gloo-guh-veh-thur | /ˈklʏcːɪˈvɛːðʏr/
Gluggaveður is an Icelandic term meaning window weather. It refers to the kind of day that may look appealing but is best enjoyed from the warmth and comfort of indoors. A clear, sparkling morning and fresh snow may entice you to venture outside, only to discover the air is viciously cold. On the other hand, if the sun is shining and the air is warm, your boss might just declare a sólarfrí, a spontaneous sun holiday!
Despite its name, Iceland is not as cold as popularly imagined, the temperatures being moderated by the Gulf Stream delivering relatively warm waters up from the eastern coastline of the United States and Canada. That said, the weather is very changeable and extremely windy, hence there being over one 150 Icelandic terms to describe it. An andvari is just a slight breeze, nothing to worry about. A blástur is a notch or two stronger but still not a problem. A snarpur is a brisk, sharp wind that might make you think twice about that bike ride. During mannskaðaveður, you’d have to be crazy to even consider heading outdoors for fun – it literally translates as injury weather.
If the weather’s taken a turn for the worse in south-eastern Norway, it’s buvær – shack weather. In Finland, if venturing outdoors really doesn’t appeal, you can always indulge in kalsarikännit – staying home and getting drunk in your underwear!
Introduction Aeolian Alpenglow Apricity Asperous
Benthos Crepuscular Crispate Crown shyness
Desire lines Dreich Endragoned Edgelands
Frondescence Fumarole Gluggaveður Gossamer
Karst Komorebi Lawrence Long acre
Machair Monkey’s wedding Moonglade
Psithurism Quartz Rakuyou Roaring forties
Snag Soft estate Specular, diffuse and pellucid
Spoondrift Steam fog Swash zone Sylvan