Climate

Data repositories and archives play a critical role as the source for the observational data used in the study of weather and climate. After over two centuries of recording observations on physical media – and the last 20 years on digital media – these records are at risk.

Long-term meteorological observations are part of the irreplaceable cultural and scientific heritage of mankind that serve the needs of current and future generations for long-term high quality climate records. They are unique sources of past information about atmospheric parameters, thus are references for climate variability and change assessments. To highlight this importance, WMO has a mechanism to recognize centennial observing stations.

In 2006, the WMO began designating centres making global seasonal forecasts as WMO Global Producing Centres of Long-Range Forecasts. These form an integral part of the WMO Global Data-Processing and Forecasting System.

The monitoring component of the GSCU is based on global climate monitoring information compiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States of America, in collaboration with other global climate monitoring centres.

RCCs are the middle tier in a three-tiered WMO operational infrastructure that supports National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to generate and deliver up-to-date climate information and products for climate services.  RCCs and NMHSs are supported by WMO-designated Global Producing Centres for Long-Range Forecasts (GPCLRFs), which have been established to provide a range of global long-range forecasting products. RCCs are being implemented across all WMO regional associations.

Regional Climate Outlook Forums (RCOFs) produce consensus-based, user-relevant climate outlook products in real time through regional cooperation and partnership in order to reduce climate-related risks and support sustainable development for the coming season in sectors of critical socioeconomic significance for the region in question.

WMO supports climate policy-making with authoritative advice and information on climate change mitigation, adaptation and on the societal impacts of climate change. WMO draws from the best available scientific expertise from National Hydrological and Meteorological Services and the WMO community. 

Energy systems are the engine of economic and social development. Energy is essential to practically all aspects of human welfare – access to water, agricultural productivity, health care, education, job creation, environmental sustainability and more. Energy investments represent a sizeable portion of Gross Domestic Product but, at the same time, energy sector emissions account for the largest share of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.

Human health and the wellbeing of individuals and communities are closely linked with weather and climate conditions. Through its Members, WMO provides weather and climate services to the public health community.  Furthermore, in 2014, WMO partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish a unique Joint Office for Climate and Health, located at the WMO.

Water stress, water-related hazards and water quality pose increasing challenges to modern society. And yet, the capacity to monitor and manage this vital resource is fragmented and inadequate. Billions of people around the world also feel the impact of climate change through water.