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10 Dec 2019 | 06:57 AM UTC

Iceland: Weather warnings issued for Northwestern region December 10-11

Icelandic Met Office issues red weather warnings for Northwestern region for December 10-11; violent storm and severe blizzard conditions and associated disruptions expected

Warning

Event

The Icelandic Met Office issued on Tuesday, December 10, red weather warnings (highest on a three-tier scale) for the Northwestern region for Wednesday, December 11. It forecasts a severe blizzard and a violent storm with wind speeds of between 90-119 kph (56-74 mph) to impact the region from 01:00 to 09:00 (local time). The Met Office is advising individuals to avoid traveling and to anticipate poor visibility, dangerous road conditions, and waves of up to 10 m (33 ft) due to storm surge. It has also issued orange weather warnings (second-highest on a three-tier scale) for the rest of Iceland, including Reykjavik, forecasting snow storms and severe gales nationwide from Tuesday through Wednesday. An avalanche warning is in place for the Mid-Northland region from 08:00 on Tuesday, with particular attention to mountainous areas.

Significant transportation and power disruptions are expected in the coming hours.

Advice

Individuals in Iceland, particularly in the Northwestern region, are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid traveling, and anticipate disruptions to power, telecommunications, and transportation, including adverse driving conditions, icy roads, and limited visibility.