Iceland hit by intense extratropical cyclone with record low pressure

An intense extratropical cyclone hit Iceland on Friday, bringing violent winds and setting a new record for the lowest atmospheric pressure recorded in October. The pressure dropped to 934.6 hectopascals (hPa) at the Fagurhólsmýri farm in southern Iceland, surpassing the previous October record set in 1963.

The storm, characterized by explosive intensification, produced wind gusts of up to 205 km/h in Hvammur. In the fishing village of Siglufjörður, the force of the wind tore roofs off two residences and an industrial building, sending debris into other structures. Other notable impacts included wind speeds of approximately 131 km/h at Vestmannaeyjar airport and power outages in Bolungarvík that required emergency energy supplies.

Rescue teams were mobilized to assist affected areas, and authorities advised residents to remain indoors. The storm's intensity is comparable to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Meteorologists note that such intense systems are common in the North Atlantic due to the meeting of cold Arctic air and warmer, moist air from the North Atlantic Current.