by Michaela Mikuličková, EFAS Dissemination Centre 

EFAS training for our Croatian partner took place in Zagreb, Croatia in the premises of the Meteorological and Hydrological Service of Croatia (DHMZ) on 11-12 October 2017. It was held by Michaela Mikuličková from Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU, a member of EFAS Dissemination Centre consortium). The training was held in English with occasional use of Croatian and Slovakian. The participants were hydrological forecasters, weather forecasters and persons responsible for control, archiving and distribution of hydrological data.

The training was divided into presentations and practical exercises. It included an introduction, EFAS general information, information about the LISFLOOD model, probabilistic forecasting, meteorological input and EFAS notifications. A lot of time was dedicated to EFAS thresholds and flash floods, and difference between EFAS’s and national service approaches. Information on new products, such as the Rapid flood hazard assessment, Seasonal outlook and ERICHA radar information, and web services were provided as well. The practical exercise consisted of hands-on sessions with explanation of the EFAS interface and descriptions of specific layers together with Croatian case studies from November 2016 and September 2017.

The Croatian colleagues appreciate the added value of EFAS to their national service and welcomed a chance to learn more about its possibilities. Similar training could be provided also for other EFAS partners. EFAS Dissemination Centre would like to encourage partners to ask for it on info@efas.eu.