23rd March: World Meteorological Day

The United Nations (UN) World Meteorological Day is annually held on or around March 23 to remember the World Meteorological Organization’s establishment on that date in 1950. Many different activities and events are organized for this occasion.

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.

When it comes to the weather and climate, most of us think only about what is happening in the atmosphere. If we ignore the ocean, however, we miss a big piece of the picture.

The World Meteorological Day theme – The Ocean, our climate, and weather – celebrates WMO’s focus in connecting the ocean, climate, and weather within the Earth System. It also marks the starting year of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The Decade galvanizes efforts to gather ocean science – through innovative and transformative ideas – as the basis of information to support sustainable development.  WMO, as the United Nations specialized agency for climate, weather, and water, strives to support understanding the inextricable link between ocean, climate, and weather. This helps us understand the world in which we live, including the impacts of climate change, and to help Members to strengthen their ability to keep lives and property safe – reducing the risk of disaster – and to maintain viable economies.