News

Time to look back at the snow depth development of the past winter. On May 28, 2021, the previous maximum of 585cm total snow depth could be measured at the measuring point. This measuring point is about 300m away from the observatory and is measuring since 2012. The previous maximum heights were 566cm on May 28th, 2015 and 560cm on May 30th, 2019. From the graphic you can clearly see that the…

Dear Ladies and Gentleman, We are aware, that many of you like to stay in the mountains and also a ski tour on the Hohen Sonnblick is a worthwhile destination here. Unfortunately, there has been an increasing number of illegal property infringements in recent times, in which skiers were climbing on the roof of the Observatory or the measuring terraces. We cannot tolerate this because, on the…

Goodbye after 40 years of employment at Sonnblick Observatory 26.04.2021 - the last working day for Ludwig Rasser at the Sonnblick Observatory. In his 40 years at Mt. Hoher Sonnblick, our Lug experienced all the upheavals and changes from a weather station to a modern research station. ZAMG and especially the Sonnblick team wish you all the best for your new phase of life. Thank you for many…

From March 16-18 a proven measuring and collecting method was brought back to life at the Sonnblick Observatory (SBO). For cloud in situ monitoring within the framework of ACTRIS (European research infrastructure for aerosols, clouds and trace gases, www.actris.eu), a test run for cloud water sampling was carried out as part of the internal project "ASBO". Dr. Anne Kasper-Giebl,…

Sonnblick Observatory records increase in SO2 due to volcanic activity of Mount Etna. A clearly measurable increase in the measured SO2 concentration at the Sonnblick observatory is most likely due to the recent eruption of the Etna volcano in connection with a south-westerly current. During the last eruption in the night of 24.02.21 to 25.02.21, Etna again spat fire and ashes and pushed this…

Saharan dust again at Sonnblick Observatory As in the beginning of February, a Saharan dust event was recorded on the Hohen Sonnblick this week. The forecasts of the ZAMG showed a spread of the dust masses from the direction of the western Mediterranean. The origin can also be easily seen in the trajectories of 23.02. If, theoretically, the current measurement of the Sonnblick observatory (50…

In the period 05.-07.02.2021 a Saharan dust event could be measured and observed at the Sonnblick Observatory. Through the WMO Dust - Forecast (https://dust.aemet.es/forecast) one could prepare early for the arrival of the dust masses. The analysis of the event showed that the dust masses were due to the western area of the Sahara. They finally reached Austria via the Mediterranean Sea, Spain,…

Last Friday, September 18th, 2020, the annual general meeting of the Sonnblick Association took place in the rooms of the International Salzburg Association, due to CoVid  with distance and a small number of visitors. In addition to items on the agenda, the withdrwal of Dr. Franz Schausberger as the 1st chairman of the Sonnblick Association takes center stage. Dr. Schausberger has been…

The Sonnblick Observatory offers the special opportunity to experience the daily routine of the unique research station located in 3.106 m above sea level in the Austrian Alpes in form of an internship. I was very honoured, when I was told that my application for the 14-day internship at the observatory was accepted. After the experience, I have to say that my expectations were far more then…

The densely crowded, upside down hibernate and drawing from the summer fat reserves is over. The first bats are already slowly leaving their caves and searching for insects. Since April 6th, 2019, the 'Waldbox' (forest box) incl. Batcorder (ultrasound detector) is ready to record the sounds of the bats. Karin Widerin from the Coordination Center for Bat Protection and Research in Austria…