Original announcement · 12 November 2026
What changed
The Icelandic Tourist Board has asked tourism businesses to tell guests about a period of severe weather on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November. It says there will be no travelling conditions in North Iceland late on Friday and in Southeast Iceland early on Saturday.
The Icelandic Met Office has issued orange warnings for parts of North, East and Southeast Iceland, with yellow warnings across several other regions. The orange notices include severe snowstorms in northern and eastern areas and very strong wind in the southeast. Safetravel warns of poor visibility, difficult driving and possible road closures.
Who may be affected
The strongest warnings affect journeys through North Iceland, mountain roads around Tröllaskagi, the Eastfjords and Southeast Iceland. A planned drive through one of those areas may no longer be reasonable at the original time.
This article does not establish that a particular road, airport or service is closed. Conditions and operating decisions can change by place and hour. Check the exact warning area and your actual route before making the next decision.
What visitors should do next
- Delay travel during an orange warning when the official advice says travel is not advised. Do not treat a booked room or activity as evidence that the road is suitable.
- Read the current Met Office warning for your region. Check its start and end time again immediately before departure.
- Check every road section on your route. Use IRCA road information for closures and current conditions.
- Confirm transport and activities directly. Ask the operator whether a departure, meeting place or service has changed.
- Keep a safe indoor alternative. In Southeast Iceland, follow the official instruction to remain inside during the strongest warning period.
Plan beyond the warning period
A warning end time is not proof that every road is clear. Snow, ice, wind and delayed road service can remain after the weather eases. Recheck the road service and Safetravel before continuing.
Our Travel conditions page brings the official services together. If your route crosses the South Coast, use our Vík to Höfn winter planning guide for a flexible decision process, then rely on current official information for the day itself.
Sources and useful links
Read the Icelandic Tourist Board announcement ↗
Read the Icelandic Met Office warnings ↗
Read the Safetravel storm notice ↗
Check current road conditions ↗
The Icelandic Tourist Board announcement dated 12 November and the complete RÚV English report published that day at 13:20 Iceland time were read on 13 November at 08:05. The current Met Office warning page and Safetravel notice were checked at 08:07. Warning periods, colours and road conditions can change after these checks.
Use Safetravel, road information and the weather office. This dated brief is not a live warning service.