Weather warnings take effect as forecaster urges caution outdoors

Yellow and orange weather warnings are taking effect across Iceland, with people advised to stay indoors where conditions are worst in the west later today, mbl.is reports. Rain and strong winds are expected, but a forecaster says the weather is not likely to reach the extremes seen earlier this week.

Marcel de Vries, a meteorologist at the Icelandic Met Office, said people should avoid unnecessary trips to northern Snæfellsnes late today. “It is obviously better not to go out when it is raining heavily, but I would especially advise against going out unnecessarily in northern Snæfellsnes late today,” he told mbl.is.

An orange warning is expected for Breiðafjörður, a fjord, for a period this afternoon, with winds of 28 metres per second and gusts of up to 40 metres per second. Rain and winds are also expected in western and southern Iceland, with temperatures around 7 to 10 degrees.

A yellow warning is due to take effect in the capital region at 3pm and remain in place until evening. South-easterly and southerly winds of 13 to 20 metres per second are forecast, strongest in elevated areas. Sudden gusts are possible near high-rise buildings, loose objects could be blown away, and heavy rain is expected for a time.

De Vries said conditions in the city should be manageable, but added that people should still take care. A deep and broad low-pressure system near southern Greenland is driving the weather.