Above average mass balances at Austdalsbreen and Nigardsbreen in 2021/2022

by Hallgeir Elvehøy, January 3, 2023

After a fairly moist winter at Jostedalsbreen, the 2022 summer was colder than average and consequently the annual balances were above average.

The winter balances at Austdalsbreen and Nigardsbreen were 105% and 110% of the 1991-2020 averages, and the summer balances were 83% and 80% of the 1991-2020 averages, respectively.

At Austdalsbreen on the northern part of Jostedalsbreen, about one meter of winter snow remained after the summer, resulting in an equilibrium line altitude (ELA) about 1435 m a.s.l. The annual balance for 2021/22 was -0.1 m w.e., well above the 1991-2020 average of -0.6 m w.e. per year.

At Nigardsbreen about 3 meters of snow remained on the glacier plateau, resulting in an equilibrium line altitude (ELA) around 1440 m a.s.l. The annual balance for 2021/22 was +0.8 m w.e., well above the 1991-2020 average of 0.0 m w.e. per year. At the glacier tongue at an altitude of about 600 m a.s.l., 7 meters of ice melted between May and September 2022.

Dominantly negative mass balances at Jostedalsbreen since year 2000 have resulted in a marked retreat of the outlet glaciers. Seven observed glaciers have retreated on average 535 meters during the last 20 years. In 2022, the observed retreat varied between -12 meters for Austerdalsbreen in Veitastrond and -65 meters for Tuftebreen in Jostedalen. The average terminus retreat for seven outlet glaciers was -29 meters.

Mass balance stake on Nigardsbreen (1730 m a.s.l.), 20 September 2022 (photo: Hallgeir Elvehøy/NVE).