Precise weather forecasts for the Alps: New measurement campaign starts!

Precise weather forecasts for the Alps: New measurement campaign starts!

Weather forecasting in mountains represents a particular challenge. Actual weather conditions often differ from forecasts, which is due to the complex terrain and air exchange processes. In order to address this problem, a comprehensive measurement campaign will take place in the Alps from mid-June to the end of July. This research is being carried out in an international context and aims to improve weather models and severe weather warnings. KIT reports that the TEAMx campaign, coordinated by the University of Innsbruck, is significantly in focus.

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) plays a central role as the project's largest partner. Advanced measurement systems are used to create a detailed data basis for recording small-scale turbulence and valley wind systems. Using the unique atmospheric observation system KITcube, which measures wind and humidity with lasers, the atmospheric processes in mountain regions are examined in detail. The project's radar measurements are also intended to investigate how moisture transport by valley wind systems can cause thunderstorms.

Research methods and technologies

The combined research efforts in the measurement campaign include the use of a research aircraft equipped with a novel laser measurement system for studying air flows. Previous measurements taken in winter documented the formation of fog and precipitation as moist air rises along mountain slopes. In total, over 25 institutions and more than 200 researchers are involved in this international initiative, as are several European weather services. KITcube is used for this purpose worldwide for integrated measurement campaigns.

The focus of the measurement campaigns is diverse: They range from hydrological cycles and their connection to global warming to local convective cells and extreme winds to the validation of regional climate models. In particular, the effects of urbanization and economic growth on various weather phenomena are also examined.

Hydrology and climate impacts in mountains

The research group Hydrology and Climate Impacts in Mountain Regions SLF and ETH Zurich focuses on hydrological and climatic extremes that are important in the context of global change. This research is important for understanding the processes that control multivariate hydroclimatic extreme events. A central goal is to improve the predictions of such extreme events through novel data sets and methodological advances in statistics, data science and climate modeling.

In summary, the TEAMx campaign is a significant step in meteorological research, especially in the Alpine regions, where weather phenomena can often change suddenly and unexpectedly. The data obtained will make an important contribution to the development of more precise weather models, which are of vital importance for the people in these regions.