The World Meteorological Day (WMD) 2016 was observed across the world on 23 March 2016. The theme for the WMD 2016 was Hotter, Drier, Wetter. Face the Future.
- The theme of WMD 2016 tries to bring focus on the climate change that is disrupting the natural pattern of the seasons.
- The climate change is also increasing the frequency and intensity of certain extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall. These ongoing changes provide a foretaste of a hotter, drier, wetter future.
- Every year on the occasion of WMD, awards for meteorological research are also given.
- These awards include The International Meteorological Organization Prize, Professor Dr. Vilho Vaisaila Award and The Norbert Gerbier-Mumm International Award.
- 23 March is celebrated as World Meteorological Day to commemorate the entry into force of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Convention in 1950 aimed at creating the organisation.
- WMO became the UN’s specialized agency for meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences in 1951.
- It originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. At present, WMO is represented by 189 member states and territories.
- The theme for World Meteorological Day 2015 was Climate Knowledge for Climate Action.