The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF, the Centre) is an international organization supported by 25 European States. Its Member States are:
Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom.
We have concluded co-operation agreements with:
- World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) - European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) - African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) - Joint Research Centre (JRC) - Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO)
Originally a COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) project, the Centre was established in 1973 by a Convention.
The first real-time medium-range forecasts were made in June 1979. The Centre has been producing operational medium-range weather forecasts since 1 August 1979.
The principal objectives of the Centre are:
- the development of numerical methods for medium-range weather forecasting; - the preparation, on a regular basis, of medium-range weather forecasts for distribution to the meteorological services of the Member States; - scientific and technical research directed to the improvement of these forecasts; - collection and storage of appropriate meteorological data.
In addition, the Centre: - makes available a proportion of its computing facilities to its Member States for their research; - assists in implementing the programmes of the World Meteorological Organisation; - provides advanced training to the scientific staff of the Member States in the field of numerical weather prediction; - makes the data in its extensive archives available to outside bodies.
Contact:
Computing Services - calldesk@ecmwf.int Data Services - Data.Services@ecmwf.int Software Services - Software.Services@ecmwf.int Library Services - library@ecmwf.int Other - ECMWF-Director@ecmwf.int