Doppler is a recent installed technology

Nov 04, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter written by Mr. Leon Jameson Suseran and published in Kaieteur News on 2nd November 2009 and headlined, “Despite the multi-million $$$ Doppler Weather reports still inaccurate”.
The Ministry of Agriculture Hydrometeorological Service wishes to inform that contrary to the writer’s misconception, Hydromet did inform the public via NCN television (30th October 2009) and radio (30th October 2009 and 31st October 2009) to expect rains and occasional thunderstorms (lightning and thunder) along coastal Guyana. Be advised that the weather forecast issued by the Ministry of Agriculture can be viewed daily on NCN Television immediately after the 6 o’clock news.
While Guyana experiences generally reduced rainfall during El Nino events, you may wish to note that the current El Nino phase is classified as weak; hence it is not uncommon to have periods of downpours during this particular El Nino.
The Ministry would like to reiterate that the Doppler Weather Radar is a weather monitoring tool that will enable weather forecasters to do the following:
• study and monitor such weather systems as they develop
• allowing forecasters to provide more accurate and timely information of the type, intensity and location of severe weather for about six hours.
The writer may wish to note that, it was using data available that forecasters were able to advise organisers of Agri Fest 2009, not to cancel this event but to just change the time of this event.
Kindly be advised that the Hydrometeorological Service’s weather forecasters are trained at the World Meteorological Organisation Regional Training Centre (Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology) located in Barbados and are certainly competent in performing meteorological analysis and forecasts.
Further, the public needs to be cognizant that the recently installed weather radar is new technology in Guyana and has only recently begun providing a detailed “picture” of the prevailing weather over Guyana. The integration of historical detailed meteorological data and technology are crucial to provide an even more accurate and reliable medium and long range forecasts. Additionally, due to the very dynamic nature of the atmospheric system, one should also recognise that weather and climate forecasts are inherently uncertain. Meteorology is not an exact science.
Notwithstanding, as part of our wider development plan, we will continue to work closely with international bodies such as the World Meteorological Organisation, Caribbean Meteorological Organisation, IRI, National Weather Service US, and UK Met Office so as to strengthen collaboration in various meteorological areas. The Hydrometeorological Service would like to assure the public that we are committed to continue to work with all involved with a view to continue to a provide timely and more improved services to the Guyanese public.
B. Seulall, Chief
Hydrometeorological Officer (ag)

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