Strong wind gusts expected from Skaftafell to Höfn tonight until tomorrow. Winter tires are now a requirement for those travelling outside Reykjavík due to snow and ice!

 

Weather and conditions on the main roads:

Strong wind gusts expected from Skaftafell to Höfn tonight until tomorrow. Winter tires are now a requirement for those travelling outside Reykjavík due to snow and ice! Visibility on mountainroads along the south coast, Golden Circle and Holtavörðuheiði are limited today due to snow blowing. Snow showers expected from Akureyri to Vopnafjörður tonight and tomorrow. Strong wind gusts (up to 35 m/s) expected in the east tomorrow by mountains like in Hamarsfjörður, south of Djúpivogur.

 

Tourists often mistake 4×4 for a vehicle that can take on all terrain, which is of course not the case and this must be explained as damages can cost thousands of dollars. Drivers who get stuck in rivers or in snow have to get themselves out at own expense – there‘s no insurance in the world that covers damage linked to crossing a river.Illegal to drive off-road!!

 

Conditions in the highlands:

Highland roads are most closed due to bad conditions! It doesn’t take a lot of snow to make it difficult staying on these roads! Conditions in the highlands are a lot different than on lowlands these days! Most areas are getting freezing night temperatures and even snow so it‘s important that travelers are equipped and ready for that – especially those heading for hikes and camping!

 

Kjölur: Closed/impassible for those not on modified vehicles. Snow on the road. 

Kaldidalur: Closed/impassible for those not on modified vehicles!

 

Conditions in popular tourist sites:

This time of the year, changes are frequent and conditions vary on the weather. Trails are now icy in most parts of Iceland, even on lowlands so we recommend bringing minor crampons along.

 

Reykjanes: Ice on roads and trails! The roads to Reykjanestá and Gunnuhver is quite rough (due to pot holes).

Þingvellir: Nothing unusual about the conditions. Road conditions to and from Þingvellir are icy and visibility is limited when snowing.

Geysir og Gullfoss: Ice on the trails by Geysir can be expected later today. Lower trail towards Gullfoss has been closed due to ice.

Hraunfossar og Deildartunguhver: Icy roads and trails – also on Grábrók (by Bifröst).   
Snæfellsjökull National Park: Trails outside the glacier can be icy. Road over Jökulháls is closed (no. 570 and 571).
Rauðisandur: Narrow road that threads the side of the mountain without protective rails. Many have found this road uncomfortable especially when icy like now!
Látrabjarg: Roads have spots of ice! The cliffs are quite loose, avoid going too close! Due to how vulnerable the area is to wind it‘s not recommended to walk there when winds are blowing heavily! 
Dynjandi Waterfall: Construction going on so people must be careful of heavy machinery. Trails are icy!

Hvítserkur: Nothing unusual about the conditions. 
Goðafoss: Trails are icy!  
Dettifoss og Selfoss: Ice and snow on the trail which now is very uneven and slippery. Trail down to the waterfall (Fosshvammur) and the one to Selfoss are now closed due to conditions! 

Hengifoss: Trail is icy!  
Reynisfjara: The beach can always be dangerous due to the unpredictability of the waves. It‘s not every wave – it‘s every 7th or 10th or 12th wave that goes a lot further up the beach than the rest making it difficult to assess danger upon arrival. There are no rocks in the ocean that break the waves and only a few meters of shore there‘s an underwater cliff so the pulling factor of these already powerful waves becomes even greater. On top of this the sand is very fine ash which makes it extra difficult to get away from these waves.
Same applies to Kirkjufjara beach, it‘s CLOSED due to this fact and also Djúpalónssandur in Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Skógafoss: The steps may get more and more slippery the higher you go! 
Seljalandsfoss: Nothing unusual about conditions.
Þórsmörk/Goðaland: Closed/impassible for those not in a modified vehicle! Rivers can be a little deeper as it’s been raining but rivers should not be crossed without experience! Trails are now most under snow and ice. Staff have left Langidalur and Básar. Húsadalur will be staffed throughout the winter. Bridges from Langidalur to Básar have been removed! 
Vestmannaeyjar: Nothing unusual about conditions. The ferry will sail to Þorlákshöfn today and tomorrow. Information on this can be found on www.seatours.is (top of website). 
Landmannalaugar: Roads closed/impassible for those NOT in a modified vehicle! Area now covered in snow and ice!

 

Conditions on hiking trails:

Hiking during winter time requires proper equipment even on shorter hikes. Please study our equipment list as preparation is key for successful travel in Iceland. Winter has arrived in most areas in Iceland so we recommend having minor crampons with you at all time.

 

Esjan: Must not be underestimated! Considerably colder up top than by the roots. Warm clothing is a must! Crampons recommended if going to the top due to icy rocks!

Skaftafell: Trails are now most icy – crampons and hiking poles highly recommended. S4 (Kristínartindar) and S3 (Skaftafellsheiði) now not recommended without proper equipment and guide due to snow and ice!  
Reykjadalur: Ice once elevation is gained. 
Ásbyrgi: Ice and snow covering most trails. All campsites closed! 
Kerlingarfjöll: Trails are now mostly under snow and conditions are weather dependent. See web cameras and more information on the trails here.  
Glymur: Ice and snow at the top of area. Log over the river Botnsá has been removed so now hikers must either cross the river on foot or take a longer hike over the old bridge along the hiking route “Leggjabrjótur”.