08/06/2026
The oceans are vital to weather forecasting and climate prediction. Here’s why:
1️⃣ Your 7-day weather forecast depends on ocean observations. Observations from buoys, ships, and other ocean-monitoring networks provide data on sea surface temperature, ocean heat content, as well as waves and sea ice.
2️⃣ Tropical cyclones draw their energy from warm ocean waters. Predicting whether a storm will strengthen, weaken, or rapidly intensify depends on ocean observations.
3️⃣ Defining the onset of El Niño and La Niña cycles is done by measuring the atmosphere as well as ocean temperatures at the sea surface and various depths.
4️⃣ Planetary change is ocean change - 90% of the excess heat in the climate system is in the ocean. It stores heat trapped by greenhouse gases and absorbs some of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities. But this excess carbon causes the ocean to become more acidic, damaging marine life and impacting the people that rely on it.
5️⃣ Safe and efficient marine activities depend on ocean conditions. Forecasting and help ensure the safety of shipping industries, fisheries, tourism, and coastal communities that all rely on weather and marine hazard information.
To understand our weather and climate, we need to know more about the oceans. To understand the oceans, we need a strong Global Ocean Observing System.
WMO supports countries worldwide by coordinating efforts to produce accurate and timely weather, water, and climate forecasts and .
Learn more: https://wmo.int/topics/ocean
