The OUTLAST project marks a major step forward in global drought management by transforming research-based models into a fully operational, multi-sectoral drought monitoring and forecasting system.
🚀 Key Achievements:
- Developed an operational global drought forecasting system for water supply, ecosystems, and agriculture
- Integrated climate data and two global models to derive a comprehensive set of multi-sectoral Drought Hazard Indicators (DHIs)
- Built automated, cloud-ready workflows for monthly monitoring and seasonal forecasts
- Delivered outputs through user-oriented web portals (e.g., WMO HydroSOS: https://wmohydrosos.ceh.ac.uk/casestudies/outlast & ICWRGC: https://geoportal.bafg.de/karten/outlast/ )
- Applied a co-design approach with stakeholders to ensure usability and real-world relevance
🌱 Growing Impact:
- The OUTLAST system has reached a mature development stage and is attracting strong interest from both scientific and user communities
- Strengthens drought monitoring across regions and timescales
- Supports proactive water and agricultural management and climate resilience
- Contributes to SDGs 2, 6, 13, and 15
🔧 What’s Next:
- Further refinement and validation of drought indicators for global comparability
- Transition to governmental institutions for long-term operational use as a Global Drought Forecasting System
- Continued collaboration with international partners and local stakeholders to enhance adoption and impact
đź’ˇ Key Message:
OUTLAST bridges science and operations—delivering reliable, actionable drought information to support decision-making and build resilience worldwide.