WMO Manuals and Guides
WMO Manuals and Guides



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Guide to the Direct Broadcast Network for Near-real-time Relay of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Data
The purpose of this Guide is to define the minimum technical specifications and procedures applicable to the Direct Broadcast Network for Near-real-time Relay of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Data (DBNet) and to provide guidance for implementing these specifications and procedures.
In the present Guide, the term “shall” is used when referring to the technical specifications and procedures that have to be applied for DBNet to work properly, and the term “should” when referring to those that would enhance the proper functioning of DBNet. The DBNet technical specifications are applica ...
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Available online: Full text
Published by: WMO ; 2017 (2017 edition)
The purpose of this Guide is to define the minimum technical specifications and procedures applicable to the Direct Broadcast Network for Near-real-time Relay of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Data (DBNet) and to provide guidance for implementing these specifications and procedures.
In the present Guide, the term “shall” is used when referring to the technical specifications and procedures that have to be applied for DBNet to work properly, and the term “should” when referring to those that would enhance the proper functioning of DBNet. The DBNet technical specifications are applicable to all voluntary contributions of WMO Members to DBNet.
The aims of these technical specifications and procedures are twofold:
– To help ensure that the data provided by each particular DBNet regional network can be used operationally to meet user requirements as recorded in the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) Information Resource;
– To facilitate interregional data exchange and interoperability around the Earth, with a particular focus on ensuring the global consistency of the DBNet datasets.
This Guide is primarily directed to the DBNet station operators and coordinating entities. It also contains provisions for consideration by providers of processing software and by satellite operators. Furthermore, it can be a useful reference for the users of DBNet products
Attachment to the Guide to the WMO Information System (WMO-No. 1061)Collection(s) and Series: WMO- No. 1185
Language(s): English; Other Languages: French, Spanish, Russian
Format: Digital (Free)ISBN (or other code): 978-92-63-11185-2
Tags: WMO Information System (WIS) ; WMO Space Programme (SAT) ; Guide ; Governance Publications
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Guide to the Implementation of Quality Management Systems for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and Other Relevant Service Providers
The objective of this publication is to provide guidance to WMO Members on how to develop and implement a quality management system (QMS). The Guide details the steps required to obtain certification of compliance with the ISO standard ISO 9001:2015, Quality Management System – Requirements (ISO, 2015c)It also provides the steps for transition from ISO standard ISO 9001:2008 (ISO, 2008) to standard ISO 9001:2015 (ISO, 2015c). It is especially focused on WMO Member National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs). However, it could be successfully utilized by other service providers, ...
Guide to the Implementation of Quality Management Systems for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and Other Relevant Service Providers
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Published by: WMO ; 2017 (2017 edition)
The objective of this publication is to provide guidance to WMO Members on how to develop and implement a quality management system (QMS). The Guide details the steps required to obtain certification of compliance with the ISO standard ISO 9001:2015, Quality Management System – Requirements (ISO, 2015c)It also provides the steps for transition from ISO standard ISO 9001:2008 (ISO, 2008) to standard ISO 9001:2015 (ISO, 2015c). It is especially focused on WMO Member National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs). However, it could be successfully utilized by other service providers, such as non-NMHS aeronautical meteorological service providers, to help them meet the ICAO Annex 3 quality assurance requirements. It is also applicable to the management of relevant WMO programmes by WMO constituent bodies.
Collection(s) and Series: WMO- No. 1100
Language(s): English; Other Languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish
Format: Digital (Free)ISBN (or other code): 978-92-63-11100-8
Archives access: 2013-[...]Tags: National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (NMHS) ; Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) ; WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) ; Guide ; OBS - Personnel managing observing programmes and networks ; Governance Publications ; Quality system
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Guide to the Management and Operation of WMO Regional Training Centres and Other Training Institutions
This publication responds to the recommendations made in the review of the future roles and operation of RTCs, which was carried out by the Executive Council Panel of Experts on Education and Training from 2012 to 2014. The review and recommendations were approved by the WMO Executive Council at its sixty-sixth session in 2014. The review underlined the importance and usefulness of the RTCs to WMO Members. However, it also noted that, for Members to get even more value from such centres, the criteria for designation and reconfirmation of RTCs needed to be improved and that Directors of RTCs wo ...
Guide to the Management and Operation of WMO Regional Training Centres and Other Training Institutions
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Available online: Full text
Published by: WMO ; 2017 (2017 edition)
This publication responds to the recommendations made in the review of the future roles and operation of RTCs, which was carried out by the Executive Council Panel of Experts on Education and Training from 2012 to 2014. The review and recommendations were approved by the WMO Executive Council at its sixty-sixth session in 2014. The review underlined the importance and usefulness of the RTCs to WMO Members. However, it also noted that, for Members to get even more value from such centres, the criteria for designation and reconfirmation of RTCs needed to be improved and that Directors of RTCs would benefit from a handbook that brought the key information on running an RTC together in one publication. The handbook would also be of value to organizations that either use or are considering using RTCs to train their staff.
Collection(s) and Series: WMO- No. 1169
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)ISBN (or other code): 978-92-63-11169-2
Tags: Education and Training Programme (ETRP) ; Education and Training Providers ; Regional Training Centre (RTC) ; Training ; Guide ; Management ; Technical Publications
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International Cloud Atlas: Manual on the Observation of Clouds and Other Meteors
This Atlas describes the classification system for clouds and meteorological phenomena used by all WMO Members. The classifications also describe meteorological meteors other than clouds – hydrometeors, lithometeors, photometeors, and electrometeors.
The Atlas provides a common language to communicate cloud observations, and ensures consistency in reporting by observers around the world. It serves as a training tool for meteorologists, as well as for those working in aeronautical and maritime environments, and it has become popular with weather enthusiasts and cloud spotters.
2017 edition
, Poster
, Abstract
, Manual on the Observation of Clouds and Other Meteors
, Glossary Sources
, ICA New Classification Album
, About the Cloud Atlas Team
Published by: WMO ; 2017
This Atlas describes the classification system for clouds and meteorological phenomena used by all WMO Members. The classifications also describe meteorological meteors other than clouds – hydrometeors, lithometeors, photometeors, and electrometeors.
The Atlas provides a common language to communicate cloud observations, and ensures consistency in reporting by observers around the world. It serves as a training tool for meteorologists, as well as for those working in aeronautical and maritime environments, and it has become popular with weather enthusiasts and cloud spotters.Notes: Translation updates in preparation
Collection(s) and Series: WMO- No. 407
Language(s): English; Other Languages: French, Spanish
Format: Digital (Free)
Archives access: 1930-[...]Tags: Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) ; WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) ; Manual ; Observations ; Cloud ; Atlas ; OBS - Personnel performing meteorological observations ; Instruments and Methods of Observation Programme (IMOP)
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Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) with global coverage
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); United States Agency for International Development (USAID); et al. - WMO, 2016Flash Flood Guidance System with global coverage (Res 21, Cg-XV) enhances early warning capabilities of the NMHSs, currently covers fifty two (52) countries and more than two billion people around the world saving lives and decreasing economic losses.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (United States) ; United States Agency for International Development ; HRC
Published by: WMO ; 2016Flash Flood Guidance System with global coverage (Res 21, Cg-XV) enhances early warning capabilities of the NMHSs, currently covers fifty two (52) countries and more than two billion people around the world saving lives and decreasing economic losses.
Language(s): English; Other Languages: French, Russian, Spanish
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Flash flood ; Guide
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Handbook of Drought Indicators and Indices
The purpose of this handbook is to cover some of the most commonly used drought indicators/indices that are being applied across drought-prone regions, with the goal of advancing monitoring, early warning and information delivery systems in support of risk-based drought management policies and preparedness plans. These concepts and indicators/indices are outlined below in what is considered to be a living document that will evolve and integrate new indicators and indices as they come to light and are applied in the future. The handbook is aimed at those who want to generate indicators and indi ...
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Flood Management Tool Series, Technical Document, 21. Effectiveness of flood management measures
It is not enough to assert—to an elected official, a regulator, a donor organization or the taxpayer—that one’s organization is doing an effective job of flood management. One also has to be able to provide a credible answer to the question: “How do you know?” 2 There is a multiplicity of flood management activities that can be pursued by a plethora of government jurisdictions, government agencies, NGOs, private and volunteer groups— independently, in cooperation, in competition. These activities may include: constructing flood prevention infrastructure; rebuilding houses, buildings and infras ...
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Guide to the Implementation of Education and Training Standards in Meteorology and Hydrology, volume I – Meteorology
The purpose of this publication is to facilitate a common understanding of the basic qualifications required of individuals who are to be recognized either as Meteorologists or as Meteorological Technicians, as defined by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), while assisting National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in establishing their respective personnel classification systems and training programmes to satisfactorily meet international standards.
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Guide to Participation in Radio-frequency Coordination
This Guide provides the general description of the main ITU processes related to radio-frequency coordination, regional structure and regulatory framework that govern the use of the radio-frequency spectrum globally2 and guide the national management of the radiofrequency spectrum as well as management of satellite orbits. More detailed information on which frequencies are important to meteorology and related activities is available in the joint WMO/ITU publication entitled Use of Radio Spectrum for Meteorology: Weather, Water and Climate Monitoring and Prediction
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Reference Guide for Permanent Representatives of Members with the World Meteorological Organization on Relevant Procedures and Practices of the Organization (WMO-No. 939)
This Guide explains the World Meteorological Organization procedures and practices, and is designed to serve as a ready reference for Permanent Representatives of Members with WMO, and for the senior staff of NMHSs, especially those dealing with international affairs.
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TCP, 23. Typhoon Committee Operational Manual : Meteorological Component
The Operational Manual consists of the text and the appendices. Items included in the text relate to the Typhoon Committee agreement, in particular, basic information for executing meteorological operation, whilst the appendices contain national practices and procedures (it is felt that the Member concerned should have the right to be able to change without having to get prior formal agreement of the Typhoon Committee) together with detailed and technical information for meteorological operation. Information described in WMO official publications such as Manuals is only referred to and not i ...
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Guide to Meteorological Observing and Information Distribution Systems for Aviation Weather Services
This Guide presents some of the observing systems currently available to meet the stated operational requirements in aeronautical meteorology and provides guidance on the ones deemed most appropriate under different circumstances. Where applicable, the Guide encourages the adoption of WMO/International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. An important issue considered is the cost of the provision of observations in relation to the expected measurable benefits to be derived from a particular application.
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Guide to the Quality Management System for the Provision of Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation (WMO-No. 1001)
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) - WMO, 2014 (2011 edition updated in 2014; WMO-No. 1001)This publication was deemed obsolete by the Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology at its sixteenth session (CAeM-16) (24–27 July 2018) and has therefore been discontinued.
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Flood Management Tool Series, Technical Document, 02. Conducting Flood Loss Assessments
This tool sets out to provide for the operational level a lead-in on available concepts and methods to assess flood losses for three major purposes: the activation and facilitation of local and external help, the formulation of recovery plans, and long-term development planning and policy reform in the realm of flood management. The second edition of the Tool incorporates recent developments in flood loss assessment and techniques across the world, such as examples of practiced assessment case studies from Czech Republic, Japan, Madagascar and Nepal.
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Flood Management Tool Series, Technical Document, 03. Applying Environmental Assessment for Flood Management
This tool provides flood management practitioners a generic approach for integrating environmental considerations into the decision-making processes in basin flood management on project as well as strategic levels. As such, it provides generic approaches for conducting Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) at the basin flood management planning stage and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) at the project design and implementation stage.
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