Roy Thompson, Electronics Technician, National Meteorological Service of Belize

1. RA-IV WIGOS Implementation Workshop (English), 1 - 3 December, Willemstad Curaçao Belize Presentation Roy Thompson, Electronics Technician, National Meteorological Service of Belize Email address (rthompson@hydromet.gov.bz)

2. Outline of the presentation Mission of the NMHS National Observing Issues or Needs Plans for the observing networks WIGOS Implementation Status Summary

3. Mission of the NMHS • Current Mission, Mandate, Responsibilities (e.g., climate services, aviation services, hydrological, marine, environmental, air pollution, etc) The National Meteorological Service of Belize is the leading governmental authority on weather and climate. It provides meteorological and climate-based products and services to the Belizean public through systematic and accurate monitoring and data collection, reliable data analyses and timely dissemination of user-friendly information on regular and emergency events and processes.

4. The National Meteorological Service is responsible for providing aviation weather information and forecasts, and specialized weather forecasts for agriculture, forestry, marine, military, and tourism. • It also provides public weather forecasts for the media, which then distributes via newspapers, radio and television. • Forecasts are also distributed by the Meteorological Office by facsimile, e-mail, the Department’s website and recorded telephone messages.

5. Major historical meteorological disaster events - Disaster type and distribution Hurricanes, floods and other forms of severe weather conditions ; areas affected : countrywide - Life and economic loss Low loss of life ; more often, economic loss to agricultural and tourism sectors

6. Staff composition related to observations and data collection/processing and competence Full time observers at PGIA : four Instrument technician/observer : one Observers at non-WMO reporting meteorological stations : twelve Competence : After 3 - 6 months training at Met Office

7. WIGOS Implementation Status • Status of the WMO-reported national observing networks • Summary of the operational status for relevant networks Main station at PGIA – fully operational, reports via GTS Other stations that gather data manually report to main station for archival and limited synoptic purpose Four active AWS (automatic weather stations) • Are there any silent stations? None (i.e. De-commissioned AWS)

8. Is there an existing national or regional database that catalogues your observing networks? Previously, Clicom database which became non- operational New national database under development Regional Database:BDCAC-Central American Climate DB

9. Are your data and metadata accessible and shared? Only data from main station ;metadata on GISC/WIS On request by e-mail or other communication

10. Major needs and gaps in observing capabilities and access • Please indicate the major needs and gaps, related to observational data and access, when producing weather forecasts and warnings • How can WMO help? • How can RA-IV and Members help? WRF and GFS & NAM models are used for forecasting (WRF: Weather Research & Forecasting model) Get datasets from central servers in Washington Some data from local AWS and other manual stations

11. Plans for the National Observing Networks • Please indicate the current plans and projects for the evolution of the National Observing Networks Refurbishing and outfitting existing stations with newly calibrated instruments/sensors Establishing new stations in partnership with private sector stakeholders BSI, BEL – AWS AWS at municipal airstrips, NESA AWS

12. WIGOS Implementation Status • Is there an updated National WIGOS Implementation plan/strategy? • Do you have plans to create and execute such a strategy? Assigning WMO Ids to AWS that are active and uploading to NESDIS. Update the metadata of existing stations • What are your training needs? Training for calibration of instruments, observers & DB managers/administrators

13. WIGOS Implementation Status • Do you have any agreements with your partners? • Formal or informal collaborative arrangements amongst meteorological, hydrological, marine/oceanographic, and academic/research institutions and private sector services within the country for WIGOS implementation Not in regards to WIGOS.

14. Can partners discover and access your data? Constraints and barriers that may prevent non-NMHS organization from contributing and/or accessing observations via GTS and/or WIS Yes. Only data from main Observation station at PGIA. Other data on local database require login credentials

15. WIGOS Implementation Status • Is there an operational Quality Management System for the National Observing system Network or specific component observing system? Yes. Only for Aviation related data • Are operational and/or maintenance processes for observing systems documented and their implementation monitored? Yes. Guidelines have been established, used, and reviewed regularly to ensure accuracy.

16. Summary • NMS Belize has one main WMO reporting station at PGIA • Data and metadata from this station available through GTS • Metadata for this station will be updated via WIS/GISC • Data/Metadata from other stations in National Observation network Stored on local database which is still under development • Some data/metadata on regional database – BDCAC • National Observation network is being augmented with installation of some automatic weather stations. WMO Ids will be assigned.