A meteorologist with the Icelandic MET Office predicts favourable weather conditions today, with a stiff breeze and clear skies promising optimal visibility for observing the ongoing eruption near Litli-Hrútur mountain. The trail to the eruption is approximately 7 km long (one way).
Promising weather conditions
According to a meteorologist with the Icelandic MET Office, today’s promising weather conditions could offer optimal views of the ongoing eruption near Litli-Hrútur mountain.
Morning forecasts predict a strengthening wind, northerly in most areas, peaking at 8-13 m/s by afternoon. Calmer conditions are expected in the south and the interior Northeast and East regions of Iceland.
While partial cloud cover and scattered showers will keep the north chilly at 5-10°C, the south will enjoy a dry and bright spell, with temperatures climbing to 18°C, notwithstanding possible showers from the southeast.
“With mild weather, a stiff breeze to disperse gas, and clear skies, visibility for the eruptions should be quite good, provided the gas doesn’t blow across the trail,” the meteorologist observed.
As for tomorrow’s forecast, a prevailing northerly to northwesterly wind of 8-15 m/s is expected, potentially intensifying near mountainous areas, especially by evening. While rain cools down the northern region, the south remains dry and bright, providing mild daytime conditions.
New trail opened yesterday
As reported on Mbl.is, a significant number of people visited the eruption site near Litli-Hrútur yesterday.
“There are a lot of people there now. We did an informal count just before 10 PM, and there were approximately 400 cars in the parking lot near Skála-Mælifell mountain,” Guðni Oddgeirsson, a member of the Þorbjörn rescue team, told Mbl.is late yesterday. Guðni told Vísir this morning that approximatley 3,000 people had visited the eruption site yesterday.
Yesterday, the authorities announced that they would allow public access to the eruption. A new trail to the eruption site (differing from the trails to the previous two eruptions in the area), which is referred to as Meradalaleið (i.e. Meradalur Trail), has been opened; visitors park on Suðurstrandavegur, near Skála-Mæifell mountain, and hike to a viewing point near Vatnsfell. The hike is approximately 7 km long (one way)*. Cell phone service is not guaranteed in the area.
For more information on hiking trails and parking, click here.
*Reports of the exact distance of the trail vary; a website from the municipality estimates that a round trip to the eruption is approximately 14 km long, while other news outlets have estimated the round trip to be 20 km long.
