The agency was originally established in December 1949 as the
Central Military Commission Meteorological Bureau. It replaced the
Central Weather Bureau formed in 1941. In 1994, the CMA was transformed from a subordinate governmental body into one of the public service agencies under the
State Council. Meteorological bureaus are established in 31
provinces,
autonomous regions and
municipalities, excluding meteorological services at
Hong Kong,
Macau and
Taiwan. 14 meteorological bureaus at sub-provincial cities including 4 cities which have been specifically designated in the state development plan), 318 meteorological bureaus at prefecture level and 2,300 bureaus (stations) at county level. ==Subordinate bodies under the CMA==