The IMKTRO coordinates or participates in numerous, mostly international measurement campaigns. Frequently used in these campaigns is the KITcube, a mobile integrated atmospheric observation system that can be deployed worldwide.

• NAWDIC (2026)
  The North Atlantic Waveguide, Dry Intrusion, and Downstream Impact Campaign (NAWDIC) is an international field campaign focusing on mid-latitude atmospheric dynamics with the aim to provide detailed observations for improving the understanding and modelling of the mesoscale tropopause structure, the dry intrusion air stream – planetary boundary layer (PBL) interaction, and their relation to high impact weather (HIW) in the North Atlantic region in winter.

• TEAMx (2025)
  Atmospheric processes specific to mountainous regions heavily affect the exchange of momentum, heat and mass between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere. TEAMx is an international research programme that aims at improving our understanding of these processes. The field campaign will focus on the European Alps, with large-scale deployment of micrometeorological instrumentation, ground-based profiling instruments and airborne sensors.

• Swabian MOSES 2.0 (2023)
  The Swabian MOSES 2.0 campaign was conducted within the framework of the MOSES observing system of the Helmholtz Association. It comprises highly flexible and mobile observation modules which are specifically designed to investigate the interactions of short-term events and long-term trends across Earth compartments. The focus of the 2023 campaign was the initiation of  thunderstorms and severe precipitation events.

• J-WADI (2022)
  A comprehensive mineral dust measurement campaign was conducted in southern Jordan in September 2022 with the goal to better understand the particle size – including giant mineral dust particles – and mineralogical composition of emitted dust and their dependence on the parent soil and meteorological conditions. Understanding the mineral dust emission process is a key prerequisite to quantifying the regional and global impacts of dust on air quality, health, economy, and not least on weather and climate.

Further information on these and other measurement campaigns can be found here on the KITcube website.

Besides the weather stations, the IMK-TRO operates the following mobile and stationary measurment systems:

• KITcube
  The Integrated Atmospheric Observation System of the IMK-TRO consists of different mobile measurement systems for worldwide deployment. The KITcube combines high-resolution measurements of remote sensing systems with classical in situ instruments. Coordinated scans allow the detailed investigation of convection, clouds and precipitation.
  The KITcube instruments also serve as AERONET station "Karlsruhe" as well as provide additional temporary stations during measurement campaigns.
   
• KITmast
  The 200 m high meteorological tower at the KIT Campus North is equipped with turbulence-resolving instruments for wind, temperature and humidity measurements. The tower is further equipped with sensors from the German Weather Service (DWD) and serves as an ICOS anchor station.
   
• KITradar
  The C-band dual-pole Doppler radar at KIT Campus North is used to investigate the dynamic structure of individual clouds and cloud systems and for area-wide, continuous precipitation measurements.
   
• KITsonde
  A new multi-sensor drop sonde system for high and fast flying research aircraft developed by IMK-TRO. Special feature of the new system are the possibility to use up to 30 probes simultaneously in order to obtain spatially and temporally particularly high-resolution measurements in the area of inhomogeneous zones of the atmosphere and the separation of probe and discharge containers, which allows the integration of new sensor technologies.

Information on measurement data

Basic regulations on data from IMK-TRO

Declaration of commitment