World Meteorological Day is a global event celebrated annually on March 23rd by member states’ meteorological organizations.
The event is marked by almost 191 meteorological organization members and the worldwide meteorological communities, who choose a particular theme of the year to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization.
The organization was formed to monitor weather and climate patterns for a better life and future.
World Meteorological Day has been celebrated since 1961 on March 23rd, the day when the World Meteorological Organization came into force in 1950 during its conference.
Celebrating this day highlights the significance of weather and climate monitoring for environmental sustainability and public safety.
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World Meteorological Day 2023
The theme for World Meteorological Day 2023 is “The Future of Weather, Climate, and Water Across Generations.”
This day, observed every year on March 23rd, commemorates the Convention that established the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on March 23rd, 1950.
The celebration highlights the critical role played by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in ensuring the safety and well-being of society.
World Meteorological Day is celebrated worldwide with various activities, and the chosen theme reflects current weather, climate, or water-related issues.
World Meteorological Day History
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), an intergovernmental organization established to advance meteorology, created World Meteorological Day.
The WMO has around 191 worldwide Member States and Territories. The International Meteorological Congress founded the “International Meteorological Organization” in Vienna, Austria in 1873, which later became the WMO.
The WMO, established on March 23, 1950, is the United Nations’ specialized agency for meteorology.
It operates the weather and climate and is responsible for operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.
The organization’s headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland, and it is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
The WMO was established to maintain up-to-date information on the Earth’s atmosphere behavior, atmospheric interactions with the oceans, resulting climate, and water resource distribution.
As of 2013, the organization had approximately 191 member states and territories. Its conference was held on October 11, 1947, and was approved in 1950.
Every four years, the World Meteorological Congress, in the presence of all WMO member countries, determines the organization’s policies.
The hierarchy of the system includes Permanent Representatives becoming directors at National Meteorological or Hydrometeorological Services; the Executive Council applying policies based on Congress decisions; six regional associations addressing regional concerns; eight technical commissions handling technical recommendations; the Secretary-General leading the secretariat; and regular staff assisting in managing WMO activities.
Why World Meteorological Day Is Celebrated?
The organization’s main objective is to establish a large meteorological station network to contribute to the safety and efficiency of shipping services, as well as the safety and welfare of people.
Additionally, it plays a significant role in ensuring water resource safety, food security, and transportation.
International cooperation is crucial for the continued growth and development of meteorology and operational hydrology research activities.
The environment, weather, climate, and water cycle are natural resources that do not consider national or international boundaries.
The WMO is an international organization that provides excellent support for such international cooperation.
The WMO has played a unique and commanding role in meteorology, contributing to the safety and well-being of humanity.
Its leadership in organizing programs for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services has been instrumental in protecting life and property from natural disasters.
Furthermore, it safeguards the Earth’s environment and enhances people’s economic and social well-being by ensuring food security, water resources, and transport.
The WMO, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which works directly on the Global Atmosphere Watch.
In recognition of their significant achievements in addressing human-induced climate change, the WMO was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
The WMO is actively involved in research and training activities in the fields of hydrology, meteorology, climatology, and geophysics to ensure global safety from both natural and human-induced disasters, such as forest fires, chemical or nuclear accidents, volcanic ash, and more.
Its leading role in making international efforts to monitor and protect against environmental disasters through its various programs is truly remarkable.
How World Meteorological Day Is Celebrated?
Every year, the World Meteorological Organization commemorates World Meteorological Day through a series of programs and activities.
The organization hosts a Scientific and Technical Forum at its Geneva headquarters on March 23rd, where it reviews past achievements and developments of the World Weather Watch, including telecommunications and meteorological forecasts, and outlines plans for the future.
The celebration of World Meteorological Day encompasses a diverse range of events, such as conferences, exhibitions for meteorology professionals, symposiums, debates on related topics, and more.
Community leaders and the general public are also invited to participate. An award ceremony is held to recognize exceptional achievements in meteorological research, including The International Meteorological Organization Prize, The Norbert Gerbier-Mumm International Award, Professor Dr. Vilho Vaisala Award, WMO Research Award for Young Scientists, and others.
World Meteorological Day Themes
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1961 was “Meteorology – general themes”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1962 was “Contribution of meteorology to agriculture and food production”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1963 was “Transport and meteorology (in particular, application of meteorology to aviation)”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1964 was “Meteorology as a factor of economic development”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1965 was “International cooperation in meteorology”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1966 was “World Weather Watch”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1967 was “Weather and water”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1968 was “Meteorology and agriculture”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1969 was “The economic value of meteorological services”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1970 was “Meteorological education and training”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1971 was “Meteorology and human environment”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1972 was “Meteorology and human environment”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1973 was “One hundred years of international cooperation in meteorology”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1974 was “Meteorology and tourism”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1975 was “Meteorology and telecommunications”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1976 was “Weather and food”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1977 was “Weather and water”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1978 was “Meteorology and research for the future”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1979 was “Meteorology and energy”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1980 was “Man and climatic variability”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1981 was “World Weather Watch as a tool for development”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1982 was “Observing the weather from space”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1983 was “The weather observer”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1984 was “Meteorology aids food production”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1985 was “Meteorology and public safety”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1986 was “Climate variations, drought and desertification”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1987 was “Meteorology: a model of international cooperation”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1988 was “Meteorology and the media”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1989 was “Meteorology in the service of aviation”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1990 was “Natural disaster reduction: how meteorological and hydrological services can help”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1991 was “The atmosphere of the living planet Earth”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1992 was “Weather and climate services for sustainable development”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1993 was “Meteorology and the transfer of technology”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1994 was “Observing the weather and climate”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1995 was “Public weather services”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1996 was “Meteorology in the service of sports”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1997 was “Weather and water in cities”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1998 was “Weather, oceans and human activity”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 1999 was “Weather, climate and health”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2000 “The World Meteorological Organization – 50 years of service”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2001 was “Volunteers for weather, climate and water”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2002 was “Reducing Vulnerability to Weather and Climate Extremes”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2003 was “Our future climate”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2004 was “Weather, climate, water in the information age”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2005 was “Weather, climate, water and sustainable development”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2006 was “Preventing and mitigating natural disasters”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2007 was “Polar meteorology: Understanding global impacts”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2008 was “Observing our planet for a better future”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2009 was “Weather, climate and the air we breathe”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2010 was “60 years of service for your safety and well-being”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2011 was “Climate for You”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2012 was “Powering our Future with Weather, Climate and Water”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2013 was “Watching the weather to protect life and property”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2014 was “Weather and Climate: Engaging Youth”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2015 was “Climate Knowledge for Climate Action”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2016 was “Hotter, drier, wetter. Face the Future”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2017 was “Understanding Clouds”.
> The theme of the world meteorological day celebration 2018 was “Weather-Ready, Climate-Smart”.
> The theme of 2019 was “The Sun, the Earth and the Weather”.
>The theme of World Meteorological Day 2020 was “Climate and Water”.
>The theme of World Meteorological Day 2021 was “The Ocean, Our Climate, and Weather”.
>The theme of World Meteorological Day 2022 was “Early Warning and Early Action”.
The theme of World Meteorological Day 2023 is “The Future of Weather, Climate, and Water Across Generations”.
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