by Hallgeir Elvehøy, December 11, 2024
After a drier than average winter on Jostedalsbreen and a warmer than average summer, the annual balances were more negative than average at both glaciers.
The winter balances at Austdalsbreen and Nigardsbreen were 79% and 91% of the 1991-2020 averages, and the summer balances were 134% and 115% of the 1991-2020 averages, respectively. The preliminary results are quite like the 2022/23-results.
All the winter snow at Austdalsbreen melted during the summer, resulting in an equilibrium line altitude (ELA) above the top of the glacier. The annual balance for 2023/24 was –2.0 m w.e., well below the 1991-2020 average of –0.6 m w.e. per year.
The annual balance for Nigardsbreen for 2023/24 was –0.6 m w.e., slightly below the 1991-2020 average of 0.0 m w.e. per year. The equilibrium line altitude (ELA) was around 1635 m a.s.l., resulting in an accumulation area ratio of ca. 50%.
The outlet glaciers from Jostedalsbreen are retreating. In 2024, the average terminus retreat for seven measured outlet glaciers was –16 meters. The observed front variations varied between 0 meter (no change) for Stigaholtbreen and –42 meters for Nigardsbreen, both in Jostedalen. The seven outlet glaciers have retreated on average 236 meters during the last 10 years, but Nigardsbreen has retreated 451 meters since 2014 and 705 meters since 2000.
2007
2024
Nigardsbreen in 2007 and 2024 seen from the parking lot at lake Nigardsbrevatnet (photos: Hallgeir Elvehøy/NVE).