Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos

Widespread thermophilization but weak link to climate warming in Europe’s summit plant communities

Abstract Recent changes in alpine vegetation are often attributed to climate warming, particularly community composition shifts towards more warmth-associated species, or thermophilization. Here we assess the link between thermophilization and warming across 53 European mountain...

Middle atmosphere chemical and dynamical effects in the CCMI-2022 stratospheric aerosol injection scenario

Abstract. Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) could slow surface warming, however, potential side effects include changes in stratospheric ozone and changes in regional surface temperatures and precipitation resulting from tropical lower stratospheric warming. Previous multi-mo...

How ice apron loss and permafrost degradation promoted the Platteikogel rock slope failure: a thermo-mechanical reconstruction

Abstract. The Alpine cryosphere changes at unprecedented speed, affecting the thermal, hydrological, and mechanical state and behaviour of rock slopes. While numerous studies investigated singular drivers for progressive rock slope failures, the knowledge of hydro-thermo-mechanic...

Long range transport of Canadian wildfire smoke to Europe in 2023: aerosol properties and spectral features of smoke particles

Abstract. The Canadian wildfires of 2023 had an unprecedented biomass burning season spanning from mid-April to late October. Towards the end of this long biomass burning season, there was a rare observation of smoke properties that occurred in about a week interval, that were di...