Snow and Atmosphere
Head: Dr. Ruzica Dadic
Contents
The Research Unit investigates the physical properties of snow and its exchange processes with the soil and atmosphere. The aim is to understand the formation of alpine natural hazards such as avalanches, floods and slope instabilities and of the interactions between the cryosphere and climate change. To this end, the unit also studies the microstructure and metamorphism of snow.
Our research is an essential basis for understanding the macro-level changes in the snowpack, as avalanche formation, water transport in the snowpack and interactions of snow with vehicles and sports equipment. This makes it possible to find out what role snow and wet or frozen ground play in the formation of natural hazards, how they influence the Earth's climate and how global climate change affects the permafrost formation.
The experiments in this unit take place in laboratories (cold labs, computer tomograph, wind tunnel) and on test areas in the field. The results flow into the development of numerical model systems that are applied in climate analysis and natural hazard warning. We regularly supply snow hydrological analyses to the responsible offices at the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) to prevent and predict flood situations during snowmelt.
The research unit works with partners within WSL, with research institutions in cryosphere research, with partners in the field of high-performance computing and model development, as well as with warning and local safety services and industry.
Topics
Projects
Research Groups and Staff
Snow and Atmosphere
Head of Research Unit |
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Visiting scientist |
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Temporary / Lecturer |
Hydrology & Climate Impacts in Mountain Regions
Groupleader / Assistant professor |
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Master student |
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Postdoc |
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Scientific staff member |
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PhD student |
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PhD student |
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Master student |
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PhD student |
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PhD student |
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PhD student |
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Postdoc |
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Master student |
Snow Hydrology
Groupleader |
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Scientific staff member |
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PhD student |
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PhD student |
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Scientific staff member |
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Visiting scientist |
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Scientific staff member |
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PhD student |
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PhD student |
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Scientific staff member |
Snow Physics
Groupleader |
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PhD student |
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Scientific staff member |
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Visiting scientist |
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Civil service employee |
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Technical staff member |
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Postdoc |
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PhD student |
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Scientific staff member |
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Technical staff member |
Snow Climatology and Monitoring
interim Groupleader |
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Software engineer |
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Postdoc |
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PhD student |
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Temporary employee |
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Software developer |
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Specialist in winter sports |
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Master student |
Snow Processes
Trainee |
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Visiting scientist |
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Scientific staff member |
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Postdoc |
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Master student |
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PhD student guest |
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Scientific staff member |
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Postdoc |
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PhD student |
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Visiting scientist |
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Visiting scientist |
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Scientific staff member |
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Visiting scientist |
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Joint Professorship |
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Guest |
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Visiting scientist |
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PhD student guest |
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PhD student guest |
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Scientific staff member |