Observing today, protecting tomorrow: why weather observation matters for everyone
On World Meteorological Day, we celebrate the meteorologists, hydrologists and climate experts whose work helps protect lives, livelihoods and communities every day.
Weather observation is about much more than knowing whether it will rain tomorrow. It helps people make better decisions—from airlines planning safe routes and farmers managing crops, to small businesses such as street food vendors, fishers and outdoor tour operators deciding how to work safely and avoid losses.
Timely, accurate and accessible weather and climate information is one of the foundations of effective early warning systems. When people receive useful information early enough, they can take action to protect themselves, their homes and their income. This is how observation is transformed into forecasts, forecasts into warnings, and warnings into action.
The benefits are clear. Just 24 hours’ notice before a hazardous event can reduce damage by up to 30 per cent. Disaster-related mortality is far lower in countries with stronger early warning systems, while countries with limited to moderate coverage face a nearly six-times higher disaster-related mortality ratio.
As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said, the global weather enterprise depends on a vast shared observing system that gathers data from land, sea, air and space and turns it into forecasts and early warnings. But this global observing system is under pressure, with gaps remaining, especially in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). (see full message)
Closing the observation gap in vulnerable countries
CREWS supports LDCs and SIDS to strengthen the observation, forecasting and warning chain so that national meteorological and hydrological services (NHMSs) can better serve the people who rely on them most.
Across regions, CREWS’ support is helping countries enhance observing capacity by modernizing the tools, establishing and sustaining systems and improving skills needed to turn data into action.
In the Caribbean, Suriname, Guyana, Jamaica and Belize are being supported through the WMO Space Programme to access satellite data reception equipment and develop visualization tools.
In the Pacific, wave buoys and pressure sensors are deployed in Kiribati and Tuvalu to improve coastal inundation forecasting, while experts from Fiji Meteorological Service have received radar hydrology training to strengthen the Fiji Flash Flood Guidance System. In Papua New Guinea, CREWS support has also helped adapt WMO’s Space-based Weather and Climate Extremes Monitoring products for drought detection and for tracking heavy rainfall and frost events.
In Africa, CREWS support is helping countries enhance observational data exchange using WIS2 and has expanded to digital transformation of NMHSs through international exchange of observation data and emission of common alerting protocol (CAP) warnings. This digital transformation process brings together four elements under Climweb: websites, automatic data loader (ADL), WIS2box and CAPcomposer.
In Africa, CREWS support is helping countries undertake their digital transformation process, with co-financing from NORAD/NORCAP. This is improving international exchange of observation data and emission of warnings based upon the common alerting protocol (CAP) format. This digital transformation process brings together four open-source elements under the Climweb framework: websites, automatic data loader (ADL), WIS2box and CAPcomposer.
In West Africa, CREWS has supported the installation of sand and dust sensors to enhance the skill of the sand and dust storm warning advisory system.
Across 13 English-speaking and 14 French-speaking African countries, forecasters have been trained to interpret marine forecasts, make optimal use of the Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service WWMIWS, and translate information available into local bulletins and warnings.
In Chad, the CREWS project has demonstrated optimal use of the collaboration framework among climate funds by leveraging resources from the Systematic Observations Financing Facility, the Adaptation Fund, the Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund, as well as the International Development Association of the World Bank to strengthen systematic observation and improve the use of basic weather and climate data for effective climate action.
In South Asia, CREWS is supporting the co-development of observation networks, stronger data exchange and capacity building on the interpretation of numerical weather prediction products, as well as the generation and use of seasonal to sub-seasonal forecasts.
At national level, CREWS is also helping strengthen institutional capacity. For example, DCCMS staffs in Malawi are trained to use automatic weather station data tools for real-time climate hazard monitoring, while in South Sudan technical support has been provided for a cost-benefit analysis of hydrological monitoring systems and weather forecasts to help build the case for sustained investment.
From better data to better protection
These efforts matter because observation is the starting point of the entire early warning value chain. Without reliable observations, it is harder to detect hazards early, model their impacts, issue accurate warnings and help communities act in time.
Stronger observation systems also bring wider economic benefits. Better hydrometeorological services support agriculture, aviation, water management, disaster preparedness and public safety. They also help governments and national institutions plan better, reduce losses and make smarter investments.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said that WMO’s global observing system underpins decision worth billions—from aviation routing to flood protection, from energy planning to health management and crop planting to infrastructure investment. (see full message)
CREWS is supporting governments to strengthen the financial sustainability of national meteorological and hydrological services, including by integrating cost recovery into services provided to sectors such as aviation. In parallel, CREWS is helping countries build the socio-economic case and investment plans needed to unlock national and international financing, including scaled-up support through de-risking approaches linked to the Green Climate Fund.
Building momentum
CREWS continues to expand support for countries most exposed to climate and weather risks. As of 2026, more than 400 million people have access to improved forecasts and warning services, as well as dozens of national plans, strategies, laws, risk maps, advisory and other warning products on early warning developed with CREWS support.
On this World Meteorological Day, the message is simple: observing today truly helps protect tomorrow. Behind every forecast is a network of experts, data systems and institutions working together so that communities can prepare earlier and act faster.
Thank you to the CREWS Steering Committee members and partners for their continued support of these efforts toward achieving our collective goal.
For more information about CREWS, please visit CREWS Website and check out our Impact Stories.
More on World Met Day: World Meteorological Day 2026 – 23 March