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Measurement Methods in Meteorology and Climate Research
Messmethoden in der Meteorologie und Klimaforschung
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:08:15
Abstract
The course provides the physical, technical, and theoretical basics for measuring physical quantities in the atmosphere. Also, considerations related to the planning of observation campaigns and to data evaluation are discussed.
Objective
Aims of the course are: - to become sensitive for specific problems when making measurements in the atmosphere under severe environmental conditions - to gain knowledge of the different measurement methods and techniques - to develop criteria for the choice of the optimal measurement method for a given problem - to find the optimal observation strategy in terms of choice of instrument, frequency of observation, accuracy, etc.
Content
Problems related to time series analysis, sampling theorem, time constant and sampling rate. Theoretical analysis of different sensors for temperature, humidity, wind, and pressure. Discussion of effects disturbing the instruments. Principles of active and passive remote sensing. Measuring turbulent fluxes (e.g. heatflux) using eddy-correlation technique. Discussion of technical realizations of complex observing systems (radiosondes, automatic weather stations, radar, wind profilers). Demonstration of instruments.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Students can download a copy of the lectures as PDF-files.
Literature
- Emeis, Stefan: Measurement Methods in Atmospheric Sciences, In situ and remote. Bornträger 2010, ISBN 978-3-443-01066-9 - Brock, F. V. and S. J. Richardson: Meteorological Measurement Systems, Oxford University Press 2001, ISBN 0-19-513451-6 - Thomas P. DeFelice: An Introduction to Meteorological Instrumentation and Measurement. Prentice-Hall 2000, 229 p., ISBN 0-13-243270-6 - Fritschen, L.J., Gay L.W.: Environmental Instrumentation, 216 p., Springer, New York 1979. - Lenschow, D.H. (ed.): Probing the Atmospheric Boundary Layer, 269 p., American Meteorological Society, Boston MA 1986. - Meteorological Office (publ.): Handbook of Meteorological Instruments, 8 vols., Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London 1980. - Wang, J.Y., Felton, C.M.M.: Instruments for Physical Environmental measurements, 2 vol., 801 p., Kendall/Hunt Publ. Comp., Dubuque Iowa 1975/76.
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Information
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC , MSC , GS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Messmethoden in der Meteorologie und Klimaforschung
Im Wechsel mit 701-0234-00L Messmethoden in der Atmosphärenchemie.
Unregelmässige Veranstaltung.
|
|
1 h weekly |
Offered In
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Electives (The electives listed are recommended. Additional courses can be chosen from the complete offerings of the ETH Zurich and University of Zurich.)
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Electives (The students are free to choose individually from the entire course offer of ETH Zürich and the universities of Zürich and Bern.)
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General Electives (Students may choose General Electives from the entire course programme of ETH Zurich - with the following restrictions: courses that belong to the first or second year of a Bachelor curriculum at ETH Zurich as well as courses from GESS "Science in Perspective" are not eligible here. The following courses are explicitly recommended to physics students by their lecturers. (Courses in this list may be assigned to the category "General Electives" directly in myStudies. For the category assignment of other eligible courses keep the choice "no category" and take contact with the Study Administration ( ) after having received the credits.))
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