Radio frequencies that support weather forecasting, climate monitoring and early-warning systems must be protected from harmful interference, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have warned.
The warning was issued at an expert seminar in Geneva on 28 September 2026, as growing demand from wireless and satellite communications increases pressure on spectrum used by meteorological and environmental observation systems.
Why radio frequencies matter for weather and climate data
Many Earth-observation instruments detect extremely weak natural signals at specific frequencies. These measurements help scientists and public authorities understand conditions in the atmosphere, oceans and on land.
The same spectrum supports systems used for:
- Weather radar and storm tracking
- Lightning detection
- Aircraft and maritime observation
- Hydrological and water monitoring
- Climate data collection
- Emergency alerts and early-warning systems
Because some signals are faint, interference from other radio services can reduce the quality or availability of the data. That could affect the accuracy of forecasts and warnings used by emergency managers, transport operators, farmers and communities exposed to severe weather.
UN agencies warn of growing interference risks
The ITU and WMO said expanding use of radio frequencies by wireless networks, satellite services and other communications technologies is increasing the risk that essential meteorological bands could be disrupted.
Interference may distort measurements, interrupt data transmission or make information less reliable. The consequences could extend beyond forecasting, affecting preparation for floods, storms and other environmental hazards.
At the Geneva meeting, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin described interference-free spectrum as essential for accurate forecasts, timely alerts and dependable climate information. She said protecting these frequencies was a public-safety issue because effective warnings can help save lives.
How the measurements support forecasting
Weather systems reveal information through weak signals naturally emitted by the atmosphere and through echoes returned when radar signals encounter rain or ice.
The relationship between the frequency of a signal and the size of water droplets or ice crystals allows specialised instruments to identify important features within clouds. According to WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, the relevant bands provide observations that cannot simply be replaced by other frequencies.
This is particularly important as meteorological services seek more detailed information about rapidly developing storms and changing climate conditions.
What could be affected by poor-quality data?
If interference reduces the reliability of observations, authorities may have less precise information when assessing risks and issuing public warnings. The impact would depend on the type, location and duration of the interference, but the agencies highlighted several areas of concern.
- Severe-weather warnings: Radar and other systems help identify developing storms and track their movement.
- Flood preparation: Hydrological observations support monitoring of rainfall, rivers and water conditions.
- Transport safety: Aviation and maritime services rely on dependable atmospheric and environmental information.
- Climate monitoring: Long-term measurements are needed to identify changes in the atmosphere, oceans and land.
- Emergency response: Accurate forecasts help public authorities decide when and how to act.
Why international coordination is required
Radio spectrum is shared by many users, including telecommunications operators, satellite providers, scientific services and public-safety systems. Decisions about frequency allocation therefore require coordination between governments, regulators and international organisations.
The ITU manages global cooperation on telecommunications and radio spectrum, while the WMO represents the international meteorological community. Their joint appeal focuses on ensuring that communications expansion does not undermine the scientific systems used to monitor environmental risks.
The issue is international by nature. Weather and climate data cross borders, and severe storms, floods and other hazards can affect several countries at once. A disruption in one part of an observation or data-sharing network could also reduce the value of information available to neighbouring authorities.
What happens next?
The Geneva seminar is intended to draw attention to the need for governments and national regulatory authorities to safeguard the frequency bands used for meteorology and Earth observation. The warning does not itself create a new law or change national spectrum allocations.
Future decisions will depend on national regulators and international discussions about how spectrum is assigned and protected. The central challenge will be to accommodate new wireless and satellite technologies while preserving reliable access for services that support public safety and environmental monitoring.
Conclusion
The latest EU news and wider Europe news cycle often focuses on legislation, energy or security, but this international warning highlights a less visible part of modern public safety. Protecting the radio frequencies used for weather forecasting and Earth observation is essential to maintaining accurate alerts, climate records and emergency planning. For European authorities and regulators, the message is clear: expanding communications services must not compromise the spectrum on which communities depend for timely environmental warnings.
