Attendees included Rosa Donat, vice-rector for Transfer and Innovation at the University of Valencia; Jorge Tamayo, AEMET’s delegate in the Valencian Community; and the Government Delegate, Pilar Bernabé.

World Meteorological Day commemorates the entry into force, on 23 March 1950, of the Convention establishing the WMO. This year’s theme, "Together, Let’s Close the Gap in Early Warning Systems", is linked to the weather phenomenon known as DANA of 29 October last year. Following the DANA, the WMO issued a statement, including a rapid attribution study, which found that the rainfall in Valencia on 29 October 2024 was approximately 12% more intense and twice as likely compared to pre-industrial climate conditions.

Given this scenario, and considering that human-induced climate change is leading to more extreme weather conditions, the WMO stresses the growing need for effective early warning systems to alert people to storms, floods or droughts — life-saving tools that also help reduce economic losses.

The organisation confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, and in the Valencian  Community, it was the hottest since 1950. Moreover, the ten warmest years on record all belong to the 21st century, nine of them from 2014 onwards, and the three hottest years have been the last three.

This Monday’s events at La Nau included the lecture "From Frankenstein to Superman and Beyond", delivered by Rafael Martínez Tomás, professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at UNED. Additionally, staff from AEMET’s Delegation who retired in 2024 were recognised for their service.

AEMET also awarded certificates to its collaborators: Daniel Millán Mesonero, observer in Montserrat (Casadalt); Manuel Cervera Mas, observer in Buñol; Daniel Ballester Navarro, observer in Turís; Víctor Marzo Blay, observer in Chiva (La Pailla); and Paiporta Fundación Cajamar, in Paiporta.

The event was supported by the Science Culture and Innovation Unit of the University of Valencia and by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT).