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 16.04.2024.
AA1 0/// Sekken (Halden).Ice-free. 15.01.2024
AA2 0/// Singlefjorden (Halden).Ice-free. 15.01.2024
AA3 33// Svinesund - Halden (Halden).Open pack ice. 4/10-6/10 ice.Grey-white ice. 15-30 cm. 15.01.2024
AA4 0/// Torbjørnskjær (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 04.12.2023
AA5 0/// Struten (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
AA6 0/// Løperen (Fredrikstad).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
BB1 0/// Østerelva (Fredrikstad).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
BB2 0/// Leira (Fredrikstad).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
BB3 0/// Vesterelva (Fredrikstad).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
BB4 0/// Rauøyfjorden (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
BB5 0/// Verlebukta (Moss).Ice-free. 02.03.2024
BB6 0/// Mossesundet (Moss).Ice-free. 23.02.2024
CC1 0/// Oslo - Spro (Oslo).Ice-free. 16.01.2024
CC2 0/// Spro - Drøbak (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 16.01.2024
CC3 0/// Drøbak - Filtvet (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 16.01.2024
CC4 0/// Filtvet - Gullholmen (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 16.01.2024
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. 16.01.2024
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. 16.01.2024
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. 16.01.2024
4001 Port of Oslo-Vesthavna-Revier kaia/Bjørvika.Close pack ice. 6/10-8/10 ice.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation difficult or dangerous for wooden vessels without ice sheathing. 16.01.2024
4001 Port of Oslo-Østhavna-Bispevika/Sørenga.Close pack ice. 6/10-8/10 ice.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation difficult or dangerous for wooden vessels without ice sheathing. 16.01.2024
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. 16.01.2024
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. 16.01.2024
4001 Port of Oslo-Sydhavna-S.Sjursøykai/Tank utst.Close pack ice. 6/10-8/10 ice.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation difficult or dangerous for wooden vessels without ice sheathing. 16.01.2024
3001 Port of Oslo-Sydhavna-Bekkelaget/OrmsundOpen pack ice. 4/10-6/10 ice.New ice. Less than 5 cm.Pancake ice, ice cakes, brash ice. Less than 20m across.Navigation difficult or dangerous for wooden vessels without ice sheathing. 16.01.2024
CC5 0/// Drammensfjorden (Drammen).Ice-free. 28.03.2024
CC6 0/// Breiangen (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 14.02.2024
DD1 0/// Langrunnen (Horten).Ice-free. 01.03.2024
DD2 0/// Gullholmen - Mefjordbåen (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.03.2024
DD3 0/// Mefjordbåen - Fulehuk (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.03.2024
DD4 0/// Fulehuk - Færder (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
DD5 0/// West Færder (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
DD6 0/// South Færder (Oslofjorden).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
EE1 0/// Torgersøygapet (Tønsberg).Ice-free. 27.12.2023
EE2 0/// Husøysund (Tønsberg).Ice-free. 27.12.2023
EE3 82/3 Tønsberg indre havn (Tønsberg)Fast ice.Grey ice. 10-15 cm.Navigation without icebreaker assistance possible only for high-powered vessels of strong construction and suitable for navigation in ice. 27.12.2023
EE4 6963 Vestfjorden (Tønsberg).Compact pack ice. 10/10 ice.Ice predominately thicker than 30 cm.Compacted slush or shuga, or compacted brash ice.Navigation without icebreaker assistance possible only for high-powered vessels of strong construction and suitable for navigation in ice. 21.02.2024
EE5 0/// Leisteinløpet (Tønsberg).Ice-free. 27.12.2023
EE6 0/// Vrengen (Tønsberg).Ice-free. 27.12.2023
FF1 0/// Tjømekjæla (Tønsberg).Ice-free. 27.12.2023
FF2 0/// Sandefjorden (Sandefjord).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
FF3 0/// Inside Svenner (Sandefjord).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
FF4 0/// Outside Svenner (Sandefjord).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
FF5 121/ Larviksfjorden (Larvik).Open water. Less than 1/10 ice.Grey ice. 10-15 cm.Small ice floes. 20-100m across. 09.01.2024
FF6 0/// Langesundsbukta (Porsgrunn).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
GG1 0/// Breviksfjorden (Porsgrunn).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
GG2 0/// Frierfjorden (Porsgrunn).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
GG3 0//0 Jomfrulandsrenna (Kragerø).Ice-free.Navigation unobstructed. 18.03.2024
GG4 0//0 Outside Jomfruland (Kragerø).Ice-free.Navigation unobstructed. 18.03.2024
GG5 0//0 Skåtøysund (Kragerø).Ice-free.Navigation unobstructed. 18.03.2024
GG6 0//0 Langårsund (Kragerø).Ice-free.Navigation unobstructed. 18.03.2024
HH1 0/// Kragerøfjorden (Kragerø).Ice-free. 18.03.2024
0//0 Kilsfjorden (Kragerø).Ice-free.Navigation unobstructed. 18.03.2024
0//0 Hellefjorden (Kragerø).Ice-free.Navigation unobstructed. 18.03.202
HH2 0/// Grønholmsgapet (Risør).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
HH3 0/// Stangholmgapet (Risør).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
HH4 0/// Lyngørfjorden (Tvedestrand).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
HH5 0/// Outside Lyngør (Tvedestrand).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
HH6 0/// Tvedestrandsfjorden (Tvedestrand).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
II1 0/// Tromøysund (Arendal).Ice-free. 26.03.2024
II2 0/// Galtesund (Arendal).Ice-free. 26.03.2024
II3 0/// Inside Torungen (Arendal).Ice-free. 26.03.2024
II4 0/// Outside Torungen (Arendal).Ice-free. 26.03.2024
II5 0/// Grimstad (Grimstad).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
II6 0/// Inside Homborsund (Grimstad).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
JJ1 0/// Outside Homborsund (Grimstad).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
JJ2 0/// Lillesand (Lillesand).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
JJ3 0/// Kristiansandsfjorden (Kristiansand).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
JJ4 0/// Outside Oksøy (Kristiansand).Ice-free. 01.12.2023
JJ5 0//0 Farsund.Ice-free.Navigation unobstructed. 21.02.2024
KK1 7734 Sauda Fast ice with pack ice outside.Ice predominately thinner than 15 cm.Big ice floes. 500-2000m across.Navigation proceed in lead or broken ice-channel without assistance of an ice breaker. 08.12.2023
LL1 9344 Nærøyfjorden.Lead in very close or compact pack ice or along the fast ice edge.Grey-white ice. 15-30 cm.Vast or giant ice floes. More than 2000m across.Navigation proceed in lead or broken ice-channel without assistance of an ice breaker. 10.01.2024
MM1 8131 Surnadalsfjorden.Fast ice.Light nilas. 5-10 cm.Big ice floes. 500-2000m across.Navigation difficult or dangerous for wooden vessels without ice sheathing. 07.02.2024
NN1 0/// Beistadfjorden.Ice-free. 07.12.2023
NN2 0/// Follafoss.Ice-free. 07.12.2023
OO1 0/// Namsos.Ice-free. 01.12.2023
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. 16.04.2024
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. 16.04.2024
Area codes
|
Kode |
Område |
Kode |
Område |
|
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).
|
|
Amount and arrangement of Sea ice. |
| 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 |
Navigation conditions in ice. |
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 |
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.