About WIS

The WMO Information System (WIS) is a project designed to enhance WMO's existing Global Telecommunication System (GTS) and to establish a common ICT infrastructure for all WMO programmes and related international initiatives. WIS is also serving as meteorological part of GEOSS (Global EarthObservation System of Systems). Entire GEOSS data (including WIS catalogue) can be searched at GEOPortal.

DAR and GTS

WIS consists of two parallel parts: GTS and DAR (Discovery, Access and Retrieval). WMO continues its efforts to enhance and improve of GTS, while new DAR functionality is integrated into all WMO and related international programmes.

GTS has long served as the backbone of World Weather Watch Programme (WWWP) - a push-based distribution system for operationally critical data. In response to the growth of the computer industry and the rise of the Internet, which have enabled the use of meteorological information online in a variety of non-operational and interdisciplinary activities, WIS was conceived as a project to fill existing gaps and support the inter-community exchange of data and information.

At the centre of DAR is a catalogue of the entire WIS. GISCs collect all metadata from WIS Centres in their areas of responsibility, and exchange metadata sets with one another.

Organization of WIS

WIS consists of three types of centres:

GISCs (Global Information System Centres)

GISCs (Global Information System Centres) are responsible for:
  • Management of AMDCN (the Area Meteorological Data Communication Network)
  • Services relating to data intended for global distribution (known as a GISC Cache)
  • Cataloguing of the entire WIS

DCPCs (Data Collection or Production Centres)

DCPCs (Data Collection or Production Centres) are designated for each WMO programme activity. They typically engage in:

  • Production of specialized information (e.g., for RSMCs)
  • Collection and archiving of information in a domain (e.g., for WMO WDCs)
  • Telecommunication hub activities (e.g., for GTS RTHs)

NCs (National Centres)

NCs (National Centres) can be established in each WMO member state. They are responsible for collecting national observation data and submitting them to the WIS network. NCs are also responsible for domestic data distribution networks and in-country authorization of WIS users.

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