Storm causes widespread disruption, but Reykjavík weathers it well
The storm that swept through the capital area this morning passed without serious incident. Civil protection emergency management noted the key factor was that the public followed instructions and stayed home while the low-pressure system moved through.
This morning proved the weather warnings were warranted, and officials appreciate that residents heeded them. The orange weather warning has now been lifted. Capital area emergency management and Reykjavík City again thank the public for staying off the roads this morning as requested. This cooperation made the work of all first responders significantly easier.
Widespread impact
The storm had widespread impact across the capital area: transportation largely ground to a halt, roads in and out of the region closed, all flights were suspended, and city bus service was discontinued. Snow removal has been under way on main roads since this morning, with crews focusing on the hardest-hit areas. Driving conditions in the city deteriorated over the past few hours, leaving icy roads throughout, and fully clearing the streets will take several more hours. Hjalti Jóhannes Guðmundsson, Head of Office for municipal land, advises people to continue staying home as much as possible so snow removal can proceed smoothly over the next few hours. Frost is expected tomorrow.
Traffic down 62%
Data from 110 traffic counting stations across the capital area shows vehicle numbers from midnight to noon dropped 62% compared to the same period yesterday. Counters recorded 566,322 vehicles during that period yesterday, March 25, compared with 217,799 today, March 26. That marks a difference of 348,523 vehicles across these stations.
Preschools and after-school programs reopening; primary schools remain closed
Preschool and after-school program operations will resume as the storm eases, but road conditions remain poor, and people are urged not to set out too early. Please note that only after-school programs will open today, as the primary school day is effectively over.
A mouse wanted in from the cold
Relatively few children turned up at the city's preschools and primary schools this morning. Of the 5,468 children enrolled in City-run preschools, 161 attended, while primary schools saw anywhere from zero to just a handful of students at each location. Schools operated with minimum staffing, and attending children were largely there due to their parents' work situations. Several attendance notifications came in but were later withdrawn — though one school received an unexpected visitor: a small mouse waiting on the doorstep, eager to escape the storm. The children who did come in enjoyed various activities with staff — playing games, watching movies, and doing crafts — making for a successful day.
The education workshop scheduled today at the University of Iceland's School of Education at Saga has been postponed. The event brings together education professionals to share projects, experiences, and knowledge. A new date will be announced in due course.
Steps taken to keep essential welfare services running
Welfare service staff responded quickly, taking action last night to ensure today's operations could run smoothly. Home care services staff delivered today's essential medications to clients' homes last night, and they shared larger vehicles for their rounds this morning. Non-essential services, such as cleaning, were postponed.
Many residents of supported apartment clusters for disabled people stayed home today rather than attending school, work, or activities, as transportation service has been suspended. Staffing at the apartment clusters was adjusted accordingly. In some cases, night-shift staff worked extended hours, while others arrived early this morning to get ahead of the storm. The same applied to staff at Mánaberg, a residence for children under Reykjavík Child Protection Services, the Droplaugarstaðir nursing home, and other workplaces where services cannot be interrupted.
Community centers for older adults across the city are open, though attendance is down and programming remains minimal. Staff served lunch as usual at the City's community centers and assisted living apartments.
Shelters for homeless people remain open throughout the day today; they normally close between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Staff made sure this message reached shelter guests. Reykjavík City's outreach and counseling team offered advice by phone and helped people find shelter before the storm hit early this morning.
Waste collection in the city
The Waste Collection Department worked from 7 a.m. until just after 9 a.m., finishing before the wind intensified and conditions peaked. Staff have gone home and no further work will take place today, but waste collection will continue tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday.
The Waste Collection Department is currently collecting waste in Árbær, Grafarholt, and Grafarvogur. This morning, crews serviced streets where conditions were most manageable, according to team supervisors. Crews will address unserviced streets when collections resume.
The Waste Collection Department is preparing for Easter, when residents typically generate more waste than usual. It is vital to maximize available collection time to serve residents, especially with impending weather threatening to disrupt operations.
Enhanced waste collection service ahead of major holidays. Working days during the week leading up to Easter will be longer, and collections will run all day on Holy Thursday, April 2. Waste collection staff will have the day off on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. Collections resume Tuesday, April 7, and post-Easter working days will be extended if needed.
The Waste Collection Department asks residents in Árbær, Grafarholt, and Grafarvogur to ensure their waste bins are accessible once the storm passes. Poor access delays collection and may result in uncollected waste.