Articles | Volume 1, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-1-497-2020
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-1-497-2020
Research article
 | 
29 Sep 2020
Research article |  | 29 Sep 2020

A Lagrangian analysis of the dynamical and thermodynamic drivers of large-scale Greenland melt events during 1979–2017

Mauro Hermann, Lukas Papritz, and Heini Wernli

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AR by Mauro Hermann on behalf of the Authors (17 Jul 2020)  Author's response   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to revisions (further review by editor and referees) (14 Aug 2020) by Helen Dacre
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (24 Aug 2020) by Helen Dacre
RR by Xavier Fettweis (01 Sep 2020)
RR by Stefan Hofer (10 Sep 2020)
ED: Publish as is (21 Sep 2020) by Helen Dacre
AR by Mauro Hermann on behalf of the Authors (21 Sep 2020)  Author's response   Manuscript 
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Short summary
We find, by tracing backward in time, that air masses causing extensive melt of the Greenland Ice Sheet originate from further south and lower altitudes than usual. Their exceptional warmth further arises due to ascent and cloud formation, which is special compared to near-surface heat waves in the midlatitudes or the central Arctic. The atmospheric systems and transport pathways identified here are crucial in understanding and simulating the atmospheric control of the ice sheet in the future.