Gerhard Steinhorst

Gerhard Steinhorst graduated in Physics and Meteorology and joined the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) in 1975. He worked in different areas such as Synoptic Meteorology, Weather Forecasting and Satellite Data Processing with collaboration in the European meteorological satellite programme METEOSAT. In 1984 he started to work in the measurement technology section and took over the Observing Networks and Data Department of DWD in 1996, being responsible for the development and installation of measurement systems and networks such as automatic weather stations, radar and upper air network.

In 2001, he was appointed Head of the Business Area ‘Weather Forecasting’ with the sections Aviation Meteorology, Marine Meteorology and Basic Forecasts including co-operation with disaster control organizations. As Head of Business Area he also became a member of the Executive Board of DWD until his retirement in 2010.

Gerhard Steinhorst represented DWD in international bodies of the European Union, EUMETSAT and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), with a main focus on the Commission for Basic Systems (CBS) and Region VI.

As member of the German Meteorological Society (DMG) he represented DMG on the EMS Council and was EMS Vice President and Treasurer of the EMS from 2007 until 2011.