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Photo locations · East Iceland · Iceland

Vestrahorn Stokksnes Beach: sunrise photography forecast

Vestrahorn gives you several pictures in one small area: black dunes, tidal reflections, wind-shaped grass and a jagged mountain that catches side light. The reflective pools depend on tide and recent weather, so walk the area before committing.

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.

Cloud along the light path toward the sun will block most direct light. Mid and high cloud covers 45% overhead, a canvas that can catch colour.

in 21h 30m

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 humidity15% cover — too thin to draw as cloud15% cover — too thin to draw as cloud15% cover — too thin to draw as cloud7% cover — too thin to draw as cloud10% cover — too thin to draw as cloud19% cover — too thin to draw as cloudConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 45–65% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 10–45% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 45–65% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 61–100% cover · 10–45% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 69–71% cover · 45–45% visual uncertaintylow cloud · 79% reported, 64% resolved on a pressure surface — 15% is somewhere between 0 and 3 kmmid cloud · 40% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 40% is somewhere between 3 and 8 kmmid cloud · 46% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 46% is somewhere between 3 and 8 kmmid cloud · 46% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 46% is somewhere between 3 and 8 kmmid cloud · 46% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 46% is somewhere between 3 and 8 kmmid cloud · 66% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 66% is somewhere between 3 and 8 kmlow cloud · 62% reported, 42% resolved on a pressure surface — 20% is somewhere between 0 and 3 kmmid cloud · 47% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 47% is somewhere between 3 and 8 km-5 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light0 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light5 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light20 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light50 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light100 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light

-5 km

Behind you

7/8L 79 · M 40 · H 090%—

Your location

0 m asl

7/8L 83 · M 46 · H 084%—

5 km

Nearby

7/8L 83 · M 46 · H 084%—

20 km

Near horizon

7/8L 83 · M 46 · H 084%—

50 km

Light path

7/8L 83 · M 66 · H 085%—

100 km

Light path

6/8L 62 · M 47 · H 081%—

150 km

Far light path

7/8L 84 · M 50 · H 079%—

200 km

Far light path

6/8L 64 · M 47 · H 075%—

300 km

Far light path

6/8L 66 · M 53 · H 081%—

350 km

Far light path

7/8L 70 · M 55 · H 082%—
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.

Clouds: Excellent lit screen for color

Mid-level cloud canvas over you (45%) — plenty of cloud surface.

Low cloud deck overhead (82%) hides the coloured undersides.

Cloud cover is nearly solid and uniform across the near scene — a flat lid rather than separated layers.

Cloud occupies two height bands, giving the sky useful layered structure.

Light corridor is blocked

Cloud at the light ray's height along the far path (58%) will block most direct light.

Thick cloud between you and the low sun (82%) — no real golden hour expected.

Sun likely hidden. Low cloud fills the horizon (83%) — the sun will probably stay behind it.

Clarity: Good

Forecast refreshed a few hours before sunrise.

Know the light
before it happens

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For photographers: shooting Vestrahorn Stokksnes Beach

Best months

Year-round. September to April adds aurora and low-angle light; summer gives easier access and very long shooting windows.

Suggested focal lengths

16–35 mm for dunes and reflections; 50–135 mm for mountain ridges and grass details.

Composition

Use dune curves or grass clumps to break up the black foreground. For reflections, lower the tripod and look for a clean pool edge rather than trying to include every puddle.

Recommended arrival

Allow 90 minutes before sunrise or sunset to check the beach, dunes and tide pools.

Access planning

Stokksnes is private land with a paid entrance through the Viking Café area. Follow current signs and keep vehicles on permitted tracks.

Parking: Pay the entrance fee and use the signed parking areas beyond the gate.

Approach: Five to twenty minutes on sand or firm tracks depending on the chosen foreground.

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