Update 12:37 PM: The Icelandic Met Office has upgraded the weather alert to red for three regions: the Reykjavík capital area, Faxaflói, and Southwest Iceland, between 7:00 PM and midnight this evening.
Gale-force winds carrying snow and rain will hit Iceland this evening and last into tomorrow morning. The Icelandic Met Office has issued an orange weather alert for the entire country, with the storm reaching a peak around 11:00 PM this evening in South and West Iceland and lasting into the early hours of the morning in the country’s north and east regions. Travel is discouraged in most regions.
Winds between 20-30 metres per second are expected across all of Iceland’s inhabited areas tonight, with wind speeds reaching 33 metres per second in the Highland. In the Reykjavík area, heavy rain or snow is expected, and residents are advised to clear their drains in order to prevent water damage, as well as secure all outdoor furniture and belongings. Snow may cause streets to become impassable in the region.
In South Iceland, residents are encouraged to secure outdoor belongings and wind damage is considered a risk. Travel is not advised and disruptions to transport are expected. Travel is also discouraged in West Iceland and the Westfjords, where wind speeds are expected to reach 28 metres per second with snow, sleet, or rain. Similar conditions are expected in North and East Iceland, where the storm will reach its peak somewhat later.
Weather conditions are expected to improve early tomorrow morning, though a yellow weather alert has been issued for the Reykjavík capital area, Southwest Iceland, and the Faxaflói bay area of West Iceland for Tuesday morning.
Readers can monitor road closures on the Road and Coastal Administration’s website.
