Mountains shelter Ísafjörður from the worst of the storm

A reporter for mbl.is says the fjord by Ísafjörður is sheltered from northerly winds by the surrounding mountains, even as severe weather affects the Westfjords.

“It seems completely wild around us, but Skutulsfjörður is somehow wrapped up by beautiful, high mountains that provide good shelter from the northerly,” Halldór said. He estimated the wind speed in town at about 15 metres per second and said the sailboats in front of him were not even rocking.

Halldór said the town was benefiting from electricity supplied by the diesel generator in Bolungarvík. Weather conditions were worse elsewhere around Ísafjörður, he added.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office expected average wind speeds of 18 to 25 metres per second in the Northwest later in the day, with stronger gusts. An orange weather warning took effect in the Westfjords at 3pm, with considerable or heavy snow or sleet expected, along with poor visibility and snow-covered roads.

Halldór said snow on the mountains had not reached below 200 metres, while rain was falling in town and few people were out.