Abstract
Highlights
- The 2016 melt season on the Greenland ice sheet continued the overall increasing melding trend, with enhanced melt occuring in the southwest and northeast regions.
- The onset of surface melt ranked 2nd (after 2012) over the 37-year period of record (1979-2016), with the duration of the melt season longer than usual in the northeast (~30-40 days) and along the west coast (~15-20 days). Ice loss measured in-situ at high elevation in the southwest was the 2nd highest in the 27-year measurement period, beginning in 1990.
- Albedo was the 5th lowest in the 17-year period of record (beginning in 2000) for both July and summer averages, with particularly low values along the southwest coast.
- Widespread above average surface air temperatures were observed in the west and the south, with many observational sites setting new records for the spring (MAM) and summer (JJA) seasons and in individual months.
- The 2016 melt season on the Greenland ice sheet continued the overall increasing melding trend, with enhanced melt occuring in the southwest and northeast regions.
- The onset of surface melt ranked 2nd (after 2012) over the 37-year period of record (1979-2016), with the duration of the melt season longer than usual in the northeast (~30-40 days) and along the west coast (~15-20 days). Ice loss measured in-situ at high elevation in the southwest was the 2nd highest in the 27-year measurement period, beginning in 1990.
- Albedo was the 5th lowest in the 17-year period of record (beginning in 2000) for both July and summer averages, with particularly low values along the southwest coast.
- Widespread above average surface air temperatures were observed in the west and the south, with many observational sites setting new records for the spring (MAM) and summer (JJA) seasons and in individual months.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Arctic Report Card 2016 |
Subtitle of host publication | Persistent warming trend and loss of sea ice are triggering extensive Arctic changes |
Publisher | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
Number of pages | 9 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2016 |
Programme Area
- Programme Area 5: Nature and Climate