Yellow weather alerts are in force for South Iceland, the Westfjords, Eastfjords, Southeast Iceland and the Central Highlands on Thursday, September 24, as a strong low-pressure system brings widespread easterly gales and heavy rain.
The Icelandic Met Office is also warning of sudden landslides and rockfalls in parts of South and Southeast Iceland, the southern Eastfjords and the Highlands, with river levels expected to rise near major glaciers.
Thursday’s System Brings Gale-Force Winds, Heavy Rain and Sudden Landslide Risk
- Easterly winds are forecast at 13–20 m/s widely, reaching 18–25 m/s in southern Iceland until around noon.
- Very heavy rain is expected in Southeast Iceland, especially around Öræfi and Vatnajökull, where landslides and debris flows may occur with little warning.
- Travellers are advised to use caution on roads, avoid stopping below steep slopes and check current alerts and road conditions before setting out.
Warnings Extend Beyond Wind to Flooding and Slope Failure
The Met Office’s 05:43 forecast calls for easterly winds of 13–20 m/s across much of Iceland, with 18–25 m/s in the south until noon. Considerable or heavy rain is expected in Southeast Iceland and the Eastfjords before conditions moderate later in the day.
The agency’s landslide service has active warnings for South Iceland, Southeast Iceland, the southern Eastfjords and the Central Highlands. Around Öræfi and Vatnajökull, the highest rainfall accumulations may cause sudden rockfalls, shallow landslides and channelised debris flows. Rivers and streams may rise rapidly.
Iceland Review has previously covered landslide risk during heavy rainfall, autumn weather warnings and landslide hazards in East Iceland.
Anyone travelling on Thursday should check the latest warning map, road conditions and SafeTravel guidance immediately before departure, as local conditions can change quickly.
Sources: Icelandic Met Office weather alerts; Icelandic Met Office forecast; Icelandic Met Office landslide warnings
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