Weather observation training under way
Participants in the training (L-R) Floyd Webb, David Gajadhar (tutor), Michael Freeman, Winston Gall, David Thompson, Sarah Foster, Shamal Clarke and Allan Ebanks
(CNS Local Life): A group of meteorological and aviation officers in the Cayman Islands are receiving training that will allow them to provide weather observations anywhere in the world. The National Weather Service is required to have all officers providing weather observations certified, under the regulations of the World Meteorological Organization in conjunction with the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Earnest Lovell and David Gajadhar, retired teachers from the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology in Barbados, are conducting the training, with initial lessons taking place in the classroom before venturing out into the field.
Five National Weather Service staff members are taking part; the training, which started 17 October, will run until 29 November.
Two officers from the Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) in Cayman Brac – Michael Freeman and Sarah Foster – are also participating in the training course on Grand Cayman. These two officers fill the dual roles of aviation support and weather observation within the Cayman Brac Aeronautical Information Service, which the CIAA operates.
As a separate benefit of having the tutors on island, an additional refresher course will be offered to four officers within the National Weather Service who are already certified. “It is very satisfying to finally complete this vital training to ensure that all of our staff are fully qualified to provide these very important duties,” said John Tibbetts, director general of the weather service.
Category: Weather
