Michael Kunz

Michael Kunz is an Associate Professor at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), leading the Atmospheric Risks group at the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research - Tropospheric Research (IMKTRO). He serves as speaker for CEDIM (Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology) and Topic 6 of the KIT Center Climate and Environment, while also coordinating modules for the Faculty of Economics and Business.

His research centers on extreme weather phenomena, with specialized focus on hailstorm dynamics, thunderstorm mechanisms, and flood risk assessment in Central Europe. He investigates serial clustering of extreme events, climate change impacts on convective systems, and atmospheric risk modeling through interdisciplinary approaches combining observational data, climate simulations, and machine learning techniques.

Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal strong emphasis on hail risk modeling using satellite and radar data, analysis of catastrophic events like the 2021 Central European floods, and development of early warning systems. Key trends include machine learning applications for hail prediction, field campaign integration (Swabian MOSES), and climate change effects on severe convective storms across European regions.

Scientific Awards: No specific awards mentioned in source materials.

Kunz actively supervises Master's students including G. Kavil Kambrath, Ch. Sperka, and M. Tonn through projects like HailDetect and HAR-CC. His grant portfolio features major initiatives such as Swabian MOSES field campaigns, European Hail Risk Management (HAR-CC), and flood analysis frameworks, often involving cross-institutional collaborations with national meteorological services and international research consortia.

He directs the Atmospheric Risks laboratory at IMKTRO, coordinating field operations like the Swabian MOSES swarm-sounding campaign for convective storm observation. His team integrates meteorological radar data, climate models, and risk assessment frameworks to develop hazard maps and early warning systems for wind, hail, and flood events across Germany and Europe.