Image George Novak/New Zealand Herald, via Associated Press
As severe, and even violent, weather approaches Iceland today, precautionary measures are being taken to ensure people ’s safety .
Numerous road closures are in effect, Icelandair has canceled a number of flights in the afternoon, and in Northwest and North Iceland, several schools are closed for the day.
In the capital area, parents of grade school students are asked to pick up their children at the end of the school day, and parents of preschool children are asked to pick them up by 3 pm.
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“Winds have already picked up a great deal and it has started snowing by the north coast and in the West Fjords,” meteorologist Elín Björk Jónasdóttir tells
An orange weather warning has been issued for the whole country, except for Northwest Iceland, where the warning is red. The violent weather system will hit the West Fjords first.
Major roads in the West Fjords have been closed: Steingrímsfjarðarheiði, Þröskuldar, Hálfdán and Miklidalur, Hrafnseyrar- and Dynjandisheiði. Gemlufallsheiði is impassable.
Elín states that winds will pick up in the western part of the capital area between 1 and 3 pm. This includes West Reykjavík, Seltjarnarnes, downtown Reykjavík, probably Vellir in Hafnarfjörður and Reykjanesbraut road. By 5 pm, the weather will be severe in the capital area. There, the orange warning takes effect at 3 pm.
While the weather is expected to be less extreme in the Reykjavík capital area, the city has taken precautions. The Oslo Tree, which has a history of destruction in storms, has been taken down, as has the Christmas Cat at Lækjartorg square. Grocery stores and schools are closing early, and exams at the University of Iceland have been cancelled.
Buses will continue running as long as weather allows, though passengers can expect disruptions due to road closures later in the day.
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In the capital area, no travel is advised after 3 pm, due to the severe weather expected in the afternoon, mbl.is reports. The severe weather will affect the whole country today.
All Reykjavík City recreational activity and community center services have been canceled for today. This includes school band practices.
Children who require the services of transportation for people with disabilities will be transported home at the end of the school day.
Swimming pools, libraries and museums operated by Reykjavík City will close at 2 pm.
As reported earlier, parents have been asked to pick up their grade school children at the end of the school day, and their preschool children by 3 pm.
Three shelters for the homeless in Reykjavík open at 2 pm today, which is earlier than usual.
Residents are reminded to fasten all loose items outdoors and to make sure garbage cans are well secured.
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