A detailed description of the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (met.no) (in English) can be found at retro.met.no/english/about/index.html. The following is a brief summary:
According to the regulations for the institute, as established by the Royal Decree, the basic function of met.no is to contribute to the protection of life and property and to provide special meteorological services to customers on a commercial basis.
The official duties of met.no include the following: 1) issue weather forecasts; 2) study the national climatological conditions and produce climatological reports; 3) provide meteorological observations from Norway, adjacent sea areas, and from the Svalbard area; 4) carry out research and development in support of the institute’s operational functions to ensure that the services are of the highest possible standard; 5) make available the results of the institute’s work; 6) provide special services for the public and private interests on a commercial basis; and 7) participate in international meteorological co-operation. Note that weather forecasts include the prediction of ocean variables.
The activities consist of the so-called core activities that are financed by the Government of Norway and the commercial services. The former include observations, research and development, weather forecasting, and climatological serves. The latter include the delivery of tailored products and services to accommodate individual customers’ requirements, services for aviation, commercial climatological services, and commissions and reports.
The institute is engaged in extensive national and international cooperation (see list retro.met.no/english/about/cooperation.html ). Norway is a member of the World Meteorological Organization, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. The institute is actively involved in the work of these organisations.
