WMO 2025 Calendar Competition
The World Meteorological Organization is excited to announce the launch of its 2025 calendar photography competition, one of our most anticipated annual activities. Each year we are wowed by the stunning photographs that showcase the beauty, power and significance of weather, climate, and water.
This year, the competition will align with the theme of World Meteorological Day 2025: “Closing the early warning gap together” focusing on the Early Warnings for All initiative. WMO will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of its establishment, which marked a new era for international cooperation in the field of meteorology, hydrology, and related geophysical sciences.
We are seeking high-quality and meaningful photographs that capture people and communities working together to ensure universal protection from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving early warning systems. We also want photos that illustrate the power of nature and the need to protect our beautiful planet from the impact of human activities - driving forces behind WMO's work.
As a specialized agency of the United Nations, we aim to encourage a geographical balance representing all regions of the Earth. We are thrilled to receive photos from new participants from an ever-expanding number of countries.
The winning photographs will be featured in the printed WMO 2025 Calendar. They will be showcased on the WMO website, social media platforms, public outreach products and prominently in our World Meteorological Day 2025 celebrations. We will also promote them among other U.N. agencies.
There will be lots of recognition but no financial reward!
WMO will make an initial selection of outstanding photographs based on technical and artistic merit. We will then publish shortlisted photos on Facebook, Instagram, and Flickr, allowing our followers to vote for their favourites. The competition will also be promoted via X, LinkedIn, and other U.N. social media accounts.
Since its launch in 2014, the WMO Calendar Competition has gained stature and recognition.
The United Nations regularly features the competition photos in its news stories and web pages. WMO’s website and social media channels also constantly promote our calendar entries.
Some national meteorological and hydrological services also run their own photo contests and feed these entries to WMO. We are always looking to expand the competition and reach aspiring new photographers!
WMO received many incredible entries for the 2024 Calendar, and we thank everyone who participated. We look forward to the competition for the 2025 calendar.
Judging criteria
Entries will be narrowed down to a shortlist by a WMO panel of experts in meteorology and hydrology as well as experienced professional photographers. Entries will be judged on:
- Technical quality, clarity, and composition
- Visual impact
- Novelty and flair for the unexpected
- Illustration of the importance of early warnings for all
WMO will make an initial selection of about 50 photographs, based on technical and artistic merit. We will then publish shortlisted photos on Facebook and Instagram, allowing our followers to vote for their favourites. The competition will also be promoted via Twitter and via other U.N. social media accounts.
The WMO jury will have the final say on the 13 photos for inclusion in the calendar (one for the cover and one for each month), based on the social media votes but also taking into account geographical balance.
All shortlisted photographs will be showcased on WMO web and social media channels. It is therefore important that you include your own social media handles so that we can credit you appropriately.
How to enter
Take a striking photo related to the theme and/or weather, climate and water and that meets our submission guidelines. Enter your photograph into the competition by using our dedicated Entry Form. Photographers may submit multiple entries, but only one photo can be included in the final calendar. If you share your photos on your own social media profiles, use the #WMOphoto hashtag.
Submission guidelines
- All photos must be a minimum size of 4000 x 3000 pixels.
- All photos must be submitted in JPEG or TIFF format (with little compression to preserve image quality.
- All photos must be in landscape (horizontal) format.
- Black and white photographs as well as coloured photographs will be accepted.
- All photos must be clearly captioned, including a title, a location and the date of the photograph.
Deadline entry
The deadline for entry is 1 September 2024.
No cash prize will be offered to winners of the photo contest.
Entrants must read and agree to the Terms and Conditions before entering the photo contest.
Good Luck!