Novice/Vreme
Use of climate-forcing F-gases underlines need for innovation
2.10.2013|Vreme
Fluorinated gases, otherwise known as F-gases, are a range of industrial gases which have a powerful effect on the climate. As EU policy makers consider further proposals to limit the use of these gases, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has published data on their production, import and export.
Antarctic ozone bulletin documents early signs of depletion
2.9.2013|Vreme
Measurements with ground based instruments and with balloons show early signs of ozone depletion in several areas, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s Antarctic Ozone Bulletin – the first of the 2013 series.
As the sun returns to Antarctica after the polar night, ozone destruction will speed up. It is still too early to give a definitive statement about the development of this year's ozone hole and the degree of ozone loss that will occur. This will, to a large extent, depend on the meteorological conditions. However, the temperature conditions and the extent of polar stratospheric clouds so far indicate that the degree of ozone loss in 2013 will be similar to that observed in 2011 and larger than in 2010 and 2012, according to the Bulletin.
Greater Horn of Africa climate outlook Forum assesses coming rainy season
23.8.2013|Vreme
The latest session of the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum has concluded that, in the forthcoming September-December rainy season, most parts of the region are likely to receive near normal rainfall. September to December constitutes the second most important rainfall season, after March-May, over southern Somalia and other equatorial parts of the Greater Horn of Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and northern Tanzania). Temperature outlook indicates increased likelihood for warmer than average temperatures over the southern and equatorial sectors during the September to December 2013 season.
French, Arabic versions of MyWorldWeather app
23.8.2013|Vreme
The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has launched a new version of mobile App "MyWorldWeather." With the assistance of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Meteorology of Oman, Mètèo-France, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), MyObservatory incorporates support for Arabic and French languages. The "MyWorldWeather" app features the World Weather Information Service under the auspices of the WMO. The mobile app was first launched in October 2011, and currently supports nine languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Korean, Portuguese, Polish and Spanish. At present, official weather forecasts for about 1,700 cities supplied by 133 WMO members are available on the "MyWorldWeather".
WMO Cloud Atlas
23.8.2013|Vreme
WMO is considering how best to update the Cloud Atlas and produce it as a digital version which is authoritative, comprehensive and useful for operational observation systems. The Cloud Atlas was developed as a standardized reference documentand training tool for meteorologists, as well as for those working in aviation, at sea and in agriculture. It has also been very popular with amateur cloud enthusiasts.
WMO Professor Mariolopoulos Trust Fund Award for 2014
12.7.2013|Vreme
The "Mariolopoulos-Kanaginis Foundation for the Environmental Sciences" is a non-profit nongovernmental organization aiming at promoting and awarding atmospheric environmental research. The "WMO Professor Mariolopoulos Trust Fund Award", established by its Board of Directors under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of the UN, is granted every two years and accompanied by a prize of US$ 2,000 and a Certificate. The Foundation shall provide an additional US$ 3,000 to the awardee.
Nominations for the 2014 award must be submitted by 30 August 2013. The award is granted for an outstanding research paper in atmospheric sciences, published or accepted during the last two years in a refereed journal by a young scientist (age below 35 years by the date of publication). Nominations could be made by the National Committees of the International Association of Meteorological and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS), IAMAS Commissions and/or by the Directors of the National Meteorological Services.
Van manufacturers must make new models more efficient by 2020
18.6.2013|Vreme
New vans in the European Union (EU) must become more efficient to meet carbon dioxide targets in 2017 and 2020, according to provisional data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Flood risk in Europe: the long-term outlook
5.6.2013|Vreme
Floods in Central Europe have caused deaths and widespread property damage across parts of the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria. Such events are likely to increase in Europe for several reasons including climate change, according to recent assessments from the European Environment Agency (EEA).
2013 summer climate outlook for West Africa and Sahel
3.6.2013|Vreme
West Africa and the Sahel region is not expected to experience severe precipitation deficits during the July-September rainy season, according to the seasonal climate outlook issued the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD).
Active Atlantic Hurricane Season Predicted
31.5.2013|Vreme
The 2013 Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from 1 June to 30 November, is expected to be active because of a combination of climate factors.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center forecast a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 63 kilometers per hour/39 miles per hour or higher), of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 119 kmh/74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 178 kph/ 111 mph or higher). These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
African communities benefit from severe weather forecasting project
31.5.2013|Vreme
An acclaimed WMO project to strengthen the capacity of meteorological services in developing countries to forecast hazardous weather is being rolled out in Southern and Eastern Africa, where it is making a significant contribution to disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
The Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project has improved the lead-time and reliability for alerts about high-impact events such as heavy rain, severe winds and high waves, thus helping to save lives and property and supporting vital sectors like farming and fishing.
The project shares the expertise and sophisticated forecast and training products of top-level global centres with national public weather services in participating developing countries. It was piloted in 2007 in Southern Africa and now embraces 16 countries in the region, and was introduced in six Eastern African nations in September 2011.
East Africa Community (EAC) heads of National Meteorological Services joined a meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, 27-31 May to discuss achievements and challenges and provide direction on future implementation.This will inform the EAC five-year Meteorological Development Plan and Investment Strategy.
Greenhouse gases: 2011 emissions lower than previously estimated
29.5.2013|Vreme
Greenhouse gases fell by 3.3 % in the EU in 2011, leading to the lowest level of emissions in reports going back to 1990. The decrease in 2011 was also the third largest over this period, according to official data compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and reported by the EU to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
WMO sponsors workshop in Jordan on Climate Watch systems
21.5.2013|Vreme
WMO is sponsoring a workshop on climate monitoring, including the implementation of Climate Watch systems for Arab countries in West Asia.
The meeting in Amman, Jordan, 27-30 May, is organized by the Jordan Meteorological Department. It will consider how to implement Climate Watch systems in the region by maximizing existing infrastructure and expertise.
Given that extreme climate events have a negative impact on the well-being of populations andsustainable development, there is a need to improve climate risk management capabilities. This necessitates an efficient extreme weather and climate warning system, based on the continuous monitoring and forecasting of climate anomalies, is such a warning system.
Atlas of Health and Climate Available in Six Languages
30.4.2013|Vreme
As the world's climate continues to change, hazards to human health are increasing. The Atlas of Health and Climate, published jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), illustrates some of the most pressing current and emerging challenges. Droughts, floods and cyclones affect the health of millions of people each year. Climate variability and extreme conditions such as floods can also trigger epidemics of diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria, dengue and meningitis, which cause death and suffering for many millions more. The Atlas gives practical examples of how the use of weather and climate information can protect public health. The Atlas, which has received widespread acclaim, is now available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Europe must adapt to stay ahead of a changing climate
29.4.2013|Vreme
As Europe’s climate warms, wine producers in Europe may need to change the type of grapes they cultivate or the location of vineyards, even moving production to other areas in some cases. This is just one example of how Europe’s economy and society need to adapt to climate change, as examined in a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Hurricane Committee Learns Lessons from Sandy, Retires Name
15.4.2013|Vreme
The World Meteorological Organization's Hurricane Committee has agreed to changes in its hurricane and tropical storm watch and warning system to take into account lessons learned from Sandy - which has now been retired from the official rotating list of names because of the devastation caused in October 2012. Sandy will be replaced by Sara.
The Hurricane Committee adopted a proposal from its Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in Miami to broaden hurricane and tropical storm watch and warning definitions to allow these watches and warnings to remain in effect after a tropical cyclone becomes post-tropical, when such a storm poses a significant threat to life and property.
In future, the RSMC Miami will ensure a continuity of service by continuing to issue advisories during the post-tropical stage, when a storm poses a significant threat to life and property.
These changes were motivated by the special challenges posed by Hurricane Sandy, which evolved from a hurricane to a post-tropical cyclone prior to reaching the coast of the United States of America. They will be incorporated into the Operational Plan of the Hurricane Committee of WMO Regional Association IV (North and Central America and the Caribbean).
WMO sponsors workshop in South Africa on Climate Watch systems
15.4.2013|Vreme
WMO is sponsoring a workshop on climate monitoring, including the implementation of Climate Watch systems in Africa, with a special focus on Eastern and Southern Africa.
The meeting in Pretoria, South Africa, 15-18 April, is organized by the South African Weather Service. It will consider how to implement Climate Watch systems in the region by maximizing existing infrastructure and expertise.
Given that extreme climate events have a negative impact on the well-being of populations and sustainable development, there is a need to improve climate risk management capabilities. This necessitates an efficient extreme weather and climate warning system, based on the continuous monitoring and forecasting of climate anomalies, is such a warning system.
Hong Kong Observatory Ceremony launches new laguage versions of MyWorldWeather app
25.3.2013|Vreme
MyWorldWeather, a free mobile application (app) with official weather forecasts across the globe, has introduced new language versions to reach a growing number of people on the move.
Developed by the Hong Kong Observatory on behalf of the World Meteorological Organization, MyWorldWeather is now available on both iPhone and Android platforms in Chinese, English, German, Korean, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish.
Global Atmosphere Watch: Science for Service
25.3.2013|Vreme
WMO's Global Atmosphere Watch has held a major symposium on how to improve the monitoring and understanding of air pollution, ozone, ultraviolet radiation, greenhouse gases and other atmospheric conditions which impact on our daily life.
The symposium is held every four years It focused on strengthening scientific data and information on the state of the atmosphere and its interactions with the oceans and the biosphere, and ensuring that it is relevant and accessible to service providers and policymakers.
World Meteorological Day 23 March: Watching the Weather to Protect Life and Property
25.3.2013|Vreme
WMO Celebrates 50 years of World Weather Watch
GENEVA 21 March 2013 (WMO) Watching the Weather to Protect Life and Property is the theme of World Meteorological Day which also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the World Weather Watch: a symbol of global cooperation born at the height of the Cold War.
The title of this year's event focuses attention on the crucial 24/7 role of meteorological and hydrological services in improving human safety and safeguarding society against hazards like floods, tropical cyclones and droughts.
