Guidelines
WMO Guidelines



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OSCAR Series. OSCAR/Surface User Manual
The Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review tool (OSCAR) of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) Information Resource (WIR) is a key source of information for WIGOS metadata. The surface- and space-based components of OSCAR are intended to record observing platform/station metadata, according to the WIGOS Metadata Standard described in the Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO-No. 1160) and in the WIGOS Metadata Standard (WMO-No. 1192), and to retain a record of the current and historical WIGOS metadata. This Manual explains how to use OSCAR/Surface, ...
Published by: WMO ; 2022
The Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review tool (OSCAR) of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) Information Resource (WIR) is a key source of information for WIGOS metadata. The surface- and space-based components of OSCAR are intended to record observing platform/station metadata, according to the WIGOS Metadata Standard described in the Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO-No. 1160) and in the WIGOS Metadata Standard (WMO-No. 1192), and to retain a record of the current and historical WIGOS metadata. This Manual explains how to use OSCAR/Surface, the surface-based tool. Section 2 contains guidance on how to search OSCAR/Surface to find information on stations and observation metadata.
This section is useful for both registered and anonymous users. Section 3 contains information on how to manage stations in the system.
This section is mainly relevant for registered users, such as station contacts and national focal points.Collection(s) and Series: Technical document OSCAR Series
Language(s): English; Other Languages: Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, French, Russian
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Observations ; Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) ; WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) ; Text/ Reading ; Manual ; OBS - Personnel managing observing programmes and networks ; Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review tool for surface-based observations (OSCAR/Surface)
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Published by: WMO ; 2021
Collection(s) and Series: WMO- No. 1186
Language(s): English; Other Languages: French, Spanish, Russian
Format: Digital (Free)ISBN (or other code): 978-92-63-11186-9
Tags: Guidelines ; Data dissemination ; Technical Publications
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SP, 13. WMO 2016 Survey on the Use of Satellite Data
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) commissioned the WMO 2016 Survey on the Use of Satellite Data to collect information on the availability and use of satellite data and products for meteorological and related environmental applications by users globally, and to identify obstacles and areas for improvement. WMO carries out this global Survey every four years, and the results from the previous 2012 Survey1 are used as a baseline in this report wherever possible.
Published by: WMO ; 2019 (2019 edition)
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) commissioned the WMO 2016 Survey on the Use of Satellite Data to collect information on the availability and use of satellite data and products for meteorological and related environmental applications by users globally, and to identify obstacles and areas for improvement. WMO carries out this global Survey every four years, and the results from the previous 2012 Survey1 are used as a baseline in this report wherever possible.
Collection(s) and Series: SP- No. 13
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: WMO Space Programme (SAT) ; Satellite ; Data dissemination ; Guidelines ; Technical Publications
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SP, 12. Guidelines on Satellite Skills and Knowledge for Operational Meteorologists
This document describes the underpinning skills that support the WMO competencies that relate to the use of satellite data by operational meteorologists.
Published by: WMO ; 2018 (2018 edition)
This document describes the underpinning skills that support the WMO competencies that relate to the use of satellite data by operational meteorologists.
Collection(s) and Series: SP- No. 12
Language(s): English; Other Languages: French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese
Format: Digital (Free)
Archives access: 2017-[...]Tags: Weather forecasting ; Guidelines ; Satellite ; Capacity development ; Satellite Skills and Knowledge for Operational Meteorologists ; WMO Space Programme (SAT) ; Technical Publications
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Step-by-step Guidelines for Establishing a National Framework for Climate Services
This document explains how to initiate and develop a functional NFCS that will serve as a key coordination mechanism to bring together the local, national, regional and global stakeholders needed for successful generation and delivery of co-designed and co-produced climate services with and for users, effectively linking climate knowledge with action on the ground at national and local levels.
Published by: WMO ; 2018
This document explains how to initiate and develop a functional NFCS that will serve as a key coordination mechanism to bring together the local, national, regional and global stakeholders needed for successful generation and delivery of co-designed and co-produced climate services with and for users, effectively linking climate knowledge with action on the ground at national and local levels.
Collection(s) and Series: WMO- No. 1206
Language(s): English; Other Languages: French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese
Format: Digital (Free)ISBN (or other code): 978-92-63-11206-4
Tags: Climate services ; Guidelines ; Technical Publications ; Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)
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Guidelines for the Assessment of Uncertainty for Hydrometric Measurement
In view of the increasing pressure on water resources, National Hydrological Services (NHSs) worldwide are faced with the challenge to deliver hydrological services of high quality, timeliness and proven credibility, to assist the decision making process of water and natural resources managers. Nowadays, it is commonly expected that these services must be based on information that includes an accurate assessment of its uncertainty. Stream discharge, the basic hydrological variable, is no exception, yet most measurements are still reported as a value without any information on its associated un ...
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Guidelines on Best Practices for Achieving User Readiness for New Meteorological Satellites
The current publication presents, in an integrated manner, best practices for user-readiness projects performed by user organizations (for example, NMHSs) as well as for satellite development programmes in support of user readiness. Definitions of and a timeline for deliverables are presented that should be made available by the satellite development programmes to user-readiness projects. The best practices documented here therefore apply to both user organizations (section 3) and satellite operators (section 5). The primary audiences for this publication are Members of the Coordination Group ...
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Guidelines for Nowcasting Techniques
The purpose of the WMO nowcasting guidelines presented here is to help National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) by providing them with information and knowledge on how to implement a nowcasting system with the resources available to them and an understanding of the current state of science and technology.
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Guidelines on the Role, Operation and Management of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services
These Guidelines are intended to provide a one-stop, consistent and contemporary reference resource from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for managers of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs). They should help with many of the challenges that directors and managers of NMHSs face, including:
– Ensuring that the NMHS is able to meet national needs for meteorological, hydrological and related data and services;
– Responding to newly identified challenges in a rapidly changing world;
– Clarifying and articulating the mandate of the NMHS;
– ...
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WMO Guidelines on the Calculation of Climate Normals
The focus of this document is on observations at surface meteorological observing stations. However, many of the principles will also be valid for other forms of observations, including upper-air observations and datasets based on mobile or remotely sensed platforms (for example, satellites, radar or drifting buoys). In particular, as many key remotely sensed datasets begin in the 1970s, it is recommended that, where feasible, the current climatological standard normal period (1981–2010 at the time of writing) be used for these datasets to allow comparison among different data forms on a consi ...
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WMO Guidelines on Generating a Defined Set of National Climate Monitoring Products (WMO-No. 1204)
The aim of this publication is to provide a specification for the shortlist of NCMPs that can be produced consistently and easily by most countries. By having clearly defined NCMPs, it should be possible for countries with fewer resources to focus their efforts on a small number of products that have wide applicability and interest.
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Climate Services for Supporting Climate Change Adaptation : Supplement to the Technical Guidelines for The National Adaptation Plan Process
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) - WMO, 2016 (WMO-No. 1170)Because of the current and projected impacts on climate due to the high levels of greenhousegas (GHG) emissions, adaptation is a necessary strategy at all scales in a changing climate. At its 17th session, the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process as a way to facilitate effective adaptation planning in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and other developing countries. The four key elements that need to be undertaken in the development of NAPs are: Laying the groundwork and addressin ...
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GAW Report, 227. WMO/GAW Aerosol Measurement Procedures, Guidelines and Recommendations
It is the goal of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) programme to ensure long - term measurements in order to detect trends in global distributions of chemical constituents in air and the reasons for them (WMO, 2001a). With respect to aerosols, the objective of GAW is to determine the spatio - temporal distribution of aerosol properties related to climate forcing and air quality on multi - decadal time scales and on regional, hemispheric and global spatial scales. The objective of GAW Report No. 153, published in 2003, was to provide a synthesis of methodologies and procedures for measuring the ...
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Guidelines on Best Practices for Climate Data Rescue (WMO-No. 1182)
This technical document is an update of WMO/TD-1210, WCDMP-55, Guidelines on Climate Data Rescue (2004). It builds on the original Guidelines, while taking into account both changes in technology that have occurred in the intervening 12 years and lessons learned in more recent climate data rescue activities around the world. An overview of data rescue is presented with chapters on its importance, archiving original media, imaging, digitization and archiving digital images and digital data. Twelve appendices provide supporting information.
The Guidelines on Climate Data Rescue are intend ...
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Project Management Guidelines and Handbook : Part I – Project Management Guidelines, Part II – Project Management Handbook
The Guidelines represent WMO’s approach to project management and outline key stages of the project life cycle that WMO staff should follow. The Handbook aims to help WMO to improve concrete processes and procedures related to project management and provides detailed guidance on how to go about each stage of the project life cycle.
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WMO corporate visual identity guidelines
The corporate visual identity guidelines are aimed at strengthening the Organization’s identity through branding.
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WMO Guidelines on Multi-hazard Impact-based Forecast and Warning Services
Improving the understanding of the potential impacts of severe hydrometeorological events poses a challenge to NMHSs and their partner agencies, particularly disaster reduction and civil protection agencies (DRCPAs). These Guidelines establish a road map that identifies the various milestones from weather forecasts and warnings to multi-hazard impact-based forecast and warning services.
For completeness, these Guidelines also describe the ultimate step of forecasting actual impacts, although it is recognized that this is a highly sophisticated exercise, requiring strong collaboration w ...
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World Hydrological Cycle Observing System Guidelines
WHYCOS is a global concept, comprising a number of independent regional or basin-wide Hydrological Cycle Observing System (HYCOS) components. At the local level within a country, HYCOS brings together various agencies to work on delivering enhanced data and information products, such as the production and delivery of flood forecasts and warnings. An important complementary activity is the building of closer ties to communities and groups whose primary mandate benefits from access to the enhanced data, products and services, thereby achieving increased positive societal impacts. This contribute ...
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2013 Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories - Wetlands : Methodological guidance on lands with wet and drained soils, and constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - IPCC, 2014The 2013 Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Wetlands (Wetlands Supplement) extends the content of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines by filling gaps in coverage and providing updated information reflecting scientific advances, including updating emission factors. It covers inland organic soils and wetlands on mineral soils, coastal wetlands including mangrove forests, tidal marshes and seagrass meadows and constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. The coverage of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines on wetlands was restricted to peatlands drained and managed for pea ...
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Guidelines for Hydrological Data Rescue
These guidelines review the rationale for hydrological data rescue, the benefits to be derived therefrom, appropriate rescue methods, sound data management practices as well as data management systems, procedures for securing rescued data far into the future and for safeguarding data through storage in an international database.
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Guidelines on the Preparation and Promulgation of the WMO Technical Regulations
The development of these Guidelines was prompted by the need to establish some common understanding, as well as rules and procedures, for those engaged in the preparation and promulgation of regulatory material in WMO. Their purpose therefore is to lay out principles and procedures with a view to improving the quality of the WMO Technical Regulations, Volume I to Volume IV and their annexes (manuals) and guides and ensure their consistency. The Guidelines are addressed to both technical commissions and other bodies drafting regulatory provisions (such as the Executive Council Panel of Experts ...
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National Drought Management Policy Guidelines : a template for action
The implementation of a drought policy based on the philosophy of risk reduction can alter a nation’s approach to drought management by reducing the associated impacts (risk). This was the idea that motivated the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with a number of UN agencies, international and regional organizations, and key national agencies, to organize the Highlevel Meeting on National Drought Policy (HMNDP), which ...
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GCOS, 171. The GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN): Guide
The GCOS Reference Upper‐Air Network (GRUAN) guide provides both mandatory operating requirements and guidelines on how to achieve the operating protocols specified in the GRUAN Manual (GCOS‐170). Mandatory operating protocols are distinguished by the words “must” or “shall” while guidelines are distinguished by the words “could” or “should”. The primary goals of GRUAN are to provide vertical profiles of reference measurements suitable for reliably detecting changes in global and regional climate on decadal time scales, initially for temperature, pressure and water vapour, with ...
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Guidelines for Applying for a WMO Fellowship
This guide is intended to help Permanent Representatives of WMO (hereafter referred to as PRs) and potential candidates understand the purpose and benefits of the WMO Fellowship Programme. It will familiarize them with the application procedure, requirements, entitlements and available fellowship opportunities. It builds upon the Manual on Policies and Procedures for WMO Fellowships (WMO/TD-No. 1356, ETR-18) but takes into account the funding situation for the current financial period, identifying which elements of support can be offered within the available funding.
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