The Institute of Meteorology at Freie Universität uses the proceeds to finance the Dahlem Weather Station, where meteorology students observe the weather around the clock. Their series of weather observations has been going on for more than 100 years and is one of the longest continuous records in existence. In 1954 the meteorologists at the Berliner Wetterkarte at the Institute of Meteorology, Freie Universität Berlin, began giving names to high and low pressure zones. Since 2002 anyone can join in through the Adopt-a-Vortex program. So far nearly 2000 individuals from 16 European countries, besides Brazil, Japan, and the United States have participated. It is advantageous for the advancement of science as well as for companies and institutions that are dependent on the weather.

A few high and low pressure zones are still available for this year. Freie Universität's online magazine campus.leben is currently raffling off the sponsorship for a low that is expected to occur toward the end of November or the beginning of December this year. It will be given a female name that starts with a "B." To be eligible to win, you need to send a suggestion or two of how best to improve your mood when the weather is bad, either at work or when studying or writing term papers. Send your ideas by email to campusleben@fu-berlin.de and include the name (female, starting with a "B") you would give the low pressure zone if your name is drawn. The deadline is Monday, November 17, 2014, 12:00 noon (Central European Time). All decisions are final. The conditions for participation and further details are available in German in the campus.leben online magazine: www.fu-berlin.de/campusleben.