The basis for this is an administrative agreement between the German Meteorological Service (DWD) and the Saxon Administrative Office of Environment, Farming and Geology (LfULG). Subsequently, a joint city climate project will be carried out in the context of precautionary emergency management and against the backdrop of current climate change.
Using the city of Leipzig as an example, experts want to investigate the characteristics of unusual local climatic features in more detail. Based on the results of a general climatic analysis, they will study the structure and intensity of the inner city's heat island, i.e. the temperature difference between the centre and its immediate rural surroundings. In addition, they want to check aeration conditions. Ultimately, the results should then influence the city's planning practice.
Research facilities involved
The basis of the climate research for the city of Leipzig forms an extensive meteorological program that, as a matter of priority, includes data from the DWD meteorological network. Additionally, meteorological data from the Saxon air quality network, the weather station of the Institute for Meteorology of the University of Leipzig (Lim), the Leibniz Institute for Troposphere Research (TROPOS), as well as the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), will be taken into account.
The temporary special observational network in the Leipzig municipal area, which started working today, serves to further tighten up the data. The three weather stations provide continuous data related to air temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and wind speed for one year. The campaign will be rounded off by profile journeys made by a vehicle equipped with meteorological observation techniques.
Aim: Planning measures
With the city climate project, Leipzig will obtain current principle data for former and present climatic conditions. In the spirit of precaution planning, ways to adapt to climate change and to protect against extreme weather conditions can both be put into effect.