A yellow weather warning is still in effect for all of Iceland. Drivers are urged to show extra caution as conditions are difficult or dangerous due to ice and slippery patches all along the Ring Road, low visibility caused by snowfall or blowing snow in the north and dangerously powerful windgusts along steep mountainsides in the South. Several roads remain closed. The entire Ring Road has been re-opened.
Winter storm
The winter storm is expected to continue for the rest of the week, with snow showers in the north and hazardous windgusts in the South. The Icelandic Meteorological Office now expects the weather have improved somewhat on Saturday.
Today the worst weather will be in the north and east, where drivers can expect limited visibility and gale force winds. Blowing snow and snow showers in the entire northern part of Iceland, from the Westfjords to the Eastfjords mean that drivers must show extra caution, especially in mountain passes and on heaths.
By afternoon the storm will have picked up again in the southeast, with northerly gale 18-23 m/s (40-51 mph) and windgusts reaching 30-40 m/s (67-89 mph) east of the village Vík. Windgusts of this magnitude can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles or even blow cars right off the road. Tonight, after 19:00, the storm will have picked up in south Iceland as well, continuing until noon tomorrow.
Closed roads
The road in Álftafjörður fjord (61) in the Westfjords is closed due to an avalanche which fell onto the road. Ísafjörður town is therefore inaccessible by car.
Most mountain passes and heaths in the Westfjords are closed to traffic.
All roads leading to Dettifoss waterfall in the North East are closed.
Travellers in trouble
Yesterday evening ICE-SAR and Police in South and East Iceland assisted numerous travellers who had either missed or ignored the weather warnings and gotten their cars stuck. While ICE-SAR is ready to assist anyone in distress, and people who are in distress should never under any circumstances hesitate to call for help, travellers should also try to minimize the strain on emergency services by preparing properly and not take unnecessary risks when heading out.
Travellers 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 yellow weather warning is still in effect for all of Iceland. Drivers are urged to show extra caution as conditions are difficult or dangerous due to ice and slippery patches all along the Ring Road, low visibility caused by snowfall or blowing snow in the north and dangerously powerful windgusts along steep mountainsides in the South. Several roads remain closed. The entire Ring Road has been re-opened.
Winter storm
The winter storm is expected to continue for the rest of the week, with snow showers in the north and hazardous windgusts in the South. The Icelandic Meteorological Office now expects the weather have improved somewhat on Saturday.
Today the worst weather will be in the north and east, where drivers can expect limited visibility and gale force winds. Blowing snow and snow showers in the entire northern part of Iceland, from the Westfjords to the Eastfjords mean that drivers must show extra caution, especially in mountain passes and on heaths.
By afternoon the storm will have picked up again in the southeast, with northerly gale 18-23 m/s (40-51 mph) and windgusts reaching 30-40 m/s (67-89 mph) east of the village Vík. Windgusts of this magnitude can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles or even blow cars right off the road. Tonight, after 19:00, the storm will have picked up in south Iceland as well, continuing until noon tomorrow.
Closed roads
The road in Álftafjörður fjord (61) in the Westfjords is closed due to an avalanche which fell onto the road. Ísafjörður town is therefore inaccessible by car.
Most mountain passes and heaths in the Westfjords are closed to traffic.
All roads leading to Dettifoss waterfall in the North East are closed.
Travellers in trouble
Yesterday evening ICE-SAR and Police in South and East Iceland assisted numerous travellers who had either missed or ignored the weather warnings and gotten their cars stuck. While ICE-SAR is ready to assist anyone in distress, and people who are in distress should never under any circumstances hesitate to call for help, travellers should also try to minimize the strain on emergency services by preparing properly and not take unnecessary risks when heading out.
Travellers 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.
