The ICAM series started 1950 in Italy. Germany acted as host country in 1958 (Garmisch), 1970 (Oberstdorf), 1982 (Berchtesgaden) and 1994 (Lindau). In conjunction with the Mountain Meteorology Conferences of the American Meteorological Society, ICAM is providing a truly intercontinental forum for a large variety of issues dealing with weather and climate in mountainous regions.