On 23 March 1950, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) was formed for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. It has 188 members.
World Meteorological Day is celebrated worldwide by the meteorological community every year on March 23 to commemorate the organization of WMO. Each year a different theme is chosen for the occasion. WMO was designated a specialized agency of the United Nations System in 1951.
Various events as conferences, symposia and exhibitions for meteorological professionals, community leaders and the general public are held on World Meteorological Day.
World Meteorological Day marks the presentation of awards for meteorological research like, The International Meteorological Organization Prize, Professor Dr. Vilho Väisälä Award and The Norbert Gerbier-Mumm International Award.
Many countries issue postage stamps or special postage stamp cancellation marks to celebrate World Meteorological Day.
These stamps bear the theme of the event or a country's meteorology achievements.
Past Themes
A new theme is allocated to each different year for World Meteorological Day. Recent themes of World Meteorological Day have been:
A new theme is allocated to each different year for World Meteorological Day. Recent themes of World Meteorological Day have been:
- 2009 - Weather, climate and the air we breathe
- 2008 - Observing our planet for a better future
- 2007 - Polar meteorology: Understanding global impacts
- 2006 - Preventing and mitigating natural disasters
- 2005 - Weather, climate, water and sustainable development
- 2004 - Weather, climate, water in the information age
- 2003 - Our future climate
