New measuring devices at the Sonnblick Observatory

A new lidar system, the Vaisala CL61, was installed on the roof of the valley station of the cable car in Kolm-Saigurn. With this system, it is now possible to measure backscatter polarization as well as cloud heights. This additional information enables a differentiated determination of aerosols and bioaerosols as well as a more precise classification of cloud types. The system thus makes a significant contribution to the improved characterization of atmospheric layers.

An OTT Parsivel was installed on the measurement terrace at the Sonnblick Observatory to record the distribution of precipitation and total precipitation. The optical disdrometer measures the size and falling speed of precipitation particles and thus provides high-resolution data on the type of precipitation. In future, these measurements are to be combined with the existing precipitation methods at Sonnblick and systematically compared in order to further improve the quality and consistency of precipitation measurements.