Iceland in winter

King Winter has affirmed his arrival – with the moody northern winds

Ask Icelandic people if they’re freezing, they have to think about it a bit… “Its not so much the temperature” they’ll say, “It’s the diversity and moodiness of the volatile weather temperament” they’ll try to explain.

It does get cold on the North-Atlantic island, but the main thing is the weather, the winds, the wet snow blowing at you from all directions, the unpredictability of it all and the constant need to be ready for anything. And the islanders’ better get their winter garments out if they haven’t already. There is going to wind today, the worst kind of wet and cold wind from the north that penetrates everything. And this is suppose to go on into the week according to the Icelandic Met Office.

Thank good for the geothermal energy and warm houses. The temperatures are going to be around plus one to six degrees Celsius, but its just not so much about the temperature, It’s more about the unpredictability of the winds. According the Icelandic Met office the next 24 hours will see southwest winds of 13-20 m/s (meters pr. second) and showers of rain or sleet (wet snow) in the south and west parts, but 15-23 m/s and heavy showers by noon. Southwest 5-10 m/s and fair in the north and east parts, but 8-15 m/s and occasional, wintry shower by afternoon. Moderating during evening and night. Winds will turn north 10-18 m/s with snow showers in the northern parts tomorrow. The strongest winds will be on headlands and even stronger winds on the north coast tomorrow evening. Temperatures 0 to 6 C today, falling below zero tomorrow.

In the forecasters remarks there is a warning “Southwest 15-23 m/s and showers of snow or hail in the south and west part today with poor visibility on mountain roads. Northerly strong gail and blizzard in the north tomorrow evening and on Thursday” So dress well, make sure your cars are well equipped and stay safe if you happen to be in Iceland.