World Meteorological Day falls on Saturday, 23rd March 2024.
World Meteorological Day was introduced in 1951 to commemorate the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) establishment on 23rd March 1950. Each year, the WMO (a United Nations body) announces a new theme for World Meteorological Day; the theme for 2024 is "At the Frontline of Climate Action".
Bermuda is included within the WMO organisation through the United Kingdom's WMO membership. The WMO regulates the free and unrestricted exchange of weather data, products, and services globally. BWS participates regionally in the WMO Regional Association IV Hurricane Committee activities, including annual conference attendance; this year's conference took place from 18-22 March in Panama City.
The Minister of Transport, Hon. Wayne Furbert, visited the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) team at their office on Southside, St Davids, took part in the daily launching of a weather balloon, and toured the facility.
Minister Furbert praised the BWS for their invaluable service to Bermuda. Minister Furbert said, “With its thirteen full-time staff, BWS provides the island, its marine area, and the LF Wade International Airport with a 24/7 weather service vital to ensuring public safety. The Bermuda public relies on the service’s professional expertise, and we thank the team and salute them on World Meteorological Day.”
The Bermuda Weather Service has been operating since 1995, initially through a private sector service provider contracted to the Bermuda Government and, since 2017, as an operating unit of the Bermuda Airport Authority. The BWS presence in Bermuda includes a website, TV channels, and social media. In preparation for severe weather, such as tropical storms and hurricanes, BWS coordinates with the US National Hurricane Centre and Bermuda’s Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) to provide storm track forecasts, watches, and warnings to assist the Bermuda public in protecting themselves and their property. BWS also maintains an extensive database of historical weather information and data to help track Bermuda’s climate, produce reports, identify trends, and answer research enquiries.