The frequency and intensity of floods and droughts are projected to increase globally, posing challenges will only escalate with future climate change, population growth and increasing economic activity. In response, a global initiative led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and coordinated by the U.K. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has been launched to help communities better adapt to changing water cycle conditions.

The Hydrological Status and Outlook System (HydroSOS) will provide regular data on the status of water resources, including groundwater levels, river flows, reservoirs, lakes and soil moisture, in local catchments around the world. The tool will also assess whether these conditions are normal for the time of year and predict whether the situation is likely to get better or worse over coming weeks and months.

WMO has approved the development of HydroSOS following a five-year pilot project led by UKCEH, which defined guidelines for consistent reporting of hydrological conditions and established there was sufficient international interest in the initiative. Implementation plans are now being formulated, and researchers and others interested in being part of HydroSOS are now being asked to come forward and collaborate to enhance global capacity to monitor, predict and report water-related information for their respective countries and regions.

HydroSOS will provide regular hydrological data and inform more effective and sustainable management of water resources. Source: WMO

HydroSOS will provide WMO Members with equipment to measure and report water data. The hydrological information gathered will inform action and strategies aimed at reducing economic losses and deaths due to droughts and floods.