World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) data and services
As weather, climate and the water cycle know no national boundaries, international cooperation globally is essential to the beneficial development of meteorology, climatology, hydrological and related environmental services.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) provides the framework for such international cooperation. As member state of the WMO, the UK shares data with other members in accordance with the Unified Data Policy, and relevant technical manuals. In return, we make use of data produced by other countries. This is done to enable all countries to deliver life-saving services to people, and contributes directly to the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All initiative.
The WMO Integrated Predication and Processing System (WIPPS) is the programme established to enable sharing of forecast data and related basic services among WMO members. Full details of all the WIPPS centres can be found on the WIPPS Web Portal.
The UK is a Designated Centre for the following activities under WIPPS, all of which are operated by the Met Office:
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World Meteorological Centre (WMC Exeter)
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Global Deterministic NWP
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Global Ensemble NWP
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Global numerical long-range prediction
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Annual to decadal climate prediction
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Coordination of annual to decadal climate prediction
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Numerical ocean wave prediction
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Nuclear environmental emergency response:
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Volcano watch services for international air navigation
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Marine meteorological services
The sections below contain links to the mandated information about the characteristics of the systems we use to produce these data. The information requirements are set out in WMO No. 485, the Manual on WIPPS. Also included below are links to locations where the data can be accessed, to verification statistics, and to other information where these are relevant.
Global deterministic Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)
Model characteristics |
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Technical description |
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Verification statistics |
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Primary data channel |
WMO Information System (WIS)/WMO Global Telecommunications System (GTS) |
Secondary data channel |
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Amazon Sustainability Data Initiative (ASDI), including two-year archive, as described at External data channels - Met Office |
Weather DataHub: Met Office Weather DataHub - Met Office |
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Visualisation of global NWP over Africa: Africa Web Viewer (login required) |
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Tropical cyclone guidance: Tropical cyclones - Met Office |
Global ensemble Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)
Model characteristics |
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Technical description |
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Verification statistics |
The Lead Centre on Verification of Ensemble Prediction Systems |
Primary data channel |
We plan to make global ensemble NWP data available on WIS 2.0 |
Secondary data channel |
Weather DataHub: Met Office Weather DataHub - Met Office |
Global numerical long-range prediction
The Met Office is designated by the WMO as a global producing centre for Long-range Forecasts (GPC-LRF). Additionally, as the lead centre for LRF, we coordinate and make available long-range forecasts from all the GPCs on behalf of all WMO Members.
Model characteristics |
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Verification statistics |
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Primary data channel |
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Lead Centre website |
WMO LRF MME (data and verification from all LRF centres) |
Annual to decadal climate prediction
We are a Global Producing Centre (GPC) and the Lead Centre for annual to decadal climate prediction. As the Lead Centre, we collect and provide hindcasts, forecasts and verification data from a number of contributing centres worldwide. Note that these data are provided for guidance of expert authorities and are not themselves an official forecast.
Model characteristics |
WMO LC Annual-to-Decadal Climate Prediction (listed under “MOHC” column) |
Data and verification statistics |
Numerical ocean wave prediction
Model characteristics |
WMO Lead Centre for Wave Forecast Verification (LC-WFV) (in “UKMO” row) |
Primary data channel |
WMO Information System (WIS)/WMO Global Telecommunications System (GTS) |
Verification statistics |
Nuclear environmental emergency response
As a designated centre for nuclear environmental emergency response, we provide information to government and other authorities in the event of the release of nuclear material, as part of the WMO Emergency Response Activities (ERA)
Information on hazards services |
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WMO ERA webpage |
Emergency Response Activities (ERA) | World Meteorological Organization |
Dispersion model characteristics |
Volcano watch services for international air navigation
Although listed in the WMO WIPPS manual, designation of Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAACs) is managed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Information on London VAAC can be found here: Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) - Met Office.
Marine meteorological services
The Met Office provides warnings and routine forecasts for mariners on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. We also act as the coordinator of services within METAREA I, an area of the north-east Atlantic Ocean, on behalf of WMO. Note that the websites below are not part of the Maritime Safety Information system and should not be relied upon as the only means of accessing warnings and forecasts.
Service description |
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METAREA I warnings and forecasts |