World Meteorological Organization

Hello! We are the World Meteorological Organization, an agency you might know by our acronym, WMO. Think of us as the world's main authority and voice on everything related to weather, climate, and water. Our purpose is to serve as a central point where our 193 member countries and territories can come together. We are a specialized agency of the United Nations, which means we are part of a global family of organizations working to solve international problems. Our specific mission involves the Earth's atmosphere and its vast oceans. By helping nations cooperate, we make it possible to monitor and understand these complex systems in ways no single country could do on its own.

This international cooperation is incredibly important for everyone. When we share data and knowledge about weather patterns, ocean currents, and long-term climate trends, we help protect lives and property from the threat of natural disasters. Accurate, shared information allows for better forecasts and warnings, giving people crucial time to prepare for events like hurricanes or floods. Beyond safety, our work supports many parts of daily life. Reliable weather information is essential for farmers planning their crops, for airlines navigating safe flight paths, and for managing precious water resources. In short, we help provide the scientific foundation for a safer and more efficient world.

Our story, however, began long before we were officially called the WMO. The idea of international cooperation in meteorology dates back to 1873, with the formation of our predecessor, the International Meteorological Organization, or IMO. At that time, different countries used different methods to measure the weather, which made it very difficult to create a big-picture view of the atmosphere. The IMO was created as a non-governmental forum where experts could agree on standards, ensuring that a temperature or pressure reading in one part of the world meant the same thing in another. This standardization was a critical first step toward modern weather forecasting.

After the United Nations was created following World War II, the world changed. There was a growing understanding that global challenges required formal agreements between governments, not just informal forums for scientists. This led to a new vision for our work. On October 11th, 1947, the Convention that established us was signed, laying out the rules and mission for a new, intergovernmental organization. A few years later, on March 23rd, 1950, we officially came into being. This date is so important to our history that it is now celebrated every year as World Meteorological Day. The final piece of our foundation was set in 1951, when we formally became a specialized agency of the United Nations, solidifying our role in the international community.

Since our founding, we have focused on turning the idea of cooperation into concrete action. One of our most significant responsibilities is to coordinate the free and open exchange of weather, climate, and water data among all our members. Weather systems cross borders without passports, so sharing information is the only way to track them effectively. To make this happen, we established a landmark program in 1963 called the World Weather Watch. This is a massive global system that combines observations from many sources—including satellites orbiting the Earth, thousands of weather stations on land, and instruments on ships at sea. This program gathers immense amounts of data and shares it rapidly around the world, forming the backbone of all modern weather forecasting.

Our work also extends deep into the science of our planet's climate. As scientific understanding grew, it became clear that the Earth's climate was changing. To address this, we took a leading role in creating the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. The IPCC's job is to review and assess the most up-to-date scientific information related to climate change and provide governments with clear, reliable reports to inform their decisions. We also focus on applying our knowledge to protect people directly. We help nations develop and improve their early warning systems, which are essential for alerting communities to approaching dangers like tropical cyclones, severe floods, and devastating droughts, giving them time to act and save lives.

Today, we continue our mission from our headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, but our work touches every corner of the globe. The challenges we face are more urgent than ever. Our world is experiencing an increase in extreme weather events, growing concerns about water shortages, and the ongoing impacts of climate change. In response, we are focused on initiatives that meet these modern needs. A major priority for us is the 'Early Warnings for All' initiative. This ambitious plan has a clear goal: to ensure that every single person on Earth is protected by a disaster warning system by the year 2027.

Looking toward the future, our dedication remains firm. We are committed to providing the essential science, data, and support that humanity needs to navigate our complex and changing planet. By fostering cooperation and advancing scientific knowledge, we help societies understand, predict, and adapt to the forces of nature. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to a safer and more resilient future for everyone, where information and collaboration empower us to face the environmental challenges of today and tomorrow.