NEWS – A new World Meteorological Organization project aims to increase and improve weather, water, ice, and climate information about the Arctic and Antarctic.

HIGHLIGHTS

Objective

– Improve weather, water, ice, and climate information in Arctic and Antarctic regions

– Enhance observation systems and Earth system models

– Advocate for improved forecasting services

Importance

– Polar regions experiencing rapid temperature increase

– Climate change impacts Indigenous populations, local communities, and those working in polar regions

– Project focuses on scientific and societal issues

Project Details

– Runs from 2024 to 2028

– Part of WMO’s World Weather Research Programme (WWRP)

– Led by Norwegian Meteorological Institute and University of Canterbury, New Zealand

WEATHER AND CLIMATE FORECASTING

– Involves monitoring and predicting changes in weather and climate

– Provides early warnings of potential hazards

– Aims to minimize damage to people, property, infrastructure, and ecosystems

Challenges

– Interaction between atmosphere, ocean, sea ice, and other physical processes makes forecasting challenging

– Understanding user needs is crucial

WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION (WMO)

– International organization focused on weather, climate, and water resources

– Established in 1950, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland

– 193 member countries and territories

Goals:

+ Promote cooperation in meteorology and hydrology

+ Establish networks for weather and climate observation

+ Provide guidance on weather and climate forecasting

+ Support research and development in meteorology and related fields

+ Enhance public awareness of weather and climate issues