Send article to a friend Print

Transport Meteorology

Head of the department: Dr. Thomas Gerz

Rain, hail, snow as well as strong winds, turbulence and wake vortices are weather features derogating aviation. Reliable weather forecast requires the consistent description

of dynamical processes as gravity waves and turbulence and how they interact on small and medium atmospheric scales. The department is aiming at the understanding of dynamical processes in the atmospheric boundary layer and in the upper atmosphere on one hand. On the other hand, it is dedicated to develop analysis and prediction products for obstructive weather features tailored to the needs of and applicable by aviation stakeholders. To this end, simulation and measurement technologies are pursued and improved and expert systems are assembled.

Current research highlights encompass

• composition, test and integration of expert systems for aviation to analyse and predict wake vortices, turbulence, thunderstorms, and winter weather situations,
• highly accurate simulations of wake vortices and condensation trails,
• interaction of gravity waves, turbulence and mean flow in the mesosphere, and
• dynamics of the atmospheric boundary-layer flow for the usage of wind as an energy source.

The methods employed for these purposes incorporate

• micro- und mesoscale numerical atmospheric simulation models, large-eddy simulation (LES) models and numerical weather prediction models as well as
• techniques to analyse and assess data from measurement and simulation.