Daily course of meltwater

The meltwater does not leave a glacier continuously in summer. The amount depends on the temperature.

On a day with fine weather (during a normal warm period), less meltwater flows out of the glacier in the morning hours than in the late afternoon. This process is called the daily course.

Towards evening and at night the temperature drops. Less snow and ice melts. With a delay of one to a few hours, the discharge at the glacier gate begins to decrease.

After sunrise, the temperature starts to rise again. More snow and ice melts again. With a delay of one to a few hours, the discharge at the glacier gate begins to rise again.