Celebrations for World Meteorological Day took place worldwide today, focusing on closing the early warning gap and strengthening resilience against extreme weather. Organized by national weather services, events included a gathering at WMO headquarters in Geneva. Though the official day falls on March 23, global discussions continued into Monday.
Progress in Early Warnings for All
The UN Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, launched at COP 28, aims to bring the world’s population under a protective early-warning system by 2027. Now at its halfway point, the initiative has seen major progress:
In 2023, 108 countries reported having some capacity for multi-hazard early warning systems more than double the 52 countries in 2015.
The initiative has saved lives, protected livelihoods, and strengthened community resilience, but more action is needed, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
IFRC Secretary-General Jagan Chapagain emphasized the importance of investing in early warning systems, stating that forecasting extreme weather can help prevent disasters.
2024: The Hottest Year on Record?
Last week, the WMO’s State of the Global Climate report confirmed that 2024 was likely the first full year to surpass 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Global mean temperature was recorded at 1.55°C above the 1850-1900 average the warmest year in a 175-year observational record.
Greenhouse gas concentrations, El Niño, and other factors fueled record heat.
While long-term warming remains below the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold, sea-level rise and ocean warming may be irreversible for centuries.
Climate Impacts Escalate
- The report also highlighted concerning climate trends:
- 18 lowest Arctic sea-ice extents on record have occurred in the past 18 years.
- Three lowest Antarctic ice extents were recorded in the past three years.
- Largest three-year glacier mass loss ever recorded also happened in the past three years.
Tropical cyclones, floods, and droughts in 2024 triggered the highest number of new displacements in 16 years, worsened food crises, and caused massive economic losses.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned that while one year above 1.5°C does not mean the Paris Agreement goals are unattainable, it serves as a wake-up call that rising temperatures are increasing risks to lives, economies, and the planet.The report included an infographic documenting over 150 extreme weather events labeled “unprecedented” meaning more severe than any previously recorded and nearly 300 classified as “unusual.”
With World Glaciers Day (March 21) and World Water Day (March 22) just behind, these findings emphasize the urgent need for stronger climate action. Meanwhile an update on the La Niña event that emerged in December suggests it will be short-lived.
As climate change accelerates, closing the early warning gap remains critical in protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring a more resilient world.