Slovak Hydro-meteorological Institute

The Slovak Hydro-meteorological Institute (SHMU) is the national meteorological and hydrological service of the Slovak Republic. It collects atmospheric and water‑related data from a network of ground stations, radars, satellite receivers and river gauges across the country. Using this information SHMU produces weather forecasts, climate analyses, hydrological outlooks and warnings for phenomena such as floods, storms, avalanches and extreme temperatures. These products are supplied to the general public, aviation authorities, agricultural users, water‑management agencies and civil‑protection services.

As a state institution SHMU operates under the Ministry of Environment and fulfills a regulatory role as the official source of meteorological and hydrological information for Slovakia. Its distinguishing attributes include specialization in both weather and water sciences, which allows it to issue integrated forecasts that combine atmospheric precipitation with river‑flow predictions. The institute maintains advanced numerical weather prediction models, a nationwide radar coverage and a hydrological modelling system that supports reservoir operation and flood‑risk management. SHMU also represents Slovakia in international frameworks such as the World Meteorological Organization and contributes to European Union climate‑monitoring programmes.

The institute’s headquarters are located in Bratislava, and it operates regional offices that support local observation networks and user services. Although the prompt does not specify ownership details, SHMU is a government‑funded entity that forms part of the Slovak public administration and is connected to the Govnet cabinet network through the National Network and Electronic Services Agency (NASES). The 2018‑06‑12 DDoS attack on its online platform illustrated the institute’s reliance on digital services and the broader cyber‑threat environment facing Slovak government websites.