Sea temperature and currents

Water temperatures and surface currents in the fjord areas around Leikanger and Balestrand

Torbjørn Dale, Department of Marine Life Studies, Sogn og Fjordane University College, Sogndal

The Sognefjord Swim Festival has not been scheduled for the beginning of August by chance. Air temperatures in the region generally peak in July, but water temperatures tend to peak later.

Normally, Leikanger enjoys an average air temperature of 15 °C in July (see figure 1). In 2004, however, the warmest air temperatures were registered as being 17 °C in August. In September, temperatures dropped rapidly to between 10-11 °C.

Figure 1. Average air temperature (°C) compared to temperatures in 2004, measured at Njøs Research Centre (data: Planteforsk).

Fjord conditions and water temperatures

The water temperature in Sognefjord at Menes, near Balestrand, in 1996 (figure 2) coincides with air temperatures for the area. At the end of August, the maksimum temperature at a depth of 0 m and 4 m was approximately 15.5 °C. In September the temperature at 0 m fell quickly to approximately 12 °C, while at 4 metres, cooling was slower and the water temperatures stayed around 14 °C.

Figure 2. Water temperature readings at Menes at depths of 0 m and 4 m depth in 1996 (data: Vidar Trettenes, Marine Life Studies).

The conditions for Sognefjord and Esefjord can very well vary from the temperatures measured at Menes.