Most of the progress in atmospheric and climate sciences is based on numerical models. However, models can not be operated without observations: observations are essential to develop novel model formulations, to assess the realism of complex models and to provide realistsic initial and boundary condition. Merging models with observation is a challenge, since quantities differ with respect to their physical meaning, their spatiotemporal resolution and their accuracy. The group works on methods to bridge these gaps between observations and models by pursuing the following three approaches:

• Experimental: Exploring new observational techniques, i.e. with wireless sensor networks
• Methodical: Developping methods to adapt observations to models and vice versa
• Applied: Multivariate, comprehensive evlaution of models

The group is joint working group of the University of Hamburg and the Max-Planck-Institute for Meteorology. At the Max-Planck-Instute the group is a part of the section "Land in the Earth system"  and is entitled "Boundary Layer Measurements and Modelling".