World Meteorological Day
WMO/EC-XII/Res.6
WMO/EC-XII/Res.6
This authority record treats the observance as a fixed annual date. The same month and day can be reused unless a stronger source changes the rule. Public-holiday or government status is never inferred from the observance name alone.
Overview
World Meteorological Day is observed on 23 March to commemorate the date in 1950 when the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization came into force.
The day highlights the work of national meteorological and hydrological services and the international observing and data-sharing systems that support weather forecasts, climate services, water information and early warnings.
Why it matters
Weather and water information depends on coordinated observations from many countries and many kinds of instruments. The observance makes that shared infrastructure more visible and connects forecasting with public safety, transport, agriculture and everyday planning.
For the public, the day is an opportunity to learn where official forecasts and warnings come from and why local emergency instructions should take priority over generalized weather content.
History
The Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization entered into force on 23 March 1950.
World Meteorological Day is held each 23 March to commemorate that institutional milestone and to highlight weather-, climate- and water-related issues.
How the observance developed
This timeline is assembled only from verified provenance fields. Missing stages are omitted rather than inferred.
World Meteorological Organization Executive Committee
WMO Resolution 6 (EC-XII) — Annual World Meteorological Day
First documented observance
WMO historical material records the first annual World Meteorological Day on 23 March 1961.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
WMO maintains the annual World Meteorological Day programme around the anniversary of its Convention entering into force.
What the evidence establishes
Verified institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Fields that the reviewed sources do not establish remain fail-closed and are available below without competing with the confirmed record.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Ways to observe
Identify the official meteorological service for your country and learn how it publishes forecasts and severe-weather warnings.
Explore how a local weather station, radar, satellite or river gauge contributes to observations.
Review a household or workplace emergency plan for weather hazards that are relevant in your area.
Compare a forecast with the observations that follow and discuss why forecasts express uncertainty.
Use WMO or national-service educational material for a classroom activity on clouds, rainfall, temperature, climate or water.
Useful facts
World Meteorological Day is observed on 23 March.
The date commemorates the WMO Convention entering into force on 23 March 1950.
WMO coordinates international cooperation in weather, climate and water services.
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are central to forecasts and warnings used by communities and sectors.
The annual campaign theme can change; the date and institutional anniversary do not.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Repeated links from the authority record, institutional provenance and editorial guide research are consolidated here. Badges show how each source is used; a contextual source is never treated as proof of establishment on its own.
World Meteorological Organization — Resolution 6 (EC-XII), Annual World Meteorological Day (opens in a new tab)
World Meteorological Organization — Resolutions registry, Resolution 6 (EC-XII) (opens in a new tab)
World Meteorological Organization — World Meteorological Day (opens in a new tab)
World Meteorological Organization — World Meteorological Day 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Dedicated Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then use reviewed distinctions and related authority records to understand where this observance fits.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Meteorological Day?
23 March The stored recurrence guidance is: 23 March.
Does World Meteorological Day fall on the same date every year?
The authority record classifies it as fixed annual, so its month and day are reusable unless stronger evidence changes the rule.
Is World Meteorological Day an official public holiday?
The authority record verifies it within this scope: WMO / United Nations / international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when the supporting authority record explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes World Meteorological Day?
The reviewed provenance layer identifies World Meteorological Organization Executive Committee as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Is World Meteorological Day international or country-specific?
The record has international or global institutional scope: WMO / United Nations / international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual layer is source-backed and keeps its date rule, scope, provenance and editorial guardrails attached to the authority record. This record was checked on 2026-09-07.
When is World Meteorological Day?
It is observed every year on 23 March.
Why is it held on 23 March?
The date commemorates the entry into force of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization on 23 March 1950.
Is World Meteorological Day the same as a weather warning?
No. It is an international observance. For current hazards, use the official meteorological and emergency services for your location.
Other observances on March 23
These records also resolve to March 23, 2027 under the current authority data.
Cuddly Kitten Day
The Animal Medical Center repeatedly lists Cuddly Kitten Day on March 23 across annual pet-awareness calendars.
Diabetes Alert Day
The American Diabetes Association states that Diabetes Alert Day is observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March and identifies March 24 for 2026.
National Melba Toast Day
Two Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals chapter calendars from different publication years list National Melba Toast Day on 23 March.
National Puppy Day
Founder Colleen Paige’s current holiday list places National Puppy Day on March 23; the U.S. Census Bureau also lists National Puppy Day on March 23 in public education resources.
Pakistan Day
Press Information Department, Government of Pakistan
Southern Africa Liberation Day
SADC says its 2018 Summit endorsed 23 March as Southern Africa Liberation Day and that SADC commemorates it every year on that date.