Police Urge Public To Seek Shelter As First Snow Falls In Reykjavík

Updated October 28, 14:00.

The Capital Area Police have issued a statement urging everyone to seek shelter before 15:00, on Tuesday October 28. An orange weather warning has been announced by the Icelandic Met Office during Reykjavík’s biggest October snowfall in history.

Traffic delays are still expected, and international flights from Keflavík airport have been cancelled or delayed.

In addition to the orange weather warning, the Met Office has updated its avalanche prediction for the capital area to orange, meaning considerable risk of avalanches. People are encouraged to stay away from steep hills in the next days.

Traffic in the capital region became severely disrupted, as heavy snowfall covered the area on the morning of Tuesday, October 28.

According to various news reports, main arterial highways such as Sæbraut, Kringlumýrarbraut, and Miklabraut were blocked, with drivers stuck for prolonged periods of time.

Webcam screenshot showing southbound traffic in Garðabær/IRCA

At least six crashes resulting in no injuries were reported to the police, according to RÚV. Some cars have been abandonded, the police claims, urging people not to commute on summer tyres. Ill-equpped vehicles have caused the most delays, the police told RÚV.

Snowfall is expected to continue throughout Tuesday, intensifying as the day progresses.