On 23rd March, 1950, the date of the establishment of theWorld Meteorological organisation, has been named World Meteorological Day. This organization announces a slogan for World Meteorology Day every year, and the day is celebrated in all member countries. Every year on 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization commemorates the coming into force of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization on 23 March 1950.
The day also highlights the contribution that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services make to the safety and well-being of society.
It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world. The themes chosen for World Meteorological Day reflect topical weather, climate or water-related issues.
Since 1961, the World Meteorological Organization has been celebrating World Meteorological Day with a different theme selected for each year.
Many prizes for meteorological research are presented or announced on or close to World Meteorological Day. These prizes include:
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The International Meteorological organisation
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Professor Dr. VilhoVäisälä Award
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The Norbert Gerbier-Mumm International Award
Many countries issue postage stamps or special postage stamp cancellation marks to celebrate World Meteorological Day. These stamps often reflect the event's theme or mark a country's themes of World Meteorological Day.
Recent themes of World Meteorological Day have been:
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Weather-ready, climate-smart, 23 March 2018.
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Understanding clouds, 23 March 2017.
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Hotter, drier, wetter - Face the future, 23 March 2016.
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Climate knowledge for Climate Action, 23 March 2015.
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Weather and Climate: Engaging youth, 23 March 2014.
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Watching the weather to protect life and property: Celebrating 50 years of World Weather Watch, 23 March 2013
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Powering our future with weather, climate and water, 23 March 2012.
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Climate for you, 23 March 2011.
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60 years of service for your safety and well-being (2010).
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Weather, climate and the air we breathe (2009).
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Observing our planet for a better future (2008).
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Polar meteorology: Understanding global impacts (2007).
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Preventing and mitigating natural disasters (2006).
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Weather, climate, water and sustainable development (2005).
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Weather, climate, water in the information age (2004).
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Our future climate (2003).
A new theme is allocated to each different year for World Meteorological Day. The World Meteorological Day 2019 theme will be: The Sun, the Earth and the Weather.
