Climate Compass 2025: The Art of Adaptation in the Light of Science

Welcome to the scientific conference Climate Compass 2025 The conference “Climate Compass 2025: The Art of Adaptation in the Light of Science” will take place in Tartu on 27–28 November 2025, marking 160 years since the beginning of systematic weather observations in Estonia. The event brings together researchers, decision-makers, practitioners, and interested participants to discuss […]

University of Tartu Meteorological Observatory (METOBS) 160

On December 2, 1865, Arthur Joachim von Oettingen, professor of physics at the University of Tartu, began weather observations at his home. This marked the beginning of continuous meteorological measurements in Tartu, which continue to this day. The year 2025 will mark 160 years of organized and uninterrupted weather data collection and analysis in Estonia. […]

16th Gathering of Weather Enthusiasts and Lightning Observers in Saaremaa

The 16th gathering of weather enthusiasts and lightning observers took place on July 19–20, 2025, in Püha village, Saaremaa. Participants were hosted by Laagrikeskus, which provided excellent conditions for discussions, presentations, and practical activities. An important part of the gathering was also the voting for the weather event of the year, where the most significant […]

On June 12, Jorma Rahu defended his doctoral thesis titled “A Study of the Temporal Development of Strong Anthropogenic Cloud Disturbances to Better Understand the Impact of Aerosols on Clouds”

The doctoral thesis investigated how anthropogenic pollutant particles affect clouds and thereby Earth’s climate. Using remote sensing data, it was found that industrial aerosol pollution can alter the lifespan and thickness of polluted clouds and even cause snowfall. The supervisors of the work were Associate Professor Velle Toll and Professor Piia Post from the University […]