HErZ: The German Hans Ertel Centre for Weather Research
AbstractIn 2011, the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development laid the foundation of the Hans Ertel Centre for Weather Research [Hans Ertel Zentrum fur Wetterforschung (HErZ) in order to better connect fundamental meteorological research and teaching at German universities and atmospheric research centers with the needs of the German national weather service Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) The concept for HErZ was developed by DWD and its scientific advisory board with input from the entire German meteorological community. It foresees core research funding of about EUR2,000,000 yr 1 over a 12 yr period, during which time permanent research groups must be established and DWD subjects strengthened in the university curriculum. Five priority research areas were identified: atmospheric dynamics and predictability, data assimilation, model development, climate monitoring and diagnostics, and the optimal use of information from weather forecasting and climate monitoring for the benefit