World Meteorological Day 2023: Understanding the significance of Meteorology

World Meteorological Day seeks to highlight the importance of meteorological and hydrological services for the overall safety of the global society. Photo Courtesy: iStock

The world today, more than ever, is at a greater risk of natural calamities. Air quality is poor. The atmosphere is warming. We have started feeling the impact. Warming atmosphere does not just affect air temperature. Heat waves are common and intense. Rainstorms are getting stronger causing floods, occasionally. In tough times like these, meteorologists constantly ensure public safety and well-being.

World Meteorological Day is marked every year on March 23 to recognise their efforts and services. On this day, let us know it's significance.

History
Primarily, World Meteorological Day marks the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. It was officially founded and recognised by the United Nations. In the same year, the UN started funding it.

The World Meteorological Organisation is an intergovernmental organisation that works towards promoting global cooperation and studying how the behaviour of humans and other factors like weather or climate impacts the Earth and its atmosphere. It is a specialised agency of the UN meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.

This organisation was born to replace International Meteorological Organisation. It currently has 193 Member States and Territories as its members. World Meteorological Day came into being in 1961.

Significance
The main aim to observe the day is to raise awareness about the work and achievements of the organization. It also seeks to highlight the importance of meteorological and hydrological services for the overall safety of the global society.

World Meteorological Day 2023 theme
Each year the day is observed with a new theme. The theme for 2023 is "The Future of Weather, Climate and Water across Generations." Last year the theme was, "Early Warning and Early Action."

How can one celebrate World Meteorological Day?
1. Visit a nearby weather station
2. Participate in various contests like photography held by WMO and other such bodies
3. Volunteer with or support a disaster relief agency

This year, to mark the occasion, the Indian Meteorological Centre in Ahmedabad too, has decided to keep its observatory open for students as well as the public from 10.30 am to 5.00pm. Those around the centre who wish to visit and see the operations must make the most of this chance.

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