Every March 23 , World Meteorological Day (WWD) is celebrated, an event promoted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) since 1950. Its objective is to highlight the essential contribution of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and well-being of society.

This year, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the WMO, the slogan chosen is “Closing the Early Warning Gap, Together”. This message highlights the importance of strengthening international cooperation and accelerating the implementation of effective early warning systems in the face of the growing risks of climate change.

The WMO has stressed that 2024 has been the warmest year on record to date. This increase in temperatures is linked to an increase in extreme weather events such as torrential rains, floods and heat waves. In addition, rising sea levels and ocean acidification aggravate the situation.

According to WMO data, the number of countries with multi-hazard early warning systems has increased from 27% in 2015 to 55% in 2024. While the progress is remarkable, there is still some way to go to ensure that all communities are protected.

CLIVAR-SPAIN REPORT: EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN SPAIN

In this global context, Spain is also facing significant climate challenges. With the aim of offering an accurate assessment of climate trends in our country, the CLIVAR-Spain Committee, with the support of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), the Spanish Office for Climate Change (OECC) and the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), has presented a new edition of the CLIVAR-Spain Report.

This analysis offers a detailed view of the main risks and changes observed, both in the atmosphere and in the ocean, cryosphere and ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula.

As the report stresses, the effects of climate change are already evident in Spain. There has been a sustained increase in the frequency, duration and intensity of heat waves in recent decades. Likewise, droughts are becoming longer and more intense, mainly due to the increase in temperatures and greater atmospheric evaporation.

It also highlights the rapid disappearance of glaciers in the Iberian Peninsula, which directly affects water resources and mountain ecosystems.

The analysis also warns of the accelerated warming of the Mediterranean Sea, which is occurring at a rate two or three times higher than the world average. This phenomenon favors the appearance of extreme events, such as intense rainfall and marine heat waves.

In addition, since the 1990s, the sea level on the Spanish coasts has risen by more than 3 millimetres per year, increasing the risk of flooding and erosion in coastal areas. These data underscore the urgency of strengthening prevention and adaptation measures.

To this end, it is essential to promote scientific research, institutional cooperation and public-private collaboration, in order to build a more resilient and prepared society.

The commemoration of World Meteorological Day reminds us of the importance of acting together to ensure that no one is left unprotected against the effects of climate change. A commitment that must be aligned with the principles of equity, cooperation and sustainability, and with the aim of leaving no one behind.