Modeling water demand for crop irrigation in Sweden under climate change
Hugo Rudebeck, Berit Arheimer, Maria Elenius, Magnus Persson
Huvudinnehåll
Research for a sustainable society in a changing world
Several sectors in the society are dependent on or influenced by weather and water. Increased requirements with regard to the environment and a climate in change provide new prerequisites. The SMHI research department provides tools, knowledge and decision guidance for the society.
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The Swedish Climate Symposium will be held in Lund 20-22 May.
Our research provides answers to current societal issues
SMHI's research and development creates societal benefits in Sweden and internationally. Since the whole of society is affected by changes in weather, water and climate, research and advanced modelling are required to predict developments and create a resilient society. Our research helps decision-makers at many levels of society to make informed and science-based decisions for a future-proof and safe society.
Our research and development provides science-based knowledge. This research is essential for society to fulfil the global goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
We work primarily on applied research and development. This means that we conduct research to explain and create knowledge that can help solve current problems and challenges in society. Together with various societal stakeholders, we formulate research questions in a co-creative process that makes us responsive to societal needs. We share our results, data and scientific articles openly so that as many people as possible can use them.
Our collective knowledge covers the Earth system
SMHI's researchers have wide-ranging and comprehensive expertise in meteorology, hydrology, oceanography and climate. The work is organised into four research units, each with its own subject focus. All units possess extensive knowledge about the effects of a changing climate. Together, they form a strong research environment that builds new knowledge every day for a sustainable society and environment
Meteorology
Research and development in weather forecasting, climate analysis, atmospheric processes and air quality.
Hydrology
We create, compile and convey knowledge about fresh water on different scales.
Oceanography
Marine research with a focus in marine biology, observations, numerical modelling and remote sensing.
Climate at the Rossby Centre
Research and development around the climate system and for climate modelling.
Explore SMHI data with open access for research and development
International co-operation
National and international collaborations strengthen our research
In the research community, collaboration is a natural feature of our daily work. Co-operation strengthens knowledge development and spreads knowledge across the world. At SMHI, we participate in many national and international research networks.
We publish our research in international peer-reviewed journals and in SMHI reports. The two most recent publications from SMHI's research department are:
High-resolution modelling of dissolved organic carbon dynamics in a boreal nested catchment
Renkui Guo, Andrea Popp, Martin Berggren, Junzhi Liu, Jiaojiao Liu, David Gustafsson, Zheng Duan
News
Modelling study shows benefits of reduced ammonia emissions
There are clear benefits for both health and the environment from reducing ammonia emissions. In a modelling study, researchers have estimated the effects of reducing emissions of ammonia and nitrogen oxides, respectively. The results clearly show that reducing ammonia emissions yields the greatest impact, although it ...
Unique research project develops ten-year forecasts for the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea
A new international research project is tackling the challenge of producing climate forecasts for the oceans for as short period as ten years ahead. “Unique in the world,” says Magnus Hieronymus, research leader at SMHI’s Oceanographic Research Unit. The aim is to help Europe’s marine and coastal areas become more resi...
New scientific paper on Sweden’s satellite-based wildfire detection system
For several years, Sweden has used satellites to detect wildfires. Already in the first season, the satellites delivered societal benefits by detecting fires before alerts were raised through other means. A new scientific paper now describes how the system currently operates and how it can be developed further with a n...
SMHI contributes to research school on AI
SMHI contributes to the ELLIS Winter School 2026 on “AI for Earth System, Hazards & Climate Extremes” that takes place on March 16–20, 2026, in Athens, Greece. The research school is hosted by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and organised by the research projects MeDiTwin and AI4PEX.
Nordic report highlights risks linked to AMOC tipping
The report “A Nordic Perspective on AMOC Tipping” reviews the potential impacts of potential Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) collapse. Researcher from SMHI and other Nordic research institutes calls for strengthened mitigation, improved monitoring, and increased preparedness in the Nordic region..jpg)
Contact us at the SMHI Research department
SMHI Research and development
Head of SMHI Research and development: Helén Andersson
Research that anchors SMHI
SMHI is based on scientific foundations. This means that everything SMHI presents is rooted in scientific processes. We have a number of services based on the results of our research, which play a central role in, for example, studies and monitoring of the ongoing climate change in Sweden.
Knowledge about climate change impact
SMHI visualises a wealth of data on future climate. Services are based on data and models from research and development.
International development cooperation
SMHI contributes to global sustainable development through international development cooperation. The overall aim is that all countries shall have an equal capacity to handle and plan for the effects of weather, water and climate.
Value chain from research to weather forecast
SMHI's forecast and warning service provides information for the protection of life and property. Using numerical weather prediction models, SMHI issues weather forecasts and warnings.