GEN 3.5 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES

 

GEN 3.5.1 Responsible service

The Aeronautical Meterorological Authority in Iceland is the Icelandic Transport Authority. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) is the Meteorological Watch Office (MWO) and along with Isavia the meteorological service provider for aviation in Iceland. The service is provided according to a service contract between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Isavia and a collaborating contract between Isavia and IMO.
  Icelandic Met Office 
Bustadavegi 9
IS-150 Reykjavik, Iceland
Telephone:  + 354 522 6000
Telefax:  N/A
AFS:  BIRKYMYX
E-mail: office@vedur.is
Internet:  https://en.vedur.is/weather/aviation/
  Isavia ANS 
Nautholsvegur 60-66
IS-102 Reykjavik, Iceland
Telephone:  + 354 424 4000
Telefax:  N/A
AFS:  BIRKZQZQ
E-mail: isavia@isavia.is
Internet:  https://www.isavia.is/en/corporate/c-preflight-information/aviation-weather

GEN 3.5.1.1 Appropriate Documents

The service is provided in accordance with the provisions contained in the following documents:
 
Regulation nr. 720/2019, implements regulation (EU) 2017/373 laying down common requirements for providers of air traffic management/air navigation services and other air traffic management network functions and their oversight.
 
ICAO Annex 3 - Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation.

ICAO DOC 014 – SIGMET and AIRMET Guide (EUR)

ICAO Doc 7030 - Regional Supplementary Procedures. ICAO Doc 8896 - Manual of Aeronautical MET Practices.

ICAO Doc 9328 - Manual of Runway Visual Range Observing and Reporting Practices.

ICAO Doc 9377 - Manual on Co-ordination between Air Traffic Services and Aeronautical Meteorological Services.

ICAO Doc 9634 eANP NAT region.

ICAO DOC 9691 – Manual on Volcanic Ash, Radioactive Material and Toxic Chemicals

ICAO DOC 9766 – Handbook on International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW)

ICAO DOC 10100 – Space Weather

WMO Publication No. 9 Weather Reports. WMO Technical Regulations No. 49.
Differences from ICAO Annex 3 are detailed in GEN 1.7

GEN 3.5.2 Area of Responsibility

The Icelandic Meteorological Office is the official meteorological office in Iceland and is the Meteorological Watch Office in respect to air navigation services. IMO monitors and issues warnings relating to hazardous weather phenomena in Reykjavik FIR/CTA and collects and distributes meteorological information for aviation.
Isavia ANS is responsible for METAR observations and distribution in Iceland, except for Reykjavik and Keflavik which are the responsibility of IMO. Isavia ANS also monitors and distributes information about hazardous weather phenomena.

GEN 3.5.3 Meteorological observations and reports

GEN 3.5.3.1 Surface weather observations

Airports weather reports are either made manually or with aid of automatic instruments:
  1. Routine reports METAR
    For the aerodromes at Keflavik, Reykjavik, Akureyri and Egilsstadir are disseminated 24 hours, half hourly from Keflavík, but hourly from other aerodromes.
    Keflavik reports are included in Shannon VOLMET broadcasts in Ireland (see VOLMET table).
     Local routing reports are disseminated at BIKF every thirty minutes, and at BIRK hourly during operational hours, e.g by ATIS.
  1. Special reports
    SPECI is issued whenever a significant deterioration or improvement of weather is observed between the routine observations.
    If the weather is deteriorating, SPECI is issued immediately but if it is improving, it is issued 10 minutes after the significant improvement. Keflavík Airport does not issue SPECI.  
    These reports are disseminated in the same way as METARs. SPECI may also be issued on a specific occasion on request by ATS or an operator.


  1. METAR and SPECI reports for the aerodromes at Bildudalur, Isafjordur, Gjogur, Grimsey, Husavik, Hornafjordur, Thorshofn, Vopnafjordur and Vestmannaeyjar are issued hourly during the hours of air traffic services at each airport (see AD 2.3.7).
    METAR and  SPECI reports are distributed via AMHS to ATS, airlines and OPMET databanks. They are also available at the IMO website.

GEN 3.5.3.2 Surface wind

Wind speed and direction are measured at all Icelandic airports in the following tables with cup anemometers or Ultrasonic Wind Sensors. All the anemometers are installed at about 7-10 meters above ground level. At each airport the anemometer is located so as to give readings representative of conditions on the airfield, see aerodrome charts (AD 2.24). Indicators are located in the appropriate Air Traffic Service Units. Wind speed is reported in knots.

GEN 3.5.3.3 Visibility

The visibility reported in all observations is the prevailing visibility. It is estimated from known distances in the environment. When the lowest visibility is different from the prevailing visibility, and
  1. less than 1 500 m or
  2. less than 50 per cent of the prevailing visibility and less than 5 000 m;
the lowest visibility observed should also be reported and its general direction indicated by reference to one of the eight points of the compass. If the lowest visibility is observed in more than one direction, then the most operationally significant direction should be reported. When the visibility is fluctuating rapidly, and the prevailing visibility cannot be determined, only the lowest visibility should be reported, with no indication of direction.

GEN 3.5.3.4 Runway visual range (RVR)

At Akureyri, Egilsstadir, Keflavik and Reykjavik Airports, Instrumented Runway Visual Range Systems (RVR) are installed, as indicated on aerodrome charts. RVR values are included in METARs from when either the horizontal visibility or the runway visual range is observed to be less than 1500 metres.
The lower limit of the systems is at 10 metres.
RVR is reported in increments of 25m up to 400m, 50m between 400 and 800m and 100m to the upper limiting values which is 1500m.

GEN 3.5.3.5 Cloud height

Cloud height is estimated at all airports, but with a ceilometer as an aid at Akureyri, Egilsstadir, Keflavik, Reykjavík, Isafjordur, Hornafjordur, Husavik and Vestmannaeyjar.
Cloud types are not given except for TCU and CB clouds.

GEN 3.5.3.6 Temperature / dew point

Air temperature and dew point are measured and reported in METARs from all airports.

GEN 3.5.3.7 QNH

Altimeter setting is reported in hPa which equals millibars.
 

GEN 3.5.3.8 Wind shear

Low level wind shear is not measured instrumentally at Icelandic Airports. Reports of wind shear from aircraft landing or taking off, or evidence of its existence as deduced from other available information can be included in METARs or MET-Reports (in ATIS) if of long duration. Information is given by voice regarding wind shear (of short or long durations) in the vicinity of aerodromes.

GEN 3.5.3.9 Meteorological upper air observations

Weather balloons with a radiosonde are launched twice every day at Keflavik aerodrome, at 11:00 and 23:00. IMO staff at Keflavik aerodrome perform the launches. Before launch, authorization must be given by the Keflavik air traffic control service. 
In the period from 1st September to 10th May, weather measurement balloon with radiosonde is launched once every day at 11:00 at Egilsstadir aerodrome. Egilsstadir Airport staff perform the launch. Before launch, authorization must be given by the Egilsstadir AFIS.
Irregular launches of weather balloons: In certain circumstances, i.e. during eruption, number of launches can be increased at Keflavik and Egilsstadir airport up to four times a day. Prior to launch, authorization must be given in accordance with regular launches. Information on irregular launches at Keflavik and Egilsstadir shall be published in NOTAM.
During volcanic eruption, a mobile radiosonde station can be deployed near the active volcano. It can also be deployed for research and training purposes. Weather balloons with radiosonde will be launched by IMO scientists. When the launching site is near an aerodrome, authorization must be given by the respective AFIS/ ATC services. Information on mobile radiosonde launches shall be published in NOTAM.
The results of the upper air measurements from BIKF and BIEG are published at the Icelandic Met. Office website;

https://en.vedur.is/weather/aviation/upper-air-observations/
 

GEN 3.5.3.10 Meteorological Stations

See tables GEN 3.5.3.11 (SYNOP)  & GEN 3.5.3.12 (METAR)

GEN 3.5.3.11 List of Meteorological Stations for International Air Navigation

 
INDEX NO

SYNOP

STATION 		COORDINATES HEIGHTS REMARKS
1 2 3 4 5
030 Reykjavík I. 6408N 02154W 52 m  
005 Bolungarvík 6610N 02315W 26 m  
063 Akureyri 6541N 01806W 23 m Observation taken in City
089 Egilsstaðaflugvöllur II. 6516N 01424W 23 m  
097 Dalatangi 6516N 01335W 9 m  
082 Höfn 6416N 01512W 8 m  
064 Kirkjubæjarklaustur -
Stjórnarsandur I. 		6348N 01801W 22 m  
048 Vestmannaeyjar 6324N 02017W 118 m  
018 Keflavik Aerodrome III. 6358N 02235W 47 m  
  1. Á klst. fresti / Hourly reports
  2. Synop skeyti er búið til úr sjálfvirkri athugun og METAR skeyti /
    Synop report is made from an automatic weather station and a METAR
  3. Á hálftíma fresti. Allar aðrar stöðvar athuga á 3ja klst. fresti (t.d. 00. 03. 06. o.s.frv.) / Half hourly reports. All other stations report at synoptic hours (i.e. 00. 03. 06. etc.)
 

GEN 3.5.3.12 Meteorological Stations & Webcams

Weather observations including webcams are available online at IMO ( en.vedur.is) and at the Road Service ( road.is/).

GEN 3.5.3.13 Meteorological observations and reports

Name of station / 
ICAO Location Indicator 		Type and frequency of Observation Types of MET reports Observation System and Site(s) Hours of Operation (UTC) Climatological information
1 2 3 4 5 6
BIKF -
KEFLAVÍK / Keflavik 		Half Hourly METAR Ultrasonic Wind Sensor Cup Anemometer
RWY RVR EQPT
Ceilometer 		H24

Íslenska / Icelandic

vedur.is/vedur/flugvedur/vedurfar/

Enska / English en.vedur.is/weather/aviation/climate/

 
BIRK -
REYKJAVÍK / Reykjavik 		Hourly METAR SPECI Cup Anemometer RWY RVR EQPT
Ceilometer 		H24
BIAR - 
AKUREYRI / Akureyri 		Hourly METAR SPECI Cup Anemometer RWY RVR EQPT
Ceilometer 		H24
BIEG -
EGILSSTAÐIR / Egilsstadir 		Hourly METAR SPECI Cup Anemometer RWY RVR EQPT
Ceilometer 		H24
BIBD -
BÍLDUDALUR / Bildudalur 		Hourly during ATS Operations Hours METAR SPECI Cup Anemometer See AD 2.3.7
BIIS -
ÍSAFJÖRÐUR / Isafjordur 		Hourly during ATS Operations Hours METAR SPECI Ultrasonic Wind Sensor Ceilometer See AD 2.3.7
BIGJ -
GJÖGUR / Gjogur 		Hourly during ATS Operations Hours METAR SPECI Cup Anemometer See AD 2.3.7
BIGR -
GRÍMSEY / Grimsey 		Hourly during ATS Operations Hours METAR SPECI Cup Anemometer See AD 2.3.7
BIHU -
HÚSAVÍK / Husavik 		Hourly during ATS Operations Hours METAR SPECI Cup Anemometer Ceilometer See AD 2.3.7
BITN -
ÞÓRSHÖFN / Thorshofn 		Hourly during ATS Operations Hours METAR SPECI Cup Anemometer See AD 2.3.7
BIVO -
VOPNAFJÖRÐUR / Vopnafjordur 		Hourly during ATS Operations Hours METAR SPECI Cup Anemometer See AD 2.3.7
BIHN -
HORNAFJÖRÐUR / Hornafjordur 		Hourly during ATS Operations Hours METAR SPECI Cup Anemometer Ceilometer See AD 2.3.7
BIVM -
VESTMANNAEYJAR / Vestmannaeyjar 		Hourly during ATS Operations Hours METAR SPECI Ultrasonic Wind Sensor Ceilometer See AD 2.3.7

GEN 3.5.4 Types of Services

All aeronautical meteorological services are provided by the Icelandic Meteorological Office 24 hours a day. These services are available through direct contact with meteorologist or through the Internet.
  1. Personal briefing by a meteorologist is only available at the IMO headquarters, close to the Reykjavik airport (Bustadavegi 9).
    For users at other airports, a personal briefing by a meteorologist is provided by telephone.
    Information can be obtained by calling the direct number:
    Tel: + 354 522 6310.
  1. Weather information for aviation can also be reached on the IMO website.
  1. For international flights, the flight documentation comprises a significant weather chart (SWC), upper wind and upper air temperature charts and the latest available aerodrome forecasts for the destination and its alternate aerodromes as well as SIGMET, satellite pictures etc.
  1. Low level flight conditions over Iceland are prepared three times a day in English and are intended for domestic flights, both VFR and IFR, up to FL180.

    The time of validity is:
    At 07:00-12:00, issued before 06:30,
    At 12:00-17:00, issued before 11:30 and
    At 17:00-23:00, issued before 16:30.

    The low-level flight conditions over Iceland contain descriptions and forecasts of the main weather components such as surface winds, winds and temperature at FL050, FL100 and FL180, visibility, weather phenomena, clouds, freezing level, ice and turbulence. Any other important weather phenomena is also reported.

    Area forecasts for low-level flights (Low-Level SIGWX charts) are issued (as a minimum) three times per day. The time of validity is:

    At 06:00, issued before 02:00,
    At 12:00, issued  before 09:30 and
    At 18:00, issued before 16:30
    If there are significant changes from the forecast, an amendment shall be issued. 
The Icelandic Transport Authority has determined that the density of traffic operating below flight level 100, or up to flight level 150 in mountainous areas, or higher, does not warrant the issue of AIRMET.
  1. Aerodrome meteorological reports METAR are issued as listed in GEN 3.5.3.11.

GEN 3.5.4.1 Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)

 
Name of Station Type of Services Hours of Service Time of Validity Time of Issue
1 2 3 4 5
Keflavík – BIKF
Reykjavík – BIRK
Egilsstaðir – BIEG
Akureyri – BIAR 		TAF
TAF AMD
TAF COR 		H24 00 - 24
03 - 03
06 - 06
09 - 09
12 - 12
15 - 15
18 - 18
21 - 21 		23
02
05
08
11
14
17
20
Ísafjörður – BIIS
Bíldudalur – BIBD
Húsavík – BIHU
Hornafjörður – BIHN
Gjögur – BIGJ Grímsey – BIGR Þórshöfn – BITN
Vestmannaeyjar – BIVM
Vopnafjörður - BIVO 		TAF
TAF AMD
TAF COR

During ATS Hours of Service

See AD 2.3.7 		During ATS Hours of Service See AD 2.3.7 08 - XX
11 - XX
14 - XX
17 - XX

**

*

07:30
10:30
13:30
16:30
* Time of Issue: Initial TAF issued after the first METAR from the aerodrome, then according to these times.
Note that TAF is only issued for ATS Hours of Service. 
** Time of Validity: Minimum 2 hours up to 9 hours, depending on ATS Hours of Service.

GEN 3.5.5 Notification required from operators

Flight documentation for scheduled flights is in accordance with a signed agreement. Requests from operators for flight documentation for nonscheduled flights or a changed flight schedule should preferably be requested at least 2 hours before ETD (estimated time of departure).
The request shall comprise all necessary details concerning planned flights (ref. ICAO Annex 3, chapter 2, paragraph 2.3.4).
When meteorological information has been collected well in advance of the ETD, the meteorological office should be consulted before departure for a possibly amended briefing.

GEN 3.5.6 Aircraft Reports

Pursuant to Annex 3, Chapter 5, significant meteorological conditions encountered during flights within Reykjavik FIR/ CTA and during the climb-out or approach phases of flights at aerodromes in Reykjavik FIR/ CTA shall be reported to the MET Office in Reykjavik.
No formal MET Reporting Points have been established. Reports shall be in accordance with Regional Supplementary Procedures, Doc 7030.
These reports can be reported at IMO website as PIREP: 

https://en.vedur.is/weather/aviation/pirep

GEN 3.5.7 VOLMET Service

 
Name of Station Call Sign 
ID (EM) 		Frequency Broadcast Period Hours of Service Aerodromes Included Contents / Format / Remarks
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
KEFLAVIK SHANNON VOLMET 3413 KHZ HN
(during night)

5505 KHZ
H24

8957 KHZ
H24

13264 KHZ
HJ
(during day)

H+00 to H+25

and
 

H+30 to H+55 		H24 KEFLAVIK Nil
 
Volmet service is provided for the Keflavik airport through Shannon VOLMET in Ireland.

GEN 3.5.8 SIGMET Service

GEN 3.5.8.1 General

For the safety of air traffic, IMO maintains an area meteorological watch and warning service. This service consists of a continuous weather watch within the Reykjavik FIR/CTA and the issuance of appropriate information (SIGMET).

GEN 3.5.8.2 Area meteorological watch service

The area meteorological watch service performed by the Icelandic Meteorological Office, includes dissemination of meteorological information to the ATS Units within the Reykjavik FIR/CTA and issuing SIGMETs.
A SIGMET message is issued when any of the following phenomena is occurring or expected to occur within the Reykjavik FIR/CTA:
 


SIGMET Tegund /
SIGMET Type

Tilgreind fyrirbæri á flugleið /
Specified en-route phenomena

Orð sem táknar fyrirbærið í SIGMETi /
Term to be used for phenomena  in SIGMET

Bókstafur fyrir fyrirbæri í raðnúmeri /
First Letter in sequence number for phenomena


WC

Tropical cyclone

TC (+ name)

C


Fyrir sendingu WC prófunarskeyta /
For WC exchange test purposes

TC (+ name)

X


WV

Volcanic ash

VA

A


Fyrir sendingu WV prófunarskeyta /
For WV exchange test purposes

VA

Y


WS

Þrumuveður /
Thunderstorm    

TS (GR)

T


Mikil kvika /
Severe turbulence    

SEV TURB

U


Mikil ísing /
Severe icing    

SEV ICE

I


Frostrigning  /
Freezing rain

FZRA

F


Miklar fjallabylgjur /
Severe mountain waves    

SEV MTW

M


Víðáttumikið moldrok /
Heavy dust storm    

HVY DS

D


Víðáttumikill sandbylur /
Heavy sandstorm    

HVY SS

S


Geislavirkt ský /
Radioactive cloud

RDOACT CLD 

R


Fyrir sendingu WS prófunarskeyta /
For WS exchange test purposes

 

Z


 
The three-character sequence number has a first letter identifying the phenomenon (see table above), followed by two numeric characters corresponding to the number of SIGMET issued for that phenomenon since 00.01 UTC on the day concerned. 
The period of validity is up to four hours, except up to six hours for Volcanic Ash SIGMETs.
SIGMETs are usually renewed 30 minutes before expiry, if necessary. 
Note that in case of an exercise, a SIGMET will be identified with an “EXER” at the beginning of the message.
Based on request from users, SIGMETs over oceanic areas are not issued unless an observation of the phenomena has been reported.
 
Name of MWO /
Location Indicator 		Hours FIR or CTA
served 		Type of
SIGMET
validity 		Specific Procedures ATS
Unit
served 		Additional Information
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Reykjavik-BIRK H24 Reykjavik FIR/
CTA

Weather SIGMETs for
Reykjavik FIR/
CTA
 

Volcano
SIGMETs for
Reykjavik FIR/
CTA consisting
of preeruption
warnings, and
also warnings
during the
eruptions 		NIL Reykjavik
ACC
RCC
TWR

Languages:
English and Icelandic
Charts Available:
S, U, P, W, T
 

MET information/ flight
folders are available from
flight dispatchers, for
example at Keflavik Airport.
 

If requested, flight folder
and weather briefing by a
meteorologist is available
by telephone at IMO
Reykjavik tel: +354 5226310
Note:
Charts Available:
S = surface analysis (current chart);
U = upper air analyses (3 = 300 h Pa);
P = prognostic upper air chart;
W = significant weather chart;
T = tropopause chart
 
SIGMETs are broadcasted through ATIS at Keflavik, Reykjavik and Akureyri airports as applicable.
Reykjavik Oceanic Control Center transmits information about SIGMETs affecting the respective flight to pilots flying in BIRD CTA, through CPDLC, Iceland Radio or on control frequencies.
 

GEN 3.5.9 Other automated meteorological services

Meteorological data for aviation is available online, https://en.vedur.is/weather/aviation/ and at Northavimet https://www.northavimet.com
Password Access can be obtained from Northavimet.