Research at WMO

Research Department

WCC-3 Compendium of BAMS Climate/Weather Vision Papers

The WMO Research Department (RES) coordinates international research to enhance the ability of Member countries to improve weather, climate, water and environmental observations, prediction, service delivery and scientific assessments. It does this through the following programmes and projects:

• The World Climate Research Programme ((WCRP), with its four major projects focusing on climate predictability, understanding the Earth’s water cycle and processes in the stratosphere and cryosphere: CLIVAR, GEWEX, SPARC and CliC) contributes to climate-related decision-making and adaptation planning by improving climate predictions and our understanding of human influence on climate, and by using this scientific knowledge to assess the environmental impacts of climate change and variability;

• The World Weather Research Programme (WWRP), including the THORPEX Programme, advances societies’ ability to cope with high-impact weather through improving the accuracy, lead-time, and utilization of weather predictions; and

WCRP oversight is the responsibility of the WCRP Joint Scientific Committee (WCRP-JSC), associated Scientific Steering Groups and International Project Offices, while oversight of GAW and WWRP is the responsibility of the Commission for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS) with its Joint Scientific Committees (JSC-EPAC and JSC-WWRP, respectively). The strategic implementation plans for these programmes/projects are: the WCRP Strategic Framework; GAW Strategic Plan: 2008-2015, and the WWRP Strategic Implementation Plan. Cross-cutting activities between weather, climate and air chemistry research include:

Working in partnership with other WMO departments

The WMO Research Department is cross-cutting in research disciplines, as well as with other departments. It works closely with the WMO Observing and Information Systems Department in identifying and assessing the needs for continuity of existing observations, as well as supporting new ones that are based mainly on activities of the global research community. Similarly, major efforts are underway between the Research Department and two service delivery departments: one on weather and disaster risk reduction and one on climate and water services. Together, research and service departments work closely with the WMO Development and Regional Activities Department to develop regional capacity-building and training activities worldwide to take full advantage of these new services and information. There is a strong emphasis on developing and least-developed regions.

There is an exciting opportunity in the next decade for the Research Department and its network of national and international scientists and programmes to offer Member States improved and new information and services related to the Earth’s changing weather, climate, water and environmental conditions for the rest of the 21st century,. The partnership between research, services and regional activities supported by WMO leadership offers a unique opportunity for conveying and delivering the scientific knowledge that the Research Department is generating to decision-makers, managers and the public in a timely and efficient manner. This is consistent with WMO’s mission to promote the use of scientific and technological advances in weather, climate, water and environment to serve the global community.

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