66° North
Just returned from eight days in Iceland and have posted a new gallery of the island. Here's one of the weather warnings from that time:
Rising stream and river levels are expected on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the Hvítá region (both west and south of Langjökull), around the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull ice caps, and south of the Vatnajökull ice cap. Travelers are cautioned against fording rivers in these regions. Mudflows (lahars) could occur on the southern slopes of Eyjafjallajökull, for example on the Svaðbælisá river. Heavy rainfall is forecast for west, south-west, south, and south-east Iceland, beginning late on Monday and lasting throughout Wednesday. In these regions, the heaviest rainfall is expected around mountains and ice caps. Cumulative rainfall amounts could exceed 150 mm over 24 hours and heavy melting of snow and ice is expected.
... a rather deep low is forecasted in the southwest and west of Iceland. Southeast winds, 10-18 m/s are expected in the southwest and west with wind gusts up to 35 m/s (i.e. 80 mph)....
Here's what that looks like, from the Reynisdrangar sea stacks along the south coast:
Fast facts from the journey:
1) Total distance driven around island: 2,100km (1,300mi)
2) Car Model: 2014 Nissan Note
3) Furthest Point North: Húsavík (66°03′N 17°19′W)
4) Exchange Rate of US Dollar to Icelandic Króna: 1 USD = 113.730 ISK
5) Best Meal: Tie between Arctic Char and Shepherd's Pie (at Guesthouse Hoffell)
6) Coolest Birding Moment: Watching an Arctic Skua at Jökulsárlón try to steal food from an Arctic Tern with a freshly-snared capelin in the tern's bill.
7) Best Quote From Laconic Icelandic Innkeeper (while describing those who drive in to try to make last-minute arrangements during high season): That is bold.
8) Needed Last-Minute Arrangements (personally): 0