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Overview.
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Meteorological Service is the national data and knowledge center on the
topics of meteorology and climatology for the Netherlands Antilles and
Aruba. The Meteorological Service was established,
as an independent entity, by a Governmental act in 1953 under the direction
of the Ministry of Traffic and Transportation of
the Netherlands Antilles (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St.Maarten,
St.Eustatius and Saba). After the separate status of Aruba in the Kingdom
of the Netherlands came into force as from 1 January 1986, it was decided
by the governments of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba that the Meteorological
Service would remain as one entity to serve both the Netherlands Antilles
and Aruba.
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Headquarter
Meteorological Service.
(Seru Mahuma,
Curaçao)
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As from its establishment
the Meteorological Service has been providing a wide range of services
in meteorology and climatology and other geophysical issues. It is generally
recognized that the cost-benefit relationship of meteorological and climatological
services can be in the order of 5 to 15. Extreme weather events like tropical
storms and hurricanes can increase this relationship enormously, whenever
the appropriate warnings are issued in a timely manner and adequate actions
are taken. |
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Forecast
Center SSS Islands.
(Princess
Juliana Airport, Sint Maarten)
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The responsibilities of the Meteorological
Service include the collection of surface and upper-air meteorological
and climatological data (which are operationally exchanged internationally
through the World Weather Watch programme of WMO), the generation of public
weather forecast products, official (Tropical Cyclone) advisories and
warnings.
The Meteorological Service, as the ICAO designated meteorological authority
in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, serves the aviation industry with
aeronautical information and products as stipulated by the International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Maritime operational meteorological and climatological services are also
given to all maritime interests in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba
and the adjacent waters.
To sustain the socio-economic development in the Netherlands Antilles
and Aruba, general and specific meteorological and climate information
are prepared and provided to many sectors in the community (e.g. insurance,
construction, public utilities, agriculture, environment, etc.). |
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