WMO Launches Online Weather Presenters’ Forum
Mark Oliver, WMO
WMO: The World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) has launched
an online forum for weather
presenters. The new service is
aimed at improving the overall communication
of meteorological forecasts and
warnings to the general public by encouraging
weather presenters to exchange data,
pose questions, provide solutions, and discuss
presentation skills and relevant technologies.
WMO Secretary-General, Mr Michel
Jarraud, said: «The major goal of a
National Meteorological and Hydrological
Service (NMHS) is to contribute to the
safety and well-being of the people and to
sustainable socio-economic development
by providing timely and accurate weather-,
climate- and water-related information,
forecasts and warnings. To provide
maximum benefits, this information must
be communicated in the most effective
and understandable manner possible.
WMO makes significant contributions
towards achieving this aim through its
guidelines for public weather services
and its international training activities in
presentation and communication skills.
WMO is confident that this forum will
assist presenters to carry out further
interactions, allowing them to share
knowledge and upgrade their skills in
weather presentations.»
The multi-language (English interface)
forum is for use by weather presenters
only (password protected) and can be
directly accessed from any browser PC
online.
Weather presenters are an essential
bridge between the producers of forecasts,
the public and decision-makers.
Forecasts and warnings, however accurate
and timely, only become useful and
contribute to saving life and property
when they are properly disseminated and
communicated. Weather presenters are
the main and most effective channel for
the transmission of weather forecasts and
warnings from NMHSs to users; in many
countries, weather reports are watched or
listened to by more people than any other
broadcast.
Weather presenters can access the
forum at www.wmofeed.org.
WMO is the United Nations’ authoritative
voice on weather, climate and water.
© 2006 UN Special |