Max-Planck-Institute for Meteorology: Search

13.

Past and Future Variability of Extreme Storm Floods in the southern North Sea The low-lying coasts of the southern North Sea are particularly exposed to extreme sea levels (ESL) in form of storm floods. Due to anthropogenic climate change, the risk of flooding is expected to increase in the future (IPCC, 2019). Adequate and timely coastal protection relies on estimates of expected heights and frequencies of such ESL events, particularly of the policy-relevant high-impact-low-probability…

14.

Franziska Glassmeier heads new Lise Meitner Research Group at the MPI-M

Portrait of Franziska Glassmeier, in the background elements from the atrium of the MPI-M

A new Lise Meitner Research Group focusing on "Multiscale Cloud Physics" has started at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. The team led by Franziska Glassmeier is dedicated to answering the pressing question of how structures in cloud fields influence the Earth's climate.

15.

Multiscale Cloud Physics – Lise Meitner Group

Our research is motivated by the complex processes and interactions within the climate system and we develop approaches to capture this complexity. We especially explore the multiscale nature of the atmosphere as manifested through clouds: Microscopic cloud droplets and cloud ice form with the help of even smaller atmospheric aerosols. Zooming out, they fuse into the fractal shapes of individual clouds which puzzle the casual observer. Taking a bird's-eye view from space, we can see that…

16.

Permafrost thaw: Gradual change or climate tipping point?

Photograph of a thawing permafrost area in Siberia. The landscape shows a steep erosion edge with slumped soil and peat blocks, as well as flowing mud patterns downhill. In the background, two people in bright clothing are examining the site. The surrounding area is flat and tundra-like, with sparse vegetation.

Global warming leads to Arctic permafrost thaw and the subsequent release of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. These changes are considered irreversible and, in some cases, abrupt, which has led to discussion whether permafrost might be a tipping element in the climate system. Researchers have compiled the currently available knowledge on how permafrost responds to climate change. They concluded that changes in permafrost are gradual at the global scale but abrupt on a local…

17.

Multi-million-euro funding awarded for CLICCS research

The University of Hamburg’s Cluster of Excellence for climate research CLICCS – “Climate, Climatic Change, and Society” has been honored for its pioneering research focus and awarded a further seven years of funding, as announced yesterday by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and German Science and Humanities Council (WR).

18.

History of the Institute

Our History - 50 Years of Climate Research Our History - 50 Years of Climate Research

19.

A puzzling temperature pattern in the tropical Pacific

The tropical Pacific not only impacts the weather in various regions of the world, but also determines the overall response of the climate system to anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. Thus, understanding the processes in this region is crucial for the development of medium- and long-term adaptation strategies. Currently, however, climate change in the tropical Pacific is unfolding in a way that climate researchers did not expect. But the working group of Sarah Kang, Director at the Max…

20.

More than 100 scientists join the Hamburg node of the WCRP Global Km-Scale Hackathon

Researchers from around the globe gather, virtually and physically, for the first World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Global Km-Scale Hackathon, a coordinated effort to accelerate research using regional and global climate simulations at unprecedented kilometer-scale resolution. The event is taking place simultaneously at ten research institutions on five continents across nine time zones. The Hamburg node, hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, kicked off on May 12, with more…

21.

Referee information

IMPRS-ESM Call for Applications - Request for Reference Letter IMPRS-ESM Call for Applications - Request for Reference Letter Dear Referee, The ‘International Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling’ (IMPRS-ESM) in Hamburg kindly asks for your support with our recruitment. One of our applicants chose you to comment on their academic qualification for doctoral study. Your recommendation letter will be essential in the selection process. We highly appreciate your open and…

22.

The influence of volcanic aerosol on climate depends on temperature

Photograph of the Earth shot from the International Space Station with visible volcanic ash cloud

Stratospheric sulfate aerosol, as produced by large volcanic eruptions, cools the Earth and has been discussed as a climate engineering method. However, the understanding of how this aerosol affects the planet's radiation budget has been incomplete until now. Using a simple model, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology have broken down the key processes and shown that the cooling effect depends on the Earth’s surface temperature.

23.

Improving predictions of hot summers in Europe

blue sky with glistening sun below left and loose cloud above right

Hot summers in Europe can be better predicted if anomalies in the North Atlantic heat transport are properly taken into account, according to a study by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. The new method can potentially be applied to decadal climate predictions to provide valuable information for specific user groups in the future.

24.

Biodiversity researcher Camille Parmesan receives BBVA Award

American ecologist Camille Parmesan received the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the category of Climate Change and Environmental Sciences. The award recognizes Parmesan's pioneering work in demonstrating the geographic displacement of flora and fauna due to global warming, which has profound implications for public health, agriculture, and fisheries. The laureate was announced in April by Bjorn Stevens, chair of the selection committee and director at the Max Planck Institute…