Travelers are being asked to revise any plans for travel in SE Iceland tonight, Wednesday April 4, and early tomorrow morning, Thursday April 5: A Yellow Weather Alert has been issued for south east region, including the foothills of Öræfajökull. Severe gale can create dangerous driving conditions near mountains.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office has issued the weather alert, effective from 20:00 today until 04:00 tomorrow morning.
The areas in question include popular tourist destinations, including Skaftafell visitor center in Vatnajökull National Park and Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoons.
The IMO warns that a northerly gale, 13-23 m/s (29-51 mph), with localized winds and windgusts reaching 35 m/s (78 mph). Such winds can easily cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
ICE-SAR travel alert for S and W Iceland
A travel alert has been issued for South East Iceland, asking travelers to take care and slow down.
Strong winds South East Iceland! Wind gusts over 35 m/s (80 mph, 130 km/h) expected from Jökulsárlón to Djúpivogur tonight after 20:00! Drivers on wind sensitive vehicles such as campers advised not to travel! SLOW DOWN when driving by mountains!!
Travelers should remember keep two things in mind:
1) Expect powerful windgusts when driving near steep mountain sides. Individual gusts can easily reach hurricane force, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles or blowing cars off the road. The Ring Road runs close to numerous steep mountains where such windgusts form.
2) Driving conditions become progressively more difficult at higher altitudes. The Ring Road crosses several mountain passes and heaths where driving conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
Travelers are being asked to revise any plans for travel in SE Iceland tonight, Wednesday April 4, and early tomorrow morning, Thursday April 5: A Yellow Weather Alert has been issued for south east region, including the foothills of Öræfajökull. Severe gale can create dangerous driving conditions near mountains.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office has issued the weather alert, effective from 20:00 today until 04:00 tomorrow morning.
The areas in question include popular tourist destinations, including Skaftafell visitor center in Vatnajökull National Park and Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoons.
The IMO warns that a northerly gale, 13-23 m/s (29-51 mph), with localized winds and windgusts reaching 35 m/s (78 mph). Such winds can easily cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
ICE-SAR travel alert for S and W Iceland
A travel alert has been issued for South East Iceland, asking travelers to take care and slow down.
Strong winds South East Iceland! Wind gusts over 35 m/s (80 mph, 130 km/h) expected from Jökulsárlón to Djúpivogur tonight after 20:00! Drivers on wind sensitive vehicles such as campers advised not to travel! SLOW DOWN when driving by mountains!!
Travelers should remember keep two things in mind:
1) Expect powerful windgusts when driving near steep mountain sides. Individual gusts can easily reach hurricane force, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles or blowing cars off the road. The Ring Road runs close to numerous steep mountains where such windgusts form.
2) Driving conditions become progressively more difficult at higher altitudes. The Ring Road crosses several mountain passes and heaths where driving conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
