24 March 2016
WMO Highlights Record Temperature, Droughts and Extremes on World Meteorological Day
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The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its Statement on the Status of the Climate in 2015, ahead of the World Meteorological Day.

The Statement indicates that 2015 broke records in terms of temperatures, heatwaves, rainfall, drought and tropical cyclones, and that this trend is expected to continue in 2016.

The theme of World Meteorological Day 2016, which was observed on 23 March, was 'Hotter, drier, wetter.

Face the Future,' in order to highlight climate challenges and the path towards climate-resilient societies.

WMO23 March 2016: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its Statement on the Status of the Climate in 2015, ahead of the World Meteorological Day. The Statement indicates that 2015 broke records in terms of temperatures, heatwaves, rainfall, drought and tropical cyclones, and that this trend is expected to continue in 2016. The theme of World Meteorological Day 2016, which was observed on 23 March, was ‘Hotter, drier, wetter. Face the Future,’ in order to highlight climate challenges and the path towards climate-resilient societies.

The WMO Statement, which was issued on 21 March 2016, describes findings related to sea surface temperatures and ocean heat, Arctic sea ice, heat, heavy rainfall, drought and tropical cyclones. It indicates that global average surface temperature was about 0.76°C above the 1961-1990 average due to climate change and a powerful El Niño. In addition, WMO reports that January and February 2016 set monthly temperature records, and greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm). Arctic sea ice extent was also at a record low for both months, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said the Statement should motivate world leaders to sign and implement the Paris Agreement on climate change, adding that the Earth is already 1°C hotter than at the beginning of the 20th century.

During a special event held in Geneva, Switzerland, to mark World Meteorological Day, Taalas underlined the critical role played by WMO and national meteorological and hydrological services in building climate-resilient societies. He called for reducing heat-related health risks through multi-hazard early warning systems, improving access to scientific knowledge and sharing best practices for coping with drought.

Also speaking at the event, Robert Glasser, Head, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), stressed the importance of weather forecasters as part of efforts to curb the impacts of natural hazards and to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). He urged moving from “simple weather bulletins” toward focusing on the threat to lives, livelihoods and assets; and encouraged investment in disaster-resilience measures.

In a message delivered to mark the Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned that extreme weather events are becoming “the new normal,” said the “window of opportunity” for limiting global temperature rise to below 2°C is “rapidly shrinking,” and noted that world leaders will gather in New York, US to sign the Paris Agreement on 22 April 2016.

Also on the Day, WMO launched a more user-friendly website to showcase its weather, climate and water activities. World Meteorological Day commemorates the entry into force of the Convention establishing the WMO on 23 March 1950, and showcases the contributions of national meteorological and hydrological services to society. [World Meteorological Day Website] [WMO Press Release on World Meteorological Day] [UN Press Release] [WMO Press Release on the Statement on the Status of the Climate in 2015] [Publication: Statement on the Status of the Climate in 2015] [WMO Website] [Statement of WMO Secretary-General on World Meteorological Day] [WMO Press Release on NOAA Report] [Statement by the Head of UNISDR] [WMO Press Release on NOAA Report]


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