1. European exchange circle on flood forecasting
EXCIFF
State of play
May 2007
Ad de Roo (DG JRC)
Frédérique Martini (FR)

2. EXCIFF history Initiated in Nov 2004 by France & JRC
set up a European scale specific interest group of operational national or international forecasting centres or agencies (including both meteorological and hydrological aspects).
Proposed to Water Directors meeting
Launched in Dec 2004
1st of the exchange circles dedicated to flood management topics
Part of the initiative of the European Commission for an Action programme on flood management
Action 1: improving the exchange of information
Co-chaired by France & JRC:
Frédérique Martini (France, MEDD)
Ad de Roo (EC, DG JRC)

3. EXCIFF aims
Facilitate a platform to exchange practical experience in operational flood forecasting, driven by a need for exchange of information, approaches and technical knowledge between European countries
complimentary to DG RTD initiatives such as ACTIF
Review state-of-play of flood forecasting in Europe
Feedback forum of the European Flood Alert System (EFAS)
Identify needs and gaps
Identify the most important fields to work on in order to improve our know-how
Propose common concrete actions

4. EXCIFF Membership
22 Members states or Agencies
31 operational centres or organisations (hydrological, meteorological)
43 focal points

5. EXCIFF activities Jan 2005: Questionnaire of information collection
Feb st workshop (Toulouse)
Synthesis report & CD
Apr st newsletter
Nov nd newsletter
Jan nd workshop (Ispra)
Flood forecasting of plain floods (EFAS+HU)
Flood forecasting of flash floods (FR)
Flood forecasting of coastal floods (NL)
Feb 2006 Establishment of EXCIFF website
Apr rd newsletter
Mrc-Nov 2006 several sessions “GP” report
Apr 2007 inventory for future actions meeting
May 2007 publication of “GP” report

6. EXCIFF priority actions for 2005-2006 (achieved)
Action 6C - Implement a EXCIFF Internet site/portal
facilitate exchange between FF actors
Established at JRC in summer 2006
Action 5C - Work on “flood forecasting information for the general public”
Aim: write a guide of «good practice for flood-related information to the general public
Established by Drafting team with members from: DE, SE, FI, FR, IT, NL, UK, published May 2007
Action 3C - Organise exchange of methods between EXCIFF countries on flood forecasting (modelling / experience / organisation)
Workshop Jan 2006

7. Guide printed May 2007 Available: EXCIFF website: http://exciff.jrc.it

10. EXCIFF planned actions for 2007 and later
Agreed/Planned actions in Jan 2005; under revision:
Organise collective training for flood forecasters
Specific catchment behaviour
the modelling and forecasting process
Explore “hydrological data quality standard” and “hydrological data exchange standard”
Express to the meteorological community a need for agreement between hydrological and meteorological communities concerning (cross-border) use and exchange of meteorological data
Collection of new ideas / suggestions
s send out to EXCIFF members

11. EXCIFF suggested topics (sofar; order of priority)
practical experiences with probabilistic forecasting and its dissemination (including experiences with the European Flood Alert System, EFAS)
possibilities for improved flash flood forecasting
regular information exchange of flood forecasting services
training of flood forecasters (continuous and self training)
how will the job of a flood forecasters look like in 5 or 10 years?
possibilities and needs for improved plain flood forecasting
future research needs in flood forecasting
frequent presentations and information exchange on European and national research projects with practical applications in flood forecasting (link to ERANET CRUE ??)
Possible next meeting: Mainz (DE) (N. Demuth)

12. You’re welcome as a member!
EXCIFF Membership
You’re welcome as a member!
Contact: