Fronts and the Alps: Findings from the front experiment 1987

Summary The German Front Experiment 1987 was an experimental effort to determine the influence of the European Alps on cold fronts using data collected by aircraft, radar, surface and upper-air systems between October and December 1987. Measurements were concentrated in the Alpine foreland south of Munich and in the Inn valley in Austria. It was a cooperative effort by groups from Austria, Germany and Switzerland. This study briefly recapitulates the conduct of the experiment and the intense observation periods which were carried through. Then it is outlined to what extent the scientific objectives have been achieved. The findings of the experiments are grouped into the following topics: orographically induced frontogenesis, the interaction of foehn and front, orographically trapped gravity currents, flow into valleys and the modification of precipitation by the Alps.