The extra amount of energy from solar radiation trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels affects numerous most relevant processes in atmosphere and weather patterns – from heat and droughts to rain and floods. Weather extremes are increasing. Our climate changes, a climate which has been remarkably stable during millennia of human civilization. Earth system science disentangling the mechanisms at work is the very foundation for assessing the risks.
Weather, Extremes & Atmosphere
What happens high up in the sky affects everyone’s life down on the ground. This is one of our research topics.
News
Press Release
70 years of data show adaptation reducing Europe’s flood losses
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Press Release
Tropical bird populations reduced by a third since 1980, compared to a world without climate change
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News
PIK develops a new global, high resolution data set of atmospheric rivers
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Press Release
Weather station in Potsdam shows driest first half-year since measurements began over 130 years ago
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Press Release
Weak winds key factor in 2023 extreme North Atlantic heatwave – marine heatwaves set to worsen
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News
New study identifies causal links behind the increase in hot and dry extremes in Central Europe
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News
Leonie Wenz awarded Piers Sellers Prize 2024
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News
Katja Frieler: Climate Impact Professorship at the University of Potsdam
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News
Resonant planetary waves contributed to Pacific Northwest Heat Dome event of 2021
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People
Senior Scientist
