Glacio-metrological measurements of Patsio glacier, Himachal Pradesh (India), Western Himalaya

We present the glacio-metrological measurements on the Patsio glacier, located in the Lahaul-Spiti region, Himachal Pradesh, western Himalaya. In-situ annual and seasonal mass balance measurements have been monitored since 2010 and 2012 respectively. Subsequently, an automatic weather station was installed in the summer of 2015. The baseline investigations show a large variability in meteorological conditions during different seasons. Summer was warm and calm, whereas winter is cold and windy with high precipitation, especially snow. Peak ablation months were July and August. Mean annual temperature over the study period was low (-6.3 °C). January recorded as the coldest month and July as hottest corresponding to a mean of -16.8 and 4.28 °C, respectively. Two contrasting wind flow over the Patsio glacier valley was prominent. The persistent katabatic flow was observed during the winter season and up-valley wind in summer. A classic Temperature Index Model was used to estimate the melt from the Patsio glacier, for the years 2016 and 2017. Degree-day factor (DDF) for various components (snow, ice, and debris covered ice) was estimated using field data. High DDFs for snow, ice, and debris-covered ice were observed compared to other studies. The simulated results (snow and ice) were in good agreement with observed data (R2 = 0.88 in 2016 and 0.93 in 2017). Temperature is the main governing factor in inducing the melt. This study gives insight the metrological conditions together with snow and ice melt of Patsio glacier situated in the high and dry region of the Himalaya.