CWB History photo
CWB History photo

Brief History

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) was established in 1941 in Chongqing as Central Weather Bureau (CWB), first directly under the Executive Yuan and later in 1947 under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC). In 1949, CWB came to Taiwan when the ROC's seat of government moved here, and in 1957 its structure was simplified, with the Taiwan Provincial Weather Institution assuming responsibility for most of its functions. In 1971, CWB was restructured and came under MOTC again as the competent authority for meteorological operations and related matters in the country. On September 15, 2023, CWB was elevated to CWA as part of the Executive Yuan's restructuring.

Overview

CWA is headed by an Administrator with assistance from two Deputy Administrators and a Chief Secretary. Its headquarters in Taipei is composed of 6 Divisions: Planning Division, Observation Division, Numerical Information Division, Marine Meteorology and Climate Division, Technology Development Division, and Remote Sensing Division; 1 remote unit (located in Tainan): Southern Region Weather Center; and 4 Offices: Secretariat, Civil Service Ethics Office, Personnel Office, and Budget, Accounting and Statistics Office.

In addition, there are Seismological Center, Weather Forecast Center, 3 weather radar stations, and 25 weather stations, responsible for forecasting, seismological, and meteorology-related marine and astronomical operations. They collect global weather information, predict atmospheric changes, issue forecasts, advisories and/or warnings for various weather events, and assist in disaster prevention.