Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Programme

WMO Operational Network

Through coordination of an operational network of its 188 Members’ National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), 3 world meteorological centres, 40 regional specialized meteorological centres, 10 scientific and technical programmes, 30 regional meteorological training centres (operated by the NMHSs), WMO leverages capacities so that NMHSs can effectively contribute to all components of disaster risk reduction.

The WMO Operational Network enables the delivery of accurate, timely and reliable observations, forecasts and warnings, and analysis of meteorological, hydrological and climate -related hazards.

WMO Global Observing System (GOS)

The WMO Global Observing System (GOS) involves two subsystems, i) surface-based that is operated mainly by Member NMHSs and, ii) space-based that is operated by either national or international space agencies. Since 1963, the WMO GOS has enabled coordination of the observation and collection of weather, water and climate information from around the globe. Through this system, data are collected from 17 satellites, hundreds of ocean buoys, aircraft, ships and nearly 10 000 land-based stations and are exchanged and archived in near-real time. Everyday more than 50,000 weather reports and several thousand charts and digital products are disseminated among countries to provide services for society's benefit.

The WMO Global Observing System (GOS) is developing into the WMO Global Integrated Observing System (WIGOS), which will include various WMO observing systems such as the GOS, Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW), as well as cosponsored systems such as Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). WIGOS also contributes to realization of the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS).

WMO's Global Telecommunication System (GTS)

WMO's Global Telecommunication System (GTS) is composed of a dedicated network of surface-based and satellite-based telecommunication links and centres operated by countries 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year round. It interconnects all National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) for round-clock reliable and near-real-time collection and distribution of all meteorological and related data, forecasts and alerts. WMO GTS is the backbone system for global exchange of data and information in support of multi-hazard, multipurpose early warning systems, including all meteorological and related data; weather, water and climate analyses and forecasts; tsunami related information and warnings, and seismic parametric data. WMO is building on its GTS to achieve an overarching WMO Information System (WIS), enabling systematic access, retrieval, and dissemination and exchange of data and information of all WMO and related international Programmes. WIS will also be able to provide critical data to other national agencies and users dealing with many sectors including disaster risk management.

National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are linked among themselves through the GTS. This secured communication network enables real-time exchange of information, critical for forecasting and warning of hydrometeorological hazards.

WMO Global Data-processing and Forecasting System (GDPFS)

The WMO Global Data-processing and Forecasting System (GDPFS) is organised as a network of, i) three World Meteorological Centres (WMCs) and ii) 40 Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs). Operated or supported by NMHSs, those centres carry out data archiving, processing and forecasting functions at the global and regional levels, respectively. This coordinated system provides analysis, modelling, forecasting and other products and services in support of forecasting and early warnings of weather- and climate-related hazards to all countries. WMO specifically ensures that capacities are implemented within the NMHSs of developing and least developed countries, for issuance of forecasts and warning of various hydro-meteorological hazards. The diagram above depicts the location of the three World Meteorological Centres (WMCs), 40 Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) and 30 Regional Training Centres.

Drought Monitoring and Management Centres

Following the devastating droughts of the 1980’s in Africa, WMO facilitated the establishment of two drought monitoring centres in Southern Africa (Gaborone, Botswana formally located in Harare, Zimbabwe) and the Drought Monitoring Centre for Eastern Africa, (Nairobi, Kenya). These Centres have evolved and are now integrated as part of the respective regional economic communities, namely The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and InterGovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The centres monitor extreme weather and climate events, particularly droughts and floods, and provide advisories to member countries and relevant institutions to aid the development and implementation of appropriate risk reduction strategies.

WMO has been collaborating with the United Nations Convention to Combat Drought and Desertification (UNCCD) in the establishment of a drought management centre for south-eastern Europe in Slovenia. A similar initiative is underway involving WMO, UNCCD and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for the establishment of a drought management centre in Central Asia.

Regional Climate Centres

WMO is currently working to establish Regional Climate Centres for the development and delivery of effective climate services for informal decision-making. Through these centres, it is expected to develop:

• Regional cooperation for capacity-building and infrastructure development;
• Operational implementation of climate monitoring and research initiatives;
• A regional mechanism for interpretation and interface to climate models and for NMHSs

WMO Tropical Cyclone Programme: An example of utilization of WMO operational networking to support tropical cyclone warning systems

The WMO Tropical Cyclone Programme is a good example of using regional capacities to support national warning systems. Through six designated Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (Honolulu, La Réunion, Miami, Nadi, New Delhi, Tokyo), forecasts, alerts and bulletins of severity, projected path and land fall are provided around the clock to the NMHSs of all countries at risk, with lead-times of at least 24 hours up to several days. At the national level, NMHSs issue tropical cyclone warnings to designated government authorities, media, and public at risk. In addition to operational capacities, through the five WMO Regional Tropical Cyclone Committees, forecasting skill of the tropical cyclone models are enhanced on an on-going basis and efforts are made to ensure forecasts are integrated in disaster risk management and response planning.

WMO Regional Training Centres

Regional cooperation is critical to making accessible the latest hazard analysis and forecasting information to those countries with fewer resources. WMO has promoted strong regional cooperation among Members in terms of meteorological, hydrological and climate services. WMO facilitates information sharing and capacity building through its 30 Regional Training Centres (RTCs). Strengthening of these facilities and enhanced cooperation enables NMHSs to provide better information in support of decision-making.

The RTCs provide equipment, facilities, instruction and training to respond to the needs of each region. Through the activities of these centres, NMHSs have received extensive training, ranging from hazard monitoring to issuing of early warnings.

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