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Photo locations · South Iceland · Iceland

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall View: sunrise photography forecast

Seljalandsfoss drops in a narrow curtain beside Iceland’s southern coastal plain. When the lower loop is open, the view from behind the water can create a striking frame toward the evening sky; the frontal view remains a useful composition in its own right.

Sunset todaySunset tomorrowSunset Friday

Will tomorrow's sunrise be worth it?

Simplified forecast from the open model run. The full forecast — a second model, your exact viewpoint, the hourly cloud timeline — is in the app.

Global model, about 13 km: less certain than in Europe.

Rain is likely over the cloud canvas and will block most direct light.

in 17h 49m

Blocked grey lid

Flat grey light · moody close-ups at best

Little usable cloud structure, or the viewpoint sits inside a uniform lid.

High confidence · event-time scene

Sky colors

Golden hour
Sunrise

Light corridor

Viewer's line of sight, tangent to the Earth at your locationNear-ground relative humidity13% cover — too thin to draw as cloudConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 10–65% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 10–65% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 57–100% cover · 10–65% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 10–45% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 57–100% cover · 10–65% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 10–45% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 82–100% cover · 10–45% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 10–45% visual uncertaintymid cloud · 100% reported, 82% resolved on a pressure surface — 18% is somewhere between 3 and 8 kmmid cloud · 100% reported, 82% resolved on a pressure surface — 18% is somewhere between 3 and 8 km50 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light100 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch red light100 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch red light

-5 km

Behind you

8/8L 100 · M 100 · H 091% · rain 1.5 mm—

Your location

150 m asl

8/8L 100 · M 100 · H 091% · rain 1.5 mm—

5 km

Nearby

8/8L 100 · M 100 · H 086% · rain 2.2 mm—

20 km

Near horizon

8/8L 100 · M 100 · H 086% · rain 2.2 mm—

50 km

Light path

8/8L 100 · M 100 · H 086%—

100 km

Light path

8/8L 93 · M 100 · H 082%—

150 km

Far light path

8/8L 85 · M 95 · H 079%—

200 km

Far light path

7/8L 78 · M 84 · H 080%—

300 km

Far light path

7/8L 69 · M 70 · H 079%—

350 km

Far light path

7/8L 86 · M 62 · H 079%—
cloud-cover fieldinterpolation uncertaintysun directionnear-ground humiditycloud at unresolved heightmodelled underlightunderlight · height uncertainunderlight · lit on one readinglit but hidden behind nearer cloud

Terrain is drawn for illustration only — it is not used to calculate underlight or obstruction.

Clarity: Good

Forecast refreshed a few hours before sunrise.

Know the light
before it happens

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For photographers: shooting Seljalandsfoss Waterfall View

Best months

May to September is the more practical planning window for the behind-the-waterfall route, subject to daily conditions. In winter, ice and falling ice can close this part of the path.

Suggested focal lengths

16–35 mm for the waterfall and wider setting; 24–70 mm for a simpler frontal view.

Composition

From the open visitor path, give the water space in the frame and keep checking the lens for spray. Only use the rear view when it is officially open; do not depend on it as the sole reason for visiting.

Recommended arrival

Arrive 60–90 minutes before sunset to inspect the open paths and choose an angle. Leave enough time to photograph from the front if the loop is closed or too wet.

Access planning

Check current closures before entering the loop. The official tourism guidance warns of slippery paths and falling ice, particularly behind the waterfall in winter. Respect every barrier and use the open frontal area when appropriate.

Parking: Use the designated Seljalandsfoss visitor parking and current on-site payment arrangements.

Approach: A short walk to the frontal visitor area. The route behind the water is wet, uneven and unsuitable when closed or icy.

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