Friday, March 23rd marks World Meteorological Day – a day that is observed annually to mark the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) establishment on that date in 1950. In regards to this day, the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) would like to shed some light on what this day signifies, although it is not a public holiday.
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This year, the theme is "Powering our future with weather, climate and water".
Throughout the year, meteorologists (also known as forecasters) across the world work together in national weather, water and climate agencies to collect, analyze, and share information including reliable and timely weather forecasts.
Weather and climate does not recognize political borders, therefore countries of the United Nations adopted a Convention to create an intergovernmental organization known as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Today, the WMO is the United Nations authoritative voice in weather, climate and water. WMO sets global standards and facilitates the exchange of information between the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of its 189 Member States and Territories. The Meteorological Service of St. Maarten and Curacao are members of the WMO.
The International Meteorological Organization was established at the first International Meteorological Congress in Vienna, Austria, in 1873. 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.
The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten would also like to thank all of the sponsors, contributors, and participating organizations that made the Hurricane Hunter visit a tremendous success. Without you, we would not have been able to host the over 1,000 visitors last Friday.