SMHI leads new research project on future Scandinavian heatwaves

– By linking satellite observations of the ocean, land, and atmosphere with advanced machine learning, we aim to better understand the drivers of Scandinavian heatwaves and improve early warning capacity, says Pasha Karami, climate researcher at SMHI’s Rossby Centre and project leader.

A strong Nordic research collaboration

The project is called “Satellite-Driven Predictions and Projections of Scandinavian Heatwaves (ScanHeat)” and it brings together researchers from SMHI and Stockholm University, and will also engage several Nordic stakeholders. The team includes expertise in climate modelling, satellite-based Earth observation, meteorology, machine learning, and extreme event analysis.

To highlight the collaborative spirit of the project, Karami adds:

– I’m really excited to work with such a strong and diverse research team: Léon Chafik (SU), Erwin Wolters (SMHI), Salomon Eliasson (SMHI), Katharina Klehmet (SMHI) and Erik Mulder (SMHI) - each bringing unique expertise to ScanHeat. It’s going to be great fun to collaborate and push science forward together. I look forward to presenting our results.

Direct benefits for climate services and society

The collaboration aims to improve how insights from satellite data and advanced modelling inform climate services. The project will support climate services by providing improved assessments of future projections and an accessible forecasting system that could be integrated into SMHI’s operational services in the future.

Supporting Sweden’s preparedness for extreme heat

Additionally, improved heatwave predictions will strengthen Sweden’s preparedness in sectors such as public health, agriculture, forestry and energy - all of which face increasing challenges as extreme heat events become more common.