Celebration marking 90 years of history
of the Polish State Meteorological and Hydrological Service

Directors of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services from Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden and USA, were also present to congratulate IMGW on this auspisious occasion.

Prof. Mieczysław Ostojski, Director General of IMGW extended a warm welcome to invited guests. In his speach he presented 8 priorities which were adopted by IMGW Board of Directors. Then, Professor Maciej Nowicki, Minister of the Environment, expressed words of gratitude to the Director and his employees for their everyday work in support of the Institute. The Minister concluded his speech by wishing the best of luck for the future.

In his congratulatory remarks Mr Michel Jarraud thanked everybody who had supported the Polish State Meteorological and Hydrological Service to operate efficiently and to serve people. He recalled a catastrophic flood that hit Poland in June 1997. This event was a signal not only for the IMGW but for the whole Europe to start working on programmes which would enable to reduce the risk of hydrometeorological disasters in the future.

The programme featured also addresses by Mr Jack Hayes, Director of the National Weather Service (NWS), USA and Mr Wolfgang Kusch, Director of the German Weather Service (DWD). Mr Jan Sadoń, Director of the IMGW Cracow Branch presented the history of the Institute and its activities over the decades. Then Prof. M. Ostojski awarded the honorable guests with commemorative medals. The celebration included also unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the main hall of the Institute. An oak-tree called "Meteo-pewniak" (“Meteo-reliable”) was planted. At the end of the celebration the Director General unveiled a multimedia kiosk which displays current weather.