Updated 11:30 am: Hellisheiði and Mosfellsheiði heaths have been re-opened to traffic.
The Ring Road from Reykjavík to South Iceland is closed at Hellisheiði heath. An alternate route through Þrengslin pass is open. This is the 5th time parts of the Ring Road are closed this month due to severe weather. The Icelandic Meteorological Office expects several winter storms will pass over Iceland in the next week.
Roads closed
Hellisheiði heath, which seperates the Capital Region and South Iceland was closed yesterday evening due to strong winds, blizzard and blowing snow. Zero visibility and snow on the road made the heath impassable. The road was then re-opened again early morning, but was closed again around 7 am. The Road and Coastal Authority has also closed Mosfellsheiði heath (road 36), which seperates the Capital Region and Þingvellir National Park.
The IMO has not issued any weather warnings, which should serve as a reminder that travel conditions can become extremely difficult even when there are no active weather warnings. However, the IRCA has issued a travel warning for West Iceland:
Expected snow showers, blowing snow and poor visibility at the Golden circle mainly during noon, afternoon and evening. Similar in periods generally at W-Iceland. Valid until tomorrow morning.
A meteorologist at the IMO told the local news site Vísir that the forecast for the next days suggests we can expect continuing snow and blizzards, strong winds and poor travel conditions.
The weekend isn't looking very good. The weather will be characterized by general misery. Strong winds and snowfall. We are also expecting a low pressure zone to pass over the island, and it's really a question where the weather front makes landfall, but we are expecting gale and storm in most parts of the country. Strong winds, snowfall and generally miserable conditions.
Updated 11:30 am: Hellisheiði and Mosfellsheiði heaths have been re-opened to traffic.
The Ring Road from Reykjavík to South Iceland is closed at Hellisheiði heath. An alternate route through Þrengslin pass is open. This is the 5th time parts of the Ring Road are closed this month due to severe weather. The Icelandic Meteorological Office expects several winter storms will pass over Iceland in the next week.
Roads closed
Hellisheiði heath, which seperates the Capital Region and South Iceland was closed yesterday evening due to strong winds, blizzard and blowing snow. Zero visibility and snow on the road made the heath impassable. The road was then re-opened again early morning, but was closed again around 7 am. The Road and Coastal Authority has also closed Mosfellsheiði heath (road 36), which seperates the Capital Region and Þingvellir National Park.
The IMO has not issued any weather warnings, which should serve as a reminder that travel conditions can become extremely difficult even when there are no active weather warnings. However, the IRCA has issued a travel warning for West Iceland:
Expected snow showers, blowing snow and poor visibility at the Golden circle mainly during noon, afternoon and evening. Similar in periods generally at W-Iceland. Valid until tomorrow morning.
A meteorologist at the IMO told the local news site Vísir that the forecast for the next days suggests we can expect continuing snow and blizzards, strong winds and poor travel conditions.
The weekend isn't looking very good. The weather will be characterized by general misery. Strong winds and snowfall. We are also expecting a low pressure zone to pass over the island, and it's really a question where the weather front makes landfall, but we are expecting gale and storm in most parts of the country. Strong winds, snowfall and generally miserable conditions.
