Heavy snowfall is expected this week, and the Icelandic Met Office anticipates a considerable amount of snow in the capital area over the next few days, reports RÚV. Meteorologist Sigurður Þ. Ragnarsson says that residents of the capital area may well have to dig themselves out of their driveways but adds that the forecast should be taken with caution.

The European and American forecasts do not agree on the intensity of the snowfall.

“The American forecasts predict that it won’t amount to much. The precipitation system will mainly stay west of the country, brushing past the Reykjanes peninsula. Then, according to the American model, more precipitation is expected on Wednesday,” Sigurður said on Rás 2.

“On the other hand, the European forecasts — which are the ones we usually rely on — predict that snowfall will begin in the capital area this evening, around 22:00 to 22:30, and that the precipitation will become quite intense as the night goes on. I say this with some caution, but if this turns out to be the case, and these are the best forecasts we generally use day to day, then people will have to dig themselves out of their driveways,” he added.

If the forecast proves correct, this could be the heaviest snowfall to hit the capital area this early in the winter. However, warmer temperatures are on the horizon.

“I can promise you that although it’s cold now, and the frost will intensify as the week goes on, warmer days are already showing up in the forecast,” said Sigurður.