European cloud research on Sonnblick – salzburg.ORF.at
Science
The Sonnblick Observatory in Rauris (Pinzgau) becomes the European center for cloud research. The ZAMG thus functions as a role model for weather stations throughout Europe. The results and successful measuring devices are then to be networked in the Europe-wide weather and climate research project ARCTIS.
Clouds are actually something very common and yet their interior is largely unexplored. That is about to change at a good 3,100 meters above sea level on the Sonnblick: the interaction of aerosols, clouds and trace gases is measured and examined in the observatory.
How do clouds work?
The Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) will use it to collect important data for weather and climate research, explains the head of the observatory, Elke Ludewig. “With these cloud parameters that we record – such as the liquid water content or the droplet spectra that we analyze – we help us to better understand how clouds function.” There are still many unanswered questions in this area, says Ludewig – “What interactions are there between these tiny particles and the cloud? How does that work with the climate?”
For the first time longer-term data is collected
So far, clouds have been studied in individual projects, but now, for the first time, data can be obtained directly from the clouds over a period of years. According to Ludewig, you need this direct data set in order to understand how it all works. “Because today we have nice weather, tomorrow it may be foggy again and otherwise these connections could not be determined.”
ZAMG invests 100,000 euros annually in the new project. Preparations are currently underway and full operation will start in 2025.