World Meteorological Organization World Meteorological
Organization (WMO), specialized agency of the United Nations;
established in 1950 with headquarters at Geneva, it became
affiliated with the United Nations a year later. It replaced the
International Meteorological Organization, which was established
in 1873. WMO aims at promoting international cooperation between
the world's meteorological stations, standardizing
meteorological observations, encouraging research and training,
extending the use of meteorological findings to different
fields, and helping to protect life and property from weather-,
climate-, and water-related disasters. Satellites, used to
collect meteorological data and in communications, have made
possible the rapid exchange of observations for forecasting in
the WMO-sponsored World Weather Watch. WMO operates through the
World Meteorological Congress (which meets every four years with
delegates from its entire membership), an executive committee,
eight technical commissions, a secretaria