A major storm front is currently passing over Iceland. The storm is expected to peak between 9 and 10 in Reykjavík and the south-west corner, and then calm down relatively rapidly. By afternoon the Icelandic Meteorological Office is expecting the weather to have returned to normal. In the meantime, however, people are asked to adjust their travel plans and expect significant delays. All roads out of Reykjavík have been closed and all major roads in Iceland, including much of the Ring Road are expected to be closed soon.
UPDATED 9:50 The IRCA has re-opened the highway between Reykjavík and Keflavík International Airport
Read more: International flights delayed due to storm: Passengers in 9 planes stranded on tarmac
All major roads closed
The Road and Coastal Authority has closed all traffic arteries leading in or out of the Metropolitan Area. This includes the highway between Reykjavík and the Keflavík International Airport and the Ring Road to South Iceland and the Ring Road to West and North Iceland. The roads are expected to remain closed until 11:00 or 12:00. All roads to Þingvellir National Park have also been closed.
The IRCA has issued the following warning:
Violent storm is forecast tomorrow morning. Close to Reykjavík from 7 to 10. 23-28 m/s, gusts 35-40 m/s between Reykjavík and the Kef airport. Snow blizzard at the Golden circle. Also storm at N-Iceland by late morning, until afternoon.
Storm thrashing cars about
Conditions had begun to deteriorate early morning. The highway to Keflavík Airport was closed shortly after half past seven, when drivers reported that the wind had started to thrash cars about on the road. The road was deemed unsafe for travel while the storm passes.
Read more: Many roads, including Ring Road from Reykjavík closed Wednesday morning due to storm: See full list
Members of ICE-SAR companies from the Capital Region are currently manning closure gates. Roads will be re-opened as soon as they are deemed safe. People are asked to show common sense and courtesy by respecting their instructions. A spokesman for ICE-SAR told the local news site Vísir that Icelanders should by now be accustomed to the storms, as Iceland has already been hit by more than a dozen major violent winter storms this year.
Read more: Police called to assist ICE-SAR enforce road closures: Drivers insist on entering closed roads
Drive safe and keep up to date on travel conditions!
Winter travellers in Iceland are urged to pay close attention to the weather forecast, all weather alerts and road conditions as well as travel alerts from ICE -SAR before embarking on any travel outside urban areas.
A major storm front is currently passing over Iceland. The storm is expected to peak between 9 and 10 in Reykjavík and the south-west corner, and then calm down relatively rapidly. By afternoon the Icelandic Meteorological Office is expecting the weather to have returned to normal. In the meantime, however, people are asked to adjust their travel plans and expect significant delays. All roads out of Reykjavík have been closed and all major roads in Iceland, including much of the Ring Road are expected to be closed soon.
UPDATED 9:50 The IRCA has re-opened the highway between Reykjavík and Keflavík International Airport
Read more: International flights delayed due to storm: Passengers in 9 planes stranded on tarmac
All major roads closed
The Road and Coastal Authority has closed all traffic arteries leading in or out of the Metropolitan Area. This includes the highway between Reykjavík and the Keflavík International Airport and the Ring Road to South Iceland and the Ring Road to West and North Iceland. The roads are expected to remain closed until 11:00 or 12:00. All roads to Þingvellir National Park have also been closed.
The IRCA has issued the following warning:
Violent storm is forecast tomorrow morning. Close to Reykjavík from 7 to 10. 23-28 m/s, gusts 35-40 m/s between Reykjavík and the Kef airport. Snow blizzard at the Golden circle. Also storm at N-Iceland by late morning, until afternoon.
Storm thrashing cars about
Conditions had begun to deteriorate early morning. The highway to Keflavík Airport was closed shortly after half past seven, when drivers reported that the wind had started to thrash cars about on the road. The road was deemed unsafe for travel while the storm passes.
Read more: Many roads, including Ring Road from Reykjavík closed Wednesday morning due to storm: See full list
Members of ICE-SAR companies from the Capital Region are currently manning closure gates. Roads will be re-opened as soon as they are deemed safe. People are asked to show common sense and courtesy by respecting their instructions. A spokesman for ICE-SAR told the local news site Vísir that Icelanders should by now be accustomed to the storms, as Iceland has already been hit by more than a dozen major violent winter storms this year.
Read more: Police called to assist ICE-SAR enforce road closures: Drivers insist on entering closed roads
Drive safe and keep up to date on travel conditions!
Winter travellers in Iceland are urged to pay close attention to the weather forecast, all weather alerts and road conditions as well as travel alerts from ICE -SAR before embarking on any travel outside urban areas.
