Meteorological observations in Belize date back to 1887. Observations were recorded by a number of individuals and organizations such as the Surgeon General, Agriculture, Forestry, and later Civil Aviation Departments.
In the early 20th century, the U.S.A. Weather Service established a weather observing station at the telegraph office in Belize City as part of its Caribbean network. This marked the beginning of official weather observations in Belize. That station was later given the first WMO station identifier number in the country, 78583. This number is still used to identify the weather station located at the Philip Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, where the office of the National Meteorological Service is located.
The Federation of the British West Indies was created in 1958 and consisted of 10 member islands. Belize, formerly British Honduras, was not a member of the Federation. However, it was a member of the regional meteorological service that was administered by the Federal Government. The regional service was divided into three regions, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean and the Bahamas. Jamaica, Belize and the Cayman Islands comprised the western region. The western region was administered from the main meteorological office located at Norman Manley International Airport, Jamaica, formerly Palisadoes Airport. The Belize office was a synoptic observing station administered by the Civil Aviation Department. The main Regional Forecast Office in Jamaica provided public weather forecasts and severe storm warnings. It also provided aeronautical weather forecasts to the Belize International Airport. In 1962, the Federation came to an end. However, the Caribbean Meteorological Service continued as a regional service.
In 1966, the first professionally trained meteorological officer joined the Civil Aviation Department and was charged with the responsibility of developing a National Meteorological Service. During the period 1966 to 1972, the Public and Aviation Forecasting responsibilities were gradually transferred from the forecast office in Jamaica to the Belize office. In 1967, for the first time, the local weather forecast was broadcast directly from the Belize meteorological office over the local radio station. For these broadcasts the name Belize Weather Bureau was used rather than the National Meteorological Service.
In 1972, the Meteorological Office in the Civil Aviation Department was upgraded to the National Meteorological Service in the Ministry of Energy and Communication. The newly formed department was charged with the development of specialized services in the areas of Agrometeorology, Climatology, Hydrometeorology, whilst maintaining the traditional Aeronautical and Public Weather Forecasting. The offices of the new department were relocated to a new building that also housed at the time a newly acquired 10cm Weather Radar for use in the tracking of tropical storms threatening the country. With the help of the World Meteorological Organization, networks of Climatological, Agrometeorological and Hydrometeorological Stations were established over most of the country. An aggressive recruiting and training program was then initiated. Using the WMO training guide and fellowships provided by the United Kingdom and the United States of America, personnel were trained at the Class IV through Class I levels in the various fields of specialization.
In 1978, under a cooperative agreement between the United States of America and the Belize and British governments, the Upper Air and Marine Forecasting Center in Swan Island were transferred to the National Meteorological Service of Belize. Also included was a modern telecommunication system linking the National Meteorological Service of Belize and the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. Under the same program, the first in the region, Remote Automatic Meteorological Observing Stations ( RAMOS ), were installed on remote islands, 50 miles east and 100 miles south of Belize City. These stations provided air and sea temperature, wind, wave height as well as other meteorological parameters. By 1981, the National Meteorological Service was transformed from an outpost meteorological station developed in the 1960’s to a truly National Meteorological Service capable of meeting the needs of an independent Belize.
In 1990, recognizing the need for dedicated hydrological expertise to exploit Belize’s hydropower potential, the Government used hydrological personnel within the National Meteorological Service to establish the National Hydrological Service. However, in 1998, the National Meteorological Service and the National Hydrological Service were amalgamated to provide National Hydrometeorological Services. Then in 20??, both services were once again separated and now fall under two distinct Government Ministries.
The National Meteorological Service presently provides forecast products for the general public along with those for maritime and aviation interests. Very much cognizant of the role that weather and climate plays in food security issues, the Service also prepares and disseminates products geared towards the agricultural community.
The Service now has 27 staff members. The senior staff includes 6 Meteorologists trained at the BSc level or higher and 2 Electronic Technicians. In addition, there are 3 Forecasters who prepare and disseminate the daily weather forecasts. The remaining personnel, Meteorological Assistants and Electronic Technicians, along with Administrative and Maintenance staff, provide varying and invaluable duties to assist the Service in providing the public with the best product available in order to fulfil the mission of the National Meteorological Service of Belize.
Mission Statement and Purpose of The National Meteorological Service
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 data monitoring and collection, reliable data analyses and forecasts, and timely dissemination of user-friendly reports and forecasts on all weather and climate related events and hazards. 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.
To fulfill this mission, the department maintains a network of weather observing stations, a Doppler Weather Radar and an upper air observing station. The Weather Forecasting / Synoptic section of the department comprises a staff of well-trained Meteorologists and Forecasters equipped with telecommunication equipments, data analysis and display workstations, satellite receiving equipments and numerical weather prediction models.
The National Meteorological Service is responsible for providing aviation weather information and forecasts, and specialized weather forecasts for the agriculture, forestry, marine, military, and tourism sectors. It also provides public weather forecasts for the media, which then distributes this information via newspapers, radio and television. Forecasts are also regularly distributed and updated on the department’s website.
The Chief Meteorologist serves on the committees of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and provides advice on hurricanes, floods and other forms of severe weather conditions which could provoke a national emergency. All phases of the National Hurricane Emergency Plan are declared by NEMO, on the advice of the Chief Meteorologist.
The National Meteorological Service is the National Focal Point for Belize on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC is a scientific body whose function is to review the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information produced worldwide, relevant to the understanding of climate change.
The Service has representation on several national committees including the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) which reviews Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). The Service also has representation on the Belize National Climate Change Committee.
Belize is a member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), particularly the Regional Association IV of WMO. The Chief Meteorologist serves as Permanent Representative of Belize with the WMO. Through the National Meteorological Service, Belize is also a member of the Caribbean Meteorological Organization (CMO) and the Comité Regional de Recursos Hidráulicos (CRRH), an arm of la Sistema de la Integracion de Centroamerica (SICA).
Vision
The National Meteorological Service of Belize will continue to be the national authority which provides meteorological and climate-based products and services in order to protect life and property, and contribute to the enhancement of the social, economic and physical well-being of the people of Belize.
Services Offered
Contact Information:
Mailing & Telephone
Address: Phillip Goldson International Airport,
Ladyville, Belize
P.O. Box 717
Phone: (501) 225-2011 or (501) 225-2054
Website: nms.gov.bz Facebook: National Meteorological Service of Belize