World Meteorological Day

Held on : 23rd March

World Meteorological Day is annually held on or around March 23 to remember the World Meteorological Organization's establishment on that date in 1950. As weather, climate and the water cycle know no national boundaries, international cooperation at a global scale is essential for the development of meteorology and operational hydrology as well as to reap the benefits from their application. WMO provides the framework for such international cooperation. Many different activities and events are organized for this occasion.

History - The International Meteorological Organization was established at the first International Meteorological Congress in Vienna, Austria, in 1873. The organization aimed to establish meteorological station networks. These networks were linked by telegraph and improved weather forecasts. This contributed to shipping services' safety and efficiency. The International Meteorological Organization became the World Meteorological Organization on March 23, 1950. It became the UN's specialized agency for meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences in 1951. The World Meteorological Organization plays a crucial role in contributing to people's safety and welfare. Its work is important in providing food security, water resources and transport. World Meteorological Day has been observed on March 23 each year since 1961.

Events - World Meteorological Day often features various events such as conferences, symposia and exhibitions for meteorological professionals, community leaders and the general public. Some events aim to attract media attention to raise meteorology's profile. Many prizes for meteorological research are presented or announced on or close to World Meteorological Day. These prizes include: the international meteorological organization prize, Professor Dr. Vilho Väisälä award, the Norbert Gerbier-Mumm international award. Many countries issue postage stamps or special postage stamp cancellation marks to celebrate World Meteorological Day. These stamps often reflect the event's theme or mark a country's meteorology achievements.

Themes - A new theme is allocated to each different year for World Meteorological Day. Previous themes have been 2008 - observing our planet for a better future, 2007 - Polar meteorology: understanding global impacts and 2006 - preventing and mitigating natural disasters.

Alternate name - United Nations' (UN) World Meteorological Day

Holiday Status - It not a public holiday