‘Early warnings help vital’

Senior Meteorologist at the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS), Semelka Jackman has stressed the importance of collaborating with other entities to effectively disseminate early warnings during natural disasters and understanding the risks and vulnerabilities as a nation.

Her comments came against the background of the theme for World Meteorology Day this year, Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.

“What we realise at BMS is we can’t do it alone. We need agencies to help us with the communication of messaging so that the messaging warnings do get out. We need agencies as well that help with the response and recovery effort,” she said.

Speaking during the open day and expo at the BMS headquarters yesterday, she said while the primary career was that of a meteorologist, there were other elements such as technical work, aviation and public speaking when delivering weather updates.

Jackman added that while hurricanes and storms were the main hazards tended to, other weather conditions like marine hazards were monitored as well as they needed to be kept abreast of events continuously.

Analytical skills

In the event where there were no severe impacts, she always advised her staff to learn and understand what was taking place to sharpen their analytical skills.

“There might not be a lot happening in relation to severe impacts, but if we take that time now to fully understand and grow our skills in analysis, then when it is something severe, we are better able to do that analysis and give a better forecast to the public,” she said.

With meteorology being a small field globally, Jackman said the interest was small with individuals who were interested in weather and meteorology and were passionate about the job.

“There generally is that small group of persons who have that interest that normally come in. Because of the nature of the job, we tend to get people who are really interested in the weather and meteorology, that want to work here, they do their studies and then they are employed,” she said.

In celebration of World Meteorology Day, the BMS kicked off its week of activities with an open day and expo at its headquarters at Charnocks, Christ Church.

Expanding knowledge

There was a hive of activity as students and teachers from various secondary schools surveyed the complex, exploring and learning about all things meteorology, piquing their interest and expanding their knowledge beyond what was taught in the classroom.

Some students spoke to the DAILY NATION, sharing their experience at the Open Day and expo.

Queen’s College student Henri Francis said it was a thrilling experience where he learned about meteorology and all its operations with the weather systems. His favourite part of the expo was learning about how the officials predicted weather conditions and kept the public informed and in preparation mode.

Harrison College students Trisha Harris and Diamond Jones also shared their experiences.

Trisha described the event as one which helped to extend her knowledge of what she was taught in school and in cadets.

“When we were actually inside the building looking at how they monitored the data and tracked storms and cloud covering it helped further my thought process because at first, I just thought it was strictly using instruments outside but now I know more about it.”

Diamond described her experience as one that was both educational and impactful.

“I learned about instruments in school but learning about them in person was more impactful because you can visually commit them to memory and pair them with what was taught at school.”

(AJ)

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