Impact of inter- and intra-annual variation in weather parameters on mass balance and equilibrium line altitude of Naradu Glacier (Himachal Pradesh), NW Himalaya, India

Glaciers in Himalaya have been studied with respect to their mass balance to assess their response, if any, to global warming. Naradu glacier in the Baspa Valley of Himachal Pradesh is one such glacier that has been studied in the backdrop of the impact of inter- and intra-annual variation in weather parameters on the health of glaciers. The trends in seasonal and monthly mean temperatures from 1994 to 2003 show an interesting shift of peak summer (late August–September) and winter seasons (February–March). The data also suggest night warming during summer (June, August, and September) and winter (November, January, April), and cooling during peak summer seasons (July) and very cold during winter (December, February, March). The fluctuation in ELA, snout position and surface ablation of Naradu glacier is attributed to variation in albedo of rock debris and valley walls from season to season and year to year.