Blizzard Brings Closures to Mountain Routes in East Iceland

2026-03-02 - 11:06

A strong northwesterly blizzard is affecting large parts of eastern Iceland, prompting weather alerts and widespread road closures. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has issued yellow warnings across much of the region, with orange alerts in parts of Northeast and East Iceland. Conditions are expected to intensify before easing overnight. What's the Story? Yellow and orange weather warnings in parts of East and Northeast Iceland Mountain roads including Fjarðarheiði, Fagradalur and Möðrudalsöræfi closed; several eastern passes impassable Advisory issued before 09:00 by the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration citing northwesterly blizzard and gusts over 45 m/s Credit: The Icelandic Meteorological Office. Orange alerts issued Shortly before 9:00 this morning, a meteorologist with the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration issued the following advisory: “A heavy blizzard from the northwest in the northeastern part of the country today with associated impassability on mountain roads, e.g. Möðrudalsöræfi, Fagradalur and Fjarðarheiði. There will also be sharp gusts of wind near the mountains, over 45 m/s, in the southern East Fjords and east of Öræfi and sandstorms can be expected in places. Low and decreasing into the night.” As is to be expected, travel has been significantly disrupted. Mountain routes including Fjarðarheiði, Fagradalur and Möðrudalsöræfi are closed, along with roads around Mývatn and Vopnafjarðarheiði. Coastal stretches between Raufarhöfn and Vopnafjörður face drifting snow, while several eastern passes, including Öxi and Breiðdalsheiði, are reported impassable. Further closures may be announced at short notice.