The Icelandic drama Trapped has brought us a real taste of snow this winter, with the final episodes tonight. We'll find out who-dunnit but stay intrigued about this quiet part of Iceland.
As we get a hint of spring this weekend here in the UK, tension (and air pressure) is rising ahead of the final episodes of the winter Icelandic drama “Trapped”. The last 2 parts of 10 will be aired tonight on BBC4 and it has been an intriguing insight into the isolation of village life and winter weather in Iceland. There is the who-dunnit at the heart but the scenes of blowing snow, freezing weather, sea ice and avalanche, never mind the incredible snow jeep with huge tyres bounding over snow rubble, which have made this great viewing. Especially for anyone missing some real wintry weather here.
FILMING
Most of Trapped was filmed in early 2015 with the Reykjavik parts being recorded late 2014. 2015 weather in Iceland was officially rubbish. So ideal for filming opportunities like the scenes searching for the missing children in episode 2 with all the blowing snow and poor visibility. 2015 was the coldest year in Iceland for 15 years and there was plenty of snow. In the north, 130cm of snow was measured in the first 2 days of February in the north not far from filming.
Trapped is set in northern Iceland, filmed in Siglufjörður and in the east at Seyðisfjörður, the landing place for the Smyril Line ferry from Europe. The winter saw severe windstorms, often with snow and rain. These caused roads to be closed, flights cancelled and wind damage. The heaviest storm hit on March 14th so I wonder if that featured. The series production team would head up north each time to shoot in really bad weather.
ICELAND'S WEATHER
With the extreme weather being key to the whole situation, do Icelandic villages get cut off for 4/5 days at a time in the storms? A forecaster at the Icelandic Met Service said “ Yes, it does happen during the winter. Some places are really isolated.” The UK is entering into a spell of settled, drier weather with a mild weekend up to 12 or 13C. Iceland has gales today but with southerly winds lifting temperatures to a mild 5C and possible higher to 7C in the coming week.
Mild air for next week continues to head for Iceland, as UK gets an easterly chill.
Iceland being in the Arctic circle is subjected to a more extreme version of Scottish Island weather. This image shows a winter storm in February this year which brought Violent winds and heavy snow. December 2015 was described “it feels like every week we have a storm warning somewhere with closing of roads to match.” and was a very stormy month.
Pressure chart showing deep low heading to Iceland early February, which bought heavy snow and gales this year
POLICE CHIEF ANDRI
Star Olafur Darri Olafsson who plays Andri the police chief said “we were really lucky, we got a lot of snowstorms. Every once in a while they get snowed in, it takes a few days for the roads to be cleared.” Many of the scenes are in darkness as there just isn’t much daylight in winter.
The series had nearly 60% total viewer rating when it aired in Iceland, which was unheard of. The only local criticism was about how quickly the sea ice came and went. So, we await 9pm tonight to see how it all ends. Sunny and fine, I don’t think so.
Put a hat on, please Andri (Olafur Darri Oladsson - chief of police)
RVF Iceland produced Ófærð, Trapped BBC4 Saturday nights and catchup
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