Reykjavik: Don't leave the house after 5 pm

The Civil Protection in Iceland has issued a statement warning people in South Iceland to stay put after 12 noon and people in Reykjavik and all other parts of Iceland to stay put after 5 pm this afternoon. The magnitude of the approaching storm is so great that such conditions occur only every 10 to 20 years, reports The Iceland Civil Protection. 

As we reported last night, the Iceland Met Office has issued a warning for hurricane force winds hitting Iceland today. All rescue teams and the Iceland Civil Protection are on high alert today.

It should also be noted that on the map below, the yellow to brown areas indicate winds of 90 mph and hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey at 80 mph. 

People should also be advised that there is a possibility of power cuts,  and also on today's checklist is making sure there are no loose objects in your garden or on your balcony. 

Here is the weather warning from the Iceland Met Office and the Civil Protection last night: 

Violent storm or hurricane-force winds are expected throughout most of the country tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow evening, (Dec 7th) . The magnitude of the approaching storm
is so great that such conditions occur only every 10 to 20 years.

Hurricane-force winds will develop in the south and south-east from 14:00- 15:00 onwards on Monday.

After 18:00- 19:00 it is expected that the violent storm will affect the entire country. Significant snowfall will accompany the beginning of the storm, resulting in blowing snow and little to no visibility. By late tomorrow evening warmer conditions will affect the south and south-east of the country, where heavy sleet or rainfall will occur until early on Wednesday. According to the latest forecast, the oncoming violent storm will be far more severe than storms in recent days.

Practical websites for updates: 

Updates on the Icelandic Met Office website here: http://en.vedur.is/,

The Icelandic Road Administration here: http://www.road.is/travel-info/road-conditions-and-weather/

and  on the Icelandic Civil Protection website here: www.almannavarnir.is

The yellow to brown colours indicate winds of 90 mph. As a comparison, hurricane Sandy hit Jersey at 80 mph. Map/Iceland Met Office