Met Office to set up 100 weather stations in Trinidad and Tobago for climate monitoring

As Trinidad and Tobago braces itself for the Hurricane Season 2024, the Meteorological Service has announced plans to set up 100 weather stations across the country before next June. The development was announced amid growing climate concerns across the island nation.

The Met Service said that this will enhance climate data collection and address the accelerating impact of climate change.

The impacts of climate change are being felt each passing year, and with rains set to intensify, the Met Office strives to provide comprehensive and accurate weather data to safeguard the public.

The Director of TTMS, Shakeer Baig, said, “We have so far deployed almost 15 of these stations, and my objective is to have at least 100 of these stations deployed throughout Trinidad and Tobago before June 2025.” He said that the gathered data can be used by state agencies, including Wasa, as it plans for water shortages.

“We hope that in the future, with all of this data, we can assist, you know, in the development of maybe new dams and new collection areas for water so that it can assist, you know, the water and sewage authority in their planning for the future,” added the Director.

Meanwhile, former president, Anthony, called for broader data collection efforts to address environmental impacts. He said that it is must to work together in order to encounter climate change impact.

On the other hand, officials from the Met office, including Radhica De Silva and Ivan Toolsie, went to the ASJA Girls College in San Fernando, where one of the 3D-printed automatic weather stations was officially launched. The school officials applauded Asja Girls College as the only school-based meteorological system in the country.

The weather station will provide students with real time data on various meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, rainfall, atmospheric pressure and so much more.

Principal Aliya Amar Singh Mohammed also urged everyone to do their part to safeguard the environment. “It is a call to action, a reminder to each one of us to hold our power to make a difference,” she said. The automated weather stations cost just over US $1,000 and are being built in Trinidad.