Storm warning for December 23rd

Ragnar Axelsson

The Iceland Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for tomorrow, December 23rd , known as the Mass of St.Thorlakus or Þorláksmessa. Travellers should note that road conditions could become extremely difficult and the best idea is probably to stay put!

Here is the official weather warning received by Iceland Monitor: 

Due to severe weather forecast on the 23rd Mass of St. Thorlacus until early morning 24th on Christmas Eve Day. Icelandic Met Office Thursday 22nd of December 2016 at 16:30.

Attention travellers, driving conditions can easaly worsen in the east and northeast parts of Iceland tomorrow. This is due to an intense low just east of the country causing a blizzard onward from 15:00 on the 23rd , Mass of St. Thorlacus.

The areas affected are roads inland in the eastern parts, also roads in the northern parts east of Akureyri. In low land areas in eastern fjords precipitation becomes sleet, but visibility on inland roads will be very poor in heavy snowfall or blowing snow.

The forecast shows northeasterly wind and later north wind reaching up to 23 m/s in the eastern part. By the southern part of Vatnajokull glacier and following the northeastern coastline to the fjord of Berufjörður, wind gusting can reach 35-45 m/s from noon until evening.

The storm will end on the morning of the 24th, Christmas Eve Day with calmer weather until evening.

Weather

Partly cloudy

Today

2 °C

Clear sky

Tomorrow

3 °C

Clear sky

Saturday

1 °C