Norwegian Ice Service

We provide the national ice service for vessel traffic. This includes updated information on ice conditions in Norwegian waters from the Swedish border to Kristiansand, and information on icebreaking in the main and secondary fairways outside port areas. Ice reports are available from December 1 to March 31.

In sub-zero temperatures, the ice thickens in fjords and the narrow straits along the coast of southern Norway. Throughout the winter season, we monitor and report on the ice situation from the Swedish border in the east to Rogaland in the southwest.

Ice reports

See our latest updates on ice for individual ports and fairways last update 05.04.2023.

AA1 0/// Sekken (Halden).Ice-free. 11.12.22

AA2 0/// Singlefjorden (Halden).Ice-free. 11.12.22

AA3 31// Svinesund - Halden (Halden).Open pack ice. 4/10-6/10 ice.Light nilas. 5-10 cm. 11.12.22

AA4 0/// Torbjørnskjær (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.22

AA5 0/// Struten (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.22

AA6 0/// Løperen (Fredrikstad).Ice-free. 01.12.22

BB1 0/// Østerelva (Fredrikstad).Ice-free. 01.12.22

BB2 0/// Leira (Fredrikstad).Ice-free. 01.12.22

BB3 0/// Vesterelva (Fredrikstad).Ice-free. 01.12.22

BB4 0/// Rauøyfjorden (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.22

BB5 0/// Verlebukta (Moss).Ice-free. 21.02.23

BB6 0/// Mossesundet (Moss).Ice-free. 21.02.23

CC1 0/// Oslo - Spro (Oslo).Ice-free. 21.03.23

CC2 0/// Spro - Drøbak (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 21.03.23

CC3 0/// Drøbak - Filtvet (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 21.03.23

CC4 0/// Filtvet - Gullholmen (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 21.03.23

0000 Port of Oslo-Vesthavna-Filipstad/Hjortnes.Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 21.03.23

0000 Port of Oslo-Vesthavna-Pipevika/Akershuskai.Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 21.03.23

0000 Port of Oslo-Vesthavna-Vippetangen.Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 21.03.23

2000 Port of Oslo-Vesthavna-Revier kaia/Bjørvika.Very open pack ice. 1/10-4/10 ice.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 21.03.23

0000 Port of Oslo-Østhavna-Bispevika/Sørenga.Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 21.03.23

0000 Port of Oslo-Østhavna-Grønlia.Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 21.03.23

0000 Port of Oslo-Østhavna-Kongshavn/Sjursøya N.Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 21.03.23

3211 Port of Oslo-Sydhavna-S.Sjursøykai/Tank utst.Open pack ice. 4/10-6/10 ice.Grey ice. 10-15 cm.Small ice floes. 20-100m across.Navigation difficult or dangerous for wooden vessels without ice sheathing. 21.03.23

2211 Port of Oslo-Sydhavna-Bekkelaget/OrmsundVery open pack ice. 1/10-4/10 ice.Grey ice. 10-15 cm.Small ice floes. 20-100m across.Navigation difficult or dangerous for wooden vessels without ice sheathing. 21.03.23

CC5 0/// Drammensfjorden (Drammen).Ice-free. 05.04.23

CC6 0/// Breiangen (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 14.02.23

DD1 0/// Langrunnen (Horten).Ice-free. 24.02.23

DD2 0/// Gullholmen - Mefjordbåen (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 24.02.23

DD3 0/// Mefjordbåen - Fulehuk (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 24.02.23

DD4 0/// Fulehuk - Færder (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.22

DD5 0/// West Færder (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.22

DD6 0/// South Færder (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.22

EE1 0/// Torgersøygapet (Tønsberg).Ice-free. 31.01.23

EE2 8345 Husøysund (Tønsberg).Fast ice.Grey-white ice. 15-30 cm.Vast or giant ice floes. More than 2000m across.Icebreaker assistance can only be given to vessels suitable for navigation in ice and of special size. 31.01.23

EE3 8353 Tønsberg indre havn (Tønsberg).Fast ice.Grey-white ice. 15-30 cm.Rafted ice.Navigation without icebreaker assistance possible only for high-powered vessels of strong construction and suitable for navigation in ice. 31.01.23

EE4 8555 Vestfjorden (Tønsberg).Fast ice.White ice,second stage. 50-70 cm.Rafted ice.Icebreaker assistance can only be given to vessels suitable for navigation in ice and of special size. 31.01.23

EE5 0/// Leisteinløpet (Tønsberg).Ice-free. 31.01.23

EE6 0/// Vrengen (Tønsberg).Ice-free. 31.01.23

FF1 0/// Tjømekjæla (Tønsberg).Ice-free. 31.01.23

FF2 0/// Sandefjorden (Sandefjord).Ice-free. 01.12.22

FF3 0/// Inside Svenner (Sandefjord).Ice-free. 01.12.22

FF4 0/// Outside Svenner (Sandefjord).Ice-free. 01.12.22

FF5 0/// Larviksfjorden (Larvik).Ice-free. 01.12.22

FF6 0/// Langesundsbukta (Porsgrunn).Ice-free. 12.12.22

GG1 0/// Breviksfjorden (Porsgrunn).Ice-free. 12.12.22

GG2 0/// Frierfjorden (Porsgrunn).Ice-free. 12.12.22

GG3 0/// Jomfrulandsrenna (Kragerø).Ice-free. 03.04.23

GG4 0/// Outside Jomfruland (Kragerø).Ice-free. 03.04.23

GG5 0/// Skåtøysund (Kragerø).Ice-free. 03.04.23

GG6 0/// Langårsund (Kragerø).Ice-free. 03.04.23

HH1 0/// Kragerøfjorden (Kragerø).Ice-free. 03.04.23

0/// Kilsfjorden (Kragerø).Ice-free. 03.04.23

0/// Hellefjorden (Kragerø).Ice-free. 03.04.23

HH2 0/// Grønholmsgapet (Risør).Ice-free. 01.12.22

HH3 0/// Stangholmgapet (Risør).Ice-free. 01.12.22

HH4 0/// Lyngørfjorden (Tvedestrand).Ice-free. 01.12.22

HH5 0/// Outside Lyngør (Tvedestrand).Ice-free. 01.12.22

HH6 0/// Tvedestrandsfjorden (Tvedestrand).Ice-free. 01.12.22

II1 0/// Tromøysund (Arendal).Ice-free. 08.03.23

II2 0/// Galtesund (Arendal).Ice-free. 08.03.23

II3 0/// Inside Torungen (Arendal).Ice-free. 08.03.23

II4 0/// Outside Torungen (Arendal).Ice-free. 08.03.23

II5 0/// Grimstad (Grimstad).Ice-free. 01.12.22

II6 0/// Inside Homborsund (Grimstad).Ice-free. 01.12.22

JJ1 0/// Outside Homborsund (Grimstad).Ice-free. 01.12.22

JJ2 0/// Lillesand (Lillesand).Ice-free. 01.12.22

JJ3 0/// Kristiansandsfjorden (Kristiansand).Ice-free. 01.12.22

JJ4 0/// Outside Oksøy (Kristiansand).Ice-free. 01.12.22

JJ5 0000 Farsund.Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 19.12.22

KK1 0143 Sauda Ice-free.Light nilas. 5-10 cm.Vast or giant ice floes. More than 2000m across.Navigation without icebreaker assistance possible only for high-powered vessels of strong construction and suitable for navigation in ice. 08.12.22

LL1 0000 Nærøyfjorden.Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 07.02.23

MM1 0000 Surnadalsfjorden.Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 07.02.23

NN1 0/// Beistadfjorden.Ice-free. 01.12.22

NN2 0/// Follafoss.Ice-free. 01.12.22

OO1 0/// Namsos.Ice-free. 01.12.22

PP1 0000 Kirkenes Havn (Sør Varanger).Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 05.04.23

PP2 0000 Bøkfjorden (Sør Varanger).Ice-free.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation unobstructed. 05.04.23

Area codes

Kode Code	Område Area	Kode Code	Område Area
AA1	Sekken (Halden)	FF4	Outside Svenner (Sandefjord)
AA2	Singlefjorden (Halden)	FF5	Larviksfjorden (Larvik)
AA3	Svinesund - Halden (Halden)	FF6	Langesundsbukta (Porsgrunn)
AA4	Torbjørnskjær (Oslofjorden)	GG1	Breviksfjorden (Porsgrunn)
AA5	Struten (Oslofjorden)	GG2	Frierfjorden (Porsgrunn)
AA6	Løperen (Fredrikstad)	GG3	Jomfrulandsrenna (Kragerø)
BB1	Østerelva (Fredrikstad)	GG4	Outside Jomfruland (Kragerø)
BB2	Leira (Fredrikstad)	GG5	Skåtøysund (Kragerø)
BB3	Vesterelva (Fredrikstad)	GG6	Langårsund (Kragerø)
BB4	Rauøyfjorden (Oslofjorden)	HH1	Kragerøfjorden (Kragerø)
BB5	Verlebukta (Moss)	HH2	Grønholmsgapet (Risør)
BB6	Mossesundet (Moss)	HH3	Stangholmgapet (Risør)
CC1	Oslo - Spro (Oslo)	HH4	Lyngørfjorden (Tvedestrand)
CC2	Spro - Drøbak (Oslofjorden)	HH5	Outside Lyngør (Tvedestrand)
CC3	Drøbak - Filtvet (Oslofjorden)	HH6	Tvedestrandsfjorden (Tvedestrand)
CC4	Filtvet - Gullholmen (Oslofjorden)	II1	Tromøysund (Arendal)
CC5	Drammensfjorden (Drammen)	II2	Galtesund (Arendal)
CC6	Breiangen (Oslofjorden)	II3	Inside Torungen (Arendal)
DD1	Langrunnen (Horten)	II4	Outside Torungen (Arendal)
DD2	Gullholmen - Mefjordbåen (Oslofjorden)	II5	Grimstad (Grimstad)
DD3	Mefjordbåen - Fulehuk (Oslofjorden)	II6	Inside Homborsund (Grimstad)
DD4	Fulehuk - Færder (Oslofjorden)	JJ1	Outside Homborsund (Grimstad)
DD5	West Færder (Oslofjorden)	JJ2	Lillesand (Lillesand)
DD6	South Færder (Oslofjorden)	JJ3	Kristiansandsfjorden (Kristiansand)
EE1	Torgersøygapet (Tønsberg)	JJ4	Outside Oksøy (Kristiansand)
EE2	Husøysund (Tønsberg)	KK1	Sauda
EE3	Tønsberg indre havn (Tønsberg)	LL1	Nærøyfjorden
EE4	Vestfjorden (Tønsberg)	MM1	Beistadfjorden
EE5	Leisteinløpet (Tønsberg)	MM2	Follafoss
EE6	Vrengen (Tønsberg)	NN1	Namsos
FF1	Tjømekjæla (Tønsberg)	PP1	Kirkenes Havn(Sør Varanger)
FF2	Sandefjorden (Sandefjord)	PP2	Bøkfjorden(Sør Varanger)
FF3	Inside Svenner (Sandefjord)

Ice codes

The Norwegian Ice Service provides ice codes from ”The Baltic Sea Ice Code”. The code consists of four sections; AB-SB-TB-KB. See description below.

Please see ”The Baltic Sea Ice Code” for more detailed description and images of ice types. A complete ice report consists of an area code followed by an ice code (for example CC1 4111).

AB 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 /	Amount and arrangement of Sea ice. Ice-free. Open water. Less than 1/10 ice. Very open pack ice. 1/10-4/10 ice. Open pack ice. 4/10-6/10 ice. Close pack ice. 6/10-8/10 ice. Very close pack ice. 8/10-9/10 ice. Compact pack ice. 10/10 ice. Fast ice with pack ice outside. Fast ice. Lead in very close or compact pack ice or along the fast ice edge Impossible to report
SB 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 /	Stage of development (ice thickness) New ice. Less than 5cm. Light nilas. 5-10cm. Grey ice. 10-15cm. Grey-white ice. 15-30cm. White ice, first stage. 30-50cm. White ice, second stage. 50-70cm. Medium first year ice. 70-120cm. Ice predominately thinner than 15cm. Ice predominately 15-30cm. Ice predominately thicker than 30cm. No info. or unable to report.
TB 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 /	Topography or form of ice Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across. Small ice floes. 20-100m across. Medium ice floes. 100-500m across. Big ice floes. 500-2000m across. Vast or giant ice floes. More than 2000m across. Rafted ice. Compacted slush or shuga, or compacted brash ice. Hummocked or ridged ice. Thaw holes or many puddles on ice. Rotten ice. No information or unable to report.
KB 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 /	Navigation conditions in ice. Navigation unobstructed. Navigation difficult or dangerous for wooden vessels without ice sheathing. Navigation difficult for unstrengthened or low-powered vessels built of iron or steel. Navigation for wooden vessels even with ice sheathing not advisable. Navigation without icebreaker assistance possible only for high-powered vessels of strong construction and suitable for navigation in ice. Navigation proceeds in lead or broken ice-channel without the assistance of an icebreaker. Icebreaker assistance can only be given to vessels suitable for navigation in ice and of special size. Icebreaker assistance can only be given to vessels of special ice class and of special size. Icebreaker assistance can only be given to vessels after special permission. Navigation temporarily closed. Navigation has ceased / Unknown.

Ice class

Swedish – Finnish Ice Class	Det norske Veritas Ice Class	For navigation in	Istykkelse
1A Super	ICE-1A*	Extremely difficult ice-conditions Ekstreme isforhold	› 100 cm
1A	ICE-1A	Difficult ice-conditions Vanskelige isforhold	› 50 - 100 cm
1B	ICE-1B	Moderately difficult ice-conditions Moderate isforhold	30 – 50 cm
1C	ICE-1C	Easy ice-conditions Lette isforhold	15 – 30 cm
II	ICE-C	Very easy ice-conditions Meget lette isforhold	10 – 15 cm

Icebreaking

When the ice thickens and settles, the Norwegian Coastal Administration ensures that icebreakers clear the way. Icebreakers in Norway are private tugboats that are particularly suitable for icebreaking. During severe winters, we mobilize more resources from the Coast Guard, the Norwegian Coastal Administration and other private enterprises.

It is our responsibilty to keep the main and secondary fairways navigable. Port areas and the municipalities' sea areas are otherwise the responsibility of the municipalities / port authorities.

BIM

Norway is a member of BIM (Baltic Icebreaker Management), an international icebreaker collaboration involving Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Germany and Denmark. The cooperation seeks to increase competence and cooperation between the nations.