Birdsong returns and the ground turns green in the North
Running sheep in winter weather in spring this week. Photo/Landsbjörg
After a fierce northerly storm earlier in the week, conditions have calmed in North Iceland—bringing signs of summer once more. The ground has turned green again and birds are singing, a welcome change from the hail and sleet that battered the region just days ago.
On Tuesday night, a strong northerly wind swept across the country, bringing snow to higher elevations and heavy sleet or rain elsewhere. The intense weather raised the risk of landslides in areas such as Tröllaskagi and Útkinn. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, that danger has now largely subsided.
“Loose layers of soil on mountain slopes in North Iceland are still waterlogged in many areas, and the situation will continue to be monitored while rainfall persists,” the Meteorological Office reported. Emergency services remained on the scene in affected areas, including Ólafsfjörður, where water was pumped from flood-prone locations. Farmers were assisted in moving livestock to safer ground. Thankfully, there have been no reports of property damage.
Mt Húsavíkurfjall was gray down to the middle of the slopes this morning. mbl.is/Hafþór
Civil Protection alert lifted
The National Commissioner of Police, in cooperation with police chiefs across the northern and eastern regions, announced the cancellation of the civil protection uncertainty level on Wednesday.
According to the Civil Protection Department, the weather has improved significantly and no further weather warnings are in effect. The uncertainty level had been declared on June 2nd due to a northerly storm that brought strong winds, heavy snowfall, and snow drifts, triggering alerts for flash floods and potential landslides—particularly in North Iceland.
With skies clearing and the threat receding, residents are once again enjoying the sounds of birdsong and the sight of green pastures returning to the countryside.
