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Sunday, 18 October 2026 Icelandic stories. Global audience.
Volcanoes & Nature

Uncertainty stage declared for key Westfjords routes amid avalanche risk

A series of mountain passes in north-west Iceland are under alert as the Road and Coastal Administration responds to avalanche danger. An orange weather warning is in effect for the region.

A road through the Westfjords under heavy skies
File photo.

The Road and Coastal Administration (Vegagerðin) has declared an uncertainty stage (óvissustig) due to avalanche danger for the Súðavíkurhlíð area and several important mountain passes in Iceland’s Westfjords, according to mbl.is, RÚV and Vísir. The warnings come as weather conditions turn hazardous in this remote and mountainous north-western region.

Vísir reports the uncertainty stage for Súðavíkurhlíð took effect at 22:00 (10 PM). Key routes now under uncertainty stage also include Þröskuldar, Dynjandisheiði, and Steingrímsfjarðarheiði according to RÚV and Vísir. mbl.is reported that Öxnadalsheiði is affected and that Siglufjarðarvegur will enter an uncertainty stage from 09:00 today. There are discrepancies among sources over the exact times at which the different alerts took effect.

Weather conditions in the region remain difficult, with an orange warning in force across the Westfjords, the Strandir area and Northwest Iceland (Norðurland vestra), according to RÚV and mbl.is. Roads in the Westfjords are widely covered with slush or snow, and drivers are warned of icy conditions on Holtavörðuheiði and Öxnadalsheiði.

Sources