Florian Pappenberger

Dr Pappenberger leads ECMWF’s strategy, delivery and partnerships across ECMWF’s Member and Co‑operating States, ensuring that ECMWF continues to provide trusted, high‑quality Earth system products and services that support decision‑making for society, government and industry. 

Dr Pappenberger is a hydrologist by training, with a scientific background in probabilistic forecasting and the prediction of weather‑driven natural hazards, including floods and fires. He joined ECMWF in 2004 and has held a range of scientific and leadership roles within the organization. In these roles, he led ECMWF’s operational forecasting activities, service development and major organizational and infrastructure transitions, and represented ECMWF in national, European and international fora on scientific, operational and strategic matters. 

A defining theme of his work has been the responsible operational adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning alongside physics‑based numerical modelling, including the development and operational use of ECMWF’s Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System (AIFS), with rigorous evaluation and clear communication of strengths and limitations.

Dr Pappenberger has also been closely involved in ECMWF’s contributions to major European initiatives, including Copernicus services and the Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative, with a focus on strengthening the link between scientific capability, operational delivery and user impact.