ITU and WMO urge protection for weather radio frequencies

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are urging governments, regulators and meteorologists to safeguard the radio frequencies used for weather forecasts, early warnings, climate monitoring and water management. Their new joint handbook offers guidance on using and protecting frequencies that support environmental observations and data transmission. [1]

Some satellite sensors detect faint natural signals at particular frequencies. Weather radar, lightning-location systems, aircraft and marine observations, and water monitoring also rely on radio spectrum. ITU and WMO warn that interference could make the data used for forecasts and warnings less accurate or less available. [1]

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the physical properties of the atmosphere determine which frequencies are needed for some observations: other bands cannot simply take their place. [1]