“The meteorologist’s laboratory is the whole world.”
One of the most tremendous challenges of humanity is hidden behind this formula: forecasting the weather.
(picture 1 & 2)

Meteorology has no borders and observation is the starting point of comprehending a complex system and of forecasting its evolution. It must be practised on the biggest scale possible, as well at the surface (which started already several centuries ago) as in altitude (which started only in the 20th century).

The results of classical observations are completed with those of radio soundings and those, more modern, of radar imagery (picture 3) for the detection of rainfall. Moreover, satellite imagery (picture 4) permanently provides us with images of the whole planet, while other devices detect, for example, storms. (picture 5)

Today, we increasingly use numerical models that, starting from global observations, calculate the state of the atmosphere at successive points in time. (picture 6)

This activity, organised on a global and a local scale, relies on a scientific base and finds numerous applications useful for the community. It contributes to the conservation of natural resources and to the protection of life and goods.