World Meteorological Day 2016: Hotter, Drier, Wetter - Face the Future

The World Meteorological Organization, as the successor of the International Meteorological Organization, created in 1873, has its fundamental mission to support the countries of the world in providing meteorological and hydrological services to protect life and property from natural disasters related to weather, climate and water, to safeguard the environment, and to contribute to sustainable development. This cannot happen without the necessary observations, research and operations that develop the understanding and knowledge of weather and climate.

Since 1961, World Meteorological Day has commemorated the coming into force on 23 March 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization and the essential contribution that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services make to the safety and well-being of society. Each year, the celebrations focus on a theme of topical interest.

This year's theme, 'Hotter, drier, wetter. Face the Future,' was chosen to illustrate the reality of climate change. It highlights that, without urgent action to cut emissions, the trend of increasing temperatures and the frequency and intensity of extreme events will accelerate. A 2016 calendar with the same theme is also available for download, and includes photographs from around the world based on a WMO Facebook competition.