WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
Did you know that...• Nine satellites, 3,000 aircraft, 7,300 ships, 100 moored and 600 drifting buoys, 10,000 land-based stations, and 500 weather radars observe weather conditions 24 hours a day over the whole globe.
• Thirty thousand weather reports and 2,000 weather charts are distributed daily through a worldwide network for the provision of weather forecasts up to a week ahead, and seasonal forecasts for various human activities, including warnings of severe weather events.
• Thousands of hydrological stations contribute to the assessment and management of freshwater quality. They indicate that the water available per inhabitant in some regions is 25 per cent of that available in the 1950s.
• The El Niño phenomenon arises from unusual warm waters of the tropical Pacific Ocean and causes prolonged droughts, severe floods and other weather-related disasters in many parts of the world. The 1997 El Niño episode, one of the strongest this century, might surpass the 1982- 1983 event, which caused about 2,000 deaths and more than $13 billion in damage worldwide.
• Observations from 2,500 climate-reporting stations and results from advanced research suggest that global warm- ing of 1° to 3.5° C over the next century could trigger a sea- level rise of 15 to 95 cm, and possibly increased floods and droughts and other natural disasters, unless emissions of greenhouse gases are curtailed.This is your captain speaking
John Smith's plane has just left Amsterdam for New York. He is the captain.
"This is your captain speaking. Our flight to New York today will last eight hours and 20 minutes. We will fly over London, Conemara in Ireland, Newfoundland, Boston and New York JFK airport where we will land at approximately 4:20 p.m. local time. Our altitude will be of 33,000 feet. The weather on the way should be good, except for some turbulence over the Northern Atlantic. In New York, it is very cold. The forecast there is for a temperature of minus 15 degrees and a strong northern wind. I wish you a very pleasant trip!"
Thanks to WMO's World Meteorological Vigil system, planes can determine the best routes to follow to ensure your safety and comfort. Meteorological data are transmitted instantaneously through a world communications system developed by WMO.
Increased crop yields in Mali
Modibo Traore is one of more than 10,000 farmers in the rural villages of Mali, who listens to the daily weather forecasts and warnings provided by the national meteorological service.
"Each morning, the first thing I do is turn on the radio. I am among the lucky ones -being able to receive weather and climate information that helps us farmers decide when to plant or harvest or even prepare for an oncoming drought. As a result of timely warnings and forecasts, we have seen an increase in our millet and sorghum yields of up to 67 per cent; this means a value of $240000 over 6,000 hectares! Formerly, we used to rely on our experience and intuition, but nowadays our traditional methods seem to be less effective than the new ones. One cannot underestimate the value of meteorological information, not counting the fact that all this makes us self-sufficient. What's more, this success has encouraged more men and women in our rural communities to settle."
WMO continues to assist governments ensure that farmers receive timely and accurate agro-meteorological advice through radio bulletins and other channels to safeguard the environment and contribute to the economies of drought-prone countries of the Sahel.
Silence before the storm
Mohammed Mogbal lives in Burirchar, 20 kilometers from the Bay of Bengal.
"In the old days, my father could tell that typhoons were coming just by looking at the farm animals. If they were too quiet, he knew that something was going to happen. Unfortunately, his method did not always work. Then it would be a catastrophe. Our house would be destroyed and we had to start from scratch. Nowadays, things have really changed. Radio keeps us informed by the hour of the arrival of a typhoon. So, we have time to take precautionary measures. Protect things that are at risk. And the family can take refuge in a secure shelter."
WMO's world observation system monitors typhoons constantly. Their evolution as well as their itinerary is observed by satellite and data are transmitted instantaneously to the authorities so that measures to protect the populations can be taken immediately.
WMO in brief
The World Meteorological Organization was created in 1950 to succeed the international
meteorological organization that had existed since 1873. In cooperation with national meteorological and hydrological services, WMO:• Coordinates and facilitates the international production, rapid exchange and analysis of information on weather, water, climate;
• Furthers the application of meteorology and operational hydrology, to transport, water problems, agriculture, environmental issues and other human activities, such as natural disaster mitigation;
• Promotes research and training in the science of meteorology and hydrology.World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
41, avenue Giuseppe-Motta
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
Tel.: (41 22) 730 8314
Website: http://www.wmo.ch
E-mail: gorre.dale_e@gateway.wmo.ch
