Iceland’s meteorological office, Veðurstofa Íslands, has issued a severe wind warning as gusts of up to 35 metres per second are forecast across multiple regions today. The storm is bringing sandstorms alongside destructive winds, causing active travel disruptions for tourists and residents across the country. Travellers should check conditions before moving.
Key takeaways
- Veðurstofa Íslands has issued a severe wind warning with gusts forecast up to 35 m/s in parts of Iceland today.
- The southern lowlands and highland interior face the strongest gusts, along with blowing sandstorms.
- Several mountain roads and exposed highland routes may be closed — check Vegagerðin before driving.
- 35 m/s is classified as violent storm force; driving, hiking, and outdoor activity is dangerous at these speeds.
- Conditions are expected to ease later today or overnight, but localised warnings may persist into tomorrow.
Where in Iceland are the strongest winds expected today?
The most severe gusts are forecast across the south and southwest of Iceland, including the lowland plains between Selfoss and Vík í Mýrdal — an area already known for extreme wind exposure due to its flat, unprotected terrain between the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the coast. The Suðurland (South Iceland) region is bearing the brunt of the storm. Reports also indicate significant gusts across the Reykjanes Peninsula, which includes Keflavík International Airport, and across the highland interior.
The black sand plains of the south — including the area near Mýrdalssandur and Skeiðarársandur — are particularly prone to sandstorms when strong southerly or southeasterly winds pick up loose volcanic sediment. These conditions dramatically reduce visibility and make driving extremely hazardous. Local media outlets Vísir and Morgunblaðið are both warning of active sandstorm conditions in these areas today.
What wind speeds are forecast, and how dangerous is 35 m/s?
Veðurstofa Íslands is forecasting peak gusts of up to 35 metres per second in the worst-affected areas. To put that into context: 35 m/s equals approximately 126 km/h, or 78 mph. On the Beaufort scale, this falls at the upper end of force 12 — violent storm to hurricane force. At these speeds, unsecured objects become projectiles, high-sided vehicles can be pushed off roads, and walking outdoors is genuinely life-threatening.
Even at 20–25 m/s — which much of the country will experience today — driving a campervan or SUV on exposed roads requires extreme caution. Iceland’s Road Administration (Vegagerðin) uses a wind threshold of around 20–23 m/s to close roads to high-sided vehicles. At 35 m/s, the risk extends to all vehicle types on open stretches.
- 20 m/s (72 km/h): Difficult to stand outdoors; caravans and campervans at serious risk.
- 25 m/s (90 km/h): Dangerous for all road vehicles on exposed routes.
- 30 m/s (108 km/h): Structural damage possible; all outdoor activity should stop.
- 35 m/s (126 km/h): Violent storm force. Life-threatening. Stay indoors.
Are any roads or bridges closed due to the storm?
Road conditions are changing rapidly. As of the time of publication, Vegagerðin — Iceland’s Road and Coastal Administration — has restricted or closed several highland and exposed routes. The F-roads (highland interior roads) are closed as a standard seasonal measure and remain off-limits. However, conditions today may also affect sections of the Ring Road (Route 1) in the south, particularly between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Vík, where sandstorms frequently reduce visibility to near zero.
The bridge at Ölfusárbrú near Selfoss is one location where high-sided vehicles are commonly restricted during wind events; travellers heading east from Reykjavík should check its status before departure. Travellers should monitor road conditions in real time at road.is (Vegagerðin’s official road condition site), which updates closures and restrictions as they occur.
Keflavík International Airport is currently operational, but passengers should check with their airline for any delays or gate changes caused by ground handling disruptions. Strong crosswinds at Keflavík are common during storm events and can cause delays to arrivals and departures.
Is it safe to drive or hike in Iceland today?
No. In plain terms: if you are in or travelling to a warned area, do not drive or hike today unless it is absolutely necessary. Icelandic authorities consistently urge visitors and residents alike to postpone non-essential travel during severe wind warnings. The sandstorms that accompany these wind events are not just unpleasant — sand and volcanic grit travelling at 35 m/s will strip paint from a car, shatter unprotected glass, and cause serious injury to exposed skin.
For tourists, the practical advice is this:
- Postpone any planned drives along the south coast, particularly toward Vík, Skógafoss, or Jökulsárlón today.
- Do not attempt to hike exposed ridgelines, glacier edges, or beach areas such as Reynisfjara black sand beach — rogue wave risk is elevated during storms.
- If you are already on the road and conditions deteriorate, pull off at the next town or petrol station and wait. Do not stop on the roadside shoulder in open sandstorm conditions.
- Keep windows closed. Sand ingestion can damage vehicle engines and visibility drops to metres within seconds during a sandstorm.
- Contact your accommodation to extend your stay if needed — most Icelandic guesthouses and hotels understand storm delays well and will accommodate guests where possible.
Reynisfjara, the famous black sand beach near Vík, should be avoided entirely today. Even in calm conditions, the beach is one of Iceland’s most dangerous locations due to sneaker waves. During a storm with 35 m/s gusts, the risk is extreme.
When will the Iceland wind warning be lifted?
Veðurstofa Íslands indicates that the most intense phase of the storm is expected to pass later today, with conditions gradually improving by this evening or overnight. However, localised warnings for specific regions — particularly the south coast and Reykjanes — may remain in place into tomorrow morning as the system moves through. Wind warnings in Iceland can shift quickly; what is forecast as a six-hour event can extend if the low-pressure system stalls.
Travellers should check en.vedur.is directly for the latest warnings, which are updated multiple times daily. The site is available in English and displays colour-coded alerts by region — yellow for awareness, orange for significant risk, and red for the most severe conditions. Any red or orange alert in your planned travel area today means you should seriously reconsider your plans.
Practical checklist: what to do right now
- Check en.vedur.is for the latest colour-coded wind warnings by region.
- Check road.is for live road closures and restrictions before any drive.
- Contact your airline directly if flying in or out of Keflavík today — do not rely solely on airport departure boards.
- Inform your accommodation of delays; most hosts in Iceland are experienced with storm situations.
- If you are renting a car, document its condition before driving and understand your rental agreement’s exclusions — sand damage is often not covered under basic insurance.
- Keep a fully charged phone, extra water, and warm layers in the vehicle at all times during storm conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is 35 m/s wind in practical terms for a tourist in Iceland?
35 metres per second equals approximately 126 km/h or 78 mph — violent storm force on the Beaufort scale. At this speed, standing outdoors is dangerous, unsecured objects become airborne projectiles, and high-sided vehicles including campervans and SUVs can be forced off exposed roads. Tourists should treat a 35 m/s warning as equivalent to a hurricane warning and stay indoors.
Will the storm affect flights at Keflavík Airport today?
Keflavík International Airport is built to handle significant wind, and full closures are rare. However, strong crosswinds can delay arrivals and departures, and ground handling operations may slow. Passengers should check directly with their airline — Icelandair, Play, and other carriers update flight status on their own apps and websites. Allow extra time if transferring to a domestic flight at Reykjavík Airport (Reykjavíkurflugvöllur).
How do I find out if a specific road in Iceland is closed right now?
The official source is road.is, the website of Vegagerðin (Iceland’s Road and Coastal Administration). The site shows live road conditions, closures, and restrictions across the entire country and updates frequently during weather events. For highland F-roads specifically, these are closed to all traffic until the summer season opens — typically late June or early July depending on conditions.
Is Reynisfjara beach safe to visit during an Iceland wind warning?
No. Reynisfjara black sand beach near Vík í Mýrdal is one of Iceland’s most dangerous locations even in calm weather, due to powerful sneaker waves that can appear without warning. During a severe wind warning with gusts up to 35 m/s, the beach is extremely hazardous and should be avoided entirely. Several fatal accidents have occurred at Reynisfjara; Icelandic authorities and local guides consistently warn visitors not to approach the waterline.
What should I do if I am already driving in Iceland when a severe wind warning is issued?
Pull off the road at the nearest safe location — a town, petrol station, or designated rest area. Do not stop on the open roadside shoulder, especially in areas prone to sandstorms where visibility can collapse to near zero in seconds. Keep windows and doors closed to protect against sand. Call your rental company or accommodation to advise of your situation, and monitor en.vedur.is and road.is until conditions improve.
