Introducing seasonal hydro-meteorological forecasts in local water management. A local scale demonstrator for an intensively cultivated watershed in the island of Crete, Greece.

Seasonal forecasts can be interfaced with practical applications to improve and increase the operational capabilities of several targeted sectors, as for example by reducing weather related risks such as freshwater stress in agriculture. In this study we present the co-design, development and evaluation of a local scale demonstrator that brings seasonal hydro-meteorological forecasts in local water management of an intensively cultivated watershed in the island of Crete, Greece. The information included in the development of the Drought Decision Support System (DDSS) was identified during an initial user survey, in which seasonal climate predictions were rated as the most prominent from a number of information regarding weather and climate (change). The DDSS consists of three pillars of information (i) specific sources and guidance for weather and climate information not familiar to the local users, (ii) a demonstrator of seasonal forecasting of reservoir inflow and (iii) locally adjusted seasonal forecast information for precipitation over the watershed. Seasonal forecasts are demonstrated in a user-friendly probabilistic form against climatic conditions based on observations. The usefulness, the accessibility of information, as well as the barriers which currently hamper the deployment of climate services in the in the decision-making process were examined through an evaluation survey.