Unusually deep low to bring severe weather to Iceland

A very deep low-pressure system is expected to cross Iceland on Wednesday, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and snow, mbl.is reports, citing Teitur Arason, a forecaster at the Icelandic Met Office.

The system is forecast to approach from the south. Early on Wednesday, easterly gale- or storm-force winds and heavy rain are expected in low-lying areas, with blizzard conditions on mountain roads.

As the centre moves north, it is expected to cross eastern Iceland. Colder air on the system’s western side is forecast to bring northerly storm-force winds and sleet or snow to the Westfjords, followed by the north-west, parts of the Snæfellsnes peninsula and later the north-east.

The strongest winds around the low’s centre are expected over the sea between Iceland and the Faroe Islands, but conditions on land will still be severe. Travel between regions is likely to be difficult on Wednesday.

The low is expected to move quickly north-east, with conditions improving rapidly on Thursday. The bad weather should have passed by the afternoon. The Met Office is preparing yellow and orange weather warnings, which are due to be issued later today.