Icelandic Met Office has issued an orange weather alert for tonight for Northeast Iceland and East Iceland, warning of increasing northerly winds as well as rain or sleet in higher altitudes. A yellow alert is also in effect for Northwest Iceland, the Eastfjords, Southeast Iceland and the central highlands.
The orange alert is due to increasing northerly winds, 15-23 metres per second (33 -51 MPH). According to the remarks of the meteorologist on duty, rain is expected in the north and east parts of Iceland and sleet or snow in hilly terrain by evening. Mountain roads in these areas can become impassable in the evening.
The forecast also expects strong squally winds south of Vatnajökull-glacier and in Eastfjords-area in the evening which can be hazardous for vehicles.
The forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows: “Increasing northerly wind, 10-18 m/s today, but strong gales in the southeast part in the evening. Mostly dry in South- and West Iceland. Widely rain in other parts, but heavy rain in the northeast part in the evening with sleet or snow above 300-400 meters above sea level.
Temperature 4 to 13 deg. C today, warmest in the far south. Becoming colder in the evening.
Moderating in the westernmost part tomorrow afternoon and decreasing wind and precipitation elsewhere in Iceland tomorrow evening.”
The Meterological Office’s weather warnings are colour coded according to a combination of the probability of the forecast and the estimated societal impact of the weather. For more information go to en.vedur.is and consult www.safetravel.is before travelling.
