By

Keithley Meade

Director, Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services Phone: 1-268- 462-4606

Cell: 1-268-764-2139Email: keithleym@yahoo.com

Antigua and Barbuda

Meteorological Services- Warning Dissemination and Communication

Challenges

Vision StatementVision StatementTo provide quality meteorological products

and information, to the local, regional and international public in response to their needs and expectations.

Mission StatementMission StatementTo present relevant and timely information to

safeguard life and property, to improve social and economic structures and to protect the environment.

Weather ForecastsWeather Forecasts

We provide customized weather forecasts, with particular emphasis on public safety and welfare:

Twenty-four forecast (twice daily) Four-day forecast (once daily) Summary and Discussion (twice daily) Eastern Caribbean Forecast (once daily) Severe Weather Advisories (when necessary) Coastal Advisories (when necessary) Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts( four times daily)

Tsunami WarningsTsunami Warnings

We receive Tsunami warnings from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center:

Alert the National Office of Disaster Services( NODS) and if necessary, the defense force, local police, the public etc…

Severe Weather Watches and Severe Weather Watches and WarningsWarnings

We issue severe weather watches and warnings for the Public, in coordination with disaster agencies, to take appropriate actions:

Cyclone watches and WarningsFlood Watches and WarningsOther related severe events such as adverse

sea conditions

Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological ServiceMeteorological Service

Weather service provider for:-Antigua and BarbudaSaint Kitts, NevisAnguillaMontserratBritish Virgin Islands

Information Phase Pre-alert Phase Alert Phase Watch Phase Warning Phase Recovery Phase

Dissemination MethodsDissemination Methods Telephone/telephone hotline FAX Cell phone (Antigua Alert) Media – Commercial Radio/Television GTS – Global telecommunication

System WEB site

(http://www.antiguamet.com) E-Mails Marine Radio (channel 14VHF-via

Coast Guard four times daily) Ham Radio (HF)

Communication ChallengesCommunication Challenges We have sometimes been accused of lack of effective

communication between the end users and us. Some regard our messages as sometimes neither simple

nor straightforward enough. In addition, they complain of information many times not being timely.

Difficult to adequately communicate any uncertainty in the information we deliver.

Lack of good relationships (an important aspects of good communication)

Cannot use good old face-to-face communication. Telecommunication avenues not sometimes accessible

Coordination ChallengesCoordination ChallengesThe islands are small and separated by seaThe topography of the islands are very differentSome islands are sovereign states, others are colonies of

Britain (with varying chains of command in relaying information)

Tendency by some to look to other sources for informationUnannounced changes in commandNo feedback; before during or after eventsNo control over some sources of useful data(radar, buoys

etc)No policy of data sharing from the territories that we serve

ConclusionConclusionThere should be improved interaction between the

NMSs and the DRMs in assessing the appropriate dissemination and communication procedures

DRMs should look for ways of assisting the forecast offices; Forecast Offices should seek a thorough understanding of the needs of DRMs and ensure that systems are in place to deliver in a timely manner.

Forecast Offices and Disaster Agencies should try as much as possible to develop a strong partnership and by so doing, the public will have greater faith in both agencies.

THE ENDTHE END

Thank you !!