Govind Tekale
World Meteorological Day is observed on March 23 to emphasize the importance of the Meteorological organization. Weather forecast is a routine affair now. We can plan our day as per the weather report. The organization responsible for this purpose is called the Meteorological organization.
The theme of this year’s WMD (World Meteorological Day) is “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.” Early warning systems are very important for planning in advance. Suppose an event is to be organized, it can be done in an open area if we know that there would not be any rain. That is why EWS (Early Warning Systems) are to be strengthened.
This will mitigate the impact of natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, and heatwaves. The role of global cooperation is important to protect vulnerable communities from extreme weather events. The Day is celebrated by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) worldwide.
“We are more than just weather forecasters,” stated WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo in her official WMD statement. “Scientific data, information and services provided by the WMO community underpin decisions ranging from daily leisure activities to seasonal crop planting to long-term infrastructure investments.”
A panel discussion program is organized at WMO (World Meteorological Organization) headquarters. The theme of discussion is “Closing the early warning gap together.” The aim of this event is to explore global cooperation to achieve the Early Warnings for All Initiative by 2027.
“At the halfway point of Early Warnings for All, we are proud to report progress. As of 2024, 108 countries report having some capacity for multi-hazard early warning systems. This is more than double the 52 countries in 2015,” Saulo highlighted in her address.
The development of AI-driven weather prediction models such as Aardvark Weather System significantly enhances forecast speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. These advancements democratize forecasting. Developing nations get access to this system. Thus they are better prepared to face natural disasters like floods, heat waves, and hurricanes.
“Technological advances and Artificial Intelligence promise to revolutionize weather forecasting,” noted Secretary-General Saulo. “But we must level the playing field and ensure that nobody is left behind. We must close the gaps in data and observations.”
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The temperature soared in 2024 to a record of approximately 1.55 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. There is an increase in extreme weather events. Rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones, devastating rainfall, storm surges, flooding, deadly droughts, and wildfires.
“The world just witnessed the hottest 10 years on record. 2024 is likely to be the first calendar year to temporarily hit 1.5°C above the pre-industrial era,” warned Saulo. “Unfortunately, it will not be the last. This is more than just a statistic. Every fraction of a degree matters to our lives and our livelihoods.”
In 2024, in the US, there were individual climate and weather disasters. Approximately $182.7 billion in damages were reported in total by the US authorities. WMO Secretary General Celeste Saulo has emphasized collective action in enhancing early warning systems to protect communities from escalating climate-related hazards.
Secretary-General Saulo also emphasized the economic benefits: “On a global scale, every US$ 1 invested in early warnings is estimated to result in US$ 9 in net economic benefits. In some regions it’s even higher.”
University of Michigan experts have highlighted emerging signals of planetary warming, including extraordinary sea surface temperatures and reduced cloud cover contributing to surging temperatures.
The 2025 World Meteorological Day is being celebrated on March 23. The theme of WMD 2025 is: “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.” A panel discussion on “Together In Action” is organized at WMO headquarters. WMO Secretary General Celeste Saulo has called for global action in strengthening the EWS to help vulnerable communities in extreme weather events. Thus, the World Meteorological Day focuses on the importance of early warning systems in facing climate change.
“We must innovate together to scale up technologies, stand together to foster collaboration in countries, and invest together to create, mobilize, and share resources,” Saulo stated. “For the past 75 years, WMO has turned science into action for the global good. On this World Meteorological Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to a safer, more sustainable world. We owe it to our children.”
