National Meteorological Service of Belize Presents

1. National Meteorological Service of BelizePresents Climate Services and Products in Belize at the National Level By Catherine Cumberbatch & Derrick Rudon October 30, 2013 Radisson Fort George

2. What are the Climate Services and who are the Providers in Belize?

3. This is undertaken in order to contribute to the safety and well-being of the people of Belize and the sustainable development of the nation. It provides meteorological and climate-based products and services to the Belizean public through : • systematic and accurate monitoring and data collection • reliable data analyses • timely dissemination of user-friendly information on regular and emergency events and processes. The National Meteorological Service of Belize is the leading governmental authority on weather, water and climate.

4. Meteorological Instruments Network

5. What are the Climate Service National Met Service of Belize issues the following services: 1. Short-term (3 hours up to 2 days) • General or Public Forecast. • Marine Forecast • Aviation Forecast • Fire Forecast • Radar

6. Forecast products 24- 48 hours

9. Cont’d 2. Mid-term (4 days) weather forecasts • Four day forecast • Agro-meteorological Forecast • Television Forecast

11. Climate Services Cont’d 3. Long-term (monthly) weather forecasts • Monthly Agro-met Bulletin. • Climate predictions for 3-months and seasons example • May-June-July (MJJ), August-September-October (ASO) • Drought Monitoring

12. Climate Predictability Tool • The Climate Predictability Tool (CPT) developed by the International Research Institute (IRI) • Produces seasonal forecast for precipitation

13. Precipitation Outlook ForOctober-December 2013

14. Precipitation Outlook for August to October 2013

16. The results of the Standard Precipitation Index calculations for a few stations across Belize.

17. Climate Services Cont’d Data Request • Climatological norms • Graphical analysis • Predictive trends (temperature and rainfall) • Summaries (rainfall, temperatures etc) • Astronomical Products • Hurricane Reports

18. Climatological Information

20. TRENDS Time series plots are made by using historical data from our network of stations. From these plots linear trend and 5-year moving averages can be determined

22. Ways to disseminate information • Public Media Monthly Bulletins Monthly Weather Forecasts Seasonal Forecasts Siren Systems Radio and TV Broadcasts Internet (www.hydromet.gov.bz)

23. Demands for climate service are huge and we at the Met Service continue to do our utmost best to provide the service in order to contribute to the safety and well-being of the people of Belize and the sustainable development of the nation. Threat of Climate Change demands a lot from the National Meteorological Service .

24. There are many Challenges we face in our day to day work. Example we lack the expertise in Climatology and Agro-meteorology. We have limited staff . • But with all our shortcomings we continue to strive towards Excellence . We often looked to the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology for their Guidance and Assistance , which I must say they have being extremely helpful.

25. We all have heard and see most of the services and products that we have and that can be provided by the National Meteorological Service , it’s up to you to tell us how these services can help each of you in your specific field and quest. • Or tell us of other services or products that you think we can provide to you that would be beneficial.