Meteorology is an ancient name for a young science: it derives from the Greek "meteora", which means "sky phenomena". Meteorology as a branch of knowledge dates back to the origins of human civilizations, when life of early men, hunters and farmers, was strongly dependent on weather conditions. It was after 1800 that meteorology, taking advantage of the progress of mathematics, physics and chemistry, became a science with the objective of studying and understanding the atmosphere. 

In the second half of '900 the use of meteorological and climatological information in agriculture, water resources, pollution control, protection of life quality, etc. increased dramatically. The progress followed two leading avenues: on one side, numerical models succeed in offering  good quality  weather forecasts up to six days in advance; on the other side, an improved availability and access to meteorological and climate information is offered.  As a result, recent developments of Internet network, the appearance of  both "Regional or local" meteorological services followed by private new suppliers of  meteorological and climatological products, are creating an exiting new scenario in the field. 

Applied meteorology and climatology are the expanding branches of Science dealing with the described development. 
 

A non profit Society, founded about twenty  years ago in Milan, federate with the Italian Association of  Engineers and Architets, pursuing the following aims:
 

• to  promote and develop studies and researches in the field of meteorology and climatology as a contribute to the solution of problems connected with human activities;
• to establish and stimulate national and international contacts among scientists, engineers and  students interested in the applications of meteorology;
• to promote and propagate the knowledge of meteorology and climatology particularly among young people;
• to keep active contacts with Universities and other scientific institutions with the scope of  improving and updating the members’ knowledge as well as to foster the orientation of academic research towards applied meteorology.

The  logo of SIMA was selected in 1997  through  a national contest. The authoress, Mrs Laura Borghi, a well known designer from Milan,  succeeded in merging the concept of  " wave nature" of atmospheric motions with that of  "space distribution of meteorological variables" in a very harmonious, pleasant and  nicely coloured geometry. 
 

The Society  orgnises a number of national and international meetings as well as courses and seminars at all levels. In most cases proceedings are published  for the benefit of members. An advice and  bibliographic reference service is available  on request via e-mail, while webb pages are being implemented  to update information on SIMA activity  in real time, and to inform about activities and research  of members in an open "forum" section. 
Among the most recent initiatives the following are worth  mention:

(a) national meeting on: "Irradianza ultravioletta e meteorologia" (Ultraviolet Irradiance and Meteorology), Feb. 24th, 1999, Palazzo Baleani,  Rome. The success of the meeting  stimulated the preparation of a   booklet  edited by SIMA;

(b) following a Congress on  the History of Meteorology,  jointly orgnised by SIMA and the Italian Geographical Society, the first edition of a book on the subject is in preparation and will appear  next year;

(c) Meteorological Day 1999: “Tempo, clima e salute ” (Weather, Climate and Health). National meeting  in Milan, jointly promoted by SIMA and  Milan Duomo Observatory, with the patronage of WMO . 
 

A simple application is required  providing the following information:

(a) complete coordinates including name, address, phone number, fax, e-mail;

(b) organization or activity in which the candidate is involved;

(c) short biographical notes indicating why the candidate is interested in meteorology and/or climatology  and  possibly which is the preferred  specific field. 

When SIMA Council approves the affiliation, the candidate is requested  to pay the annual fee of 25.8 Euro (50000  Lire). The student's membership is reduced to  15.5 Euro (30000 Lire). 

Money  shall be sent by  "Servizio Conti Correnti Postali" account current (C/C)  N. 16119000  headed "Società Italiana di Meteorologia Applicata", SIMA, Corso d'Italia 102, 00198 Rome, Italy.
 

President:  Sabino Palmieri
Secretary: Mario Aversa

Ordinary mail: 
SIMA C/O ANIAI, Corso d’Italia  102, 00198  Rome, Italy
Fax 06 44 04 310.
Please convey all  e-mail messages to the President’s  address:
sabino.palmieri@uniroma1.it