veður

Veður is the Icelandic word for weather, referring to the atmospheric conditions at a given place and time. It covers current conditions, short-term forecasts, and broader climate patterns. In everyday language, the definite form veðrið means “the weather,” as in gott veður today.

Etymology: The word comes from Old Norse veðr and is cognate with other Germanic words for weather, such as English weather and German Wetter. It is also related to Scandinavian terms in neighboring languages, such as Norwegian vær and Danish vejr.

Usage and related terms: Veðrið appears in common phrases like gott veður (good weather) or slæmt veður (bad weather). The science of weather is veðurfræði, and a weather forecaster or meteorologist is a veðurfræðingur. A weather forecast is veðurspá. The broader concept of climate can be referred to as veðurlag.

Institutions and culture: In Iceland, accurate weather information is essential for travel, safety, and daily life. The Icelandic Meteorological Office, Veðurstofa Íslands, provides forecasts, warnings, and climate data for the public and for researchers. Weather and climate are frequent topics in media and conversation, reflecting Iceland’s variable climate and reliance on outdoor activity and maritime activity.