J/kg7.4°C10998m4.7m/s
15:0025%46%0J/kg6.7°C6856m4.2m/s
16:0022%46%0J/kg6.3°C6583m3.7m/s
17:0025%46%0J/kg5.3°C6837m3.7m/s
18:0039%47%12J/kg4.8°C6680m4.1m/s
19:0025%61%21J/kg3.6°C7873m4.5m/s
20:0017%56%19J/kg2.5°C11113m3.4m/s
21:0018%65%14J/kg2.3°C11218m1.6m/s
22:0013%61%4J/kg2.1°C24135m1.6m/s
23:0014%58%9J/kg1.6°C12011m2.7m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:0014%61%7J/kg1.6°C11119m4.8m/s
01:000%89%5J/kg2.2°C11227m4.9m/s
02:000%56%2J/kg3°C24135m4m/s
03:000%57%0J/kg3.8°C24134m3.3m/s
04:000%62%0J/kg4.4°C24135m3m/s
05:000%77%0J/kg5.1°C24134m2.8m/s
06:0013%28%0J/kg5.9°C24135m2.6m/s
07:000%24%0J/kg6.3°C24134m2.7m/s
08:000%21%0J/kg6.7°C24134m3.3m/s
09:0013%20%0J/kg7.5°C24135m3.8m/s
10:000%32%0J/kg7.8°C24134m4.9m/s
11:0022%61%1J/kg8.5°C24134m6.3m/s
12:0019%65%4J/kg8.7°C24134m7.1m/s
13:0022%56%1J/kg9.3°C24135m7.7m/s
14:000%31%0J/kg9.8°C24134m8m/s
15:000%27%0J/kg9.6°C24134m7.9m/s
16:000%29%0J/kg9.8°C24135m7.7m/s
17:000%60%1J/kg10°C24135m7.9m/s
18:000%82%0J/kg10°C24135m7.3m/s
19:000%57%0J/kg9.1°C23559m6.7m/s
20:000%57%0J/kg7.8°C22984m6m/s
21:0013%57%0J/kg6.5°C22408m5.4m/s
22:000%55%0J/kg4.7°C18638m5.2m/s
23:000%55%0J/kg2.9°C14867m4.9m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:000%55%0J/kg1.1°C11097m4.6m/s
01:000%52%0J/kg2.3°C11099m4m/s
02:000%74%0J/kg3.6°C11101m3.4m/s
03:0011%47%0J/kg4.8°C11103m2.7m/s
04:000%74%0.33J/kg6.3°C14969m3.4m/s
05:000%55%0.67J/kg7.7°C18835m4m/s
06:000%38%1J/kg9.2°C22702m4.6m/s
07:000%55%0.67J/kg8.4°C23179m5.2m/s
08:000%52%0.33J/kg7.7°C23657m5.7m/s
09:0014%40%0J/kg6.9°C24135m6.2m/s
10:000%40%0J/kg6°C24135m6.7m/s
11:000%51%0J/kg5.1°C24135m7.1m/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
Convective Precip Fraction
fraction
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
Wed, Jul 8 Sunrise 03:23 Sunset 23:16
14:00
955hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 33% 6°C 23% 0% 33% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 49° 40% 0mm - - 2.2m/s
15:00
955hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 98% 5.7°C 72% 0% 39% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 99% 0mm 12m/s 21m/s 3.1m/s
16:00
954hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 5.4°C 85% 0% 54% 0mm 75% 0mm -16dBZ 41° 100% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
17:00
954hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 10% 4.8°C 100% 11% 69% 0mm 78% 0mm -12dBZ 35° 100% 0mm - - 3m/s
18:00
954hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 4.7°C 100% 2% 84% 0.04mm 85% 0mm -8.3dBZ 29° 100% 0.06mm 10m/s 23m/s 2.5m/s
19:00
954hPa 1J/kg 0.03fraction 0% 3.9°C 100% 0% 86% 0.03mm 91% 0mm -2dBZ 22° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.4m/s
20:00
953hPa 14J/kg 0.06fraction 0% 4°C 100% 0% 89% 0mm 93% 0.01mm 4.3dBZ 16° 100% 0.06mm - - 2.5m/s
21:00
953hPa 1J/kg 0.1fraction 0% 3.8°C 100% 0% 91% 0.47mm 96% 0.02mm 11dBZ 9.8° 100% 0.25mm 10m/s 24m/s 3.3m/s
22:00
953hPa 14J/kg 0.2fraction 0% 5°C 98% 4% 94% 0.09mm 97% 0.02mm 13dBZ 4.6° 98% 0.63mm - - 2.3m/s
23:00
953hPa 31J/kg 0.3fraction 0% 5.9°C 100% 5% 96% 1.1mm 99% 0.13mm 16dBZ 0.63° 100% 1.2mm - - 3.9m/s
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 03:26 Sunset 23:14
24:00
953hPa 43J/kg 0.39fraction 0% 7.5°C 92% 4% 99% 0.09mm 94% 0.25mm 19dBZ -2.6° 92% 2.3mm 11m/s 34m/s 5.6m/s
01:00
953hPa 21J/kg 0.48fraction 0% 11°C 71% 0% 99% 0mm 88% 0.02mm 18dBZ -4° 71% 0.19mm - - 4.2m/s
02:00
953hPa 19J/kg 0.56fraction 0% 10°C 73% 2% 99% 0mm 90% 0.19mm 17dBZ -3.8° 73% 0.38mm - - 5.1m/s
03:00
953hPa 45J/kg 0.64fraction 0% 9.3°C 76% 3% 99% 0mm 94% 0.47mm 15dBZ -1.9° 76% 0.69mm 11m/s 32m/s 5.4m/s
04:00
953hPa 30J/kg 0.57fraction 0% 9.6°C 64% 6% 100% 0mm 93% 0.33mm 15dBZ 1.6° 64% 1mm - - 5.2m/s
05:00
953hPa 16J/kg 0.5fraction 0% 9.8°C 61% 23% 100% 0mm 92% 0.15mm 15dBZ 5.9° 61% 1.2mm - - 3.5m/s
06:00
953hPa 21J/kg 0.43fraction 0% 9.3°C 84% 28% 100% 0mm 89% 0.16mm 15dBZ 11° 84% 1.4mm 11m/s 23m/s 3.7m/s
07:00
953hPa 24J/kg 0.62fraction 0% 8.8°C 91% 66% 98% 0mm 89% 0.19mm 16dBZ 18° 94% 0.19mm - - 4m/s
08:00
953hPa 17J/kg 0.81fraction 0% 8.8°C 89% 56% 97% 0mm 88% 0.15mm 16dBZ 24° 92% 0.38mm - - 4m/s
09:00
953hPa 22J/kg 1fraction 0% 8.8°C 84% 85% 95% 0mm 86% 0.21mm 17dBZ 31° 91% 0.56mm 9.3m/s 19m/s 3.9m/s
10:00
953hPa 34J/kg 0.79fraction 0% 8.2°C 84% 100% 97% 0mm 87% 0.34mm 16dBZ 37° 100% 0.81mm - - 4.1m/s
11:00
953hPa 28J/kg 0.57fraction 0% 8.2°C 62% 100% 98% 0mm 85% 0.25mm 14dBZ 43° 100% 1.1mm - - 4.1m/s
12:00
953hPa 13J/kg 0.36fraction 0% 8.1°C 67% 86% 99% 0mm 78% 0.1mm 13dBZ 47° 86% 1.3mm 8.6m/s 14m/s 3.5m/s
13:00
953hPa 7J/kg 0.29fraction 0% 8°C 94% 84% 98% 0.02mm 77% 0.08mm 18dBZ 49° 95% 0.06mm - - 3.4m/s
14:00
953hPa 0J/kg 0.22fraction 0% 7.4°C 100% 92% 97% 0.27mm 82% 0.09mm 23dBZ 48° 100% 0.31mm - - 3.2m/s
15:00
953hPa 0J/kg 0.14fraction 0% 6.7°C 100% 97% 95% 0.72mm 87% 0.06mm 29dBZ 46° 100% 0.88mm 8.7m/s 23m/s 2.6m/s
16:00
953hPa 0J/kg 0.16fraction 0% 6.3°C 100% 100% 95% 0.74mm 90% 0.05mm 25dBZ 41° 100% 1.8mm - - 1.9m/s
17:00
953hPa 0J/kg 0.17fraction 0% 5.3°C 100% 92% 95% 0.72mm 92% 0.05mm 22dBZ 35° 100% 2.5mm - - 2.2m/s
18:00
953hPa 12J/kg 0.18fraction 0% 4.8°C 100% 77% 95% 0.5mm 95% 0.2mm 18dBZ 29° 100% 3.2mm 5.9m/s 19m/s 2.8m/s
19:00
953hPa 21J/kg 0.26fraction 0% 3.6°C 100% 17% 80% 0.48mm 94% 0.21mm 6.5dBZ 22° 100% 0.69mm - - 3m/s
20:00
953hPa 19J/kg 0.35fraction 0% 2.5°C 96% 17% 65% 0.1mm 92% 0.15mm -5dBZ 16° 96% 1.1mm - - 2.9m/s
21:00
954hPa 14J/kg 0.43fraction 0% 2.3°C 77% 8% 49% 0.01mm 89% 0.02mm -16dBZ 9.7° 77% 1.3mm 6.5m/s 7.1m/s 1.4m/s
22:00
954hPa 4J/kg 0.29fraction 0% 2.1°C 89% 29% 48% 0mm 86% 0.02mm -18dBZ 4.5° 89% 1.4mm - - 1.2m/s
23:00
955hPa 9J/kg 0.14fraction 0% 1.6°C 80% 99% 47% 0.01mm 89% 0.01mm -19dBZ 0.53° 99% 1.4mm - - 2.1m/s
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 03:28 Sunset 23:12
24:00
955hPa 7J/kg 0.002fraction 0% 1.6°C 95% 62% 46% 0.05mm 92% 0.02mm -20dBZ -2.7° 95% 1.4mm 4.4m/s 5.4m/s 2.9m/s
01:00
955hPa 5J/kg 0fraction 0% 2.2°C 80% 30% 38% 0.02mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ -4.1° 80% 0.13mm - - 2.9m/s
02:00
956hPa 2J/kg 0fraction 0% 3°C 64% 99% 30% 0mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ -3.9° 99% 0.13mm - - 2.3m/s
03:00
956hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 3.8°C 30% 96% 22% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ -2° 96% 0.13mm 3.2m/s 5.3m/s 2.6m/s
04:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.4°C 30% 100% 28% 0mm 88% 0mm -20dBZ 1.5° 100% 0.13mm - - 2.7m/s
05:00
957hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 5.1°C 5% 65% 33% 0mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 5.8° 65% 0.13mm - - 2.4m/s
06:00
958hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 5.9°C 5% 5% 39% 0mm 85% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 5% 0.13mm 2.3m/s 10m/s 2.1m/s
07:00
959hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 6.3°C 5% 2% 39% 0mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 17° 5% 0mm - - 2.1m/s
08:00
960hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 6.7°C 5% 5% 39% 0mm 72% 0mm -20dBZ 24° 5% 0mm - - 2.4m/s
09:00
961hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 7.5°C 5% 0% 39% 0mm 68% 0mm -20dBZ 31° 5% 0mm 5.6m/s 12m/s 3m/s
10:00
961hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 7.8°C 10% 0% 53% 0mm 66% 0mm -16dBZ 37° 10% 0mm - - 4.8m/s
11:00
962hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 5% 8.5°C 29% 4% 68% 0mm 66% 0mm -12dBZ 43° 29% 0mm - - 6.2m/s
12:00
963hPa 4J/kg 0fraction 5% 8.7°C 20% 5% 82% 0mm 67% 0.02mm -7.8dBZ 47° 23% 0mm 2.8m/s 10m/s 7.2m/s
13:00
964hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 5% 9.3°C 17% 5% 68% 0mm 65% 0.01mm -12dBZ 49° 19% 0mm - - 7.7m/s
14:00
965hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 9.8°C 2% 5% 53% 0mm 64% 0mm -16dBZ 48° 5% 0mm - - 7.7m/s
15:00
965hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 9.6°C 6% 0% 39% 0mm 65% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 6% 0mm 3.2m/s 8.3m/s 7.7m/s
16:00
966hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 9.8°C 6% 0% 39% 0mm 66% 0mm -20dBZ 41° 6% 0mm - - 7.3m/s
17:00
967hPa 1J/kg 0fraction 92% 10°C 8% 54% 39% 0mm 69% 0mm -20dBZ 35° 92% 0mm - - 7.4m/s
18:00
967hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 79% 10°C 7% 60% 39% 0mm 73% 0mm -20dBZ 29° 79% 0mm 4.1m/s 9.9m/s 6.9m/s
19:00
968hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 85% 9.1°C 19% 73% 33% 0.003mm 80% 0mm -20dBZ 22° 86% 0mm - - 5.7m/s
20:00
969hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 92% 7.8°C 31% 87% 28% 0.007mm 86% 0mm -20dBZ 16° 93% 0mm - - 4.5m/s
21:00
970hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 98% 6.5°C 43% 100% 22% 0.01mm 93% 0mm -20dBZ 9.6° 100% 0mm 6m/s 11m/s 3.3m/s
22:00
970hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 98% 4.7°C 43% 100% 23% 0.007mm 92% 0mm -20dBZ 4.4° 100% 0.02mm - - 3.2m/s
23:00
970hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 98% 2.9°C 42% 99% 25% 0.003mm 91% 0mm -20dBZ 0.43° 99% 0.04mm - - 3.1m/s
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 03:30 Sunset 23:10
24:00
970hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 99% 1.1°C 41% 99% 26% 0mm 90% 0mm -20dBZ -2.9° 99% 0.06mm 5.7m/s 8.3m/s 3m/s
01:00
971hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 66% 2.3°C 57% 85% 17% 0.003mm 90% 0mm -17dBZ -4.3° 96% 0.06mm - - 2.6m/s
02:00
971hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 33% 3.6°C 73% 71% 9% 0.007mm 89% 0mm -14dBZ -4° 92% 0.06mm - - 2.3m/s
03:00
971hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 0% 4.8°C 88% 56% 0% 0.01mm 89% 0mm -12dBZ -2.2° 88% 0.06mm 5.7m/s 13m/s 1.9m/s
04:00
971hPa 0.33J/kg 0.01fraction 30% 6.3°C 74% 38% 7% 0.007mm 87% 0mm -14dBZ 1.3° 89% 0.06mm - - 2.5m/s
05:00
971hPa 0.67J/kg 0.03fraction 61% 7.7°C 60% 19% 15% 0.003mm 84% 0mm -17dBZ 5.7° 91% 0.06mm - - 3.1m/s
06:00
972hPa 1J/kg 0.04fraction 91% 9.2°C 46% 1% 22% 0mm 82% 0mm -20dBZ 11° 92% 0.06mm 7.9m/s 9.8m/s 3.6m/s
07:00
972hPa 0.67J/kg 0.03fraction 94% 8.4°C 31% 34% 15% 0.003mm 78% 0mm -19dBZ 17° 94% 0.04mm - - 3.8m/s
08:00
972hPa 0.33J/kg 0.01fraction 97% 7.7°C 16% 67% 7% 0.007mm 73% 0mm -19dBZ 24° 97% 0.02mm - - 4m/s
09:00
972hPa 0J/kg 0fraction 100% 6.9°C 1% 100% 0% 0.01mm 69% 0mm -18dBZ 31° 100% 0mm 10m/s 12m/s 4.2m/s
10:00
972hPa 0J/kg 0.01fraction 100% 6°C 6% 100% 17% 0.01mm 72% 0mm -19dBZ 37° 100% 0mm - - 4.4m/s
11:00
973hPa 0J/kg 0.02fraction 100% 5.1°C 11% 100% 33% 0.01mm 76% 0mm -19dBZ 42° 100% 0mm - - 4.7m/s
12:00
973hPa 0J/kg 0.03fraction 100% 4.2°C 17% 100% 50% 0.01mm 79% 0mm -20dBZ 46° 100% 0mm 11m/s 9.6m/s 4.9m/s
13:00
974hPa 0J/kg 0.02fraction 100% 5.2°C 13% 100% 38% 0.007mm 81% 0mm -20dBZ 48° 100% 0mm - - 4.6m/s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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