Global weather observations critical for safety as climate risks rise, KNMI leads Dutch efforts

World Meteorological Day 2026 highlights how global weather observations protect lives and economies. With extreme weather increasing, accurate forecasts and early warnings—powered by international cooperation—are vital for Dutch citizens to stay safe and prepared.

Key Fact	Details
Theme 2026	"Observing today, protecting tomorrow"
Global observation sources	Weather stations, ships, aircraft, satellites, weather balloons
KNMI’s role	Operates weather stations, radars, weather balloons, and satellites
Dutch observation network	Automatic weather stations, precipitation radars, Cabauw measuring mast
International gaps	Africa, small island states, polar regions lack sufficient stations
SOFF funding	€100M+ trust fund to improve observations in 60 developing countries
KNMI’s contribution	Peer advisor in five countries for SOFF implementation

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) represents the Netherlands in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), ensuring global weather data is shared and standardized. As a national authority, KNMI provides critical weather forecasts, climate research, and warnings to protect Dutch citizens and infrastructure.

The summary and analysis above were generated by European AI

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Read the full translated article below

World Meteorological Day 2026

March 23, 2026

“Observing today, protecting tomorrow.” That is the theme of World Meteorological Day 2026, the anniversary of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The theme underscores how essential observations of weather, climate, and water are—and increasingly so—for our safety, economy, and living environment. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) represents the Netherlands within the WMO. The founder of the KNMI, Buys Ballot, was even involved in the establishment of the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), the predecessor of the WMO.

Observations for better protection

Weather and climate do not stop at national borders. Reliable forecasts are only possible thanks to global cooperation and the exchange of data. Every day, millions of observations are collected worldwide via weather stations, ships, aircraft, satellites, and weather balloons. These form the basis for weather forecasts, climate research, and warnings for extreme weather. The WMO sets guidelines for these observations and promotes agreements between member states on sharing and streamlining them.

Weather and climate do not stop at national borders.

Role of the KNMI

The KNMI also makes a significant contribution through its observation network in the Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands. Continuous measurements are taken via automatic weather stations on land and at sea, as well as through a network of voluntary precipitation observers and two precipitation radars that continuously scan the sky for showers. The KNMI also launches a weather balloon daily and sends an ozone sonde into the atmosphere every week. These measurements provide insights into temperature, wind, and atmospheric composition at high altitudes. In addition, the KNMI operates a measuring mast at Cabauw, where research is conducted in collaboration with other institutes and an international platform is provided for testing new measurement methods, weather and climate models, and the validation of satellite measurements. The KNMI also collaborates intensively with European partners on satellites such as TROPOMI, MetOp-SG, and EarthCARE. Satellites provide global information on clouds, temperature, sea level, ice, and air quality. Without satellites, large parts of the Earth—particularly the oceans—would be nearly impossible to monitor.

The growing importance of observations

Accurate and timely warnings are vital. Extreme weather, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall, is occurring more frequently and intensely due to climate change. Good observations enable earlier and more targeted warnings, allowing damage to be minimized and people to better prepare.

The KNMI has a statutory task to issue warnings for hazardous weather. Thanks to improved models, increased computing power, and international cooperation, forecasts are becoming increasingly accurate and localized.

Accurate and timely warnings are vital.

Investing in tomorrow

Observation networks form the foundation of our knowledge about the climate. Investing in these networks is therefore an investment in the safety and resilience of the future. At the same time, new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), offer opportunities to further improve forecasts. To expand observation capacity amid rapid advancements in AI and satellite technology, the WMO also emphasizes the important role of young people—and particularly young scientists—through its youth program. After all, they will live with the consequences of today’s decisions and must further develop and improve our forecasting capabilities.

Closing the gaps

Despite all technological progress, there are still major gaps in the global observation network. In parts of Africa, small island states, and polar regions, measuring stations are scarce or do not always function properly. This leads to less accurate forecasts, not only locally but also globally. The WMO, together with member states, is therefore working to close these gaps, including through international cooperation and investments in observation networks on land, in the ocean, and in the atmosphere. This is done, for example, via the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) : a trust fund of over 100 million euros to structurally improve meteorological observations in 60 developing countries. The KNMI is active as a peer advisor in five countries to implement the SOFF program and help close observation gaps there.

By observing well today, we can be better prepared tomorrow for a changing climate.

During World Meteorological Day , the WMO emphasizes that climate, weather, and water connect us all. By observing well today, we can be better prepared tomorrow for a changing climate.