Lightning storm over saguaro cacti, Sonoran Desert, Arizona, United States
© Jack Dykinga/Nature Picture Librar
Guided by the weather. World Meteorological Day
The strength of nature is nowhere more evident than in powerful storms. Scary? Yes. Fascinating? Even more so. Learning to understand and respect these forces helps humanity live more safely.
This idea sits at the heart of World Meteorological Day, observed every year on 23 March. The day marks the founding of the World Meteorological Organisation in 1950 and highlights how weather, climate and water services protect lives and support daily decisions—from storm warnings to long-term climate planning. This year's theme is 'Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow.'
The image of lightning over saguaro cacti captures this message perfectly. The Sonoran Desert may look dry and still, but it has one of the most dynamic climates in North America. It is defined by two rainy seasons: gentle winter rains and intense summer monsoon storms that bring lightning, heavy downpours and sudden temperature drops. These patterns shape the desert's rich biodiversity and show why accurate weather observation is essential in extreme environments.
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