Visiting Iceland in the winter is incredible, but one thing’s for sure: Iceland travel warnings are not to be taken lightly!
The unpredictable weather can flip your plans upside down in a heartbeat.
I’ve heard countless stories from travelers whose trips were affected by sudden storms or unexpected road closures.
One moment, everything’s going smoothly and the next you’re devising a Plan B because you’re stuck right where you are!
That’s why extra preparation is essential.
In this post, I’ll share reliable resources for weather conditions and how to navigate them, what you should do if there are Iceland travel warnings, and what the different colors mean.
Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents:
- Websites and Apps for Iceland Travel Warnings
- Tips for Winter Driving in Iceland + Sightseeing
- What to Do if There’s an Iceland Weather Warning?
- Choosing a Local Company
Websites and Apps for Iceland Travel Warnings
First things first…
Do NOT use the Weather Channel or Yahoo Weather to check the weather in Iceland!
The default weather apps on your phone aren’t reliable when it comes to Icelandic weather. Instead, you’ll want to check the Icelandic apps I recommend.👇
Vedur.is
This website is in Icelandic, so remember to switch over to English.
You’ll find a box in the corner that gives the Icelandic weather report, and you’ll get an overview of storms over the whole country.
What Do the Colors Mean?
If you look at the map of the affected areas, you’ll notice they’re shaded in different colors depending on the storm level.
The Iceland weather alert conditions range from least to most severe.
Yellow: A yellow weather warning in Iceland means less severe but still something to be mindful of. If you click on the windsock in the affected area, you’ll get more details to help you decide if your travel plans are still possible.
High winds can be especially dangerous for high-clearance vehicles, but yellow warnings are pretty common in Iceland.
Orange: An orange warning means you should avoid traveling unless it’s absolutely necessary. These warnings are fairly common, depending on the time of year and your location.
For instance, an orange warning might be in the northern part of the country, and if you’re not headed there, it won’t affect you. However, I wouldn’t recommend traveling in these conditions, especially if you’re not familiar with Icelandic weather – most people aren’t!
Red: A red Iceland travel warning means travel is prohibited. Roads will be closed, and it’s too dangerous to travel. Red warnings are extremely rare, though. In all my time living in Iceland, I’ve only seen a red warning a few times. If you see one, it’s serious!
Pro tip: Wind speed is listed in m/s, and temperatures are listed in Celsius, so remember to make the conversion as needed. If the wind speed is about 30 m/s or above, it’s best not to travel if you don’t have to.
Road.is
I always check road.is before heading out for the day. They recently updated their website, but the data you’ll find on there are the same.
You’ll notice that the roads are color-coded. Check out what it means.👇
Green indicates that the roads are clear. If you hover over it with your cursor, it’ll tell you that the road is easily passable.
Red means impassable.
Blue shows that roads are slippery and if you zoom in, you’ll be able to see specific warnings.
This website also provides information like the wind speed, temperature in that area, or even a general overview of the country.
When you’re driving it’s important to know what the road signs mean! Some are pretty standard, but you may come across a few that you’ve never seen before.
Learn more about the road signs in Iceland here.👇
➡️ READ: Road Signs in Iceland You Need to Know Before Hitting the Road
Safetravel.is and Iceland Weather Warnings
The last website that I always recommend checking is called safetravel.is
The thing I love about this site is that it gives you alerts for the entire country. Safetravel.is also keeps updates on volcano warnings in Iceland, eruptions and road closures.
An important key to staying safe in Iceland’s winter weather is to make sure you have travel essentials like extra batteries and portable chargers with you.
The cold weather can really zap the battery life out of your electronics.
You don’t want to be caught in a storm with no way to navigate because your phone’s battery died on you!
So, while you’re prepping for the unexpected, I suggest you check out my 👉 Amazon Storefront for all the gear you’ll need to stay safe and comfortable in Iceland.
I’ve rounded up my top picks to make your trip stress-free and unforgettable.
Tips for Winter Driving in Iceland + Sightseeing
We already know that driving in Iceland in winter can be challenging because of the high winds, icy roads and snow.
It’s always a good idea to be prepared for the possibility of road closures, since they can throw off your plans for the day. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re driving here in winter.
Weather-Ready Vehicles
Check with your car rental company about important winter essentials like studded tires and an ice scraper for clearing frost from your windshield.
If you rent with Blue Car Rental you’re covered! They provide studded winter tires on all rentals from November 1st to April 15th.
Plus, they offer 24/7 roadside assistance in the event of an emergency.
Book using this 👉 Blue Car Rental link for a special discount!
Opt for a 4WD
Renting a 4WD is a must during winter in Iceland.
These vehicles provide better traction and stability, especially on icy or snow-covered roads.
If you’re wondering if you truly need a 4WD, or if a 2WD will be enough, check out this video for a detailed breakdown.👇
Dress Appropriately
You also have to think about how the weather and Iceland travel warnings will impact the places you’re visiting.
Take a black sand beach, for example. It might seem harmless, but with high winds, the sand can blow right into your eyes.
Freezing temperatures make the ice around the waterfalls extra slippery and dangerous.
(You’ll need to bring crampons)
So, always keep in mind what the weather conditions are like and what your activities are that day.
When it comes to sightseeing in Iceland, it’s important to be prepared from head to toe.
You’ll want gear that’s warm, insulated, waterproof, and windproof.
Oh, and don’t forget backups for your hat and mittens, just in case they get wet. Iceland’s winters can be tough, and the last thing you want is to feel cold on your vacation!
If you’re ready to pack like a pro, I’ve put together the Ultimate Iceland Packing Guide.
It includes seasonal checklists, weather tips, and even a shopping guide to make packing so much easier.
Download the FREE PDF here.👇
Unpredictable Weather
The weather might be fine where you start, but there could be road closures, storms and Iceland travel warnings further along your route. Snow and wind can also create drifting on the roads, making driving tricky.
Always check the weather forecast and consider how it might impact your plans for the day. It’s all about staying safe while still soaking in all the beauty of Iceland!
I’ve rounded up my top tips on how to plan for an epic road trip right here. 👇
➡️ READ: Iceland Road Trip: Top 15 Tips On How to Plan an Epic Trip
What to Do if There’s an Iceland Weather Warning?
This is the million-dollar question I get asked all the time!
Say you wake up, check the weather, and see that there’s an orange or, heaven forbid, a red Iceland weather warning for where you’re traveling.
How does that impact your day?
What should you do?
How do you get to your prepaid accommodation?
The answer is simple: do not travel.
It’s crucial to listen to the Iceland weather advisory and not put your life (or anyone else’s) at risk just to reach a place you’ve already paid for.
There are worse things than losing a couple hundred dollars.
Safety is always the priority.
Now, keep in mind that yellow warnings are really common in Iceland and typically aren’t a big deal. High winds are part of the Icelandic weather pattern.
If there’s a red travel warning please don’t travel!
As for orange, it’s best to avoid travel to be on the safe side.
My advice?
Call your accommodation immediately, explain the situation, and ask for their advice.
They’ll likely tell you to stay put and will either offer a refund or suggest an alternative solution. But remember, putting yourself at risk by driving in bad weather is never a good idea.
Pro Tip: Be flexible and always have a Plan B when traveling from October to April. You might not be able to reach your original destination or see certain sights, so be ready to switch things up. Maybe visit a museum, find a cozy café, or just stay put and enjoy a good book.
The main things to remember when traveling in Iceland are safety first and have a backup plan for what to do that day.
Choosing a Local Company
One of the best ways of staying safe is to make sure you rent a vehicle from a reputable company.
The vehicles from Blue Car Rental are winter-ready, and being a local business, they understand Iceland’s roads and terrains better than anyone!
They’ve thought of everything when it comes to keeping you safe.
When you pick up your vehicle, you’ll get a safety manual packed with valuable information – I recommend you go through it!
Their customer service is excellent, and they’ll do their best to help you if anything comes up.
The best part is that insurance is already included in the rental price, so you can relax knowing you’re covered.
Use this link 👉 Blue Car Rental and you’ll automatically get 5% off at checkout!
Iceland in winter is spectacular, but it does take more planning and foresight, especially if you’re driving.
Always check weather forecasts before heading out because Iceland’s weather can turn very quickly.
So, stay safe, be flexible, and make sure you listen to those Iceland travel warnings.
Happy Planning!
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