A total solar eclipse crosses Iceland on Wednesday 12 August 2026. The cloud forecast is published through maps covering different cloud levels and forecast dates.
The outlook for eclipse day
Iceland is close to overcast from end to end. The best chance of a break in the cloud sits around Breidafjordur, and the Westfjords in particular, with northern Iceland drier than the south. The capital region and Reykjanes have the poorest prospects of the day.
That summary comes from the afternoon update published by Gottvedur.is at 16:00 on 11 August, valid for 18:00 on eclipse day: the afternoon update for the 12 August eclipse.
Regional Cloud Outlook
- Capital Region and Reykjanes: Overcast, persistent rain or showers, and low chance of clearing.
- Snaefellsnes: Dry early, turning to intermittent afternoon rain, with a small chance of late breaks near Breidafjordur.
- Westfjords: Mostly dry for much of the day with high clouds and a better probability of medium-level breaks, especially in the northwest.
Sources: Gottvedur.is and RUV.
Why the altitude of the cloud decides your day
Not all of that overcast blocks the sun equally, which is the single most useful thing to understand today.
- Low cloud is what actually hides an eclipse. Breaks in it are expected in the Westfjords and the north.
- Medium cloud gaps are considered more likely in eastern and southeastern Iceland.
- High cloud is the least obstructive. Sunlight gets through it relatively easily, so a sky that reads as cloudy can still show the eclipse.
The forecasters attach a warning to their own maps that is worth carrying with you: small gaps in a forecast cloud field should be treated with caution. A gap predicted a day ahead is not a promise.
Follow the live cloud forecast, not this page
This page is a guide to reading the forecast. It is not the forecast. Conditions on eclipse day are changing by the hour, and the fronts were still weakening as the last update went out, so the only sensible plan is to check a live source shortly before totality.
Gottvedur.is publishes the most detailed running commentary on Icelandic cloud cover for this event, in English, and is the site to follow through the afternoon. The official maps behind it are at en.vedur.is, from the Icelandic Meteorological Office.
Who publishes the cloud forecast for Iceland
Vedurstofa Islands, the Icelandic Meteorological Office, publishes cloud cover forecast maps for Iceland at vedur.is. The maps are the Icelandic Meteorological Office's published cloud cover forecasts.
Cloud is forecast by altitude, not as one number
The Icelandic Meteorological Office publishes separate maps for low and mid-level cloud, lower cloud, middle cloud and high cloud. A composite map is published alongside these altitude-based maps, giving the forecast several map views rather than a single cloud layer.
The forecast is for the days before, not the moment
The cloud cover maps are forecasts for dates ahead of the current date. They are published as a series of maps through each forecast day, so the forecast is presented across dates rather than as a single snapshot.
What the authorities ask you to do with it
Authorities recommend that people inside the path of totality watch from their homes or their local area. In most parts of western Iceland, it is possible to experience the eclipse from home or nearby surroundings.
Designated viewing areas have been set up in urban locations. People are encouraged to use these areas rather than remote sites.
Roads before cloud
Travellers are advised to allow for longer travel times, arrive early, and delay departure until after the eclipse. They are also advised to bring medication, food, water and appropriate clothing.
Make sure there is enough fuel or battery charge for the car. Traffic on eclipse day is managed with road closures and one-way routes in the path of totality. The current plan is published by Vegagerdin at road.is, and umferdin.is carries the interactive traffic map for eclipse day, which is the one to have open if you are moving at all this afternoon.
Two more official sources worth a look before you set off: safetravel.is for conditions and alerts, and island.is for the national eclipse guidance, including the designated viewing areas.
Comparing Reykjavik tours
Checking sun times for the day
Check sunrise, sunset and day length for a chosen date and place in Iceland with the daylight tool.
Deciding with the forecast in hand
What the day looks like across the country is in the 2026 solar eclipse guide, and the places to choose between are in where to watch the eclipse.
If you are driving to one of them, read driving on eclipse day first. Booked seats avoid the question: see the eclipse tour comparison page.
