Professor Mathias W. Rotach of the University of Innsbruck has been awarded the prestigious 4th Sergej Zilitinkevich Memorial Award for his exceptional contributions to boundary-layer meteorology. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday, September 10, at EMS2025, where Professor Rotach delivered a keynote lecture titled “The Mountain Boundary Layer (MoBL) – Do We Need Yet Another Variety?”

Renowned internationally, Professor Rotach, from the Department of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, is celebrated for his groundbreaking research on atmospheric boundary layer processes in complex terrains, including urban and mountainous areas. His innovative work combines theoretical development, observational campaigns, and numerical modeling, enhancing both fundamental understanding and practical solutions in fields like carbon cycling, snow science, hydrology, weather prediction, and public health.

The Sergej Zilitinkevich Memorial Award is an esteemed global recognition granted annually to a creative and influential scientist who has achieved significant breakthroughs in atmospheric or oceanic boundary-layer research. This award is supported by eminent institutions, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), European Meteorological Society (EMS), Atmosphere and Climate Competence Center (ACCC), Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), Finnish Network for Atmospheric Sciences, Finnish Geophysical Society, and the Finnish Foundation for Aerosol Research.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Rotach for this well-deserved acknowledgment of his outstanding work and impact in the field.