This Report is an overview of climate monitoring in Austria in collaboration with governmental institutes, universities and alpine organisations. The first part gives short introductions to the contributing institutes. The second part is structured into two climate monitoring domains, the atmospheric climate observing system and the terrestrial climate observing system. All institutions present their climate observation network and measurement methods. An information sheet summarizes where the data records can be found and lists the contact person appointed by the institution.
Global Climate Observing System Austrian Inventory Report 2017
Austria’s landscape consists of high mountains and valleys in the west and lowlands in the eastern part of the country. While this composition may be perceived as quite idyllic, it poses a major challenge when measuring meteorological parameters and monitoring long term changes of the climate. For example, when observing meteorological parameters under the extreme conditions of an Alpine summit, one will be faced with higher demands to the instruments in use.
In Austria several institutions own observation networks designed for their specific needs. These networks build the fundamental basis to understand the impact of climate change. Various aspects of the change need to be observed, covering rockslide due to melting permafrost as well as woods or plants facing infestation with vermin. These changes and modifications in our environment make it increasingly important to document the changes and exchange experiences with other countries.
In 2012 a national coordination GCOS office was set up in Austria (Austrian GCOS Secretariat) located at the national weather service, the Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG). Periodic meetings have been established and attended by several institutions.
This document is a record of climate monitoring in Austria in accordance with the Implementation Plan of the WMO Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). More information about the impact of climate change in Austria can be found in the Austrian Assessment Report 2014 - AAR14 which is based on the IPCC structure and process. In this extensive work, more than 200 scientists depict the state of knowledge on climate change in Austria and the impacts, mitigation and adaptation strategies, as well as the associated known political, economic and social issues (http://www.ccca.ac.at/de/apcc/).
Find the full report here.
Last Update : Nov 2018
