Icelandic Met Office expands orange weather warnings

The Icelandic Met Office has added South Iceland and Breiðafjörður, a fjord, to the areas under orange weather warnings for Wednesday, mbl.is reports.

Orange warnings had already been issued for the Westfjords, Strandir and Northwest Iceland. A yellow warning remains in force for the capital region.

A Met Office forecaster said the warning level was raised for South Iceland and Breiðafjörður after the latest forecast run. The deepest winds are expected in South Iceland on Wednesday morning as a very deep, intense low-pressure system crosses the country.

The orange warning for South Iceland will be in force from 5am to 10am. Easterly and northeasterly winds of 18 to 28 metres per second are forecast, with local gusts exceeding 40 metres per second. Considerable rain is expected in low-lying areas, and loose objects could be blown away.

As the low’s centre moves across the country later in the day, winds and precipitation are expected to ease in the south and east. Winds will turn northerly in the northwest, where blizzard conditions are forecast, with considerable or heavy snowfall and sleet.

The Met Office is also warning of unusually low air pressure, high waves and the risk of high sea levels and possible coastal flooding.