Original announcement · 30 September 2026 at 08:48 Iceland time

Updated 30 September 2026 at 12:13 Iceland time

A new warning adds the Central Highlands

After this article was first published, the Icelandic Met Office issued a yellow storm warning for the Central Highlands at 10:15 on 30 September. It applies from 02:00 to 13:00 on Thursday 1 October, and advises against travel.

The notice forecasts southeasterly winds of 20 to 25 metres per second with very strong gusts. It also expects heavy rain in the southern part of the region, with increased runoff and rising water levels. Our practical advice is to postpone a Highlands journey during that warning period and contact your activity provider about any planned outing.

The warning periods are different

Vísir’s original report covered storm warnings for Northeast and East Iceland. The additional Highlands warning starts earlier. Separate landslide notices cover a longer period.

These were the official periods in the warning set checked at 12:00 on 30 September. All times below are Iceland time in 2026.

The Northeast and East Iceland wind messages forecast 15 to 23 metres per second, with local gusts exceeding 35 metres per second. The Met Office warns that travel may become hazardous, particularly in vehicles sensitive to wind. Use its current warning pages to check the area and latest instructions for your journey.

A break in the rain is not an all clear

The Met Office’s landslide bulletin explains that accumulated rainfall can destabilise slopes and increase runoff. Rockfalls and debris flows may reach roads with little warning. Its advice is to avoid steep slopes, take care when travelling and follow official weather and road information.

Our practical takeaway is to check the landslide notices separately before resuming a walk or drive. The rain warning’s earlier end time does not cancel a landslide notice or establish that a particular road is open.

Westman Islands passengers should check their harbour

Herjólfur’s notice for 30 September says its first journey uses Þorlákshöfn, with a departure from Vestmannaeyjar at 07:00 and from Þorlákshöfn at 10:45. It lists the 08:15, 09:30, 12:00, 13:15, 14:30 and 15:45 journeys as cancelled, with a further announcement planned for 15:00.

Read the operator’s latest passenger notice before setting off. Check both the sailing time and departure harbour against your reservation.

Make the next decision with current information

Before leaving, check your road on IRCA’s road service and read Safetravel’s alerts. If you have an activity arranged, ask the provider whether the plan or meeting arrangements have changed.

For South Coast planning, our Skaftafell trail comparison explains the usual route choices. Use it alongside current official notices. Our Travel conditions page shows separately checked snapshots and source links; this article records the situation checked on 30 September.

Sources and useful links

Vísir: storm warning report by Kjartan Kjartansson ↗

Icelandic Met Office: current weather warnings ↗

Icelandic Met Office: original Central Highlands warning issued at 10:15 on 30 September ↗

Icelandic Met Office: landslide notices ↗

Icelandic Met Office: explanation of the increased landslide risk ↗

Herjólfur: passenger announcements ↗

Safetravel: current travel alerts ↗

Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration: road information ↗

Vísir published its original report on 30 September 2026 at 08:48 Iceland time. This update adds the Central Highlands warning issued by the Met Office at 10:15 that morning. The warning set was checked at 12:00 and the full new Central Highlands message independently verified at 12:07. Herjólfur’s dated passenger notice was also read in full. The planning suggestions are our editorial interpretation. Warning periods can change after these checks.

Need current conditions?

Use Safetravel, road information and the weather office. This dated brief is not a live warning service.