In focus

ECMWF issues extended-range weather predictions up to 46 days ahead. They are ensemble forecasts, and they show predicted week-to-week changes in the weather. Long-range predictions are ensemble forecasts, too, and they are mainly issued up to seven months ahead.

Find out why ECMWF needs a supercomputer, what we use it for, and how developments in supercomputing can help to provide more skilful weather forecasts.

Another heatwave is currently affecting most of Europe with various and very high intensity levels. This follows heatwave conditions across Europe earlier this summer, which have now contributed to large parts of Europe also experiencing severe drought conditions.

Find out when ECMWF staff are speaking at the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), being held 23–27 May 2022 both in Vienna (Austria) and online.

Our global numerical model has evolved from atmosphere only to encompass the Earth system as a whole. This Earth system approach underpins all our forecasts and it has opened up the development of a range of environmental services.

ECMWF’s new data centre in Italy is close to becoming fully operational. The process has involved the migration of huge amounts of data and systems, which has been conducted with minimal disruption to our service to users. The final stages will involve the physical move of some of our equipment and we are expecting a certain level of disruption to some of our activities.

An overview of ECMWF presentations at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), taking place virtually from 22 to 27 January 2022 under the theme 'Environmental Security: weather, water and climate for a more secure world'.

Updated in May 2021, ECMWF’s extratropical cyclone database products provide forecasters with familiar synoptic-style charts. They show fronts and low-pressure (cyclonic) weather systems that can be associated with hazardous conditions such as strong winds, snow and rain.

ECMWF’s Earth system model aims to represent interactions between as many Earth system components as required, at the necessary level of complexity and as initialised by data assimilation, to achieve the Centre’s forecasting goals.

The ECMWF Support Portal provides a single point of entry for users to request support and find documentation.

Marine weather forecasts can help to save lives and limit the damage caused by severe storms. This fact sheet explains how ocean waves are forecast at ECMWF, how observations are used and what forecast products are provided.

Reanalysis data provide the most complete picture currently possible of past weather and climate. This fact sheet explains what reanalysis is and what it is used for.

Satellite observations make a crucial contribution to the quality of today’s weather forecasts. This fact sheet explains the types of satellite observations available and how ECMWF uses such data in its operational forecasting system and in research activities.

As the situation around COVID-19 continues to evolve, ECMWF staff, whether in Italy or in the United Kingdom, are now working remotely. The operation and delivery of our mission-critical activities are not affected. Staff will continue to be available via email. For updates on our events, please check the relevant pages on this website.

The quality of weather forecasts crucially depends on our ability to accurately estimate the current state of the Earth system. This Q&A explains how Earth system data assimilation enables us to make such estimates.

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2020, ECMWF asked a selection of experts and leaders in the world of meteorology to tell us their story.