I think it has to do with the weather. I recently flew on a flight after a very windy front has sweaped the destination airport and the applause was there. I remmebered thinking that all applause while the aircraft is slowing down is premature since an overrun is always a possiblity.
I did applause once in recent years when after a hard braking we managed to use a specific exit and thus shortening a delay we had.