Harald Kunstmann

Professor Harald Kunstmann is a leading expert in regional climate and hydrology, affiliated with both the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the University of Augsburg. As deputy director of KIT's Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research and head of the Regional Climate Systems department at KIT's Alpine Campus in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, he focuses on modeling terrestrial and atmospheric water balances to improve predictability of hydro-meteorological events. His work bridges hydrology and meteorology through complex simulations of feedback loops between land-surface changes and the atmosphere, with applications in water-scarce regions like Sudan, Ethiopia, and West Africa.

• Key Achievements: Developed methods for seasonal meteorological forecasts, predicting drought and heat periods up to seven months in advance; contributed to IPCC reports; advised the UN on water sustainability goals.
• Collaborations: Works with local experts on practical water management solutions; integrates research into the KIT Climate and Environment Center.

His research emphasizes practical transfer and includes innovations like high-resolution precipitation mapping using mobile phone data. Kunstmann received the 2021 Water Resources Prize and the 2024 German Hydrology Prize for his contributions to climate science.