From the Monitoring Desk

Snowmelt and heavy rainfall expected in western part of Iceland

Two low-pressure systems are approaching Iceland from the southwest. The first will track northward along Greenland’s east coast, with its effects expected to reach Iceland during the afternoon of Saturday, 17 October. The second system will move along Iceland’s west coast on the morning of Sunday, 18 October. Both systems are expected to bring warmer air and precipitation, promoting snowmelt.

Yellow landslide warning for eastern part of the country on Wednesday 14th of October

Recent weeks have been relatively wet across much of Iceland. Significant precipitation fell at the beginning of the week as weather fronts moved across southern and eastern parts of the country. All of the precipitation fell as rain and, although it did not last long, rainfall intensity was considerable. As a result, soils on slopes are widely saturated or waterlogged and therefore sensitive to additional rainfall.

Significant short-duration rainfall expected in Southern and Eastern part tonight

Late this evening, 11 October, a frontal system will move into southern Iceland. Brief periods of significant rainfall are expected in Southeast and East Iceland. The front is forecast to have passed by midday tomorrow. While the front is moving across the country, slope movements such as rockfalls and small landslides cannot be ruled out.

Yellow landslide warning in the East fjords

There is an increased risk of rockfalls and minor landslides in the Eastfjords as a weather front moves across the country on Thursday and Friday. Precipitation is expected to decrease and temperatures to drop slightly late Friday, reducing the risk of landslides.

Yellow landslide warning in the northern Westfjords

Landslides and rockfalls have occurred in various locations across the northern Westfjords in recent days. A large landslide fell onto Hnífsdalsvegur road, blocking it for a time. Due to continued precipitation over the coming days, there remains a risk of landslides and rockfalls in the area.

Landslide conditions over the past days and the coming weekend

Since September 24th, Iceland has been affected by a series of low-pressure systems. Heavy precipitation has been recorded in the West Fjords, East Fjords, Southeast Iceland, South Iceland, and the Central Highlands. As a result, runoff, erosion, and landslide activity have increased. More slope movements this weekend can not be ruled out.

Increased likelihood of landslides in Southeast Iceland, the Eastfjords and the Central Highlands through early Friday morning

Heavy precipitation occurred throughout the this week in Southeast Iceland, around Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, in the southern Central Highlands, and the Eastfjords. The expected further rainfall today will increase the likelihood of slope instability, including rockfalls and debris flows, especially in steep terrain. Such events may reach roads and disrupt transportation with little warning.

Increased likelihood of landslides in Southeast Iceland, the Southern Eastfjords and the Central Highlands through early Friday morning

Considerable to heavy precipitation is expected from Tuesday through to early Friday morning, particularly in Southeast Iceland, around Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, in the southern Central Highlands, and in the southern part of the East Fjords. The expected rainfall through Thursday night will increase the likelihood of slope instability, including rockfalls and debris flows, especially in steep terrain. Such events may reach roads and disrupt transportation with little warning.

Heavy rainfall this week

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, several low-pressure systems will pass over Iceland. They will bring heavy rainfall to South Iceland, Southeast Iceland and the southern Eastfjords. Significant rainfall is also expected in the northern Eastfjords, the Strandir region, the Central Highlands and Snæfellsnes.

Landslide warnings last week

A large low-pressure system moved northwards across Iceland last week, bringing heavy rainfall to southern, eastern and northwestern parts of the country. As a result, yellow landslide warnings were issued for several landslide warning areas. The warnings were the first to be issued using the new landslide warning system. The Icelandic Meteorological Office also launched new webpages for landslide warnings. Both are intended to improve public information and make information about landslide hazards more accessible.