HErZ

Hans-Ertel-Center for Weather Research

The Hans-Ertel-Zentrum is a research cooperation between the German Weather Service (DWD) and currently the German universities Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Universität Hamburg, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Universität Bonn, Universität zu Köln and Freie Universität Berlin. The Hans Ertel Centre for Weather Research is focused on the following research areas:

• Atmospheric dynamics and predictability
• Data assimilation
• Model development
• Climate monitoring and diagnostic
• Optimal use of information from weather forecasts and climate monitoring for the benefit of society
• Along with the cross-cutting theme: “The optimal use of appropriate observing systems”

Within HErZ the universities of Cologne and Bonn have teamed up to exploit the use of high-resolution reanalysis (COSMO) for optimization of renewable energy applications. This is carried out in cooperation with EWI at the University of Cologne. A key question is how novel observations (especially of the atmospheric boundary layer, clouds and winds) can be used to improve the reanalysis.