Yellow Weather Warning in Iceland: What you need to know

Planning your trip and saw a yellow weather warning in Iceland? 

Well no need to fear! I’m here to tell you all about it! 

These alerts are common, especially in the fall and winter months. 

It’s the Icelandic weather service way of saying, “Hey, just a heads up, it’s windy outside!” 

Below, I’ll go over  

• What a yellow warning means 
• How to prepare 
• And what to wear to stay safe (and dry). 

We also made a quick and simple video!

Check it out!

So let’s get to it! 

Yellow Weather Warning Iceland: What Does It Actually Mean? 

In short, don’t let a yellow warning stop you from heading out, but be careful. 

A yellow warning in Iceland usually signals fairly high winds. It can also mean heavy rain or snow. 

We have 4 levels: 

• Gray (or Green): All clear 
• Yellow: Windy, caution advised 
• Orange: Very windy, consider changing plans 
• Red: Dangerous, stay indoors 

Yellow is the lowest alert level. However, it still means there is bad weather in Iceland. Conditions can be unpredictable. 

The level depends on how disruptive the weather will be. A lot of rain might be fine. But if that rain causes road issues? That might escalate it to a warning. 

So if it’s going to rain a lot, then no warning, but if it’s going to rain a ton and you should be careful driving and maybe check your drains, then they’ll up it to a yellow warning or higher. 

Check vedur.is to find out where the yellow warning is located and the wind speed. 

Think of a yellow warning like this:  

You probably won’t be blown off your feet, but vehicles like campers or vans can be affected by wind gusts.  

You want to be careful when driving next to mountains since the wind gusts can be strongest there. 

And that’s where you want to keep both arms on the steering wheel. 

A yellow warning is common in Iceland. If you let it stop you, you may end up doing very little.  

Here are a few pointers, though so you can stay safe out there! 

1. Regional Variability 

Not all yellow warnings are equal. A yellow warning in Reykjavík may mean breezy weather. In the South Coast or highlands, it could mean strong wind gusts. This is especially true near mountains or fjords. 

2. Driving Considerations 

Wind can be especially dangerous for rental cars, campervans, and trailers. Sudden gusts can catch side panels and push vehicles sideways, particularly near mountains and open plains. 

Pro Tip: If you’re driving a camper, keep both hands on the wheel and reduce speed in yellow zones. Use road.is and safetravel.is for real-time road alerts. 

3. Tour & Activity Adjustments 

Many tours still operate during yellow warnings, but some might be modified or canceled based on wind conditions.  

Always check with your tour provider the day before and the day of the trip. 

They may postpone activities like glacier hikes, whale watching, or ferries. 

4. Common Misunderstanding 

Many tourists overestimate or underestimate yellow warnings. 

As I mentioned, there’s no need to panic over a yellow warning. It doesn’t mean ‘danger’, but it’s not business as usual either.  

5. Emergency Numbers & Preparedness 

Just a small safety-oriented addition: 

In Case of Emergency 

• Emergency number: 112 
• Download the 112 Iceland app to share your location with responders 
• Keep your phone charged and bring a power bank 

And to explore, you’ll need to be well dressed, which leads me to… 

What to Wear in Iceland During a Yellow Warning 

You shouldn’t let a yellow warning stop your adventure.  

But if you plan on enjoying yourself, you’ll want to be well dressed.  

Here’s what you’ll want to wear: 

• Base layer: Wool or thermal top and bottoms 
• Mid layer: Fleece or a breathable sweater/hoodie 
• Outer layer: Warm, highly water-resistant, and windproof jacket and pants 
• Footwear: Gore-tex (or similar) hiking boots are a must.  
• Extras: Gloves and beanie 

No jeans, bomber jackets, umbrellas, light puffer jackets as outer layer, they don’t stand a chance. 

You definitely want to wear all the layers since the wind will drag the temperature way down.  

Tip: Always dress like it’s 5°C colder than it is, wind chill is real in Iceland. 

Outdoor Clothing Rental: A Smart Way to Stay Dry 

Packing for Iceland’s weather can be overwhelming, especially if you’re only here for a few days.  

That’s where IcelandCover comes in!  

Instead of stuffing your suitcase with bulky gear, rent the items you need to enjoy Iceland! Yellow warning or not!  

Rent top-quality gear for any weather, without stuffing your suitcase, at icelandcover.com 

Thats it! 

A yellow warning shouldn’t ruin your trip, but you should be careful nonetheless. 

I hope you have a better understanding of what a yellow weather warning in Iceland means and how to prepare for it! 

Want a deeper dive into what to pack for Iceland? Check out our complete gear guide here.