Increased runoff due to ice melt in Greenland contributes to sea-level rise and flooding in coastal settlements. We reconstructed glacier runoff in northwestern Greenland in 1950–2023. Long-term modeling shows a recent increase in runoff linked to changes in atmospheric circulation, characterized by enhanced northward transport of heat and moisture. The results highlight a strong influence of atmospheric variability on glacier runoff and its impacts on local communities in northern Greenland.