Met Service taking weather issues online
Published:Wednesday | March 27, 2019 | 12:08 AMChristopher Serju/Gleaner Writer
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica is reporting some success in its drive to make weather and climate information, including warnings, available in a user-friendly format. The agency is also moving to improve the speed with which it sends out information via smartphones and other devices.
In conjunction with the Finnish Meteorological Institute, weather forecasts have been downscaled to the community level through its online portal. Persons can visit the website agrilinksja.com to get the one- to five-day forecasts for towns and districts.
Severe weather warning messages are available to users via the Smart Alert application. If users visit alert.metservice.gov.jm, they can view the latest warning messages that have been issued. For those who do not have smartphones but use the old-time ‘banger’ phones, the agency has also made provisions. Simply send a text message to 876-357-4644 stating what you are requesting, and you will get a reply.
Climate-services products and information are also available through the website jamaicaclimate.net, which provides a three-month Seasonal Climate Forecast, as well as a Seasonal Drought Map. These products are geared mainly towards persons in the farming and water sectors who need information in order to make decisions for the short to medium term.
Also available on the website are a Farmers’ Bulletin and a Rainfall Summary, providing information on current conditions, dryness or wetness across the island, and suggestions on what actions, if any, should be taken.
Rohan Brown explained that while more farmers are accessing the Met Service’s forecast options for use in their long-term planning, the tourism sector and marine interests have long recognised and utilised these services. And then there are those concerned householders who call in to get vital information for their daily schedules.
“We have people who call in and say, ‘I live in Stony Hill, and I need to know if it’s going to rain today because I plan my clothes’,” he disclosed.