Articles | Volume 25, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-2179-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-2179-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
04 Jul 2025
Research article |
| 04 Jul 2025
| 04 Jul 2025
Tree fall along railway lines: modelling the impact of wind and other meteorological factors
Rike Lorenz
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Meteorology, Freie Universität Berlin, Carl-Heinrich-Becker-Weg 6–10, 12165 Berlin, Germany
Institute of Meteorology, Freie Universität Berlin, Carl-Heinrich-Becker-Weg 6–10, 12165 Berlin, Germany
Hans Ertel Centre for Weather Research, Berlin, Germany
Barry Gardiner
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstr. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
Institut Européen de la Forêt Cultivée, 69 route d’Arcachon, 33612 Cestas, France
Institute of Meteorology, Freie Universität Berlin, Carl-Heinrich-Becker-Weg 6–10, 12165 Berlin, Germany
Marc Hanewinkel
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstr. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
Benjamin Schmitz
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
DB InfraGO AG, Adam-Riese-Str. 11–13, Zentrale DB InfraGO, 60327 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Short summary
Tree fall events have an impact on forests and transport systems. Our study explored tree fall in relation to wind and other weather conditions. We used tree fall data along railway lines and ERA5 and radar meteorological data to build a logistic regression model. We found that high and prolonged wind speeds, wet conditions, and high air density increase tree fall risk. These factors might change in the changing climate, which in return will change risks for trees, forests and transport.
Tree fall events have an impact on forests and transport systems. Our study explored tree fall...
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