Home / Editor's Pick /

Large low-pressure area: Stormy Icelandic system brushes Scotland

13:30
14 December 2023

Large low-pressure area
Stormy Icelandic system brushes Scotland

Pressure mapA large low-pressure area passing over Iceland is also affecting Scotland.

A large low-pressure system currently hanging over Iceland is also delivering strong winds in the north of the UK today.

Gusting winds are particularly strong in Scotland's Western Isles and the Shetland Islands, although the gusts of around 30 mph cannot compare to the harsh winds which are reaching up to 90 mph in some small areas of Iceland.

Stronger winds are expected Friday afternoon, with highs approaching 50 mph in the far north of Scotland around Kinlochbervie.

As the day progresses, high-pressure from the Atlantic pushes north over the UK and Ireland, helping to calm the winds and bring drier, more settled weather to our shores.

For Iceland, the stormy low-pressure system continues pushing north-east, reaching the far north of Scandinavia by the weekend. In doing so, a channel of stronger winds returns to Scotland by Saturday.

The latest from Grindavík

Meanwhile in Iceland, a month on from being evacuated, the residents of Grindavík are still waiting to return home. Despite seismic activity easing after fears of an imminent volcanic eruption destroying the town.

Weather & Radar reporter Marco Kaschuba was in Grindavík for us in November.

More than 3,000 people were evacuated on November 10 after swarms of earthquakes were recorded alongside land deformities. Although activity has quietened, an eruption of Fagradalsfjall is not ruled out.

Volcanoes often go through a quiet period after the initial burst of activity, before erupting. Experts in the country say that their view is unchanged, and that at this time it remains unsafe for anyone to return.

Even without an eruption, impacts from the seismic activity alone has already resulted in around £57.1 million in damages. The situation remains closely monitored, and we will bring you any updates regarding an eruption.

Interview with Icelandic volcanologistread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Map comparison showing 44 degrees in Indulkana and minus 51 degrees in Olenyok. Coloured temperature ranges show stark global contrasts.
Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Global extremes

Almost 100 degrees difference in temperature
Weather map showing temperatures and a 4,542 mile route arrow over the Atlantic. Symbols indicate sun, clouds and precipitation from North America to Europe.
Wednesday, 17 December 2025

From Europe to America

Weather front over 4,500 miles long
pinecones
Thursday, 11 December 2025

Winter helpers

How pine cones aid the weather forecast
All weather news
This might also interest you
Friday, 22 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Sunny start for some, overcast later
Monday, 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList