The IMO has issued a yellow weather alert for West and South Iceland, as well as the Central Highlands, effective from noon tomorrow, Thursday, until early Friday morning. Travelers who are planning hiking or other travel in the Central Highlands, including the popular Fimmvörðuháls and Laugavegur trails should reconsider their plans. Heavy rain and strong winds will make any hiking on foot or traveling on bicycle impossible, the IMO warns.
The IMO is expecting southeasterly 13-18 m/s (29-40 mph) on the northern part of Snæfellsnes peninsula, beginning on noon. The weather will pick up during the day, extending to the rest of West Iceland, and by 18:00 (6 pm) the Central Highlands. The wind will reach gale force, with sustained windspeeds reaching 23 m/s (51 mph) Localized winds and gusts can be far more powerful, reaching hurricane force. Such winds can be dangerous to RVs or cars pulling camper vans.
Strong localized winds, especially near steep mountain sides can blow vehicles off the road. Be careful!
The storm is expected to have passed in the West and South by Friday morning, and in the Central Highlands on Friday noon.
ICE-SAR travel alert
ICE-SAR has also issued a travel alert, asking travellers to revise their travel plans for hiking on Laugavegur or Fimmvörðuháls trails, as well as advicing people NOT to camp in the Central Highlands on Thursday or Friday.
Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails!
Dangerous conditions expected Thursday evening until Friday morning – wind gusts over 35 m/s (80 mph, 130 km/h) and heavy rain! Hikers, especially campers, are advised to postpone travel or seek shelter for that night!
No camping conditions 30.-31.08!
Wind gusts over 35 m/s (80 mph, 130 km/h) and heavy rain expected in the central highlands Thursday night and Friday morning! Campers advised to seek shelter or postpone travel!
People should take these weather warnings seriously. Even experienced mountaineers, with expert equipment, years of experience and thorough knowledge of Icelandic conditions are no match for the weather in the Central Highlands. If you head out on a hike in the Central Highlands on Thursday or Friday you should expect to call for rescue, and if you do decide to pitch your tent anywhere in the Central Highlands or mountains on Thursday, you should expect to wake up sometime during the night with the tent being blown away by the storm.
Read more: Hiker rescued early morning did everything correctly: Faced swelling rivers, extreme weather
The IMO has issued a yellow weather alert for West and South Iceland, as well as the Central Highlands, effective from noon tomorrow, Thursday, until early Friday morning. Travelers who are planning hiking or other travel in the Central Highlands, including the popular Fimmvörðuháls and Laugavegur trails should reconsider their plans. Heavy rain and strong winds will make any hiking on foot or traveling on bicycle impossible, the IMO warns.
The IMO is expecting southeasterly 13-18 m/s (29-40 mph) on the northern part of Snæfellsnes peninsula, beginning on noon. The weather will pick up during the day, extending to the rest of West Iceland, and by 18:00 (6 pm) the Central Highlands. The wind will reach gale force, with sustained windspeeds reaching 23 m/s (51 mph) Localized winds and gusts can be far more powerful, reaching hurricane force. Such winds can be dangerous to RVs or cars pulling camper vans.
Strong localized winds, especially near steep mountain sides can blow vehicles off the road. Be careful!
The storm is expected to have passed in the West and South by Friday morning, and in the Central Highlands on Friday noon.
ICE-SAR travel alert
ICE-SAR has also issued a travel alert, asking travellers to revise their travel plans for hiking on Laugavegur or Fimmvörðuháls trails, as well as advicing people NOT to camp in the Central Highlands on Thursday or Friday.
Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails!
Dangerous conditions expected Thursday evening until Friday morning – wind gusts over 35 m/s (80 mph, 130 km/h) and heavy rain! Hikers, especially campers, are advised to postpone travel or seek shelter for that night!
No camping conditions 30.-31.08!
Wind gusts over 35 m/s (80 mph, 130 km/h) and heavy rain expected in the central highlands Thursday night and Friday morning! Campers advised to seek shelter or postpone travel!
People should take these weather warnings seriously. Even experienced mountaineers, with expert equipment, years of experience and thorough knowledge of Icelandic conditions are no match for the weather in the Central Highlands. If you head out on a hike in the Central Highlands on Thursday or Friday you should expect to call for rescue, and if you do decide to pitch your tent anywhere in the Central Highlands or mountains on Thursday, you should expect to wake up sometime during the night with the tent being blown away by the storm.
Read more: Hiker rescued early morning did everything correctly: Faced swelling rivers, extreme weather
