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Atmospheric blocking events over Greenland have been linked to sudden, rapid melt of the Greenland ice sheet. The runoff from the ice sheet, and subsequent flow in local rivers, can also be sudden, extreme, and damaging to local civil infrastructure. The purpose of this study was to acquire on-the-ground measurements of atmospheric and stream flow metrics during a blocking event over Greenland. Such information was acquired. Observations via on-site measurements are compared with atmospheric reanalysis and modeling products. This comparison gives insight into the mechanism that caused the sudden, severe melt. In-river measurements taken upstream of an existing hydraulic structure were used to estimate flow in the river. At the local level, results quantify the impact of additional melt from blocking on river flow and seasonal volume. Commentary on the global effect of additional freshwater release and sediment transport resulting from a blocking event is also provided. Observation of precursors to the extreme flow may also provide a basis for warning of impending extreme streamflow, which is of value to communities adjacent to the Greenland ice sheet.
Metzger et al. (Sun,) studied this question.