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Services for Decision-Making WEATHER CLIMATE WATER 2017 Annual Report Services for Decision-Making WMO-No. 1211 Please visit the WMO YouTube channel to see our videos. Our publications are available at library.wmo.int. Cover photo credits: Lightning in Split, Croatia, Tin Juginovic Floods in Durazno, Uruguay, Ana Figari Baked earth, Adobe Stock Snow, NOAA/NWS, courtesy of Joe Flood Southern lights in Antarctica (December), Belgrano II Weather Station (Argentina), Lucas Gabriel Merlo WMO-No. 1211 © World Meteorological Organization, 2018 The right of publication in print, electronic and any other form and in any language is reserved by WMO. Short extracts from WMO publications may be reproduced without authorization, provided that the complete source is clearly indicated. Editorial correspondence and requests to publish, reproduce or translate this publication in part or in whole should be addressed to: Chairperson, Publications Board World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 7 bis, avenue de la Paix Tel.: +41 (0) 22 730 84 03 P.O. Box 2300 Fax: +41 (0) 22 730 81 17 CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Email: [email protected] ISBN 978-92-63-11211-8 NOTE The designations employed in WMO publications and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WMO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WMO in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in WMO publications with named authors are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of WMO or its Members. Please visit the WMO YouTube channel to see our videos. Our publications are available at library.wmo.int. CONTENTS FOREWORD ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 PART I. THE KNOWLEDGE BASE ................................................................................................................. 2 Earth system observations ........................................................................................................................... 2 The role of science. 6 PART II. INFORMATION FOR DECISION-MAKING .................................................................................. 10 Delivering weather forecasts. 10 Warnings to protect lives and property ....................................................................................................... 11 Ensuring the safety of air traffic ................................................................................................................... 14 Services for climate action and resilience. 15 Services for the Arctic and Antarctic. 17 Chemical composition of the atmosphere .................................................................................................. 18 Mitigating drought and desertification ....................................................................................................... 21 PART III. SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................... 22 Mobilizing resources and fostering partnerships ....................................................................................... 22 How WMO supports Africa. 23 How WMO supports Asia and the South-West Pacific ............................................................................... 24 How WMO supports the Americas ............................................................................................................... 25 How WMO supports Europe ......................................................................................................................... 26 Education and training . 26 PART IV. WMO BUDGET, STAFFING AND STRUCTURE. 28 WMO reform .................................................................................................................................................. 28 How the reform process works .................................................................................................................... 29 WMO in the News .......................................................................................................................................... 30 Sidebars Lightning observations for climate applications .............................................................................................. 3 Understanding clouds ........................................................................................................................................ 7 Observations from aircraft ................................................................................................................................. 8 Monitoring the ocean ......................................................................................................................................... 9 An enhanced WMO World Weather Information Service ................................................................................. 11 Towards a Global Multi-hazard Alert System ................................................................................................... 13 Sand and dust storms in 2017 ........................................................................................................................... 20 New records reached or announced in 2017 .................................................................................................... 29 2017 ANNUAL REPORT – SERVICES FOR DECISION-MAKING | i WMO provides world leadership and expertise in international cooperation, enabling its Members to deliver and use high‑quality, authoritative weather, climate, hydrological and related environmental services, in order to improve the well‑being of societies throughout the world. Hurricane Irma destruction on Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Photo: @ WMO/Chris B. Pye This Annual Report does not aim to provide a comprehensive review of all that WMO achieved in the year – such details are available in the official documents posted on the WMO website. Instead, it provides a snapshot of progress on selected activities that have recently made a significant impact on people’s lives and well-being. ii | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT – SERVICES FOR DECISION-MAKING FOREWORD In 2017 the world witnessed an array of destructive weather to high-resolution satellite imagery and sophisticated events and record-breaking climate extremes. The years models, emergency managers can now issue accurate 2015, 2016 and 2017 have been confirmed as the three and targeted warnings more than a week in advance. warmest on record: 2016 was the warmest of the three, Communities can use information on long-term trends to whilst 2017 tied with 2015 as the second warmest year on prepare for change and to build resilience. By ensuring record. With three major hurricanes striking Caribbean that service providers consult with users when they countries and the southern United States with record rains develop new services, we are able to generate information and winds, 2017 was the most costly and destructive ever that provides practical, real-life solutions. North Atlantic hurricane season. Major monsoon floods caused havoc in the Indian subcontinent; flooding claimed This Annual Report provides a snapshot of this progress. lives in Bangladesh, China, Peru and Sri Lanka; the long- During the course of this single year, the new WMO lasting drought in East Africa persisted; heatwaves affected HydroHub started to stimulate innovation and community Australia, Europe and the United States; and particularly engagement for making hydrological measurements more dry and hot summers led to raging forest fires in California sustainable. WMO became an official observer with the and Portugal.1 A deadly heatwave in Pakistan produced Arctic Council and launched the Year of Polar Prediction to an apparent temperature record for Asia of 54 °C (to be improve predictions for the Arctic and Antarctic. National confirmed), only 2.5 °C below the world record set in July agencies launched and operationalized sophisticated, 1913 in Death Valley, the planet’s hottest place. next-generation meteorological satellites. The WMO Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) expanded its reporting to cover Clearly, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reactive gases and airborne dust. We strengthened our never been more relevant. The National Meteorological partnerships with other United Nations organizations. and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), which represent A meteorological forecaster deployed to the United most Member governments at WMO, take the lead in Nations Operations and Crisis Centre broadened the scope monitoring the Earth’s weather, climate and hydrological of situational reports and analysis to help decision-makers systems. Together with other experts and institutions, they strengthen proactive disaster risk reduction and aid relief conduct the scientific research that is rapidly enhancing efforts. The WMO project portfolio of some US$ 96 million our understanding of the Earth system. They then draw assisted countries in every region of the world. on this work to deliver the high-quality weather, climate, hydrological and environmental information and services Looking ahead, the leadership and staff at WMO
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