News

Reliable forecasting of extreme weather: new study supports improvement of climate models

Torrential rainfall such as that recently experienced in Spain is just one form of extreme weather event that is becoming more frequent as a result of climate change. With catastrophic consequences. Storms, droughts and heatwaves are also increasing in intensity. One of the decisive factors for the damage they cause is their duration. However, it is not yet possible to reliably predict this using current climate models. A research team led by Albert Ossó from the Wegener Center at the University of Graz has now succeeded in identifying some of the causes of this modelling problem. The new findings, which have been published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, might help to improve the accuracy of climate models and thus forecasts of extreme weather events in Europe.

Modul mit Mehrwert: Dein Studium + ein Mastermodul = Masterstudium Plus

Noch mehr Zukunft? Mit den Mastermodulen kannst du dein Masterstudium zum Masterstudium Plus machen. Konkret bedeutet das, dass du dich in zwei Semestern intensiv mit einem Zukunftsthema deiner Wahl beschäftigen kannst – von Kommunikation, Medien, Digitalisierung, Entrepreneurship über Peacebuilding bishin zu Klimawandel.

AnsprechBAR für Klimafragen

Ein Wissenschaftler, Ordensleute, Klimaaktivist:innen: Am 4.10.2024 waren klima-engagierte Menschen vor dem Kircheneck in Graz "ansprechBAR für Klimafragen"

New climate records

Whether in terms of greenhouse gas concentrations, temperatures across the globe, ocean heat and global sea level, total land area in extreme drought or the melting of Antarctica sea ice– the highest values since records began were measured in 2023. The latest international annual report on the state of the climate, published by the National Center for Environmental Information of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, documents the rapid warming of the Earth and its consequences. In 2023, El Niño acted as an additional booster. Researchers from the University of Graz also contributed to the report.

Klimaziele und Treibhausgasbudget

Klimaschutz geht uns alle an. Doch wie können Unternehmen oder Organisationen klimaneutral werden? Wo soll man anfangen? Was muss man wissen? Ein neuer Universitätskurs in Kooperation mit dem Wegener Center für Klima und Globalen Wandel vermittelt in nur einem Semester das nötige Know-how, um Unternehmen und Organisationen auf die neuen Herausforderungen in der Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung vorzubereiten und nachweislich nachhaltiger zu machen.

Extreme weather: Researchers at University of Graz study causes of heavy rain

Researchers at the University of Graz are investigating how warm Mediterranean temperatures influence the intensity of heavy rain in Austria. Their research helps to better understand the dynamics of extreme Mediterranean weather conditions.

Hunga eruption changes the atmosphere: researchers show effects

Less than a week ago, lava began to bubble up from the earth again in Iceland. In Sicily, Mount Etna does not come to rest. The eruption of a volcano can have massive consequences for a region. But its breath can also reach far beyond. During the eruption of Hunga in January 2022, the largest volcanic event of the 21st century to date, an unprecedented amount of water vapour was released into the upper atmosphere. Researchers from the Wegener Center at the University of Graz, in collaboration with colleagues from the USA, have investigated the changes in these high layers of air. They found an exceptional cooling of the stratosphere. This has far-reaching effects on the atmosphere and the climate. The study has recently been published in Communications Earth & Environment.

Extreme heat affects child mortality in Africa

It is a sustainable development goal of the United Nations to reduce child mortality to 25 deaths per 1000 livebirths in children younger than five years by 2030. The mortality rate is influenced by various factors. The role played by malnutrition and diseases such as HIV or malaria is well known. However, little is known about the connection with very high temperatures. An international study involving the University of Graz now shows that the influence of extreme heat on the risk of death in children under the age of five in Africa varies depending on age group, climate region and season. Each country must therefore take its own preventive measures tailored to the respective conditions and target groups.

More news

Greenhouse gas emissions decline in Austria: researchers reveal causes

Good news: greenhouse gas emissions in Austria fell by 6.4 percent in 2023, as announced by the Federal Ministry for Climate Action and the…

Wissens-Export nach Südostasien: Know-how zum Klimawandel für Thailand und Vietnam

„Giftiger Smog in Bangkok“ – Die gesundheitsgefährdende Luftverschmutzung in der thailändischen Hauptstadt sorgte zuletzt im Februar für Schlagzeilen.…

Economic impact: Federal Economic Chamber honors four students from the University of Graz

The Styrian Economic Chamber supports 22 business-related Master's theses, four of them at the University of Graz.

Climate change and biodiversity: Gesäuse National Park becomes an open-air laboratory

The University of Graz and the Gesäuse National Park enter into a co-operation and create a unique open-air laboratory. Water sources, forests and…

Unternehmerische Verantwortung statt Greenwashing

Ist in ihrem Unternehmen schon alles bereit für den Übergang zu einem nachhaltigen Wirtschaftssystem? Ein neuer Universitätskurs in Zusammenarbeit mit…

Heatwaves: University of Graz presents Plan for seamless early warning system

An international research team led by the University of Graz is investigating the challenges of a global early warning system for heat. The…

Dynamic Decarbonization Pathways Framework

DeCO2 kick-off meeting in Brussels

Better understanding of weather extremes: Uni Graz supports ESA mission EarthCARE

How do greenhouse gases, clouds and aerosols influence vertical radiation in the Earth's atmosphere? What role does this play in global warming and…