Brainstorm: Stormy times – A look back at the 2026 Natural Hazards Conference

How does a weather forecast become a warning – and how does a warning lead to effective protective measures?

In this episode, we take you along to the 2026 Natural Hazards Conference in Eastern Styria. Together with conference organiser Matthias Themeßl and numerous experts, we explore how we can better prepare for natural hazards and why cooperation between the scientific community, public authorities, emergency services and the general public is crucial in this regard.

 The focus is on the impacts of thunderstorms and gales, the influence of climate change on extreme weather events, and the question of how warnings reach people in good time and prompt them to take the right action.

An episode exploring current challenges, practical solutions and the realisation that, whilst natural hazards cannot be prevented, we can manage their consequences far more effectively through knowledge, preparedness and timely action. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Federal Ministry of the Interior for providing the AT-Alert alarm tone.