Avalanche Hits Dam Above Siglufjörður

2026-03-15 - 16:35

An avalanche swept along a dam above the northern Icelandic town of Siglufjörður around noon today, prompting continued monitoring of snow conditions across the region. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office’s avalanche watch, the slide struck the Stóri-Boli dam near the inner part of the settlement. The construction is designed to protect the town and nearby farms from a slide. Snow travelled along the structure before reaching its lower end, but stopped well above the main road. What's the Story? Avalanche reached the Stóri-Boli dam above Siglufjörður, northern Iceland, around midday Snow flow stopped above the main road; deposit estimated at about two metres thick Commercial buildings evacuated in Ísafjörður and a farm near Siglufjörður remains under evacuation due to avalanche risk A former avalanche photographed in Iceland. Photo: Arnor Erlingsson. As reported by RÚV, poor weather has made it difficult to identify the exact starting point. Officials believe the avalanche likely began in the gullies of Ytra-Strengsgil and Jörundarskál before merging further down the slope. The deposit left behind is estimated to be around two metres thick and carried vegetation including sedges. Avalanches are relatively common in the area, and warnings for travellers have been in place since Thursday due to heavy snowfall on the Tröllaskagi peninsula. Avalanche Danger in Ísafjörður Elsewhere, several commercial buildings beneath Seljalandshlíð in Ísafjörður, West Iceland, have been evacuated after authorities declared an elevated avalanche danger. An evacuation order also remains in place at a farm near Siglufjörður, with one resident saying they do not expect to return home today. Other avalanches were reported overnight and early on Sunday in nearby fjords and mountain slopes. The Icelandic Meteorological Office will continue to monitor the conditions as more snowfall is forecast in the coming days.