Temperatures in Iceland dipped well below zero last night, with the lowest temperatures being recorded by the Icelandic Met Office in Sandskeiði (-16.4°), Húsafell (-15.2°), Grímsstaðir á Fjöllum (-14.1°), and in Víðidalur (-13.7°), near the equestrian centre of the Fákur riding club. The Icelandic Met Office predicts continued cold weather in the country along with a “deep low” on Friday.
Today’s Forecast
Today’s forecast, as indicated on the Met Office’s website, predicts northerly winds between 3-10 m/s, slight snow or hail in North Iceland, intermittent snowfall near the Southeastern coast, and cloudy or partly cloudy weather in Southwest Iceland. Temperatures are expected to descend to between -3 and -13° today, with increased frost after midnight (as low as -20°).
Tomorrow, the Met expects increased easterly winds in South and West Iceland, increased snowfall near the coasts, and slightly warmer temperatures generally.
A Deep Low
As reported in the Icelandic media earlier this week, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather alert for Friday as an “exceptionally deep low” is approaching Iceland from the southwest. The forecast seems increasingly likely as Friday draws near. Currently situated southwest of Newfoundland, the storm’s cloud system is readily discernible via satellite images. The storm will travel east over the Atlantic today and wind speeds are expected to pick up. Tomorrow, the low will turn north towards Iceland.
The weather on Friday will see easterly strong gales, storm-force winds, or a violent storm (windiest in South Iceland initially). Sleet and snowfall is expected in most parts of the country, with the most significant precipitation occurring in South and East Iceland. The weather will slowly improve over the day, with temperatures expected to rise to 1° and 5° late in the afternoon in lowland areas in the south and on the east coast (with mild frost in North Iceland). Much lighter wind is expected in all of Iceland in the evening.
Inauspicious Travel Weather
As noted by the Met Office, the weather on Friday is highly unfavourable for travelling:
“The weather is likely to cause extensive transport disturbances and travelling is not advised while the weather warning is in effect. Damage to structures due to the wind is possible, especially in the south … People are advised to exercise caution to prevent accidents and fasten loose objects. High sea levels are expected due to storm surge.”
As noted by the Met Office, a yellow weather alert, while generally used to indicate stormy weather, is also employed to warn of weather three to five days in the future. This caveat applies to the coming storm on Friday: “As the storm nears, it is likely that the weather alert will be upgraded to Orange.”
See Safetravel.is for further information regarding weather and road conditions.
