World Meteorological Day

Supriya Jain
Dec 22, 2023 By Supriya Jain
Originally Published on Mar 16, 2022
Fact-checked by Gowri Rao
World Meteorological Day makes people aware of the future climate and weather of the planet.

Where is World Meteorological Day celebrated?

World Meteorological Day is celebrated in all the 193 member countries of the World Meteorological Organization.

Who is World Meteorological Day celebrated by?

World Meteorological Day is celebrated by atmospheric scientists, climatologists, hydrologists, geophysicists, environmental activists, and enthusiasts across the world.

When did World Meteorological Day first start?

The first World Meteorological Day was celebrated on March 23, 1961.

Who started World Meteorological Day?

The United Nations established World Meteorological Day to commemorate the creation of the World Meteorological Organization.

History And Timeline

The World Meteorological Organization emerged from the former International Meteorological Organization in 1950. Here is the timeline of events that led to the formation of the World Meteorological Organization:

International Meteorological Organization Formed

To exchange weather information, such as pressure, temperature, precipitation, and forecasting, among different countries of the world, the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) was set up in September 1873.

September 1873

World Meteorological Convention

The 1947 World Meteorological Convention at Washington DC realized the need to reform the structure and status of the IMO to incorporate major departments of weather forecasting into the organization, like geophysics, hydrology, atmospheric science, and climatology, and gain support from governments. This convention formally established the World Meteorological Organization.

1947

World Meteorological Organization Formed

On March 23, 1950, the International Meteorological Organization was superseded by another organization, as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) came into force.

March 23, 1950

WMO joins United Nations

The World Meteorological Organization joined the United Nations as a specialized agency and an intergovernmental organization.

1951

World Meteorological Day Established

A decade after the World Meteorological Organization became a part of the United Nations, the UN established March 23 as the annual World Meteorological Day for all member nations.

March 23, 1961

Traditions and Customs

It is customary for the World Meteorological Organization to select different themes each year in celebration of World Meteorological Day, and spread awareness on those particular subjects throughout the year along with conducting in-depth research to gain further international insight on the chosen topics. Celebrate your national meteorological services during this day!

For instance, the theme for World Meteorological Day 2021 was 'The Ocean, Our Climate and Weather'. The theme was decided on to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on rising sea levels. 'Weather-Ready, Climate-Smart' was the theme for 2018, while 'Understanding Cloud' was the theme for 2017.

Ways To Celebrate World Meteorological Day

Celebrating World Meteorological Day is a great way to show your love for the environment.

You can join the community platform on the World Meteorological Organization’s official website or participate in WMO for Youth. Celebrate each year’s theme by doing fun activities on WMO for Youth’s website along with reading or watching YouTube videos about the topic on the internet.

On the ground level, you can volunteer for environmental organizations, recycle your old waste products, buy eco-friendly products, resolve to consume less meat, spread awareness among your network on the selected theme’s issue, and promote sustainable development for a better future and climate.

Facts and Stats

As of May 2019, the World Meteorological Organization comprises 187 member nations and six member territories.

In 2007, a joint panel of the United Nations Environment Program and the World Meteorological Organization, called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, received a Nobel Prize.

National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are for the safety and wellbeing of society. Raising awareness about these services is also a great way to celebrate the day!

Why do we celebrate World Meteorological Day?

World Meteorological Day is celebrated to commemorate the creation of the World Meteorological Organization and spread awareness of climate change.

What was the theme for World Meteorological Day 2020?

The theme for World Meteorological Day 2020 was 'Climate and Water'.

What is the meaning of Meteorological Day?

Meteorological Day means a day to celebrate Earth sciences, meteorology, and operational hydrology, and the people who contribute to these fields, and to find out more on how to stop climate change.

When was World Meteorological Day founded?

World Meteorological Day was founded on March 23, 1961.

Who coined World Meteorological Day?

The United Nations coined World Meteorological Day.

How do Space scientists celebrate World Meteorological Day?

Space scientists celebrate World Meteorological Day by selecting a new theme every year and devising fresh plans to research these topics effectively.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Monday, March 23, 2020
  • Tuesday, March 23, 2021
  • Wednesday, March 23, 2022
  • Thursday, March 23, 2023
  • Saturday, March 23, 2024

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Written by Supriya Jain

Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

Supriya Jain picture

Supriya JainBachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

As a skilled member of the Kidadl team, Shruti brings extensive experience and expertise in professional content writing. With a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Punjab University and an MBA in Business Administration from IMT Nagpur, Shruti has worked in diverse roles such as sales intern, content writer, executive trainee, and business development consultant. Her exceptional writing skills cover a wide range of areas, including SOP, SEO, B2B/B2C, and academic content.

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Fact-checked by Gowri Rao

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Economics

Gowri Rao picture

Gowri RaoBachelor of Arts specializing in Economics

With a bachelor's degree in Economics from Krea University, Gowri is a highly skilled data analyst and an expert in regression and causation modeling. Her interests in economic trends, finance, and investment research complement her professional expertise. In addition to her professional pursuits, Gowri enjoys swimming, running, and playing the drums, and she is also a talented tutor.

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