Understanding Clouds is the theme of World Meteorological Day 2017
to highlight the enormous importance of clouds for weather climate and water.
Clouds are central to weather observations and forecasts. Clouds are one of the
key uncertainties in the study of climate change: we need to better understand
how clouds affect the climate and how a changing climate will affect clouds.
Clouds play a critical role in the water cycle and shaping the global
distribution of water resources.
On the lighter side, World Meteorological Day will provide an opportunity to
celebrate the inherent beauty and aesthetic appeal of clouds, which has inspired
artists, poets, musicians, photographers and countless other enthusiasts
throughout history.
World Meteorological Day marks the launch of a new edition of the International Cloud Atlas
after the most thorough and far-reaching revision in its long and
distinguished history. The new WMO Atlas is a treasure trove of hundreds of
images of clouds, including a few newly classified cloud types. It also features
other meteorological phenomena such as rainbows, halos, snow devils and
hailstones. For the first time ever, the Atlas has been produced in a digital
format and is accessible via both computers and mobile devices.
