Seasonal Prediction of water‑availability:
enHancing watER sEcurity from high mountains to plains

SPHERE works to strengthen water security in the Alps and surrounding lowlands, where climate change is increasing drought risk and pressure on water resources.

Based on state-of-the-art seasonal forecasting system outputs and snow, hydrological and crop growth models, SPHERE develops an advanced modeling framework that predicts snow storage, meltwater, river flow, and irrigation needs few months in advance at the km resolution.

SPHERE turns cutting-edge climate and hydrological models into forecasts of snow and hydrological indicators, and explores our current ability to anticipate very dry or wet seasons and the potential to support early warnings for the benefit of water managers, farmers, energy producers, ski-resort managers and civil protection authorities. The approach, demonstrated in the Po River basin, can be adapted to mountain regions worldwide.