From Iceland — No White Christmas For Reykjavík, Says Meteorologist

No White Christmas For Reykjavík, Says Meteorologist

Published December 20, 2012

There is an almost complete certainty that there will be no snow for Christmas for the capital area this year, a top meteorologist says.
While many parts of Iceland – especially the north and northeast – have already had substantial snowfalls, the capital area has been lacking in this department. This is hardly unusual for this southwestern city, which bears the brunt of warm winds from the Gulf Stream, but that does not prevent Reykjavík residents from hoping for a snowy Christmas.
This year, though, their hopes are almost guaranteed to be denied.
Meteorologist Sigurður Þ. Ragnarsson, better known locally as “Siggi Stormur”, told DV that “there is a 99% chance” that this year will be what Icelanders call a “red Christmas”, i.e., a Christmas without snow.
In fact, the Met Office predicts temperatures of about 5° and rain for much of Iceland on Christmas, with the exception of the Westfjords, who are likely to get frost and snow.
Overall, Sigurður believes this winter will be relatively mild, with some cold temperatures and frost, but otherwise unremarkable weather conditions for Iceland this season.

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