Get the list of major national meteorological services (updating)
Every country has its own national meteorological service as part of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
In most cases, it is the primary and reliable source of weather information, which is then used by other services like the Windy.app, too. In particular, they are useful because they publish various weather warnings or alerts about severe, extreme, and simply unusual weather, and more. However, here is what they say about themselves and their visions and missions.
In this post we have compiled a list of major such services to help you get more complete and accurate information about the weather in your home country and around the world, wherever you go. Considering that there are over 200 countries, the list is updating, so check it out later for new services.
North America
Canada
Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC): “It doesn’t matter if you’re going on a canoe trip or just walking to the bus stop, the minute you step outside the weather matters. If that weather is severe, as with an ice storm or tornado, it can even pose risks when you’re indoors. That’s why Environment and Climate Change Canada works hard to make sure that no matter where you are, the latest weather conditions are at your fingertips.”
United States
National Weather Service (NWS): “NWS has played a key role in protecting American lives and properties for over a century. The timely provision of reliable weather, water, climate, and environmental information has supported the Nation’s social and economic development. NWS offices in communities across the United States and its territories, supported by regional and national centers, provide the authoritative information needed by Americans, including national, regional, state, tribal, and local authorities, to plan, prepare, mitigate, and respond to natural and human-caused events.”
Mexico
National Weather Service, NWS (Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, SMN): “The Meteorological and Astronomical Observatory of Mexico was created by presidential decree, under the initiative of the Secretary of Development, Vicente Riva Palacio, on February 6, 1877, and depended on the Exploratory Geographic Commission of the National Territory. We provide reliable, useful, and timely information on meteorology and climatology to contribute to adequate prevention and decision making, applying technological innovations and scientific advances with highly qualified personnel.”
Central America and the Caribbean
Costa Rica
National Meteorological Institute of Costa Rica, NMI (Instituto Meteorológico Nacional de Costa Rica, IMN): “The IMN is a directorate attached to the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), it is a scientific entity that is in charge of coordinating all meteorological activities in the country. It maintains systematic monitoring of the state of the weather to provide support to the safety of air navigation in the country and for the prevention of hydrometeorological disasters.”
Panama
Hydrometeorology of Electric Transmission Company, ETESA (Hidrometeorología de Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, ETESA): “We expand, operate and maintain the meteorological and hydrological observation network to obtain information, process it, and make it available to all sectors, in order to achieve the sustainable development of Panama’s natural resources. We help guarantee the safety and protection of human life, the environment, the orderly development of agriculture, water resources, electric power, marine resources, air, and maritime navigation, land transportation, construction, industry, health, recreational activities, tourism, and the climatic and hydrological characterization of the different regions of the country.”
South America
Brazil
National Meteorological Institute, NMI (Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia, INMET): “The mission of INMET, an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply, is to provide meteorological information to the Brazilian society and to constructively influence the decision-making process, contributing to the sustainable development of the country. This mission is achieved through monitoring, analysis, and forecasting of weather and climate, which are based on applied research, partnership work, and knowledge sharing, with emphasis on practical and reliable results.”
Argentina
National Meteorological Service, NMS (Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, SMN): “We provide meteorological information and forecasts, climate forecasts and warnings in its area of competence, based on continuous monitoring of the atmosphere and scientific knowledge, in order to protect the population, contribute to national defense, promote sustainable development and comply with its international commitments in this area.”
Chile
Meteorological Directorate of Chile, MSC (Dirección Meteorológica de Chile, DMC): “The Meteorological Directorate of Chile, under the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics, is the agency responsible for the meteorological work in the country, whose purpose is to meet the information and weather forecasting needs of all national activities. Our basic function is to provide the basic and processed meteorological information required by Aeronautics and to provide meteorological and climatological services to the different socioeconomic activities required by the country for its development. In addition, to carry out meteorological research, in coordination with national and international organizations, and to manage the National Meteorological Data Bank.”
Europe
United Kingdom
UK Met Office: “Right across the world, every single day, people make decisions based on the weather. We provide weather and climate forecasts to help with those decisions so people can be safe, well, and prosperous. Everything we do is based on world-leading science and enhanced by the close working relationships we have with partner organizations around the globe. We collect and make sense of massive amounts of data every day, using cutting-edge technology for the benefit of mankind — and our planet.”
France
Météo-France: “Météo-France is a public institution. It contributes to the safety of the French people, delivers forecasts and data, brings its expertise to meet climate challenges, and participates in the progress of research in meteorology and climate sciences. The missions of Météo-France are varied. The first of them consists in observing the weather and forecasting the future. Forecasting relies in particular on the production of ever more efficient meteorological models thanks to the ever-increasing power of supercomputers.”
Nordic countries
Sweden
Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, SMHI (Sveriges meteorologiska och hydrologiska institut): “SMHI is an expert authority under the Ministry of the Environment. SMHI has a global outlook and a vital mission to forecast changes in weather, water, and climate. With a scientific foundation, we use knowledge, research, and services to contribute to a more sustainable society.”
Finland
Finnish Meteorological Institute, FMI (Ilmatieteen laitos): “The FMI makes observations and research on the atmosphere, the near space, and the seas. It also provides services on weather, sea, air quality, climate, and near space for the needs of public safety, business life, and citizens. The Finnish Meteorological Institute is an administrative branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.”
Middle East
Turkey
Turkish State Meteorological Service, TSMS (Devlet Meteoroloji İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü, DMİ): TSMS was founded in 1937. It is the only legal organization that provides all meteorological information in Turkey. The main objectives of the TSMS are: to make observations; to provide forecasts; to provide climatological data, archive data, and other information; to communicate these to the public, and to provide meteorological needs of the army and civil aviation."
Northern Africa
Morocco
General Directorate of Meteorology, GDM (Direction Générale de la Météorologie, DGM): “GDM under the supervision of the Ministry of Equipment and Water carries out its attributions described in the decree N°2.19.1094 of February 26, 2020, and has for mission the preparation and the implementation of the governmental policy in the field of meteorology and climate in adequacy with the needs of the users at the national level, and in accordance with the international rules and standards. Weather and climate products and services with high added value are essential to strengthen the resilience of populations, stimulate economic growth and protect people and property from extreme weather and climate events.”
Southern Africa
South Africa
South African Weather Service, SAWS: “The Management and staff of SAWS are committed to the Vision, Mission, and Core Values of the organization and actively contribute to, and support all initiatives aimed at achieving organizational goals and objectives. Our mission is to provide meteorological solutions for improved quality of life for all in South Africa”.
Central Asia
Kazakhstan
National Hydrometeorological Service of Kazakhstan, NHS, or Kazhydromet: " The national hydrometeorological service of the Republic of Kazakhstan was founded in January 1922. Today it is a large research and production enterprise of the Ministry of ecology, Geology, and natural resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazhydromet has 15 branches in each region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the total staff number is more than 3 thousand people."
East Asia
Japan
Japan Meteorological Agency, JMA (Kishō-chō, 気象庁): “As part of Japan’s government, JMA implements its services with the following ultimate goals in compliance with the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Meteorological Service Act: prevention and mitigation of natural disasters safety of transportation; development and prosperity of industry; and improvement of public welfare. To meet these goals, JMA focuses its efforts on monitoring the earth’s environment and forecasting natural phenomena related to the atmosphere, the oceans, and the earth, as well as on conducting research and technical development in related fields.”
Southeast Asia
Thailand
Thai Meteorological Department, TMD (กรมอุตุนิยมวิทยา): “In 1905 meteorology was first introduced to Thailand by the far-sighted Admiral Kromluang Chumporn Khate Udomsakdi, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy who included this discipline in the navigation course. As the TMD’s missions have been designed to carry on meteorological administrations and management for the sakes of two vital aims: the best economic, social, agricultural, and industrial benefits as well as protection of human lives and properties possessed by public members, private sectors, and governmental units against natural disasters.”
South Asia
India
India Meteorological Department, IMD (भारतीय मौसम विज्ञान विभाग): "“IMD was established in 1875. It is the national meteorological service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects. We take meteorological observations and provide current and forecast meteorological information for optimum operation of weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, irrigation, shipping, aviation, offshore oil explorations, etc., and do other things.”
Australia and Oceania
Australia
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM): “BOM is Australia’s national weather, climate, and water agency. Its expertise and services assist Australians in dealing with the harsh realities of their natural environment, including drought, floods, fires, storms, tsunamis, and tropical cyclones. Through regular forecasts, warnings, monitoring, and advice spanning the Australian region and Antarctic territory, the Bureau provides one of the most fundamental and widely used services of government.”
New Zealand
New Zealand MetService: “From the storm warning that safeguards a fishing fleet, forecasts that help power companies meet demand, to a commuter’s decision to wear a coat. Whether you’re staying dry, staying safe, or staying ahead of the competition, MetService is right there with you. MetService, Te Ratonga Tirorangi in the Maori language, is New Zealand’s national weather authority and designated representative to the World Meteorological Organization, providing comprehensive weather services, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We help people stay safe and make informed decisions, based on the weather.”
Fiji
Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS): “FMS is the people-focussed center of excellence for weather, climate, hydrological, and ocean services. Our mission is to observe and understand regional weather, Fiji’s climate, and hydrological patterns, and provide meteorological and hydrological services. Our first objective is to meet the needs of Fijian and international communities for weather, climate, and hydrological data, associated forecasts, warnings, projections, and other related information.”
Text: Ivan Kuznetsov
Cover photo: Andrew Deslauriers / Unsplash
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