Global warming is leading to more extreme weather. Ten years ago, the establishment of Early Warning Centres began worldwide to better and earlier warn of natural disasters such as storms, floods, and heatwaves before they strike, ultimately saving millions of lives. This will be reflected upon on March 23, the 75th anniversary of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This international collaboration goes back even further to the predecessor of the WMO, initiated by KNMI founder Buys Ballot.
Currently, 55 percent of countries have some capacity for a multi-hazard Early Warning Centre, more than double the 52 countries in 2015. Multi-hazard means for multiple hazards. The least developed countries showed the greatest improvements, as did some developing countries and small island states.
KNMI Transforms into an EWC
KNMI has the legal obligation to warn of dangerous weather
The Netherlands has also responded to the call made during the UN climate summit in Paris. The government has tasked KNMI with establishing an EWC. KNMI has the legal obligation to warn of dangerous weather. Warnings must be as accurate as possible. With increasing computing power and better weather models, it is now possible to provide more localized and earlier warnings. Through the EWC, we contribute significantly to safety and prosperity in the Netherlands and beyond, in collaboration with other institutes, governments, and companies.
Dutch Roots in the WMO
The Dutch meteorologist Buys Ballot, founder of KNMI, advocated for a global network of meteorological observations over a century and a half ago. This led to the establishment of the International Meteorological Organization in Vienna in 1873. The IMO was the predecessor of the World Meteorological Organization, founded on March 23, 1950.
International Cooperation
The WMO is the umbrella organization for meteorological and hydrological institutions worldwide
For 75 years, the WMO has been a world leader in weather, climate, and water. It is the umbrella organization for meteorological and hydrological institutions worldwide. 193 member states are involved, including the Netherlands. The organization is crucial for international cooperation, the exchange of meteorological data, forecasts and warnings, and promoting scientific research in the fields of weather and climate.
A Safer World
Strengthening national meteorological and hydrological services - such as KNMI in the Netherlands but also in developing countries - is vital not only for adapting to climate change but also essential for global safety and economic stability. By improving forecasts and warnings together, we can create a safer, more resilient world, or as the WMO puts it, Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.