Global Multi-hazard Alert System (GMAS)

Early and authoritative warnings of weather, water, ocean and climate hazards produced by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) have proven to be very effective in reducing loss of life and damage to property. They provide the foundation on which early action by the responsible authorities and the public can be realized. As hydrometeorological hazards impact increasingly exposed and vulnerable populations and their assets, often across political boundaries, there is a need for these warnings and related information from all countries to be made more easily accessible in a timely manner.

The WMO Global Multi-hazard Alert System (GMAS) is poised to be the WMO framework for substantially increasing and enhancing the availability of authoritative warnings and information related to extreme and/or potentially high-impact weather, water and climate events – regionally and globally. GMAS is intended to be a highly visible and accessible resource for such official warnings and a driver and vehicle for:

1. identifying gaps in capability;
2. facilitating investments by development partners and capacity development to generate and disseminate these warnings;
3. promoting outreach to those at risk and to decision-makers, taking into account global mobility;
4. improving visibility and recognition of national alerting authorities – including NMHSs – by key national, regional and global users and stakeholders;
5. harmonizing and standardizing specific warning parameters; as well as
6. promoting cross-border cooperation.