The Icelandic Meteorological Office (Veðurstofa Íslands) has a yellow weather warning in effect for most of the country today and into Tuesday, including the Capital Region, South Iceland, Faxaflói, Breiðafjörður, the Westfjords, Northwest Iceland, Southeast Iceland and the Central Highlands. South to southeast winds of 8–15 m/s are expected, with stronger gusts in isolated locations, and rain mainly in the south and west. Daytime temperatures will sit between 8°C and 14°C, mildest in the northeast. Wind is forecast to increase further overnight into Tuesday.
Why this matters for photographers: The combination of moderate-to-fresh wind and rain across the south and west affects most of the high-traffic photography corridors — the South Coast (Vík, Reynisfjara, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss), the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and routes into the Westfjords. Gusts in exposed coastal locations can be unsafe for tripods, drones (where otherwise permitted), and unprotected gear, and can make standing on cliff edges genuinely dangerous. The northeast and east will see better conditions, so flexible itineraries can be redirected.
What photographers should do:
- Check the live alert and text forecast at en.vedur.is/alerts and en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/text/ before each shoot
- Treat Reynisfjara and other south-coast beaches with extra caution — sneaker waves combined with strong onshore wind are a known hazard
- If shooting in the Westfjords or highlands, check road conditions on umferdin.is before departing
- If your itinerary allows, shift outdoor shoots toward the northeast and east today and tomorrow
Leave No Trace note: Wet, soft ground in spring is especially vulnerable to off-path damage. Stay on marked trails and boardwalks, particularly around waterfalls and moss-covered lava fields where a single wet boot print can take years to recover.
For full guidance on driving and accessing remote photography areas in shoulder-season conditions, see our Iceland in Winter for Photographers: October to March.
Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office — https://en.vedur.is/alerts