WMO 49 Vol 1-2017 - FR

Technical Regulations
Basic Documents No. 2

Volume I – General Meteorological Standards and
Recommended Practices
2015 edition
Updated in 2017
WEATHER CLIMATE WATER
WMO-No. 49
Technical Regulations
Basic Documents No. 2
Volume I – General Meteorological Standards and
Recommended Practices
2015 edition
Updated in 2017
WMO-No. 49
EDITORIAL NOTE
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WMO-No. 49
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PUBLICATION REVISION TRACK RECORD
Part/chapter/
Date Purpose of amendment Proposed by Approved by
section
June 2016 General New note on fast-track EC-68 Resolution

Provisions procedure under paragraph 16 12 (EC‑68)
(paragraph 15 in 2012 update)
Definitions Definition of Regional Training EC-68 Resolution 8

Centre (EC‑68)
Part V (Part New section on competencies EC-68 Resolution 5

II, chapter for provision of climate (EC‑68)
5, in 2012 services
update)
Part VI (Part Revised paragraph 1.5.2 (4.5.2 EC-68 Resolution 8

II, chapter in 2012 update) with new note (EC‑68)
4, in 2012
update)
Appendix B Revised criteria for the EC-68 Resolution 8

(Appendix designation of WMO Regional (EC‑68)
E in 2012 Training Centres
update)
September 2017 General Delete “Volume I” from the Recommendation Resolution

Provisions, title of Annex IV (WMO- 23 (CBS-16) 18 (EC-69)
section 9 No. 485)
Definitions Updating of definitions Recommendation Resolution

23 (CBS-16) 18 (EC-69)
Definitions Updating of definitions EC-69 Resolution

20 (EC-69)
Part I, 2.4.2.2 Updating of the notes Recommendation Resolution

Note; 2.4.4.1 23 (CBS-16) 18 (EC-69)
Note
Part III, Modifications made as Recommendation Resolution

Section 1 recommended 23 (CBS-16) 18 (EC-69)
Part IV, Addition of a new Section 5 – Recommendation Resolution

Section 5 Public weather services 39 (CBS-16) 13 (EC-69)
Part VII Include a new Part VII – EC-69 Resolution

Quality Management 20 (EC-69)
CONTENTS
Page
GENERAL PROVISIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii
PART I. THE WMO INTEGRATED GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE WMO INTEGRATED GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 Purpose and scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 WIGOS component observing systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2.1 The Global Observing System of the World Weather Watch. . . . . . . . . 2
1.2.2 The Global Atmosphere Watch (observing component). . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2.3 The WMO Hydrological Observing System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2.4 The Global Cryosphere Watch (observing component). . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Collaboration with partners responsible for co‑sponsored and
non‑WMO observing systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 Governance and management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. COMMON ATTRIBUTES OF WIGOS COMPONENT SYSTEMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1 Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2 Design, planning and evolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.3 Instrumentation and methods of observation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.4 Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4.1 General requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4.2 Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4.3 Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4.4 Quality control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4.5 Calibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.5 Observational metadata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6 Quality management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.7 Capacity development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7.2 Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7.3 Infrastructural capacity development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. ATTRIBUTES SPECIFIC TO THE SURFACE‑BASED SUBSYSTEM OF WIGOS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1 Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1.2 Observational requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 Design, planning and evolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.3 Instrumentation and methods of observation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.4 Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4. ATTRIBUTES SPECIFIC TO THE SPACE‑BASED SUBSYSTEM OF WIGOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.1 Scope, purpose and operation of the space‑based subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.1.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.1.2 Observational requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5. ATTRIBUTES SPECIFIC TO THE GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM OF THE WORLD
WEATHER WATCH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6. ATTRIBUTES SPECIFIC TO THE OBSERVING COMPONENT OF THE GLOBAL
ATMOSPHERE WATCH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
7. ATTRIBUTES SPECIFIC TO THE WMO HYDROLOGICAL OBSERVING SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . 9
CRYOSPHERE WATCH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
PART II. THE WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.2 Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
vi TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
Page
1.3 Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

1.4 Practices, procedures and specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2. INTERNATIONAL DATA REPRESENTATION AND CODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.1 General – Code forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.2 Symbolic words, groups and letters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
2.3 Code figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
PART III. DATA PROCESSING AND FORECASTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

1. GLOBAL DATA‑PROCESSING AND FORECASTING SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.2 Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.3 Functions and responsibilities of centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1.3.1 National Meteorological Centres. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1.3.2 Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1.3.3 World Meteorological Centres. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
1.3.4 Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
1.4 Practices, procedures and specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
PART IV. METEOROLOGICAL, HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL SERVICES. . . . . . 17

1. METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FOR MARINE ACTIVITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1.2 Marine meteorological services for the high seas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1.2.1 General responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
1.2.2 Provision of weather and sea bulletins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.2.3 Marine meteorological support to maritime search and rescue. . . . . . 18
1.2.4 Provision of information by radio‑facsimile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.2.5 Marine Climatological Summary Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.2.6 Special marine climatological information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.2.7 Provision of marine meteorological information and expert advice. . . 19
1.3 Marine meteorological services for coastal and offshore areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
1.3.1 International responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
1.3.2 Regional cooperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
1.3.3 National responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
1.4 Marine meteorological services for main ports and harbour areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
1.4.1 International responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
1.4.2 General services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
1.4.3 Port meteorological officer services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
1.5 Training in marine meteorology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
1.5.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2. METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FOR AGRICULTURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.1 Presentation of agricultural meteorological data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.1.1 Publication of agricultural meteorological data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.2 Agricultural meteorological reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.2.1 Crop‑weather reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.3 Forecasts for agriculture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.3.1 Forecasting programme. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3. METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR NAVIGATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4. HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5. PUBLIC WEATHER SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5.2 Public weather services delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.2.1 User focus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.2.2 Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.2.3 Dissemination and communication of products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.2.4 Preparation of warnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.2.5 Socioeconomic benefits of meteorological and hydrological services. 23
5.2.6 Public education and outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
CONTENTS vii
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5.3 Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

5.4 Competency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
PART V. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES OF PERSONNEL INVOLVED

IN THE PROVISION OF METEOROLOGICAL (WEATHER AND CLIMATE) AND
HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
1. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
1.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
1.2 Personnel providing aeronautical meteorological services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
1.2.1 Qualifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
1.2.2 Competencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
1.3 Personnel providing education and training for meteorological,
hydrological and climate services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
1.3.1 Qualifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
1.3.2 Competencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
1.4 Personnel supporting the WMO Information System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
1.5 Personnel providing climate services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
1.5.1 Competencies and associated performance criteria:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
1.6 Personnel providing marine meteorological services (in preparation). . . . . . . . . . 29
PART VI. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF METEOROLOGICAL PERSONNEL . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

1. EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
1.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
1.2 Categories of personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
1.3 The Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
1.4 The Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technicians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
1.5 Meteorological education and training facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
1.6 Status of meteorological personnel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
PART VII. QUALITY MANAGEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

1. QUALITY MANAGEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
1.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
1.2 World Meteorological Organization international centres and facilities . . . . . . . . 33
1.3 Establishing a Quality Management System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
1.4 Recognition of compliance of a Quality Management System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
APPENDIX A. BASIC INSTRUCTION PACKAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

1. BASIC INSTRUCTION PACKAGE FOR METEOROLOGISTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
1.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
1.2 Components of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
1.2.1 Foundation topics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
1.2.2 Physical meteorology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
1.2.3 Dynamic meteorology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
1.2.4 Synoptic and mesoscale meteorology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
1.2.5 Climatology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2. BASIC INSTRUCTION PACKAGE FOR METEOROLOGICAL TECHNICIANS . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.2 Components of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technicians. . . 38
2.2.1 Foundation topics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
2.2.2 Basic physical and dynamic meteorology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
2.2.3 Basic synoptic and mesoscale meteorology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
2.2.4 Basic climatology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
2.2.5 Meteorological instruments and methods of observation. . . . . . . . . . . 39
viii TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
Page
APPENDIX B. CRITERIA FOR THE DESIGNATION OF WMO REGIONAL TRAINING

CENTRES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. The Technical Regulations (WMO‑No. 49) of the World Meteorological Organization

are presented in three volumes:
Volume I – General meteorological standards and recommended practices

Volume II – Meteorological service for international air navigation
Volume III – Hydrology
Purpose of the Technical Regulations
2. The Technical Regulations are determined by the World Meteorological Congress in

accordance with Article 8 (d) of the Convention.
3. These Regulations are designed:
(a) To facilitate cooperation in meteorology and hydrology among Members;
(b) To meet, in the most effective manner, specific needs in the various fields of application of
meteorology and operational hydrology in the international sphere;
(c) To ensure adequate uniformity and standardization in the practices and procedures
employed in achieving (a) and (b) above.
Types of Regulations
4. The Technical Regulations comprise standard practices and procedures and

recommended practices and procedures.
5. The definitions of these two types of Regulations are as follows:
The standard practices and procedures:
(a) Shall be the practices and procedures that Members are required to follow or implement;
(b) Shall have the status of requirements in a technical resolution in respect of which Article
9 (b) of the Convention is applicable;
(c) Shall invariably be distinguished by the use of the term shall in the English text, and by
suitable equivalent terms in the Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish texts.
The recommended practices and procedures:
(a) Shall be the practices and procedures with which Members are urged to comply;
(b) Shall have the status of recommendations to Members, to which Article 9 (b) of the
Convention shall not be applied;
(c) Shall be distinguished by the use of the term should in the English text (except where
otherwise provided by decision of Congress) and by suitable equivalent terms in the Arabic,
Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish texts.
6. In accordance with the above definitions, Members shall do their utmost to

implement the standard practices and procedures. In accordance with Article 9 (b) of the
Convention and in conformity with Regulation 128 of the General Regulations, Members shall
formally notify the Secretary‑General, in writing, of their intention to apply the standard practices
and procedures of the Technical Regulations, except those for which they have lodged a specific
x TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
deviation. Members shall also inform the Secretary‑General, at least three months in advance,
of any change in the degree of their implementation of a standard practice or procedure as
previously notified and the effective date of the change.
7. Members are urged to comply with recommended practices and procedures, but it is
not necessary to notify the Secretary‑General of non‑observance except with regard to practices
and procedures contained in Volume II.
8. In order to clarify the status of the various Regulations, the standard practices and
procedures are distinguished from the recommended practices and procedures by a difference in
typographical practice, as indicated in the editorial note.
Status of annexes and appendices
9. The following annexes to the Technical Regulations (Volumes I to III), also called
Manuals, are published separately and contain regulatory material having the status of standard
and/or recommended practices and procedures:
I International Cloud Atlas (WMO‑No. 407) – Manual on the Observation of Clouds and Other
Meteors, sections 1, 2.1.1, 2.1.4, 2.1.5, 2.2.2, 1 to 4 in 2.3.1 to 2.3.10 (for example, 2.3.1.1,
2.3.1.2, etc.), 2.8.2, 2.8.3, 2.8.5, 3.1 and the definitions (in grey-shaded boxes) of 3.2;
II Manual on Codes (WMO‑No. 306), Volume I;
III Manual on the Global Telecommunication System (WMO‑No. 386);
IV Manual on the Global Data‑processing and Forecasting System (WMO‑No. 485);
V Manual on the Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 544), Volume I;
VI Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 558), Volume I;
VII Manual on the WMO Information System (WMO‑No. 1060);
VIII Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160).
These annexes (Manuals) are established by decision of Congress and are intended to facilitate
the application of Technical Regulations to specific fields. Annexes may contain both standard and
recommended practices and procedures.
10. Texts called appendices, appearing in the Technical Regulations or in an annex to the
Technical Regulations, have the same status as the Regulations to which they refer.
Status of notes and attachments
11. Certain notes (preceded by the indication “Note”) are included in the Technical
Regulations for explanatory purposes; they may, for instance, refer to relevant WMO Guides and
publications. These notes do not have the status of Technical Regulations.
12. The Technical Regulations may also include attachments, which usually contain
detailed guidelines related to standard and recommended practices and procedures. Attachments,
however, do not have regulatory status.
Updating of the Technical Regulations and their annexes (Manuals)
13. The Technical Regulations are updated, as necessary, in the light of developments in
meteorology and hydrology and related techniques, and in the application of meteorology and
operational hydrology. Certain principles previously agreed upon by Congress and applied in
the selection of material for inclusion in the Technical Regulations are reproduced below. These
principles provide guidance for constituent bodies, in particular technical commissions, when
dealing with matters pertaining to the Technical Regulations:
(a) Technical commissions should not recommend that a Regulation be a standard practice
unless it is supported by a strong majority;
GENERAL PROVISIONS xi
(b) Technical Regulations should contain appropriate instructions to Members regarding

implementation of the provision in question;
(c) No major changes should be made to the Technical Regulations without consulting the
appropriate technical commissions;
(d) Any amendments to the Technical Regulations submitted by Members or by constituent

bodies should be communicated to all Members at least three months before they are
submitted to Congress.
14. Amendments to the Technical Regulations – as a rule – are approved by Congress.
15. If a recommendation for an amendment is made by a session of the appropriate

technical commission and if the new regulation needs to be implemented before the next session
of Congress, the Executive Council may, on behalf of the Organization, approve the amendment
in accordance with Article 14 (c) of the Convention. Amendments to annexes to the Technical
Regulations proposed by the appropriate technical commissions are normally approved by the
Executive Council.
16. If a recommendation for an amendment is made by the appropriate technical

commission and the implementation of the new regulation is urgent, the President of the
Organization may, on behalf of the Executive Council, take action as provided by Regulation 9 (5)
of the General Regulations.
Note: A simple (fast‑track) procedure may be used for amendments to technical specifications in Annexes II (Manual
on Codes (WMO-No.306)), III (Manual on the Global Telecommunication System (WMO-No.386)), IV (Manual on the Global
Data-processing and Forecasting System (WMO-No.485)), V (Manual on the Global Observing System (WMO-No.544)),
VII (Manual on the WMO Information System (WMO-No.1060) and VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing
System (WMO-No.1160)). Application of the simple (fast-track) procedure is defined in those Annexes.
17. After each session of Congress (every four years), a new edition of the Technical
Regulations, including the amendments approved by Congress, is issued. With regard to the
amendments between sessions of Congress, Volumes I and III of the Technical Regulations
are updated, as necessary, upon approval of changes thereto by the Executive Council. The
Technical Regulations updated as a result of an approved amendment by the Executive Council
are considered a new update of the current edition. The material in Volume II is prepared by
the World Meteorological Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization
working in close cooperation, in accordance with the Working Arrangements agreed by these
Organizations. In order to ensure consistency between Volume II and Annex 3 to the Convention
on International Civil Aviation – Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation, the issuance
of amendments to Volume II is synchronized with the respective amendments to Annex 3 by the
International Civil Aviation Organization.
Note: Editions are identified by the year of the respective session of Congress whereas updates are identified by the
year of approval by the Executive Council, for example “Updated in 2012”.
WMO Guides
18. In addition to the Technical Regulations, appropriate Guides are published by the
Organization. They describe practices, procedures and specifications which Members are invited
to follow or implement in establishing and conducting their arrangements for compliance with
the Technical Regulations, and in otherwise developing meteorological and hydrological services
in their respective countries. The Guides are updated, as necessary, in the light of scientific and
technological developments in hydrometeorology, climatology and their applications. The
technical commissions are responsible for the selection of material to be included in the Guides.
These Guides and their subsequent amendments shall be considered by the Executive Council.
DEFINITIONS
A definition does not have independent status but is an essential part of each standard and
recommended practice in which the term is used, since a change in the meaning of the term
would affect the specification. The following terms, when used in Volume I of the Technical
Regulations, have the meanings given below.
Note: Other definitions may be found in Annex II (Manual on Codes (WMO‑No. 306)), Annex III (Manual on the
Global Telecommunication System (WMO‑No. 386)), Annex IV (Manual on the Global Data-processing and Forecasting System
(WMO‑No. 485)), Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)) and other WMO
publications.
Aeronautical meteorological station. A station designated to make observations and

meteorological reports for use in international air navigation.
Agricultural meteorological station. A station that provides meteorological data for agricultural
and/or biological purposes and makes other meteorological observations under
programmes of Agrometeorological Research Centres and other relevant organizations.
Aircraft meteorological station. A meteorological station situated on an aircraft.
Altitude. The vertical distance of a level, a point or an object considered as a point, measured
from mean sea level.
Antarctic Observing Network. A regional network of surface and upper-air stations of all
operational and scientific networks in Antarctica.
Auxiliary ship station. A mobile ship station, normally without certified meteorological
instruments, that transmits reports in code form or in plain language, either as a routine or
on request, in certain areas or under certain conditions.
Bulk density. The ratio of mass to volume of an undisturbed sample of oven‑dried soil expressed
in grams per cubic centimetre.
Calibration (rating). (1) The experimental determination of the relationship between the
quantity to be measured and the indication of the instrument, device or process that
measures it; (2) the process of relating the indicated response of an instrument to its
actuating signal or to the true value obtained independently; it is usually carried out at
several points in the instrument's measurement range.
Certification of compliance. Certification is achieved through audit by an accredited external

(third party) conformity-assessment body.
Climatological data. Various types of data – instrumental, proxy or historical – which constitute
the major source of climate study and theory.
Climatological record. Any record made of meteorological events in alphanumerical, graphical

or map form.
Climatological standard normals. Averages of climatological data computed for the following
consecutive periods of 30 years: 1 January 1981–31 December 2010, 1 January 1991–
31 December 2020, and so forth.
Note: When data are not continuous, adjusted normals may be computed.
Climatological station. A station whose observations are used for climatological purposes.
Compatibility. A state in which two things are able to exist and be used together without
problems or conflict.
DEFINITIONS xiii
Competency. The knowledge, skills and behaviours required to perform specific tasks in the
fulfilment of a job responsibility.
Note: Competencies are often acquired and assessed on the job or through a variety of training opportunities.
CryoNet. The core of the WMO Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) observing network that
applies GCW agreed observing practices. It comprises sites in cold climate regions, on
land or sea, operating a sustained, standardized programme for observing and monitoring
as many cryospheric variables as possible. CryoNet is being structured in two different
categories of observational sites: Basic Sites and Integrated Sites. CryoNet sites contain one
or more CryoNet stations: Primary Stations and Baseline Stations.
Cryosphere. A component of the Earth system that includes solid precipitation, snow cover, sea
ice, lake and river ice, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, permafrost and seasonally frozen ground.
Note: While elements of the cryosphere are often defined as containing frozen water, permafrost can be “dry”. The
GCW definition includes elements of the cryosphere that occur on or beneath the Earth’s surface, or that are measured
at the surface in the case of solid precipitation. It, therefore, excludes ice clouds.
Customer (in a Quality Management System context). Within WMO, “clients” and
“customers” are generally referred to as “users”. However, the International Organization
for Standardization (ISO) family of standards exclusively uses the term “customers”.
Discovery metadata. Metadata consistent with the standard that is used within WMO
Information System (WIS) for discovery of information shared through WIS.
Elevation. The vertical distance of a point or a level on, or affixed to, the surface of the Earth,
measured from mean sea level.
Field capacity. Water content that a given soil reaches and maintains after it has been
thoroughly wetted and allowed to drain freely for a day or two.
Fixed-ship station. An ocean weather station or a station situated aboard a lightship.
Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO). Satellites in geostationary Earth orbits are often referred to as
GEOs.
Geostationary satellite. A meteorological satellite orbiting the Earth at an altitude of

approximately 36 000 km with the same angular velocity as the Earth and within the
equatorial plane, thus providing nearly continuous information in an area within a range of
about 50° from a fixed sub‑satellite point at the Equator.
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). A long‑term, user‑driven operational system

capable of providing the comprehensive observations required for monitoring the climate
system, detecting climate change and assessing its impacts, and improving understanding,
modelling and prediction of the climate system.
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Upper‑Air Network (GUAN). The global baseline
network of about 150 selected upper‑air stations, within the Regional Basic Synoptic
Network, established with relatively homogeneous distribution to meet the requirements
of GCOS for the compilation of long‑term climate records.
Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) Observing Network. A network of GCW sites with varying
capabilities built on existing observing programmes and promoting the addition of
standardized cryospheric observations to existing facilities. It covers all components of the
cryosphere: glaciers, ice shelves, ice sheets, snow, permafrost, sea ice, river/lake ice and
solid precipitation.
xiv TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
Global Data-processing and Forecasting System (GDPFS). The coordinated global system of
centres operating under established arrangements to analyse, forecast, process, store and
retrieve meteorological, climatological, hydrological, oceanographic and environmental-
related information.
Global Observing System (GOS). The coordinated system of methods, techniques and facilities
for making observations on a worldwide scale within the framework of the World Weather
Watch (WWW).
Global Telecommunication System (GTS). The coordinated global system of

telecommunication facilities and arrangements for the rapid collection, exchange and
distribution of observations and processed information within the framework of WWW.
Height. The vertical distance of a level, a point or an object considered as a point, measured
from a specified datum.
Note: The datum may be specified in the relevant publication, either in the main text or in an explanatory note.
In situ observation. An observation made by a device that is in physical or direct contact with
the object or phenomenon under study.
Interoperability. The ability of diverse systems to work together.
Land station. A meteorological observing station situated on land.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO). An orbit at an altitude between 160 km (99 mi), with a period of about
88 minutes, and 2 000 km (1 200 mi), with a period of about 127 minutes.
Meteorological analysis (Analysis). A statement of analysed meteorological conditions for a

specified time or period, and for a specified area or portion of airspace.
Meteorological bulletin. A text comprising meteorological information preceded by an

appropriate heading.
Meteorological forecast (Forecast). A statement of expected meteorological conditions for a

specified time or period, and for a specified area or portion of airspace.
Meteorological message. A message comprising a single meteorological bulletin, preceded by

a starting line and followed by end‑of‑message signals.
Note: Details on the starting line, the end‑of‑message signals and the structure of a meteorological bulletin are
contained in Annex III (Manual on the Global Telecommunication System (WMO‑No. 386)), Part II, chapter 2.
Meteorological observation. The evaluation or measurement of one or more meteorological

elements.
Meteorological observing network. A group of meteorological observing stations spread over

a given area for a specific purpose.
Meteorological observing station (Meteorological station). A place where meteorological

observations are made with the approval of the WMO Member or Members concerned.
Meteorological report (Report). A statement of observed meteorological conditions related to

a specified time and location.
Meteorological satellite. An artificial Earth satellite making meteorological observations and

transmitting them to Earth.
Meteorological technician. A person who has successfully completed the requirements of the
Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technicians.
DEFINITIONS xv
Meteorologist. A person who has successfully completed the requirements of the Basic
Instruction Package for Meteorologists at university degree level.
Mobile ship station. A station aboard a mobile ship.
National Meteorological Centre (NMC). A centre responsible for carrying out required
functions to meet the national and international requirements and commitments of the
Member under the GDPFS.
Near‑polar orbiting satellite. A type of meteorological satellite with nearly circular, nearly
polar orbit. The combination of satellite motion and the Earth’s rotation beneath the orbit
provides overlapping strips of satellite data covering swathes (of up to 3 000 km) from
pole to pole. The satellite’s altitude can be chosen within a wide range (between 600 and
1 500 km) in order to provide data over the entire globe twice a day.
Near‑real‑time observation. An observation that is available to a user soon after it has been
completed.
Note: The time lags considered to be “real‑time”, “near‑real‑time” or "non‑real‑time" are different in different
situations and depend on several factors. A near‑real‑time observation is essentially a real‑time observation with an
identifiable delay which reduces its value to some users.
Nephanalysis. The graphical depiction of analysed cloud data on a geographical map.
Non‑real‑time observation. An observation that is not available to a user immediately or soon

after it has been completed, but some time later. It informs the user of conditions that
prevailed at an earlier time.
situations and depend on several factors such as the user application, the dissemination method, intervening quality
control or other processing steps, the frequency and sampling time of the observation and the variability of the physical
element observed.
Normals. Period averages computed for a uniform and relatively long period comprising at least
three consecutive ten‑year periods.
Observation. The evaluation of one or more elements of the physical environment.
Note: Observations are Level II data and may be obtained directly or derived, as defined in Annex IV (Manual on the
Global Data‑processing and Forecasting System (WMO‑No. 485)).
Observational data. The result of the evaluation of one or more elements of the physical
environment.
Observational metadata. Descriptive data about observational data: information that is needed
to assess and interpret observations or to support design and management of observing
systems and networks.
Observation network. One or more sensors, instruments or types of observation at more than
one station or platform, acting together to provide a coordinated set of observations.
Observing station/platform. A place where observations are made; this refers to all types of
observing station and platform, whether surface‑based or space‑based, on land, sea, lake or
river, or in the air, fixed or mobile, and making in‑situ or remote observations.
Note: The owner and operator of an observing platform may be a National Meteorological and/or Hydrological
Service, another agency or organization (governmental, non‑governmental or commercial) or an individual.
xvi TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
Observing (or Observation) system. A coordinated system of methods, techniques and facilities
for making observations using one or more sensors, instruments or types of observation
at one or more stations and platforms, acting together to provide a coordinated set of
observations.
Ocean weather station. A station aboard a suitably equipped and staffed ship that endeavours
to remain at a fixed sea position and that makes and reports surface and upper‑air
observations and may also make and report sub‑surface observations.
Operational personnel. Personnel involved in the production and provision of services (for
example, meteorological, hydrological, climatological and related services) and decision
support information intended for users including the general public.
Ordinary radiation station. A radiation station whose observing programme includes at least
the continuous recording of global solar radiation.
Note: The terminology of radiation quantities and measuring instruments is given in the Guide to Meteorological
Instruments and Methods of Observation (WMO‑No. 8).
Period averages. Averages of climatological data computed for any period of at least ten years
starting on 1 January of a year ending with the digit 1.
Permanent wilting point. The point reached by a plant when the moisture content of the soil
is reduced and the plant wilts and does not recover its turgidity when placed in a humid
atmosphere.
Principal radiation station. A radiation station whose observing programme includes at

least the continuous recording of global solar radiation and of sky radiation, and regular
measurements of direct solar radiation.
Products and services. For the purposes of the ISO 9000 family of standards, any reference to
products also includes services.
Prognosis. A representation of the future state of the atmosphere.
Note: This representation can be obtained from the integration of a numerical prediction model, from the judgment
of a forecaster, or from any other appropriate method or combination of several methods.
Qualification. The minimum core knowledge, usually acquired through education, required to
enter a profession.
Note: Qualifications are frequently based on successful completion of a formal course of study or examination
through an institution endorsed for such purposes at the national level (for example, a university).
Quality. Quality is defined by ISO as “the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfils
requirements”.
Note: There are many definitions and interpretations of “quality”; however, all have one element in common – the
perception of the extent to which a product or service meets the expectations of customers. It should be noted that
“quality” has no explicit meaning unless it is related to a specific set of requirements.
Quality assurance. Activities undertaken to instil confidence that quality requirements have
been met. It involves the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the processes associated
with the generation of a product or service.
Quality control. Activities undertaken to ensure that quality requirements have been fulfilled
prior to the dissemination of a product or the delivery of a service.
DEFINITIONS xvii
Quality management. A process that focuses not only on the quality of the product but also
on the means to achieve it and is centred on the following four activities: quality planning,
quality control, quality assurance and quality improvement.
Quality Management System (QMS). The organizational structure, procedures, processes and
resources needed to ensure the delivery of an organization’s products and services.
Note: The QMS terminology, vocabulary and definitions used within these Technical Regulations are those of ISO
and, in particular, ISO 9000:2015 – Quality management systems – Fundamentals and vocabulary. They are also taken
from the Guide to the Implementation of a Quality Management System for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services
(WMO-No. 1100) in the provision of meteorological, hydrological and climatological services within the framework of
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems – Requirements.
Real‑time observation. An observation that is available to a user immediately after it has been
completed. It informs the user of the current conditions.
situations and depend on several factors such as the user application, the dissemination method, intervening quality
control or other processing steps, the frequency and sampling time of the observation and the variability of the physical
element observed.
Reanalysis data. Data obtained by reanalysis – a method for constructing a high‑quality record
of past climate conditions by combining observations with model information.
Reference climatological station. A climatological station whose data are used for determining
climatic trends. This requires long periods (not less than thirty years) of homogeneous
records, where man‑made environmental changes have been and/or are expected to
remain at a minimum. Ideally the records should be of sufficient length to enable the
identification of secular changes of climate.
Regional Basic Climatological Network (RBCN). A network of climatological stations with a

specified observational programme within a WMO Region. This is a minimum regional
requirement to allow Members to fulfil their responsibilities within WWW; it also serves
as a target list for WWW monitoring of climatological data. The RBCN is based primarily
on Regional Basic Synoptic Network stations and includes all GCOS Surface Network and
GUAN stations.
Regional Basic Synoptic Network (RBSN). A network of synoptic stations with a specified
observational programme within a WMO Region. This is a minimum regional requirement
to allow Members to fulfil their responsibilities within WWW and in the application of
meteorology.
Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC). A centre that specializes in an activity of

the GDPFS with the primary purpose of providing tailored-made information and products
to serve users in a particular area of activity.
Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre Network. An association of RSMCs participating

in an identified activity of GDPFS.
Regional Training Centre (RTC). A national education and training institution, or group of
institutions, recognized by Congress or the Executive Council (following recommendation
of the relevant WMO regional association) as (a) providing education and training
opportunities for WMO Members in the Region, particularly staff of National
Meteorological and Hydrological Services; (b) providing advice and assistance on
education and training to other WMO Members; and (c) promoting education and training
opportunities in weather, water and climate for WMO Members.
Remote sensing. Observations made by a device that is not in physical or direct contact with the
object or phenomenon under study.
xviii TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
Satellite system. A space system using one or more artificial satellites orbiting the Earth.
Sea station. An observing station situated at sea.
Selected ship station. A mobile ship station equipped with sufficient certified meteorological
instruments for making observations, which transmits the required observational data in
the appropriate code form.
Space‑based subsystem. A complementary part of the Global Observing System composed of

near‑polar orbiting meteorological satellites and geostationary satellites.
Standard isobaric surface. An isobaric surface used on a worldwide basis for representing and
analysing the conditions in the atmosphere.
Standard time of observation (Standard time). A time specified in Annex V (Manual on

the Global Observing System (WMO‑No.544)), Volume I, for making meteorological
observations.
Supplementary ship station. A mobile ship station that is equipped with a limited number
of certified meteorological instruments for making observations and that transmits the
required observations in an abbreviated code form for ships.
Surface observation. An observation, other than an upper‑air observation, made on the Earth’s
surface.
Synoptic observation. A surface or upper‑air observation made at a standard time.
Synoptic station. An observing station where synoptic observations are made.
Upper‑air observation. An observation made in the free atmosphere either directly or indirectly.
Upper‑air synoptic station. A station where upper‑air synoptic observations are made.
Validation (in a QMS context). Validation in quality management terms focuses on the product
or services provided post their delivery. That is, the provider validates that the product or
service met the identified needs of the customer.
Verification (in a QMS context). In general, verification is considered by WMO Members as a

post-delivery activity. However, in quality management terms a product is verified prior to
delivery. That is, it meets all the specified requirements for that product or service in terms
of content.
Weather chart. A geographical map on which meteorological conditions or elements are

represented by figures, symbols or isopleths.
WMO observing station/platform. Any observing station/platform currently issued with a valid
WMO identifier.
WMO observing system/observations network. An observing system/observations network

consisting of WMO stations and platforms.
WMO observation. An observation made at a WMO observing station/platform.
World Meteorological Centre (WMC). A centre of the GDPFS that has the primary purpose of
issuing meteorological analyses and prognoses, including probabilistic information and
long-range forecasts on a global scale.
World Weather Watch. The worldwide, coordinated, dynamic system of meteorological

facilities and services provided by Members to ensure that all Members obtain the
DEFINITIONS xix
meteorological information they require both for operational work and for research. The
essential elements of WWW are: GOS, part of the GDPFS dealing with meteorological
analyses and prognoses, and GTS.
PART I. THE WMO INTEGRATED GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE WMO INTEGRATED GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM
1.1 Purpose and scope
1.1.1 The WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) shall be a framework for
all WMO observing systems and for WMO contributions to co‑sponsored observing systems
in support of all WMO Programmes and activities.
Note: The co‑sponsored observing systems are the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the Global Ocean
Observing System (GOOS) and the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS), all joint undertakings of WMO and
the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Council for
Science.
1.1.2 The WMO Integrated Global Observing System shall facilitate the use by WMO
Members of observations from systems that are owned, managed and operated by a diverse
array of organizations and programmes.
1.1.3 The principal purpose of WIGOS shall be to meet the evolving requirements of
Members for observations.
Note: The assessment of requirements and plans to meet them come under the Rolling Review of Requirements
(RRR) in accordance with Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)),
section 2.2.
1.1.4 Within WIGOS, Members shall collaborate to advance the state of observing
systems, their compatibility and the worldwide exchange of observations.
Note: Additional benefits will emerge as the concept is adopted by entities beyond WMO and its partner
organizations.
1.1.5 Members should enhance collaboration and cooperation amongst meteorological,

hydrological, marine and oceanographic services and related academic and research institutions
at the national level, in order to meet the goals listed in 1.1.3.
1.1.6 The WIGOS framework shall focus on the integration of governance and
management functions, mechanisms and activities to be accomplished by contributing
observing systems at a global, regional and national level.
1.2 WIGOS component observing systems
The component observing systems of WIGOS shall comprise the Global Observing System
(GOS) of the World Weather Watch (WWW) Programme, the observing component of the
Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Programme, the WMO Hydrological Observing System
(WHOS) of the Hydrology and Water Resources Programme and the observing component
of the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW), including their surface‑based and space‑based
components.
Note: The above component systems include all WMO contributions to the co‑sponsored systems, to the Global
Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) and to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).
2 TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
1.2.1 The Global Observing System of the World Weather Watch
The Global Observing System shall be a coordinated system of networks of observing

stations and platforms, including methods, techniques, facilities and arrangements for
making observations on a worldwide scale and shall be one of the main components of the
WWW Programme.
1.2.2 The Global Atmosphere Watch (observing component)
The Global Atmosphere Watch shall be a coordinated system of networks of observing

stations, methods, techniques, facilities and arrangements encompassing the many
monitoring activities and scientific assessments devoted to the investigation of the changing
chemical composition and physical characteristics of the global atmosphere.
1.2.3 The WMO Hydrological Observing System
1.2.3.1 The WMO Hydrological Observing System (WHOS) shall comprise hydrological
observations, initially focusing on water level and discharge, and shall include the World
Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS) which is intended to improve basic
observation activities, strengthen international cooperation and promote the free exchange
of data in the field of hydrology.
Note: The composition of WMO hydrological observations is provided in Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49),
Volume III – Hydrology, Chapter D.1.2.
1.2.3.2 The purpose of WHOS shall be to provide real-time streamflow data (both water
level and discharge) from participating National Hydrological Services.
1.2.3.3 Members providing hydrological observations to the WHOS shall operate

in accordance with the procedures and practices set out in the present volume, Part I,
sections 2, 3, 4 and 7.
1.2.4 The Global Cryosphere Watch (observing component)
1.2.4.1 The Global Cryosphere Watch shall be a coordinated system of networks

of observing stations, methods, techniques, facilities and arrangements encompassing
monitoring activities and scientific assessments devoted to the investigation of the changing
cryosphere.
1.2.4.2 The GCW observing network and its standardized core network (CryoNet)
shall build on existing observing programmes and promote the addition of standardized
cryospheric observations to existing facilities.
Notes:
1. For more information, see the GCW Implementation Plan available at: http://globalcryospherewatch.org/
reference/documents/.
2. Existing cryosphere observing programmes include cryospheric observational programmes carried out within
WMO such as those of the Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology, the
co‑sponsored Programmes (GCOS, GTOS, GOOS), and observational programmes of the International Permafrost
Association (IPA), the World Glacier Monitoring Service – a service of the International Association of Cryospheric
Sciences, the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research, the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre and the US
National Snow and Ice Data Center.
PART I. THE WMO INTEGRATED GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM 3
1.3 Collaboration with partners responsible for co‑sponsored and non‑WMO

observing systems
1.3.1 Members shall support the collaboration between WMO and its international
partners responsible for co‑sponsored and non‑WMO observing systems.
1.3.2 Members shall implement similar cooperation and coordination arrangements

among National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and through national
mechanisms for GFCS, GCOS, GOOS, GTOS, and GEOSS.
1.4 Governance and management
Note: The implementation of WIGOS is an integrating activity for all WMO and co‑sponsored observing systems:
it supports all WMO Programmes and activities. The Executive Council and regional associations, supported by their
respective working bodies, have a governing role in the implementation of WIGOS. Technical aspects of WIGOS
implementation are guided by the technical commissions, with leadership provided through the Commission for Basic
Systems and the Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observation.
Members shall implement and manage their national observing systems in accordance with
the provisions laid out in this Volume, Part I, and in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated
Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)).
2. COMMON ATTRIBUTES OF WIGOS COMPONENT SYSTEMS
2.1 Requirements
2.1.1 Members shall establish, operate and maintain their national observing systems
to address observational requirements in an integrated, coordinated and sustainable
manner.
2.1.2 Members shall convey their user observational requirements, for each of the
WMO application areas, to the Rolling Review of Requirements.
Note: Details of the RRR process and the WMO application areas are given in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO
Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)), section 2.2 and Appendix 2.3.
2.2 Design, planning and evolution
2.2.1 Members, both directly and through the participation of their experts in the
activities of regional associations and technical commissions, shall contribute to the RRR
process.
2.2.2 Members should implement the plans published by WMO for evolution of WIGOS
component observing systems when planning and managing their observing systems.
2.2.3 Members shall maintain close coordination with their national

telecommunication authorities to register their frequencies for adequate protection and to
defend the availability of frequencies for all WIGOS component observing systems.
2.3 Instrumentation and methods of observation
Note: Standard and recommended practices and procedures with respect to instruments and methods of
observation across and within all WIGOS component observing systems are specified in the Technical Regulations
(WMO‑No. 49), Volumes I–III, and detailed in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System
(WMO‑No 1160)).
2.4 Operations
2.4.1 General requirements
2.4.1.1 Members shall install, operate and maintain their WIGOS component observing
systems in accordance with the Technical Regulations (WMO‑No. 49), Volumes I–III, and
Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)).
2.4.1.2 Members shall ensure the continuity of operation and availability of observations
generated by the observing systems under their responsibility.
2.4.1.3 Members shall ensure that proper safety practices and procedures for operation
of observing systems are specified, documented and utilized.
Note: Safety practices and procedures are concerned with ensuring the welfare of staff while promoting overall
efficiency and effectiveness of the NMHS and respond to national laws, regulations and requirements for occupational
health and safety.
2.4.2 Observations
2.4.2.1 Members shall ensure overall availability of observations for all WMO application
areas in accordance with the Regulations laid out in this Volume and in Annex VIII (Manual on
the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)).
Notes:
1. The WMO application areas are detailed in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System
(WMO‑No. 1160)), Appendix 2.3.
2. Special emphasis should be placed on meeting the requirements of numerical weather prediction since many
application areas depend on it.
3. Special attention should be paid to climate monitoring, including the observational requirements of the GFCS,
which is one of the priority areas for WMO.
2.4.2.2 Members should ensure timely, quality‑assured, quality‑controlled and

well‑documented, compatible long‑term observations in accordance with the practices and
procedures specified in these Technical Regulations and in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO
Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)).
Note: Technical specifications and details are given mainly in the Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods
of Observation (WMO‑No. 8), Guide to Climatological Practices (WMO‑No. 100), Guide to Hydrological Practices
(WMO‑No. 168), Volume I, and Guide to the Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 488).
2.4.3 Performance
2.4.3.1 Members shall continuously monitor the performance of their observing

systems.
2.4.3.2 Members should maintain records of the performance monitoring as part of their
Quality Management System, for auditing purposes, where appropriate, in accordance with
section 2.6 of these Technical Regulations and Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global
Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)).
Note: Technical specifications and details are given in the Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods
of Observation (WMO‑No. 8), Guide to Climatological Practices (WMO‑No. 100), Guide to Hydrological Practices
(WMO‑No. 168), Volume I, and Guide to the Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 488).
2.4.4 Quality control
2.4.4.1 Members shall implement quality control for all observations for which they are
responsible.
Note: Minimum standards of quality control for meteorological data are specified in Annex IV (Manual on the Global
Data‑processing and Forecasting System (WMO‑No. 485)).
2.4.4.2 Members not able to implement quality control should establish agreements with an
appropriate national, regional or global organization or centre to perform the necessary quality
control.
2.4.5 Calibration
Members shall perform calibration of their systems and instruments traceable to an

international standard in accordance with Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global
2.5 Observational metadata
Members shall record, retain and make available internationally the observational
metadata as specified in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System
(WMO‑No. 1160)), section 2.5.
2.6 Quality management
With regard to the quality of WIGOS observations and observational metadata, Members
shall comply with the standard and recommended practices and procedures detailed
in this Volume and in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System
(WMO‑No. 1160)).
2.7 Capacity development
2.7.1 General
Members should undertake capacity development to ensure that their observing systems comply
with the standard and recommended practices and procedures specified in these Technical
Regulations.
Note: Guidance on approaches to capacity development can be found in WMO Capacity Development Strategy
and Implementation Plan (WMO-No. 1133). Such guidance includes consideration of institutional, infrastructural and
procedural capacity and human resources.
2.7.2 Training
Members shall ensure that their personnel involved in carrying out WIGOS‑related activities
are educated and trained to comply with the WIGOS standard and recommended practices
and procedures.
Note: Extensive provisions applicable to the education and training of personnel are defined in Part V and Part VI
of these Technical Regulations and in the Guide to the Implementation of Education and Training Standards in Meteorology and
Hydrology (WMO‑No. 1083), Volume I.
2.7.3 Infrastructural capacity development
Members should regularly review their observing infrastructure and pursue capacity
development activities to upgrade it, as required, to address the priorities for evolution of
observing systems identified through the RRR process as well as any additional national
priorities.
Note: Details on the RRR process, the WMO application areas and the resulting priorities for evolution of observing
systems are given in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)), section 2.2
and Appendix 2.3.
3. ATTRIBUTES SPECIFIC TO THE SURFACE‑BASED SUBSYSTEM OF WIGOS
3.1 Requirements
3.1.1 General
3.1.1.1 The WIGOS surface‑based subsystem shall be composed of stations and

platforms within the component networks (i.e. GOS, GAW, GCW and WHOS) as described in
3.1.1.2 Members should establish and operate their surface‑based subsystem as a single
composite system of observing stations and platforms.
3.1.2 Observational requirements
Members shall establish, operate and maintain surface‑based observing systems to meet the
requirements of the WMO application areas, in accordance with Annex VIII (Manual on the
WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)), section 2.1.
3.2 Design, planning and evolution
3.2.1 General
3.2.1.1 Members shall plan, implement, operate and maintain national networks and
observing programmes based on the standard and recommended practices and procedures
as stated in the WMO Technical Regulations, including Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO
Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)).
Note: Members are urged to take into account various plans and strategies developed by WMO for WIGOS and its
component observing systems.
3.2.1.2 Members should cooperate to address regional implementation of observing

networks or systems.
3.2.1.3 Members should adopt a composite network approach to their networks and
include observations from a range of sources, including NMHSs and other government agencies,
academic and research institutes, the commercial sector and the public.
Notes:
1. A composite network approach here means the use of various types of observing system or source of observations
to deliver a combined set of observations.
2. In all cases users are to judge the suitability of observations for their intended application through assessment
of available metadata, which includes the identification of the source. Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated
Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)), section 2.5, describes the required metadata.
3.3 Instrumentation and methods of observation
Note: Standard and recommended practices and procedures with respect to instruments and methods of
observation for all WIGOS surface‑based subsystems are specified in Technical Regulations, Volumes I–III, and detailed in
3.4 Operations
Members should ensure that operators of observing systems comply with the Technical
Regulations, Volumes I–III, and Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System
(WMO‑No. 1160)).
Note: System operators are generally, but not always, NMHSs or other organizations within WMO Member
countries.
4. ATTRIBUTES SPECIFIC TO THE SPACE‑BASED SUBSYSTEM OF WIGOS
4.1 Scope, purpose and operation of the space‑based subsystem
4.1.1 General
Note: Space‑based observations, that is to say data obtained from satellite systems, are a fundamental asset for
meteorology, climatology and hydrology, for both operational and research applications.
4.1.2 Observational requirements
4.1.2.1 Satellite operators shall establish, operate, maintain and ensure the continuation
of satellite systems, providing observational information as specified in Annex VIII (Manual
on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)).
Notes:
1. The term “satellite operators” is used in this Volume to refer to Members or a coordinated group of Members
operating environmental satellites.
2. A coordinated group of Members operating environmental satellites is a group of Members acting jointly to
operate one or more satellites through an international space agency such as the European Space Agency or the
European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).
4.1.2.2 To ensure global coverage and contingency support, and to meet further
requirements, as stated in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System
(WMO‑No. 1160)), satellite operators shall cooperate and arrange an optimal constellation
of satellite systems, including but not restricted to near‑polar‑orbiting and geostationary
platforms.
Note: These requirements are compiled through the RRR process (see the Manual on the WMO Integrated Global
Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160), section 2.2) and are expressed in terms of coverage, continuity, resolution,
uncertainty, frequency and observational variables.
4.1.2.3 Satellite operators shall process observational data as specified in Annex VIII
(Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)) and shall do so in a
timely manner for dissemination in near‑real time.
4.1.2.4 Satellite operators shall report data as observed variables, defined in Annex
VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160)), expressed in
environmental quantities in accordance with the International System of Units (SI) standards.
5. ATTRIBUTES SPECIFIC TO THE GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM OF THE

WORLD WEATHER WATCH
5.1 The purpose of GOS shall be to provide the meteorological and related
environmental observations from all parts of the globe that are required by Members for
operational and research purposes.
5.2 The Global Observing System shall be a coordinated system of methods,

techniques and facilities for making observations on a worldwide scale and shall be one of
the main components of the World Weather Watch.
5.3 The Global Observing System shall be composed of integrated subsystems: the
surface‑based subsystem and the space‑based subsystem.
5.4 The surface‑based subsystem shall be composed of the Regional Basic Synoptic
Networks (RBSNs) and the Antarctic Observing Network of surface and upper‑air stations;
climatological stations; Global Climate Observing System stations; aircraft meteorological
stations; and other types of station and special station, as detailed in Annex V (Manual on the
Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 544)), Volume I.
5.5 The space‑based subsystem shall be composed of three elements: (a) a space
segment with: (i) operational satellites on geostationary Earth orbit; (ii) operational satellites
on distributed, sun‑synchronous, low Earth orbits; (iii) other operational or sustained
satellites or instruments on appropriate orbits; and (iv) research and development satellites;
(b) an associated ground segment for data reception, dissemination and stewardship; and
(c) a user segment.
5.6 The Global Observing System shall be established and operated in

accordance with the provisions set out in Annex V (Manual on the Global Observing System
(WMO‑No. 544)), Volume I; Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System
(WMO‑No. 1160)); and in the International Cloud Atlas (WMO‑No. 407), Volume I.

ATMOSPHERE WATCH
6.1 The purpose of GAW shall be to:
(a) Reduce environmental risks to society and meet the requirements of environmental
conventions;
(b) Strengthen capabilities to predict climate, weather and air quality;
(c) Contribute to scientific assessments in support of environmental policy;
through:
(a) Maintaining and applying global, long‑term observations of the chemical composition
and selected physical characteristics of the atmosphere;
(b) Emphasizing quality assurance and quality control;
(c) Delivering integrated products and services of relevance to users.
6.2 The GAW observational network shall be developed and implemented in

accordance with the provisions set out in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global
6.3 The GAW observations shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set
out in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 1160))
and Annex V (Manual on the Global Observing System (WMO‑No. 544)), Volume I.
Notes:
1. Members may perform observations of any of the parameters included in the GAW focal areas: ozone, greenhouse
gases, reactive gases, aerosols, UV radiation and precipitation chemistry, using observation modes such as in situ
observation, vertical distribution and total column.
2. Members may use different platforms or their combinations, for example, fixed stations, mobile platforms and
remote sensing to perform atmospheric composition measurements.
6.4 Members shall register their contribution in the GAW Station Information System
(GAWSIS) and submit their observations to the relevant GAW Data Centre.
Note: The GAW Data Centres are listed at: http://w ww.wmo.int/gaw and http://gaw.empa.ch/gawsis.
7. ATTRIBUTES SPECIFIC TO THE WMO HYDROLOGICAL OBSERVING SYSTEM
7.1 The purpose of WHOS shall be to provide the hydrological observing component
in fulfilment of the WIGOS objective by facilitating online access to already available
real‑time and historical data, drawing from the water information systems of Members that
make their data available on a free and unrestricted basis.
7.2 The WMO Hydrological Observing System shall be a coordinated system of

methods, techniques and facilities for making hydrological observations on a worldwide
scale.
Note: The WMO Hydrological Observing System is currently under development, hence not yet operational.
7.3 The WMO Hydrological Observing System and the practice of obtaining
hydrological observations shall be developed and implemented in accordance with the
provisions set out in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System
(WMO‑No. 1160)).

CRYOSPHERE WATCH
8.1 The purpose of the GCW shall be to provide data and other information on the
cryosphere, from the local to the global scale, to improve understanding of its behaviour,
interactions with other components of the climate system and impacts on society.
8.2 The observing component of the GCW shall be a coordinated system of

observing stations, facilities and arrangements encompassing monitoring and related
scientific assessments devoted to the cryosphere.
8.3 The development of the GCW observing network and its core network (CryoNet)
that applies GCW agreed practices and standards shall build on existing observing
programmes and promote the addition of standardized cryospheric observations to existing
facilities.
8.4 The GCW observing network shall be developed and implemented in accordance
with the provisions set out in Annex VIII (Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing
System (WMO‑No. 1160)).
Notes:
1. Members may perform observations of any of the parameters describing the state of the GCW cryospheric
components (snow, solid precipitation, permafrost, glaciers and ice caps, ice sheets, sea ice, and lake and river ice).
2. Members may use different platforms or their combinations (fixed stations, mobile platforms, virtual sites and
remote sensing) to perform cryospheric measurements.
8.5 Members shall register all stations and platforms that provide GCW observations
in the GCW station information system on the GCW website (www.globalcryospherewatch.
org), and submit those observations to the GCW portal.
PART II. THE WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM
Note: WMO recognizes that its mission in weather, climate, water and related environmental issues depends upon
the collection, distribution and open sharing of information, often using rapid and highly reliable methods. The WMO
Information System is a key tool for optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of WMO.
1.1.1 The WMO Information System shall:
(a) Be used for the collection and sharing of information for all WMO and related
international programmes;
(b) Provide a flexible and extensible data management and data communication structure
that allows the participating centres to enhance their capabilities as their national and
international responsibilities grow;
(c) Make use of international standards for relevant practices, procedures and
specifications.
1.1.2 The basic engineering principles adopted for the WMO Information System data
communication networks shall provide for the integration of global, regional and national
data communication systems to ensure transmission of the required information within the
specified acceptable time delays.
1.2 Organization
1.2.1 The WMO Information System shall be organized primarily by data management
functions and shall also incorporate the required information exchange functions. The WMO
Global Telecommunication System shall be incorporated into the WMO Information System
and be operated as part of it.
1.2.2 Centres participating in the WMO Information System shall be categorized as

follows:
(a) Global Information System Centres;
(b) Data Collection or Production Centres;
(c) National Centres.
1.2.3 On the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Basic Systems,
coordinated with relevant technical commissions and regional associations, as appropriate,
the Congress and Executive Council shall:
(a) Consider the designation of Global Information System Centres and Data Collection or
Production Centres;
(b) Regularly review previously designated Global Information System Centres and Data
Collection or Production Centres, and reconsider their designation.
1.2.4 Members shall designate National Centres.

1.2.5 The WMO Information System functions and operation shall be based on
catalogues that contain metadata for data and products available across WMO, and
metadata describing dissemination and access options. These catalogues shall be maintained
by WMO Information System Centres.
1.2.6 Members operating Global Information System Centres shall:
(a) Provide comprehensive search of catalogues, through collaboration amongst all Global
Information System Centres;
(b) Provide access to and disseminate WMO data and products intended for global
exchange;
(c) Be associated with Data Collection or Production Centres and National Centres within
their area of responsibility.
1.2.7 Members operating Data Collection or Production Centres shall:
(a) Use WMO Information System to collect, disseminate, provide access to and store
relevant regional or programme‑specific data and products;
(b) Maintain catalogues of their holdings and services, and provide appropriate parts of
these catalogues to the Global Information System Centres to ensure a comprehensive
catalogue of WMO Information System holdings.
1.2.8 Members operating National Centres shall:
(a) Use the WMO Information System to provide data and products in accordance with
their programme responsibilities;
(b) Provide associated metadata to other WMO Information System Centres as part of the
comprehensive catalogue of WMO Information System holdings.
1.2.9 Members operating Global Information System Centres, Data Collection or

Production Centres and National Centres shall monitor the performance of the WMO
Information System.
1.2.10 The WMO Information System shall feature data communication network
management that includes dedicated data network services, especially for mission‑critical
information exchange, and public data network services such as the Internet, to ensure the
efficiency and effectiveness of the required information exchange.
1.3 Responsibilities
1.3.1 Members operating Global Information System Centres, Data Collection or

Production Centres, and National Centres shall ensure that all appropriate measures are
taken for the installation and good functioning of their centres and of the required data
communication systems and services, in relation to their needs and the roles which they have
accepted.
1.3.2 Members shall ensure that their national information collecting systems allow
not only national but also international needs to be met.
1.4 Practices, procedures and specifications
1.4.1 The WMO Information System data management and information exchange
functions shall be established and operated in accordance with the practices, procedures and
specifications set out in Annex VII (Manual on the WMO Information System (WMO‑No. 1060)).
PART II. WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM 13
1.4.2 The Global Telecommunication System shall be operated in accordance with

the practices, procedures and specifications set out in Annex III (Manual on the Global
Telecommunication System (WMO‑No. 386)).
Note: The Manual on the WMO Information System (WMO‑No. 1060) complements the Manual on the Global
Telecommunication System (WMO‑No. 386). The latter will eventually be replaced by the Manual on the WMO Information
System which will incorporate the relevant material.
2. INTERNATIONAL DATA REPRESENTATION AND CODES
2.1 General – Code forms
Coded information exchanged for international purposes shall be in the appropriate

international code forms specified in Annex II (Manual on Codes (WMO‑No. 306)), Volume I.
Note: Coded information intended exclusively for exchange between two Members may be in other forms by
bilateral agreement.
2.2 Symbolic words, groups and letters
2.2.1 The symbolic words, groups and letters (or groups of letters) used in
international code forms and their meanings or specifications shall be as given in Annex II
(Manual on Codes (WMO‑No. 306)), Volume I.
2.2.2 Symbolic words, groups and letters (or groups of letters) required for regional
or national purposes only shall be selected so as not to duplicate those used in international
code forms.
2.3 Code figures
Specifications of code figures (code tables) used in international code forms specified in in
this Part, under section 2.1 shall be as given in Annex II (Manual on Codes (WMO‑No. 306)),
Volume I.
PART III. DATA PROCESSING AND FORECASTING
1. GLOBAL DATA‑PROCESSING AND FORECASTING SYSTEM
1.1.1 The Global Data‑processing and Forecasting System (GDPFS) shall:
(a) Be a world-wide network of operational centres operated by WMO Members;
(b) Make operationally available, among WMO Members and relevant international
organizations, agreed products and services for applications related to weather, climate,
water and the environment;
(c) Enable scientific and technological advances made in meteorology and related fields to
be accessible to and exploitable by WMO Members;
(d) Support all WMO Programmes and related programmes of other international
organizations in accordance with decisions of the Organization.
1.1.2 The GDPFS shall be systematically designed in accordance with Members’ needs
and their ability to contribute to, and benefit from, the system in an efficient manner and
with a minimum of duplication.
1.1.3 The GDPFS shall be established and operated in accordance with procedures and
practices set out in Annex IV (Manual on the Global Data-processing and Forecasting System
(WMO‑No. 485)).
1.2 Organization
1.2.1 The GDPFS shall be organized in such a way as to ensure the discharge of the
required operational data-processing and forecasting functions. It shall also incorporate real-
time and non-real-time functions.
1.2.2 The GDPFS shall be organized as a three-tier system of activities as follows:
(a) General-purpose activities;
(b) Specialized activities;
(c) Non-real-time activities.
1.2.3 The GDPFS shall be structured as a three-level system composed of:
(a) National Meteorological Centres (NMCs);
(b) Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs);
(c) World Meteorological Centres (WMCs).
1.2.4 Each Member shall designate an NMC.
1.2.5 The WMCs, RSMCs and RSMC Networks shall be designated by a decision of the
World Meteorological Congress or the WMO Executive Council. The designation of such
centres shall include the specification of the activity/function (or activities/functions) to be
carried out.
PART III. DATA PROCESSING AND FORECASTING 15
1.2.6 An association of centres constituted to undertake an identified RSMC activity

shall be designated as an RSMC Network.
Note: Details of the designation process and procedure are specified in Annex IV (Manual on the Global
Data‑processing and Forecasting System (WMO‑No. 485)).
1.2.7 The performance of WMCs, RSMCs and RSMC Networks should be regularly
reviewed by relevant WMO bodies.
1.2.8 Any deficiencies or non-conformities with requirements identified during

the performance review should be resolved immediately by the responsible Member. The
designation of a centre should be reconsidered in case of systematic deficiencies or non-
compliance with the requirements.
Note: Details of the performance assessment procedure for WMCs, RSMCs and RSMC Networks are given in Annex
IV (Manual on the Global Data‑processing and Forecasting System (WMO‑No. 485)).
1.2.9 The functions and operation of GDPFS shall be based on catalogues provided by
Members operating WMCs, RSMCs and RSMC Networks on their websites. The catalogues
shall contain the technical characteristics of the operational systems and products these
centres deliver across WMO, and the metadata describing dissemination and access options
as part of the WMO Information System (WIS). GDPFS centres shall be linked to WIS.
Note: Standard procedures and recommended practices with respect to metadata description are specified in
Annex VII (Manual on the WMO Information System (WMO‑No. 1060)).
1.3 Functions and responsibilities of centres
1.3.1 National Meteorological Centres
1.3.1.1 An NMC shall carry out functions to meet the national and international
requirements of the Member concerned.
Note: To fulfil their national and international obligations, NMCs need to be adequately staffed and equipped to
enable them to play their part in the World Weather Watch system.
1.3.1.2 The functions of an NMC shall include preparation of forecasts and warnings at
all ranges necessary to meet the requirements of the Member.
1.3.1.3 Depending on the context, other activities of an NMC should include the
production of:
(a) Special-application products, including climate and environmental quality-monitoring and

prediction products;
(b) Non-real-time climate-related products.
1.3.2 Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres
A Member, having accepted the responsibility for providing an RSMC, shall arrange for this
centre to carry out operationally at least one of the general-purpose or specialized activities.
Note: A list of general-purpose and specialized activities is given in Annex IV (Manual on the Global Data‑processing
and Forecasting System (WMO‑No. 485)).
1.3.3 World Meteorological Centres
A Member, having accepted the responsibility for providing a WMC, shall arrange for this
centre to carry out at least the following activities:
(a) Global deterministic numerical weather prediction;
(b) Global ensemble numerical weather prediction;
(c) Global numerical long-range prediction.
1.3.4 Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre Networks
1.3.4.1 An RSMC Network shall follow the same specifications and adhere to the same
criteria and commitments as individual RSMCs carrying out the same activity.
1.3.4.2 Appropriate documentation shall be produced and made available by Members

having accepted the responsibility to contribute to the RSMC Network to distribute the tasks
and responsibilities among the participating RSMCs. A unique focal point shall be designated
to answer requests from users of the RSMC Network products.
Note: Details on the real-time and non-real-time functions of WMCs, RSMCs, NMCs and RSMC Networks are given
in Annex IV (Manual on the Global Data‑processing and Forecasting System (WMO‑No. 485)).
1.3.5 Members operating NMCs, RSMCs and WMCs shall:
(a) Monitor their performance and provide information about the current implementation
of their systems;
(b) Report non-compliance between the mandatory minimum specifications and their
actual implementation to the WMO Secretariat; if this non-compliance is expected
to persist for more than two months, a schedule for returning to compliance shall be
provided.
1.3.6 Members operating WMCs, RSMCs and RSMC Networks shall provide guidance
information, including training materials, on the interpretation, performance characteristics,
strengths and limitations of their products.
1.4 Practices, procedures and specifications
Members operating NMCs, RSMCs, WMCs and RSMC Networks shall maintain the
standardized weather forecasting process, including the use of units, graphical
representation of observations, analyses and forecasts.
Note: The description of the standardized weather forecasting process (including units, graphical representation
of observations, analyses and forecasts) is specified in Annex IV (Manual on the Global Data-processing and Forecasting
System (WMO-No. 485)).
PART IV. METEOROLOGICAL, HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL
SERVICES
1. METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FOR MARINE ACTIVITIES
Note: Detailed guidance is given in the Guide to Marine Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 471).
1.1 General
1.1.1 Members shall provide, to the extent possible, marine meteorological,

climatological and other related geophysical information for all activities on the high seas, in
offshore and coastal areas and in main ports and harbour areas, required for the safety of life
and for the promotion of efficiency and economy of marine operations.
1.1.2 The marine meteorological and related geophysical information shall be

provided in accordance with internationally or regionally established procedures, in order to
achieve the required uniformity.
1.2 Marine meteorological services for the high seas
Note: In this context, the term “high seas” applies to open oceans or sea areas for which Members bear the
responsibility of issuing weather and sea bulletins, governed by the procedures given in Annex VI (Manual on Marine
Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 558)), Volume I, Part I.
1.2.1 General responsibilities
1.2.1.1 For the regular issuing of warnings, synopses and forecasts for shipping, fishing
and other marine activities in the high seas, Members shall establish defined geographical
areas of responsibility to ensure complete coverage of these services.
1.2.1.2 Geographical areas of responsibility and procedures concerning their allocation

shall be as given in Annex VI (Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 558)),
Volume I.
1.2.1.3 Members having accepted the responsibility of issuing marine meteorological

information for the high seas shall:
(a) Issue weather and sea bulletins comprising warnings, synopses and forecasts, for the
areas for which they have assumed responsibility;
(b) Provide, in addition to the regular weather and sea bulletins, sea ice information and
forecasts and, to the extent possible, other marine meteorological information, as
required, for the areas for which they have assumed responsibility;
(c) Maintain a close liaison with users in order to ensure that the information provided
meets user requirements.
Note: Details concerning the action to be taken in the case of discontinuance of weather and sea bulletins are given
in the Guide to Marine Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 471).
1.2.2 Provision of weather and sea bulletins
International procedures concerning the form, content and issue of weather and sea
bulletins, comprising warnings, synopses and forecasts, shall be as given in Annex VI (Manual
on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 558)), Volume I.
1.2.3 Marine meteorological support to maritime search and rescue
1.2.3.1 Members shall arrange to provide, to the extent possible, any marine
meteorological information requested by a Rescue Coordination Centre.
1.2.3.2 Marine meteorological services to maritime search and rescue shall be as given in
Annex VI (Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 558)), Volume I.
1.2.4 Provision of information by radio‑facsimile
1.2.4.1 Members should endeavour to issue radio‑facsimile charts containing marine

meteorological information and covering areas of interest to mariners.
1.2.4.2 Members issuing radio‑facsimile charts for marine use shall ensure that these
charts as regards projection, scale, symbols and information content meet the requirements
as given in Annex VI (Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 558)), Volume I.
1.2.5 Marine Climatological Summary Scheme
1.2.5.1 Members operating fixed ship stations and selected, supplementary and auxiliary
ship stations should ensure that all surface observations from these stations are put on magnetic
tape in accordance with the layout of the international maritime meteorological tape format and
despatched at quarterly intervals to the Members (Global Collection Centres) that have accepted
the responsibility for processing these data.
1.2.5.2 Members having accepted the responsibility for the preparation of yearly marine
climatological summaries, for a number of selected representative areas in their area of
responsibility, shall make these summaries available in the internationally agreed formats.
1.2.5.3 Procedures for international arrangements for the Marine Climatological

Summary Scheme shall be as given in Annex VI (Manual on Marine Meteorological Services
(WMO‑No. 558)), Volume I.
1.2.6 Special marine climatological information
1.2.6.1 Members operating fixed ship stations and selected, supplementary and auxiliary
ship stations should arrange through cooperative action for the provision of climatological
information on the occurrence and magnitude of special phenomena of importance to the safety
of marine operations, such as sea ice, ocean waves and ocean currents as well as information on
factors relevant to the preservation of the marine environment, such as floating pollutants, oil
films and slicks.
1.2.6.2 Procedures for international arrangements regarding the collection, storage and
eventual processing of observations of specified phenomena shall be as given in Annex VI
(Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 558)), Volume I.
PART IV. METEOROLOGICAL, HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL SERVICES 19
1.2.7 Provision of marine meteorological information and expert advice
1.2.7.1 Members should arrange for the provision, on request, of meteorological and
related oceanographic information and expert advice on the use and interpretation of marine
meteorological data for special applications such as marine engineering or marine operational
planning, and for questions requiring marine meteorological expertise.
1.2.7.2 Procedures for the provision of marine meteorological information and

expert advice shall be as given in Annex VI (Manual on Marine Meteorological Services
1.3 Marine meteorological services for coastal and offshore areas
Note: In this context, the term “coastal and offshore areas” applies to areas for which Members issue weather and
sea bulletins, governed by the procedures given in Annex VI (Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 558)),
Volume I, Part II.
1.3.1 International responsibilities
1.3.1.1 Members shall issue warnings, synopses and forecasts for general use in
international marine activities, such as shipping, in coastal and offshore areas.
1.3.1.2 Procedures for the provision of marine meteorological services for international
activities in coastal and offshore areas shall be as given in Annex VI (Manual on Marine
Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 558)), Volume I.
1.3.2 Regional cooperation
In servicing coastal or offshore activities that are of interest to more than one country bordering
the same sea basin, Members should arrange for mutual exchange of marine meteorological
information including observational data, warnings and forecasts that might contribute in any
way to the safety of human life and preservation of the marine environment.
1.3.3 National responsibilities
Services provided in response to national requirements should follow, as far as possible,

international procedures.
Note: Requirements for services and possible ways of implementation are given in the Guide to Marine Meteorological
Services (WMO‑No. 471).
1.4 Marine meteorological services for main ports and harbour areas
Note: In this context, the term “main ports and harbour areas” applies to areas for which Members issue port
weather and sea bulletins, governed by the procedures given in Annex VI (Manual on Marine Meteorological Services
(WMO‑No. 558)), Volume I, Part III.
1.4.1 International responsibilities
1.4.1.1 Members should arrange for marine meteorological services based on international
procedures to be provided for main ports frequented by international shipping.
1.4.1.2 Members establishing marine meteorological services shall designate forecasting

offices or facilities responsible for the provision of services for main ports and harbour areas.
1.4.1.3 International procedures for marine meteorological services for main ports
and harbour areas shall be as given in Annex VI (Manual on Marine Meteorological Services
1.4.2 General services
1.4.2.1 Members shall issue warnings, synopses and forecasts, where appropriate and to
the extent possible, for main ports and harbour areas.
1.4.2.2 Members establishing marine meteorological services for main ports and harbour
areas should:
(a) Make available facilities for the provision of oral briefings;
(b) Arrange for the provision of climatological information pertaining to the port or harbour
areas;
(c) Maintain a close liaison with users in order to ensure that the information provided meets
user requirements.
1.4.3 Port meteorological officer services
Port meteorological officer services shall include at least those specified in the Guide to Marine
Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 471), 6.9 – Port meteorological officers.
1.5 Training in marine meteorology
1.5.1 General
1.5.1.1 Members supplying marine meteorological services should provide opportunities

for training of meteorological personnel in marine meteorology and relevant subjects of physical
oceanography.
1.5.1.2 Members concerned shall ensure that attention is given to meteorology in their
navigation schools, taking into account international requirements and recommendations
with respect to the training and certification of seafarers.
1.5.1.3 Members concerned shall provide facilities for the training in marine
meteorology of port meteorological officers, seafarers whilst at sea and marine observers on
board ships.
1.5.1.4 Procedures for training in marine meteorology shall be as given in Annex VI

(Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO‑No. 558)), Volume I.
2. METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FOR AGRICULTURE
Note: In addition to the regulations contained in this chapter, detailed advice is given in the Guide to Agricultural
Meteorological Practices (WMO‑No. 134).
2.1 Presentation of agricultural meteorological data
2.1.1 Publication of agricultural meteorological data
2.1.1.1 Each Member should periodically publish its agricultural meteorological data, when
the need for this information is not met by other climatological publications, and should make
them available to users.
2.1.1.2 Published agricultural meteorological data should include the following:
(a) Frequency, duration and threshold values of the different elements;
(b) Mean values and such statistical parameters (standard deviation, mean error, quintiles, etc.)
as are necessary for determining the probability of different values.
2.1.1.3 Published soil‑temperature data should include information concerning:
(a) Soil type;
(b) Soil cover and surface management;
(c) Degree and direction of slope of ground.
Whenever possible, the following information should also be included with published
soil‑temperature data:
(a) Physical soil constants such as bulk density, thermal conductivity at field capacity and
moisture content at field capacity;
(b) Level of water table if it is within five metres of the surface.
2.1.1.4 When soil‑moisture data are published, the following information should be given:
(a) Soil type;
(b) Soil cover;
(c) Physical constants of the soil, including bulk density, moisture content at field capacity and
moisture content at permanent wilting point.
2.1.1.5 Published potential or actual evapotranspiration data should include:
(a) Short description of equipment or method used;
(b) Type of soil in the area of observation;
(c) Vegetation cover and surrounding conditions.
2.2 Agricultural meteorological reports
2.2.1 Crop‑weather reports
2.2.1.1 Members should arrange for reports on weather development and state of crops
and pastures (crop‑weather reports) to be prepared and issued at intervals of five, seven or ten
days, or at longer intervals, as convenient.
2.2.1.2 The contents of crop‑weather reports should include the following:
(a) State of development and prospects of principal crops;

(b) Favourable and unfavourable weather factors;
(c) Data on significant meteorological elements or derived parameters.
2.3 Forecasts for agriculture
2.3.1 Forecasting programme
2.3.1.1 Members should ensure that special forecasts are issued for agricultural purposes.
2.3.1.2 The forecasting programme for agricultural purposes should include:
(a) Regular and detailed forecasts for agriculturists and foresters and seasonal to interannual
predictions of the likelihood of climatic anomalies, including temperature, rainfall and other
climate variables, specifying local variations in weather to the greatest possible extent;
(b) Forecasts related to the selection of the most favourable weather conditions for preparing
the soil, planting, cultivating and harvesting crops, and for other agricultural operations;
(c) Forecasts for the control of crop and animal pests and diseases;
(d) Warnings of hazardous weather conditions such as hail, frost, droughts, floods, gales,
tornadoes and tropical cyclones.
3. METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR NAVIGATION
Note: Regulations concerning meteorological services for international air navigation are to be found in Technical
Regulations (WMO‑No. 49), Volume II.
4. HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES
Note: Regulations concerning hydrological services are to be found in Technical Regulations (WMO‑No. 49),
Volume III (currently under review by the Commission for Hydrology).
5. PUBLIC WEATHER SERVICES
5.1 General
5.1.1 Members should provide public weather services to cover:
(a) Forecasts and related services in the areas of weather, climate and water to aid citizens in
their day-to-day activities;
(b) Warnings of high-impact weather and extremes of climate, and other information to
government authorities as appropriate in pursuance of their mission to protect the lives,
livelihoods and property of the citizens.
5.1.2 The purpose of public weather services provided by Members should be to support
decision-making related to:
(a) Protection of life, livelihood and property;
(b) Welfare and well-being of the population;

(c) Social and economic development in response to the wide spectrum of requirements of the
public and weather-sensitive user groups.
5.2 Public weather services delivery
5.2.1 User focus
Members should identify users and understand their needs for weather, climate, water and
environmental-related information in their decision-making practices. Close coordination should
be maintained with users and effective feedback mechanisms should be established.
5.2.2 Quality
Members should establish a properly organized Quality Management System (QMS) comprising
the procedures, processes and resources necessary to provide for public weather services of
sustainable quality and level to be supplied to users.
Note: Quality Management Systems in conformity with ISO 9000 standards are considered as good practice.
5.2.3 Dissemination and communication of products
Members should ensure preparation and timely dissemination, to relevant users, of public
weather information, including warning information concerning occurrence and evolution of
severe weather phenomena. Such information should be fit for purpose for integration into
decision-making processes and procedures related to the protection of life and property and the
general welfare of the public.
5.2.4 Preparation of warnings
5.2.4.1 Warning information intended for decision-making related to protection of

life, livelihood and property should be provided by bodies designated and mandated by
government.
5.2.4.2 Members should provide warning information through the implementation of an

early warning system.
5.2.4.3 Warning information should incorporate, to the extent possible, information about
impacts of weather hazards on individuals and communities.
5.2.5 Socioeconomic benefits of meteorological and hydrological services
Members should perform socioeconomic benefit assessments to both measure and demonstrate
the value of their services to the public and other users.
5.2.6 Public education and outreach
Members should engage in education, awareness and preparedness activities aimed at helping
citizens make the best use of forecast and warning information, understand the potential threats
of high-impact weather and extremes of climate, and be aware of the appropriate mitigating
actions.
5.3 Organization
Members should ensure that their National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are
properly equipped to provide essential public weather services and especially warnings of severe
weather.
5.4 Competency
Members should ensure that the competency requirement of personnel engaged in the provision
of public weather services is in accordance with the requirements indicated in Part V of the
present publication.
PART V. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES OF PERSONNEL
INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF METEOROLOGICAL (WEATHER AND
CLIMATE) AND HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES
1. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
1.1 General
1.1.1 The qualifications and competencies required of personnel involved in the provision
of (operational) meteorological, hydrological, climatological and related services should be as
described below, in sections 1.2–1.5.
Notes:
1. A specific qualification is typically acquired once and remains valid throughout a person’s career.
2. Qualifications and competencies for personnel in additional service areas will be developed in due course and
subsequently included in this chapter.
1.1.2 Members should keep records of the qualifications of all personnel involved in the
provision of (operational) meteorological, hydrological, climatological and/or related services.
1.1.3 Members should decide, in light of their national circumstances, whether higher or
more specific qualification requirements than those described below should be established for
certain categories of operational personnel.
1.1.4 Competency should be demonstrated through job performance and assessed

through competency assessment procedures, as appropriate.
Note: Guidance on competency development and assessment procedures is provided in Guide to the Development
and Implementation of Competency‑based Frameworks in Support of Meteorological, Hydrological and Climatological Services (in
preparation).
1.1.5 Members should establish competency assessment programmes for different

categories of operational personnel; competency assessments should be repeated at regular
intervals defined by the quality management practice of each Member.
1.1.6 Members should implement WMO global‑level competency provisions taking due
account of their local conditions, regulations, requirements and procedures.
1.1.7 Members should ensure that their operational personnel undertake continuous
professional development to maintain competence.
1.2 Personnel providing aeronautical meteorological services
1.2.1 Qualifications
1.2.1.1 Members, taking into consideration the area and airspace of responsibility; the
impact of meteorological phenomena and parameters on aviation operations; aviation user
requirements; international regulations and local procedures and priorities, should ensure that
an Aeronautical Meteorological Forecaster has successfully completed the Basic Instruction
Package for Meteorologists as defined in Appendix A.
Note: This provision, which defines the required qualifications, will become a standard practice on
1 December 2016.
1.2.1.2 Members should decide whether their national circumstances require specific
qualifications of Aeronautical Meteorological Observers.
1.2.2 Competencies
Note: The competency standards for aeronautical meteorological personnel are maintained by the Commission for
Aeronautical Meteorology.
1.2.2.1 Members shall ensure that for the area and airspace of responsibility, given
the impact of meteorological phenomena and parameters on aviation operations, and in
compliance with aviation user requirements, international regulations and local procedures
and priorities, an Aeronautical Meteorological Forecaster is able to:
(a) Analyse and monitor continually the weather situation;
(b) Forecast aeronautical meteorological phenomena and parameters;
(c) Warn of hazardous phenomena;
(d) Ensure the quality of meteorological information and services;
(e) Communicate meteorological information to internal and external users.
1.2.2.2 Members shall ensure that for the area and airspace of responsibility, given
the impact of meteorological phenomena and parameters on aviation operations, and in
compliance with aviation user requirements, international regulations and local procedures
and priorities, an Aeronautical Meteorological Observer is able to:
(a) Monitor continually the weather situation;
(b) Observe and record aeronautical meteorological phenomena and parameters;
(c) Ensure the quality of system performance and of meteorological information;
(d) Communicate meteorological information to internal and external users.
1.3 Personnel providing education and training for meteorological,

hydrological and climate services
1.3.1 Qualifications
Members should define, in light of their national circumstances, the specific qualifications
required of personnel providing education and training in meteorology, hydrology and
climatology.
1.3.2 Competencies
Note: The Competency Standards for Providers of Education and Training for Meteorological, Hydrological and
Climate Services (March, 2014) are maintained by the Executive Council Panel of Experts on Education and Training.
Members should ensure that institutions providing education and training for meteorological,
hydrological and climate services have the personnel and resources to:
(a) Analyse the organizational context and manage the training processes;
(b) Identify learning needs and specify learning outcomes;

PART V. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES OF PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE 27
PROVISION OF METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES
(c) Determine a learning solution;
(d) Design and develop learning activities and resources;
(e) Deliver training and manage the learning event;
(f) Assess learning and evaluate the learning process.
Note: The performance criteria and knowledge requirements that support the competencies should be customized
based on the particular context of an organization.
1.4 Personnel supporting the WMO Information System
The competency framework for personnel supporting the WMO Information System can be
found in the Manual on the WMO Information System (WMO-No. 1060), Appendix E, and in the
Guide to the WMO Information System (WMO-No. 1061).
1.5 Personnel providing climate services
In a given institution, the list of the competencies to be met and the associated performance
criteria would be determined by its infrastructural capacity. Competencies falling in the areas
of quality of climate information and services as well as communication of climatological
information to users are considered cross-cutting and should be met, at least at basic levels, by all
institutions providing climate services.
Note: The competency framework is conditioned by:

(a) The organizational mission and priorities, and stakeholder requirements.
(b) The way in which internal and external personnel are engaged in the provision of climate services.
(c) The available resources and capabilities (financial, human and technical).
(d) National and institutional legislation, rules, organizational structure, policies and procedures.
(e) WMO guidelines, policies and procedures for climate data and products.
(f) The dominant weather and climate influences, and extremes experienced.
1.5.1 Competencies and associated performance criteria:
Competency 1: Creating and managing climate data sets
Climate data and metadata and climate data products shall be gathered and stored in
datasets, quality controlled and assessed for homogeneity. Hence staff shall:
(a) Conduct climate data preservation and rescue procedures;
(b) Assess the location and characteristics of the observation sites against the requirements
for a climate observation reference network;
(c) Collect and store climate data and metadata in relational databases;
(d) Apply quality control processes to climate data and resulting time series;
(e) Assess climate data homogeneity and adjust inhomogeneous time series;
(f) Create, archive and document climate datasets;
(g) Apply spatial and temporal interpolation to ensure data continuity.

Competency 2: Deriving products from climate data
Climate data products for science and user applications are derived from different sources of
climate data (such as observed and reconstructed time series, reanalysis, satellite and modelled
data) applying statistics which describe their spatial and temporal characteristics. Staff should:
(a) Identify and retrieve climate data from different sources to generate climate products;
(b) Compute basic climate products, normals and averages, or anomalies defined relative to a
reference period;
(c) Compute climate indices for monitoring climate change, climate variability and climate
extremes;
(d) Compute sector-specific climate indices and other sector-oriented climate products;
(e) Apply statistical and geo-statistical analysis to monitor the spatial distribution and temporal
evolution of climate;
(f) Create value-added products such as graphics, maps and reports to explain climate
characteristics and evolution, according to the needs of specific sectors such as health,
agriculture, water, energy and disaster management.
Competency 3: Creating and/or interpreting climate forecasts, climate projections and model
output
Climate data, climate data products and climate model outputs are operated and used to create
sub-seasonal and seasonal climate forecasts and future climate projections. Staff should:
(a) Locate, select and retrieve climate forecasts and climate model outputs generated by
Regional Climate Centres, Global Producing Centres and other institutions;
(b) Create sub-seasonal, seasonal and longer-scale forecast products;
(c) Create future climate projections using climate models in a selected domain for different
scenarios and parametrization;
(d) Apply statistical and geo-statistical analysis, including downscaling, to monitor the spatial
distribution and temporal evolution of model outputs;
(e) Evaluate the performance of climate model outputs and quantify the associated
uncertainties;
(f) Create value-added products, such as graphics, maps and reports to communicate climate
forecasts and climate model information to users.
Competency 4: Ensuring the quality of climate information and services
Climate information and services should be defined and routinely updated. Best practices should
be followed and/or guidelines and quality management procedures for climate information
should be created and routinely maintained. Monitoring processes of climate services should be
documented and used in quality control activities. Hence the institution’s management should:
(a) Create and apply quality management processes and procedures for climate services;
(b) Recruit competent personnel and organize the workforce so that it can develop and deliver
climate services;
PART V. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES OF PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE 29
PROVISION OF METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES
(c) Ensure that the infrastructural capacity of the institution meets the requirements of the
competency framework and that there is a strategy for sustainable capabilities;
(d) Provide training to staff so that they can fulfil their job requirements and expand their
capabilities;
(e) Define and implement a catalogue of climate datasets, products and services to meet user
requirements at the national/regional level;
(f) Monitor the functions of climate services, including validation of data, products and
services;
(g) Evaluate the impacts and benefits for customers of climate services, by gathering
customers’ comments, suggestions and complaints;
(h) Make decisions for service improvement based on evaluation results;
(i) Build partnerships with science and service providers and end users to improve products
and service delivery.
Competency 5: Communicating climatological information to users
Climate science, data and products should be communicated to policymakers, stakeholders and
the general public. The institution’s management should:
(a) Prioritize the communication of climatological information according to social, political and
economic relevance;
(b) Establish effective communication channels with users of climate services and build
outreach capacities, such as Regional Climate Outlook Forums;
(c) Conduct analyses of customer needs on a regular basis and evaluate the results;
(d) Review climate services and their communication strategy on the basis of user feedback;
(e) Formulate and deliver, in partnership with users, specific applications to facilitate
understanding and use of climate products and services;
(f) Comply with the interfacing requirements of the GFCS and the WMO Information System.
1.6 Personnel providing marine meteorological services (in preparation)

PART VI. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF METEOROLOGICAL
PERSONNEL
1. EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
1.1 General
1.1.1 Each Member shall ensure that, in the fulfilment of its national and international
responsibilities as prescribed in other chapters of these Technical Regulations, the personnel
involved are educated and trained to the standards recognized by WMO for their respective
duties. The education and training requirements shall apply both to initial recruitment
and to continuing professional development and be in line with advances in science and
technology, changing service requirements and responsibilities, and the ongoing need for
refresher training.
Note: The education standards are outlined below and job specific competencies are included in the relevant
chapters of these Technical Regulations.
1.1.2 Members should maintain records of the education and training of their personnel
as part of their Quality Management System (QMS), for their human resource development
activities and for auditing purposes, where appropriate, in accordance with the Guide to the
Implementation of Education and Training Standards in Meteorology and Hydrology (WMO‑No. 1083),
Volume I.
1.2 Categories of personnel
The meteorological personnel shall be classified as follows:
(a) Meteorologist;
(b) Meteorological technician.
Note: The definitions of “meteorologist” and “meteorological technician” are given in the Definitions section of this
volume.
1.3 The Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists
The Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists, as defined in Appendix A, shall be used
by Members to ensure that the meteorological personnel in the category Meteorologist
are provided with a robust and broad range of knowledge of atmospheric phenomena and
processes, together with skills related to the application of this knowledge.
1.4 The Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technicians
The Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technicians, as defined in Appendix A,

shall be used by Members to ensure that the meteorological personnel in the category
Meteorological Technician are provided with basic knowledge of atmospheric phenomena
and processes, together with skills related to the application of this knowledge.
1.5 Meteorological education and training facilities
1.5.1 Members should endeavour to provide national facilities, or participate in regional

facilities, for the education and training of their personnel.
PART VI. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF METEOROLOGICAL PERSONNEL 31
1.5.2 As not all national training facilities are recognized as regional training facilities, the
criteria given in Appendix B to this volume apply to each institution designated as being part
of a WMO Regional Training Centre (RTC). Each of those institutions is referred to as an RTC
component.
Note: In recognizing, reconfirming and managing an RTC component, the regional association, the Permanent
Representative of the host country, the Director of the RTC component and the Coordinator of the RTC with multiple
components take shared responsibility for the performance and ongoing status of the institution(s) as an RTC. Guidance
on the roles and responsibilities of each of the parties is provided in Guide to the Management and Operation of WMO
Regional Training Centres and Other Training Institutions (in preparation).
Regional association
– Prioritize education and training needs of the regional association and communicate them
to the RTCs at least every four years;
– Keep abreast of the activities and plans of each RTC and its components through the annual
report they provide;
– Provide RTCs, Members and the Secretary‑General with feedback on whether the RTCs are
meeting the needs of the regional association;
– Contribute to quadrennial reviews of the RTCs arranged by the Executive Council in order
to address the extent to which the RTCs are meeting the identified education and training
needs of the regional association;
– At each session of the regional association, recommend RTCs to the WMO Executive
Council for possible confirmation, based on performance against the established criteria;
– Promote the activities and use of the RTCs by members of the regional association;
– Seek funding and resource opportunities to support and expand the work of the RTCs in
addressing the education and training needs of the regional association.
Permanent Representative of the host country
– Inform the Secretary‑General and the regional association of the contact details of the
Coordinator of an RTC and the Director of an RTC component and of any changes thereto;
– Where the RTC is made up of multiple components, ensure ongoing communication and
coordination between the components to maximize education and training opportunities
for Members;
– Facilitate coordination between the RTC and the regional association concerned regarding
regional education and training needs, funding and resource opportunities;
– Promote the resourcing of the RTC through support from government and other national
and international funding bodies;
– Provide the regional association and the Secretary‑General with annual reports about the
RTC’s activities in the previous 12 months and its plans for the next 12 months with an
outlook for future years;
– Collaborate with other Permanent Representatives hosting RTCs to promote collaboration

between the RTCs;
– Oversee and act as an advocate for the RTC to (a) comply with national and WMO
standards and guidelines and (b) keep pace with evolving technological and educational
developments.
Director of an RTC component
– Monitor and plan the activities of the RTC component in accordance with the expressed
education and training needs of the regional association;
– For vocational training activities, use processes within the RTC component that are
consistent with ISO 29990:2010, Learning services for non‑formal education and training – Basic
requirements for service providers;
– Monitor the skills and capabilities of the RTC staff informing the appropriate authorities of
the requirements to develop and maintain the professional and training expertise of staff
and to ensure the availability and maintenance of an adequate infrastructure for training
and for information and communications technology;
– Submit to the Permanent Representative annual reports about the activities of the RTC
component in the previous 12 months and plans for the next 12 months with an outlook for
future years;
– Inform Members, through regular communication, of the benefits of the services offered by
the RTC component and provide them with easy access to the RTC’s education and training
programme and contact information;
– Work with other RTC components to (a) coordinate activities and (b) share resources and
experience in addressing regional education and training needs;
– Seek additional funding and resource opportunities to expand the ability of the RTC
component to address the regional education and training needs.
Coordinator of an RTC with multiple components
– Coordinate the overall activities of the RTC components in accordance with the expressed
education and training needs of the regional association;
– Coordinate preparation of annual reports about the RTC’s activities in the previous 12
months and plans for the next 12 months with an outlook for future years, for submission to
the Permanent Representative;
– Coordinate arrangements for (a) promoting and providing information about the RTC’s
services to Members through regular communication, and (b) the sharing of resources and
experience among the RTC components in addressing regional education and training
needs;
– Ensure that the RTC components collaborate and that each is apprised of the other’s
education and training activities;
– Support the RTC components in seeking additional funding and resource opportunities to
expand the ability of the RTC to address the regional education and training needs.
1.6 Status of meteorological personnel
Each Member should ensure that meteorological personnel referred to in 1.1.1 above are
accorded status, conditions of service and general recognition within that country commensurate
with the technical and other qualifications required for the fulfilment of their respective duties.
PART VII. QUALITY MANAGEMENT
1. QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Note: Detailed guidance is provided in the Guide to the Implementation of a Quality Management System for National
Meteorological and Hydrological Services (WMO-No. 1100) on the provision of meteorological, hydrological and
climatological services within the framework of ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems – Requirements.
1.1 General
Members should ensure that their organizations responsible for the provision of meteorological,
hydrological, climatological or other environmental services establish and implement a properly
organized Quality Management System (QMS), comprising procedures, processes and resources
necessary to provide for the quality management of the information and services to be delivered
to users.
Note: Additional requirements for quality management in the provision of meteorological services to international
air navigation are given in Technical Regulations (WMO‑No. 49), Volume II – Meteorological Service for International Air
Navigation.
1.2 World Meteorological Organization international centres and facilities
Members undertaking to host either global or regional centres, or facilities on behalf of WMO
programmes should establish and implement a QMS that covers the entire scope of services for
which the centre or facility has been designated.
1.3 Establishing a Quality Management System
1.3.1 The QMS established in accordance with 1.1 above should:
(a) Demonstrate the commitment of the organization’s leadership to a quality management

approach to the delivery of its products and services;
(b) Clearly identify the organization’s role within the environment (nationally and
internationally) in which it operates;
(c) Establish a quality policy that:
(i) Supports the organization’s strategic direction and objectives;
(ii) Commits to meeting stakeholders needs;
(iii) Promotes continual improvement;
(d) Clearly articulate roles and responsibilities within the organization;
(e) Adopt a risk-based approach to the organization’s activities;
(f) Have plans and associated objectives and performance indicators;
(g) Be appropriately resourced to ensure the viability and long-term sustainability of the QMS;
(h) Ensure all staff are competent to undertake their roles and, as appropriate, implement
specific competence frameworks;
(i) Adhere to internationally recognized document control procedures and practices;
(j) Have a strong customer focus through effective communications and sound planning
practices to meet the identified needs of customers;
(k) Establish verification and validation activities to ensure that the outputs meet the identified
needs of customers and users;
(l) Monitor, measure, analyse and evaluate the QMS through a rigorous audit schedule and
regular reviews by management;
(m) Promote a culture within the organization of continual improvement.
1.3.2 The QMS established in accordance with 1.1 above should provide customers with
assurance that the products and services provided comply with the stated requirements in terms
of geographical and spatial coverage, format and content, time and frequency of issuance and
period of validity, as well as with the required accuracy of measurements, observations and
forecasts.
Note: Such requirements are normally included in relevant service-level agreements, contracts or other frameworks
that establish the provider/customer relationship.
1.4 Recognition of compliance of a Quality Management System
1.4.1 A QMS established in accordance with 1.1 above should be in conformity with the
current standard ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems – Requirements.
Note: The ISO 9001:2015 standard provides an internationally recognized framework for QMSs.
1.4.2 Demonstration of compliance of the QMS applied should be by audit. All audits
should be performed by qualified quality management auditors and appropriately documented
and retained. If nonconformities are identified during audit, remedial action should be initiated
to determine and correct the cause.
Note: Guidance on the methodology and procedures for internal and external audits to be conducted is provided
in the Guide to the Implementation of a Quality Management System for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services
(WMO-No. 1100) concerning the provision of meteorological, hydrological and climatological services within the
framework of ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems – Requirements.
1.4.3 An ISO 9001 certificate of compliance issued by an appropriately accredited

conformity assessment body, covering the information and services provided, should be
considered as sufficient demonstration of compliance of the established QMS.
APPENDIX A. BASIC INSTRUCTION PACKAGES
(See Part V, 1.2.1.1, and Part VI, 1.3 and 1.4)
1. BASIC INSTRUCTION PACKAGE FOR METEOROLOGISTS
1.1 General
1.1.1 To satisfy the requirements of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists,
Members shall ensure that the meteorological personnel achieve the following learning
outcomes:
(a) The acquisition of knowledge concerning physical principles and atmospheric

interactions, methods of measurement and data analysis, behaviour of weather systems
(through the synthesis of current weather data with conceptual models), and the
general circulation of the atmosphere and climate variations;
(b) The ability to apply knowledge based on the use of scientific reasoning to solve
problems in atmospheric science and to participate in the analysis, prediction and
communication of the impacts of weather and climate on society.
Note: It is intended that satisfying the requirements of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists will provide
meteorological personnel with the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop their expertise and with a basis for
further specialization.
1.1.2 Members shall ensure that meteorologists wishing to work in areas such as
weather analysis and forecasting, climate modelling and prediction, and research and
development, undertake further education and training to meet the specialized job
competencies in these areas. In addition, Members shall ensure that meteorologists
enhance their knowledge and skills by participating in continuous professional development
throughout their careers.
Note: The requirements of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists will usually be satisfied through the
successful completion of a university degree in meteorology or a postgraduate programme of study in meteorology
following a university degree that includes the foundation topics in mathematics and physics – such topics are typically
covered in science, applied science, engineering or computational courses. Where this is not the case, educational
institutions will have to demonstrate that their programme of study provides the characteristic learning outcomes
associated with a university degree course.
1.1.3 Members should take the lead in consulting with the appropriate national and
regional bodies to define the academic qualifications required of meteorologists in their country.
Members should also work with their national education and training establishments to ensure
that meteorological graduates achieve all the learning outcomes of the Basic Instruction Package
for Meteorologists as part of the academic qualification.
1.2 Components of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists
Note: The aim is to ensure that a meteorologist has the underlying knowledge and expertise that supports the
learning outcomes associated with physical meteorology, dynamic meteorology and numerical weather prediction,
synoptic and mesoscale meteorology, and climatology.
1.2.1 Foundation topics
Members shall ensure that a meteorologist is able to:
(a) Demonstrate the knowledge of mathematics and physics that is required to successfully
complete the meteorological components of the Basic Instruction Package for
Meteorologists;
(b) Demonstrate the knowledge of other sciences and related topics that complements the
meteorological expertise covered in the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists;
(c) Analyse and utilize data, and communicate and present information.
1.2.2 Physical meteorology
(a) Explain the structure and composition of the atmosphere, the processes affecting the
radiative transfer in the atmosphere and global energy balance, and the causes of
optical phenomena in the atmosphere;
(b) Apply the laws of thermodynamics to atmospheric processes, use a thermodynamic

diagram to assess the properties and stability of the atmosphere, identify the effect of
water on thermodynamic processes and explain the processes leading to the formation
of water droplets, clouds, precipitation and electrical phenomena;
(c) Use knowledge of turbulence and surface energy exchanges to explain the structure
and characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer and the behaviour of
contaminants;
(d) Compare, contrast and explain the physical principles used in conventional instruments
to make surface and upper‑air measurements of atmospheric parameters, and explain
the common sources of error and uncertainty and the importance of applying standards
and using best practices;
(e) Describe the range of meteorological data obtained from remote‑sensing systems,
explain how radiation measurements are made and the processes by which atmospheric
data are derived from those measurements, and outline the uses and limitations of
remote‑sensing data.
1.2.3 Dynamic meteorology
(a) Explain the physical basis of the equations of motion in terms of forces and frames of
reference, apply scale analysis to identify the dynamic processes in balanced flows,
describe the characteristics of balanced flows, and use the equations of motion to
explain quasi‑geostrophy, ageostrophy, and the structure and propagation of waves in
the atmosphere;
(b) Describe and explain the scientific basis, characteristics and limitations of numerical
weather prediction for short‑, medium‑ and long‑range forecasting, and explain the
applications of numerical weather prediction.
APPENDIX A. BASIC INSTRUCTION PACKAGES 37
1.2.4 Synoptic and mesoscale meteorology
(a) Use physical and dynamical reasoning to describe and explain the formation,
evolution and characteristics (including extreme or hazardous weather conditions)
of synoptic‑scale weather systems in mid‑latitude and polar regions and in tropical
regions, and assess the limitations of theories and conceptual models of these weather
systems;
(b) Use physical and dynamical reasoning to describe and explain the formation, evolution
and characteristics (including extreme or hazardous weather conditions) of convective
and mesoscale phenomena, and assess the limitations of theories and conceptual
models of these phenomena;
(c) Monitor and observe the weather situation, and use real‑time or historical data,
including satellite and radar data, to prepare analyses and basic forecasts;
(d) Describe service delivery in terms of the nature, use and benefits of the key products
and services, including warnings and assessment of weather‑related risks.
1.2.5 Climatology
(a) Describe and explain the Earth’s general circulation and climate system in terms of the
physical and dynamical processes that are involved, and describe the key products and
services based on climate information and their inherent uncertainty and use;
(b) Apply physical and dynamical reasoning to explain the mechanisms responsible for
climate variability and climate change (including the influence of human activity);
describe the impacts in terms of possible changes to the global circulation, primary
weather elements and potential effects on society; outline the adaptation and
mitigation strategies that might be applied; and describe the application of climate
models.
2. BASIC INSTRUCTION PACKAGE FOR METEOROLOGICAL TECHNICIANS
2.1 General
2.1.1 To satisfy the requirements of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological
Technicians, Members shall ensure that the meteorological personnel achieve the following
learning outcomes:
(a) The acquisition of basic knowledge concerning physical principles and atmospheric
interactions, methods of measurement and data analysis, a basic description of weather
systems, and a basic description of the general circulation of the atmosphere and
climate variations;
(b) The ability to apply basic knowledge to observe and monitor the atmosphere and
interpret commonly used meteorological diagrams and products.
Note: It is intended that satisfying the requirements of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technicians
will provide meteorological personnel with the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop their expertise and with a
basis for further specialization.
2.1.2 Members shall ensure that meteorological technicians wishing to work in areas
such as weather observation, climate monitoring, network management, and provision of
meteorological information and products to users, undertake further education and training
to meet the specialized job competencies in these areas. In addition, Members shall ensure
that meteorological technicians enhance their knowledge and skills by participating in
continuous professional development throughout their careers.
Note: The requirements of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technicians will be usually satisfied
through the successful completion of a post‑secondary programme of study at an establishment such as a training
institution of a National Meteorological and Hydrological Service or college of further education.
2.2 Components of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological

Technicians
Note: The aim is to ensure that a meteorological technician has the underlying knowledge and expertise that
supports the learning outcomes associated with basic physical and dynamic meteorology, basic synoptic meteorology,
basic climatology, and meteorological instruments and methods of observation.
2.2.1 Foundation topics
Members shall ensure that a meteorological technician is able to:
(a) Demonstrate the knowledge of mathematics and physics that is required to successfully
complete the meteorological components of the Basic Instruction Package for
Meteorological Technicians;
(b) Demonstrate the knowledge of other sciences and related topics that complements the
meteorological expertise covered in the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological
Technicians;
(c) Analyse and utilize data, and communicate and present information.
2.2.2 Basic physical and dynamic meteorology
(a) Explain the basic physical and dynamic processes that take place in the atmosphere;
(b) Explain the physical principles used in instruments to measure atmospheric parameters.
2.2.3 Basic synoptic and mesoscale meteorology
(a) Describe the formation, evolution and characteristics of synoptic‑scale and mesoscale
tropical, mid‑latitude and polar weather systems, and analyse weather observations;
(b) Describe the forecast process and the use made of the associated products and services.
2.2.4 Basic climatology
(a) Describe the general circulation of the atmosphere and the processes leading to climate
variability and change;
APPENDIX A. BASIC INSTRUCTION PACKAGES 39
(b) Describe the use made of products and services based on climate information.
2.2.5 Meteorological instruments and methods of observation
(a) Explain the physical principles used in instruments to measure atmospheric parameters;
(b) Make basic weather observations.

APPENDIX B. CRITERIA FOR THE DESIGNATION OF WMO REGIONAL
TRAINING CENTRES
(See Part VI, 1.5.2)
A Regional Training Centre (RTC) is a national education and training institution, or group of
institutions, recognized by Congress or the Executive Council (following recommendation of the
relevant WMO regional association(s) as:
(a) Providing education and training opportunities for WMO Members in the Region,
particularly staff of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs);
(b) Providing advice and assistance on education and training to WMO Members;
(c) Promoting education and training opportunities in weather, water and climate for WMO
Members.
These activities are undertaken in accordance with WMO regulations and guidelines. An institute
supported by several Members to provide such services could also be recommended by the
relevant regional association as an RTC.
Each institution forming part of an RTC is considered to be an RTC component.
When a Member proposes an institution or a group of institutions to the relevant regional

association for recommendation as an RTC, the proposal shall meet the following criteria:
(a) An RTC or its component is established only to meet the expressed requirements of
more than half of the Members of the regional association that cannot be met by
existing resources;
(b) An RTC or its component is designed to meet the requirements of the Region, as
expressed in a decision of the regional association and recorded in a resolution
or statement in the general summary of the abridged final report of the regional
association session. However, it is recognized that some RTCs or their components
might also take on a broader international remit;
(c) The RTC is located within the Region concerned, its location decided by the Executive
Council in the light of the recommendation of the regional association, the advice of the
relevant technical commission and the Executive Council Panel of Experts on Education
and Training, and the comments of the Secretary-General.
A Member hosting the institution to be designated as an RTC component shall ensure it has
the human and financial resources and facilities to satisfy the following:
Identifying learning needs:
The RTC component has processes in place to gain information about the education and
training needs of the Region.
Designing the learning service:
– The RTC component selects methods of learning that respond to the aims and
requirements of the curriculum and learning outcomes, and are appropriate for the
learners;
– The RTC component ensures that its courses of instruction and other activities, such
as delivering or developing e‑learning, running off‑site activities and providing advice
or support, are carried out in a way that is consistent with the standards and guidance
material issued by WMO;
APPENDIX B. CRITERIA FOR THE DESIGNATION OF WMO REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRES 41
– The RTC component provides courses and other resources and activities that address
the expressed education and training needs of the Region.
Delivering the learning service:
– The RTC component demonstrates that, during the previous four years, it has
contributed to meeting the education and training needs identified by the regional
association;
– The RTC component delivers training: (a) with competent instructors in terms of their
scientific/technical ability and training expertise; and (b) in an environment that is
conducive to learning, with adequate learning resources, buildings, information and
communication technology systems and training facilities.
Assessing learning and evaluating the learning service:
– The RTC component assesses the knowledge and competency of students, documents
this information in a fashion suitable for a recognized quality management system, and
provides students with a record of the education and training that has been successfully
completed;
– The RTC component has processes for measuring the effectiveness and quality of the
learning service, including obtaining feedback from stakeholders.
Administering and managing the learning service:
– The RTC component has adequate arrangements for administration, governance,

planning, staffing, continuous professional development, reporting and
self‑assessment;
– If the RTC component has no national accreditation as a provider of vocational training,

it can demonstrate that it carries out its training activities in accordance with the
requirements of ISO 29990:2010;
– The RTC component produces an annual report on activities carried out in the previous
twelve months, and on its plan for the next 12 months with an outlook for future years;
– The RTC component is: (a) open to students from all countries in the Region and,
subject to availability of resources, to interested countries in other Regions; and (b) has
appropriate services in place to support international/regional students.
For more information, please contact:
World Meteorological Organization

7 bis, avenue de la Paix – P.O. Box 2300 – CH 1211 Geneva 2 – Switzerland
Communication and Public Affairs Office

Tel.: +41 (0) 22 730 83 14/15 – Fax: +41 (0) 22 730 80 27
Email: [email protected]
public.wmo.int
JN 171100

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Technical Regulations

Basic Documents No. 2

© World Meteorological Organization, 2015

Chairperson, Publications Board

June 2016 General New note on fast-track EC-68 Resolution

Definitions Definition of Regional Training EC-68 Resolution 8

Part V (Part New section on competencies EC-68 Resolution 5

Part VI (Part Revised paragraph 1.5.2 (4.5.2 EC-68 Resolution 8

Appendix B Revised criteria for the EC-68 Resolution 8

September 2017 General Delete “Volume I” from the Recommendation Resolution

Definitions Updating of definitions Recommendation Resolution

Definitions Updating of definitions EC-69 Resolution

Part I, 2.4.2.2 Updating of the notes Recommendation Resolution

Part III, Modifications made as Recommendation Resolution

Part IV, Addition of a new Section 5 – Recommendation Resolution

Part VII Include a new Part VII – EC-69 Resolution

PART I. THE WMO INTEGRATED GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1

PART II. THE WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11

1.3 Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PART III. DATA PROCESSING AND FORECASTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14

PART IV. METEOROLOGICAL, HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL SERVICES. . . . . .  17

5.3 Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

PART V. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES OF PERSONNEL INVOLVED

PART VI. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF METEOROLOGICAL PERSONNEL . . . . . . . . . . . .  30

PART VII. QUALITY MANAGEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33

APPENDIX A. BASIC INSTRUCTION PACKAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35

APPENDIX B. CRITERIA FOR THE DESIGNATION OF WMO REGIONAL TRAINING

1. The Technical Regulations (WMO‑No. 49) of the World Meteorological Organization

Volume I – General meteorological standards and recommended practices

Purpose of the Technical Regulations

2. The Technical Regulations are determined by the World Meteorological Congress in

3. These Regulations are designed:

(a) To facilitate cooperation in meteorology and hydrology among Members;

4. The Technical Regulations comprise standard practices and procedures and

5. The definitions of these two types of Regulations are as follows:

The standard practices and procedures:

The recommended practices and procedures:

6. In accordance with the above definitions, Members shall do their utmost to

Status of annexes and appendices

Status of notes and attachments

Updating of the Technical Regulations and their annexes (Manuals)

(b) Technical Regulations should contain appropriate instructions to Members regarding

(d) Any amendments to the Technical Regulations submitted by Members or by constituent

14. Amendments to the Technical Regulations – as a rule – are approved by Congress.

15. If a recommendation for an amendment is made by a session of the appropriate

16. If a recommendation for an amendment is made by the appropriate technical

Aeronautical meteorological station. A station designated to make observations and

Aircraft meteorological station. A meteorological station situated on an aircraft.

Certification of compliance. Certification is achieved through audit by an accredited external

Climatological record. Any record made of meteorological events in alphanumerical, graphical

Fixed-ship station. An ocean weather station or a station situated aboard a lightship.

Geostationary satellite. A meteorological satellite orbiting the Earth at an altitude of

Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). A long‑term, user‑driven operational system

Global Telecommunication System (GTS). The coordinated global system of

Interoperability. The ability of diverse systems to work together.

Land station. A meteorological observing station situated on land.

Meteorological analysis (Analysis). A statement of analysed meteorological conditions for a

Meteorological bulletin. A text comprising meteorological information preceded by an

Meteorological forecast (Forecast). A statement of expected meteorological conditions for a

PART I. THE WMO INTEGRATED GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

PART II. THE WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.3 Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PART III. DATA PROCESSING AND FORECASTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

PART IV. METEOROLOGICAL, HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL SERVICES. . . . . . 17

5.3 Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

PART VI. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF METEOROLOGICAL PERSONNEL . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

PART VII. QUALITY MANAGEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

APPENDIX A. BASIC INSTRUCTION PACKAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35