Introduction to Atmospheric Flows: Theory, Experiments, and Hands-on Simulation 2026

DATE: 18-20 November 2026

LOCATION: online / on-site: Waterloosesteenweg, 72, 1640 Sint-Genesius-Rode, Belgium - near Brussels

ABOUT THE LECTURE SERIES

This hybrid course (on-site/online) serves as an introduction to basic principles of atmospheric flows, with an emphasis on the atmospheric boundary layer. Topics include the general structure of the atmosphere, atmospheric dynamics, boundary layer meteorology, field and lab scale testing, and numerical modeling (including hands-on weather modeling sessions). This course is continuously updated following the research activities at the VKI.

The course will be delivered by a team of researchers from the VKI, including Project Manager / Senior Test Engineer Gertjan Glabeke, Research Engineer dr. Nicolas Coudou, Research Engineer dr. Simone Gremmo, Research Engineer dr. Sebastiano Stipa, and Prof. dr. Wim Munters (who also serves as coordinator).

Learning outcomes of the course are for the students to understand:

Energy balances in the atmosphere
Driving forces and general circulation structure in atmospheric dynamics
Concepts of atmospheric stability and its role in the atmospheric boundary layer
Working principles of instruments used for atmospheric measurements, including their strengths, weaknesses, uncertainties and cost
Scaling rules applied to model the atmospheric boundary layer experimentally in a wind tunnel
Strategies for modeling atmospheric flows on a range of scales and fidelity
How to set up and run a weather model

Practical information:

The course will be held in hybrid form. The VKI Lab Tour and lecturer support during the hands-on sessions are restricted to on-site participants.
Hands-on sessions II and III on Friday afternoon are optional and meant for participants to work through additional weather modeling tasks.
Participants are expected to bring their own laptops for the hands-on sessions. Instructions for preparing the sessions will be sent.

PROGRAMME

Wednesday 18 November 2026

08:30 - 09:00 Registration

09:00 - 10:15 Welcome Address and Introduction
Prof. dr. Wim Munters, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

10:15 - 10:45 Coffee Break

10:45 - 12:00 Atmospheric Dynamics 1
Prof. dr. Wim Munters, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch

13:00 - 14:15 Atmospheric Dynamics 2
Prof. dr. Wim Munters, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

14:15 - 15:30 Boundary Layer Meteorology 1
Prof. dr. Wim Munters, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

15:30 - 16:00 Coffee Break

16:00 - 17:00 Boundary Layer Meteorology 2
Prof. dr. Wim Munters, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

Thursday 19 November 2026

09:00 - 10:15 Measurements & Instrumentation 1
Ir. Gertjan Glabeke, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

10:15 - 10:45 Coffee Break

10:45 - 12:00 Measurements & Instrumentation 2
Ir. Gertjan Glabeke, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

12:00 - 13:30 Lunch

13:00 - 14:15 Experimental Modeling 1
Dr. Nicolas Coudou, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

14:15 - 15:30 Experimental Modeling 2
Dr. Nicolas Coudou, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

15:30 - 16:00 Coffee Break

16:00 - 17:00 Visit of the VKI Labs (on-site participants only)
Ir. Gertjan Glabeke, Prof. dr. Wim Munters, Dr. Nicolas Coudou, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

Friday 20 November 2026

09:00 - 10:15 Numerical Modeling
Prof. dr. Wim Munters, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

10:15 - 10:45 Coffee Break

10:45 - 11:15 Introduction to the Weather Research and Forecasting model WRF
Dr. Simone Gremmo, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

11:15 - 12:00 WRF Hands-on Session I
Dr. Simone Gremmo, Dr. Sebastiano Stipa, Prof. dr. Wim Munters, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

12:00 - 13:30 Lunch

13:00 - 15:00 WRF Hands-on Session II
Dr. Simone Gremmo, Dr. Sebastiano Stipa, Prof. dr. Wim Munters, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

15:00 - 15:30 Coffee Break

15:30 - 17:00 WRF Hands-on Session II
Dr. Simone Gremmo, Dr. Sebastiano Stipa, Prof. dr. Wim Munters, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

FEE AND REGISTRATION

Deadline for on-site registration: 6 November 2026
Deadline for online registration: 13 November 2026
Discount of 10% in case of online participation*
Discount of 30% for citizens from NATO countries*
Discount of 40% for citizens from NATO nations supporting the financing of VKI*

* applicable on the price listed below

Early Bird Registration until 18 September 2026

Undergraduate students: €180
PhD students: €540
Staff from recognized universities / research center: €1080
Staff from commercial organizations: €1296

Late Registration after 18 September 2026

Undergraduate students: €200
PhD students: €600
Staff from recognized universities / research center: €1200
Staff from commercial organizations: €1440