Not only are there rumblings from various volcanoes, which will be giving air passengers across Europe a knot in their stomach, there are also the remnants of Hurricane Cristobal heading to Iceland this weekend.
Iceland is a rugged and beautiful country, less than 3 hours flight from England, nearly 3 days ferry journey from Scotland. Many people travel towards the Arctic Circle for the amazing views of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), stunning scenery and fascinating wildlife. However, if you did have a trip planned for this weekend, you may have a rather lively trip.
Volcanic eruptions have been bubbling away for the 10 days with the Icelandic Meteorological Office changing the volcanic activity alert status for aviation back and forward from orange to red. This has resulted in flight restrictions at times, mainly because of the Bárðarbunga system. Many will remember the massive ash eruption which invaded European airspace from the 2010 Eyjafjallajoekull volcano event. I'm not saying anything like that is forecast for this weekend but keep an eye on reports on the volcanic activity on the Icelandic Meteorological Office IMO website http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/areas/ and chat on the Netweather forum http://forum.netweather.tv/topic/81229-b%C3%A1r%C3%B0arbunga-and-askja-volcanic-activity/
You wouldn’t be looking at the UK Met Office website for volcanic information, although lots of journalists do tend ask weather forecasters randomly about earthquakes and meteors. In Iceland, the Hydrological office merged with the Met office in 2009 (just before Eyjafjallajoekull), and now cover the responsibility of monitoring natural hazards in Iceland. Their website shows data and information on weather, seismology, avalanches, pollution and sea ice.
Whilst the seismic noises continue, there will also be some weather action this weekend. The UK saw the remnants of ex –hurricane Bertha earlier in August, with torrential rain for northern Scotland. This weekend sees the remnants of ex- hurricane Cristobal heading across the Atlantic towards Iceland.
From the IMO- Bad weather expected on Sunday
A deep and sharp low will approach Iceland from the southwest on Sunday, 31st August.
Southerly and south-easterly winds are expected, 25-25 m/s, (50-60mph) and very strong gusts near mountains. Considerable precipitation will probably follow in all of the country, especially in the Southeast, but winds will calm down by evening. Temperatures will be 10-15°C. This air-mass is warm and all the precipitation will be rain, even at the highest ice caps. Since this is the first severe weather after the summer season, people are advised to check on their property and fasten loose objects. This low is the remains of "Cristobal" which caused damage in the Caribbean last week-end. Written 29 August 2014 12:00 by meteorologists on duty:
Birta Líf Kristinsdóttir
Þorsteinn V. Jónsson
Hi to Thorstein, as he trained to be a weather forecaster at the same time as me in Reading. Interesting to read other countries forecast warnings. So an exciting weekend for the IMO, keeping an eye on Cristobal and Bárðarbunga. For us, Cristobal could throw some blustery and wet weather towards NW Britain to end the weekend but nothing severe. With a ridge of high pressure this weekend for the UK, all the weather action is elsewhere.
Jo
