KISTERS supports national hydrological forecasting service development in Estonia.

PRESS RELEASE – Aachen, Germany – 24 Feb, 2026

KISTERS is contributing to the development of a new national hydrological forecasting and warning service in Estonia, in collaboration with the Estonian Environment Agency (ESTEA) and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI). The initiative aims to establish a fully operational nationwide forecasting capability to strengthen early warning for floods, droughts and other extreme hydrological events.

Building a nationwide forecasting capability.

ESTEA currently uses hydrological models in a limited number of catchment areas. To enable forecasts and warnings nationwide, the agency has identified the need for a national forecasting model called HYPE – a hydrological model developed by SMHI and used operationally for hydrological forecasting and warning services in Sweden as well as in several other countries.

As part of the project:

• SMHI is developing an initial Estonia-specific implementation of the HYPE hydrological model
• KISTERS is responsible for integrating the model into an operational forecasting environment
• ESTEA hydrologists are being trained to run, maintain and further develop the service independently

This approach ensures that Estonia gains not only a model, but a sustainable, operational forecasting workflow.

From model to operations.

A key focus of the project is the transition from model development to daily operational use.

KISTERS is enabling this by:

• Deploying the HYPE model within an operational forecasting system
• Supporting automated forecast production for all hydrometric stations nationwide
• Establishing workflows for analysis, validation and warning generation

This operational backbone allows ESTEA to issue reliable forecasts and warnings as part of routine hydrological services.

Strengthening climate resilience.

With climate change increasing the frequency and severity of extreme events, robust forecasting and early warning capabilities are essential for national preparedness.

The project combines:

• SMHI’s hydrological modelling expertise
• KISTERS’ operational forecasting and decision support technology
• ESTEA’s national hydrological knowledge and mandate

Together, the partners are building a system that enhances Estonia’s ability to anticipate and respond to floods, droughts and water-related risks.

The project began in November 2025 and will run until October 2027, covering model development, system integration, operational training and the establishment of national warning routines.