Snow spreads across Iceland as blizzards build in the north

Snow is expected across much of Iceland this evening, with blizzard conditions forecast in the north later, mbl.is reports.

Weather will be unpleasant in the south and west, but worse in the north, where a severe snowstorm is expected as the evening progresses. The strongest winds will move over eastern Iceland overnight, meteorologist Birgir Örn Höskuldsson of the Icelandic Meteorological Office told mbl.is.

By Friday morning, conditions are expected to be considerably better in the west. Strong northwesterly winds are forecast in East Iceland, the Eastfjords and the southeast, but the weather should gradually improve in the east during the day. Sunday is expected to bring mild autumn weather.

A yellow weather warning is in effect for western Iceland until midnight. Orange warnings cover the northwest, northeast, East Iceland, the Eastfjords and the southeast.

No warning is in force for the capital region, but cold winds are expected to pick up this evening, with snow forecast between 9 and 11 p.m. The snowfall should pass fairly quickly, and Friday morning is expected to bring conditions similar to those during the day today, with some northerly winds and dry weather.

A meteorologist for Vegagerðin, the road authority, has warned that conditions could worsen on mountain roads, including Öxnadalsheiði, Vatnsskarð, Möðrudalsöræfi and Steingrímsfjarðarheiði. Holtavörðuheiði, Brattabrekka and Vatnaleið could also become impassable shortly afterwards. Snowfall and drifting snow may worsen road conditions in the east overnight and on Friday morning.