Planning for the implementation of the WMO Global Hydrological Status and Outlook System (HydroSOS) in Asia took a step forward at a workshop in Bangkok, Thailand, from 21-23 February. At the event, the representatives of 18 Members of WMO Region II, Asia, presented and discussed draft country or basin level HydroSOS implementation plans, highlighting their main requirements for setting it up in the selected area. The discussion provided...
The Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) convened an information event as part of its June Momentum for Climate Change series to discuss how the COVID pandemic has affected the scientific community and how to leverage scientific support and knowledge-sharing for a sustainable recovery.
The implementation plan, The Global Observing System for Climate: Implementation Needs”, GCOS-200, October 2016, of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) introduced lightning as a new Essential Climate Variable. Lightning is a proxy for severe storms and, therefore, relevant for climate monitoring. Measurements of lightning have, in recent years, become more extensive. New satellite instruments have also further enhanced their observation.
The first collection of Climatological Standard Normals (CLINOs) was conducted in the 1930s by International Meteorological Organization (IMO) for period from 1900–1930. The most recent, by WMO for the period from 1991–2020, had 31 March 2022 as the deadline for submissions. But only 45 of the 193 WMO Members had submitted CLINOs by the deadline. At the beginning of the 1990s, 135 Members had submitted CLINOs for the...
High-resolution Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, data and products are the primary tools for advanced weather forecasting in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs). It is a core resource for achieving the United Nations Secretary General’s target to ensure early warning services for weather hazards for all within five years (from 2022). WMO offers Group Fellowship Training on NWP in two phases – theory and practice – to equip scientific...
Flash floods count among the deadliest hazard, which underscores the importance of improving the knowledge and ability of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to monitor and develop flash flood warnings. WMO has been supporting NMHSs to do so for over a decade by implementing the Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) to provide critical and timely information to individuals, emergency services, and governments to prepare for and respond to flash floods. ...
The induction workshop for newly appointed Permanent Representatives (PRs) to the WMO was held at WMO headquarters from 30 November to 2 December 2022. The turnover rate in PRs has been high over the last decade, in 2022 alone some 29 new PRs (Directors of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs)) were appointed, 15% of the 193 WMO Members. Thus, the annual on-boarding workshop aims to enhance new PRs’ understanding...
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WMO applauds Dr Elizabeth Ebert who was awarded in October by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering (ATSE) for innovation and excellence in the field of meteorology. Dr Ebert is a Senior...
Two WMO programmes mark milestone anniversaries in 2022: it is the Associated Programme on Flood Management (APFM) twentieth year and Integrated Drought Management Programme’s (IDMP) tenth. Both have many accomplishments to celebrate.
APFM, a joint WMO and Global Water Partnership (GWP) programme, launched in 2001. Over the last 20 years, it has supported government agencies, international organizations, private companies and academia with scientific guidance materials, tools and pilot...
The WMO Marine Service Course Phase 2 was rolled out for the first time for English-speaking countries in the South-West Pacific (WMO Region V) in the months of August and September. The Marine Services Course assists WMO Members by undertaking a gap analysis in Phase I that identifies their strengths and weaknesses in marine service delivery to users, then works with them in Phase II to address the...
