A precipitation area moved across Iceland from the east today, bringing rain and sleet to various regions and snowfall to the mountains and northern coasts. The forecast, reported by Icelandic media outlets such as mbl.is, RÚV and Vísir, described wet and wintry conditions prevailing across the country.
Meteorologists noted that snow was expected to fall in the mountains of East Iceland (Austurland) and Northeast Iceland (Norðausturland) today, while snow showers could reach the shore in Northwest Iceland (Norðvesturland) and the Westfjords (Vestfirðir). Rain and sleet were more widespread elsewhere, although South Iceland (Suðurland) and West Iceland (Vesturland) were forecast to remain mostly dry.
There was some disagreement over temperatures: according to mbl.is, today’s range would be 1 to 7 degrees Celsius, while both RÚV and Vísir reported a range from 0 to 7 degrees Celsius. It was not immediately clear which source was correct. Northerly winds were expected to strengthen, bringing colder or fresher conditions, and winds east of Öræfi would remain strong until noon.
By tomorrow, weather conditions across Iceland are forecast to become calmer with variable winds between 3–8 metres per second, according to mbl.is and RÚV. Meteorologists from Vísir echoed these predictions, expecting quieter weather to follow today’s precipitation.
Background
The Westfjords are a remote, mountainous peninsula in north-west Iceland with around 7,000 inhabitants.
Sources
- mbl.is (first reported) in Icelandic
- Vísir in Icelandic
- RÚV in Icelandic
