World Meteorological Organization

About World Meteorological Organization:

• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
• History
  • It originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. 
  • Established in 1950, WMO became the specialized agency of the UN for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.
• It is the UN system's authoritative voice on the state and behavior of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces, and the resulting distribution of water resources.
• Its main goal is to facilitate international cooperation in the development of meteorology and the exchange of information and technology related to weather, climate, hydrology and related environmental fields.
• Governance Structure:
  • World Meteorological Congress: It is WMO’s supreme body which consists of representatives of all members. It meets at least every four years to set general policy and adopt regulations.
  • Executive Council: It consists of 36-members which meets annually and implements policy.
  • Secretariat: It is headed by a secretary-general appointed by the congress for a four-year term, serves as the administrative centre of the organization.
• Members: It has 193 Members, including 187 Member States and 6 Territories, maintaining their own meteorological services.
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.

Q1: What is Meteorology?

It is the scientific study of atmospheric phenomena, particularly of the troposphere and lower stratosphere. Meteorology entails the systematic study of weather and its causes, and provides the basis for weather forecasting. See also climatology.

Source: IE