The Climate of Iceland

Iceland is fairly unique when it comes to climate. There are only 2 prominent seasons: winter and summer. Considering the geographical location, Iceland's winter is exceptionally mild with average temperatures ranging from 14 °F to 32 °F. Summer weather averages around 50-55 °F, with a record high of 86.9 °F (recorded in 1939). Is indicated by the map, these temperatures can indeed be viewed as mild, despite the location:

Iceland is part of a greater pressure system, referred to as the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO). This climate phenomenon consists of the fluctuations of the atmospheric pressure at sea level between the Icelandic Low and Azores High, taking place in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Icelandic Low is the semi-permanent low atmospheric pressure center found between Iceland and southern Greenland. Depending on the strength of the Icelandic Low and Azores High, the strength and direction of westerly winds and storms across the North Atlantic are effected. The NAO even effects storm paths of tropical cyclones and hurricanes.

As discussed in class, in order for a hurricane to form, there needs to be a strong Coriolis Effect, high sea surface temperature, few changes in wind speed, lots of water vapor, and convergence to trigger. That being said, though Iceland's low pressure system certainly contributes to hurricane and storm paths, it is rarely effected by such natural disasters itself.

Instead, Iceland's natural disasters seemingly always involve its overabundance of volcanic activity and earthquakes. As previously discussed in this blog, the high level of volcanic activity is due to the fact that Iceland, and specifically The Crack of Silfra is a result of, the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meeting. However, something a little more exclusive to Iceland and other volcanic areas occurs when the ash from the volcanic eruption interacts with the water, ice, and hail to create an electric charge...AKA Volcanic Lightning!

I mean, can you really get anything more badass than volcano lightning?

The answer is no. No, you cannot get more badass than this.