Dear Gautier Davesne and co-authors,

I have examined your revision and responses to the Reviewers’ comments. The first reviewer notes that the revised version of the manuscript can be published after some minor revisions and clarifications. The second reviewer suggests reconsideration after major revisions. I find that your responses are satisfactory.

Based on the Reviewers recommendation and my assessment of your responses, the editorial decision is that your paper may be acceptable for publication after minor revisions (Editor review). My comments are included below.

Be sure to meet all recommendations on the guidelines for quickest processing of the revised manuscript.

Thank you for your substantial effort in addressing the first round of reviewer comments. We look forward to receiving your final revision.

Sincerely,
Ketil Isaksen
Guest Editor
The Cryosphere

---------------
Editor comments:

P1, Abstract: I miss some more information (a sentence or two) in the abstract and conclusions related to your results on the snow physical and thermal properties. You made great efforts on snow thickness sounding, excavation of snow pits for observations of snow stratigraphy and measurement of density and temperature variations – which were important contributions to your study.

P2, L60-63: The drill sites presented in Isaksen et al. (2001, 2007) have deep and extensive permafrost with MAGT at e.g. 100 m depth between -2.5 and 3 °C. Studies from Scandinavia at similar sites as yours that address the influence of snow cover on mountain permafrost at wind-swept sites are published in Farbrot et al., (2011, 2013) and Isaksen et al. 2011. Thus you should replace Isaksen et al. (2001, 2007) with these references.

Farbrot H, Hipp T, Etzelmüller B, Isaksen K, Ødegård RS, Schuler TV, Humlum O. 2011. Air and ground temperature variations observed along elevation and continentality gradients in Southern Norway. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes. DOI: 10.1002/ppp733

Farbrot H, Isaksen K, Etzelmüller B, Gisnås K. 2013. Ground Thermal Regime and Permafrost Distribution under a Changing Climate in Northern Norway. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes. DOI: 10.1002/ppp.1763

Isaksen K, Ødegård RS, Etzelmüller B, Hilbich C, Hauck C, Farbrot H, Eiken T, Hygen HO, Hipp TF. 2011. Degrading mountain permafrost in southern Norway - spatial and temporal variability of mean ground temperatures 1999-2009. Permafrost Periglacial Processes. DOI: 10.1002/ppp.728

P17, L510: In other parts of the paper 30 cm is used. Try to be consistent on these values or use e.g. 30-40 cm.

Dear authors,

I am pleased to announce that your paper is accepted for publication in The Cryosphere.

Sincerely,
Ketil Isaksen
Guest Editor
The Cryosphere