We live on an interconnected planet. We share one land, with atmosphere and ocean. Our weather, climate, and water cycle know no national or political borders. International cooperation is essential. This philosophy has guided the work of the global meteorological community since 1873 and will guide us as we translate science into community services for current and future generations.
World Meteorological Day 2023 falls during the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Organization (WMO). It highlights past achievements, current advances, and future potential, from late-nineteenth-century telegraph and shipping predictions to supercomputers and space technology.
All this time, the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services have worked around the clock to collect and consolidate data that support the weather forecasts we now take for granted. The history of WMO Data Exchange is a fascinating story of scientific insight, technological development and, above all, of a unique system of collaboration at the service of society.
Anniversaries are also a reminder of our changing climate. The International Meteorological Organization, the predecessor of the World Meteorological Organization, was founded in 1873 in an era when pollution from industrial and human activities was in its infancy.
As a result of the warming of greenhouse gases, the global average temperature is now more than 1°C higher than it was 150 years ago. Our weather is more extreme, our ocean is warmer and more acidic, sea levels are rising, and glaciers and ice are melting. The rate of change is accelerating. We need urgent action now to reduce emissions and ensure future generations can survive and thrive on our planet.
The good news is that rapid scientific and technological advances have greatly improved the accuracy of life-saving weather forecasts and early warnings. Big data is shared more freely among a wider society than ever before, and there are new tools including machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Significant progress has been made in monitoring, simulating and forecasting global climate to support decision-making.
Our weather, climate, and water cycle will be different in the future than it was in the past. Weather, climate and hydrology services will help us meet relevant challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
Source: World Meteorological Organization – IN https://public.wmo.int/en/resources/world-meteorological-day/future-of-weather-climate-water-across-generations-2023
“Award-winning alcohol trailblazer. Hipster-friendly internetaholic. Twitter ninja. Infuriatingly humble beer lover. Pop culture nerd.”