Over the past ten years, the HIWeather project has facilitated close collaborations between the social and natural sciences and strengthened the international interdisciplinary cooperation. The following topics were discussed at the symposium:

• Hazard analysis and prediction
• Impacts on people, vulnerability and risk assessment
• Effective communication of weather warnings
• Citizen science and public participation
• Impact-based forecasts and warning systems
• Evaluation and optimization of the value chain

The informal exchange between the participants from different disciplines was particularly valuable. The added value of this interdisciplinarity and the benefits for society became particularly clear in the exciting and dynamic group and panel discussions, in which controversial topics were openly discussed and innovative solutions were developed.

Important connections were made during the breaks and outside of the official program and new ideas were initiated that further advanced the interdisciplinary approach. Close communication and collaboration are essential to further improve impact-based forecasting and warning systems.

Practical examples from various countries and concepts for comprehensive solutions were presented, highlighting successful approaches. These approaches make it possible to work together internationally on improved and target group-oriented warning systems. In addition, working with common case studies proves to be very beneficial for the cooperation between natural and social scientists.

The latest research results and ongoing activities were presented during the symposium. In the workshops and group discussions, existing research gaps and common goals in interdisciplinary subject areas were identified. A co-design approach promoting the cooperation along the entire value chain and between universities, research institutes, weather services, customers and society is a promising path for the future.

The training of society and the promotion of young scientists are key success factors. Some young scientists are already taking on leading roles in new WWRP projects that build directly on the successes of the HIWeather project and drive them forward.

Participants of the international conference on 10 September 2024, Munich. Photo: Brian Golding.