Hydrometeorological Service

The Hydrometeorological Service is attached to Ministry of Agriculture. The Department’s general responsibility is to monitor and evaluate the weather and water resources in Guyana and to actively support the government in disaster risk management and aeronautical, water, agriculture, engineering and other agencies for the socio-economic development of the country. It is the official provider of weather, water and climate information and related products and services for Guyana.

The collection of rainfall data began as early as the 19th century, but this was done under the auspices of the various ministries and sugar estates. The Hydrometeorological Service was established on October 5, 1965, based the recommendation of a World Meteorological Organization’s representative. The Service was once overseen by the Ministry of Works and Hydraulics, but then changed hands to the Ministry of Agriculture in 1992

MISSION STATEMENT

To observe, archive and understand Guyana’s weather and climate and provide meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic services in support of Guyana's national needs and international obligations.

This overall mission evolves from separate basic activities:

MONITORING - Observation and data collection to meet the needs of future generations for reliable, homogeneous national climatological, hydrological and oceanographic data;

RESEARCH - Research directed to the advancement of hydrological, oceanographic and meteorological sciences and the development of a comprehensive description and scientific understanding of Guyana's weather, climate and water resources,

SERVICES - Provision of hydrological, meteorological, oceanographic and related data, information, forecasts, warnings, investigation and advisory services on a national, as well as international bases; and

INTERNATIONAL -Coordination of Guyana's involvement in regional and international hydrology, meteorology, oceanography and related conventions.

PURPOSE

To contribute to Guyana's social, economic, cultural and environmental goals through the performance of the functions of a National Hydrometeorological Service in the public interest generally and in particular:

• for the purposes of assisting persons and authorities engaged in primary production, industry, trade and commerce;
• for the purposes of navigation and shipping and of civil aviation; and
• for the purposes of the Guyana Defence Force

FUNCTIONS

The functions of the Department are:

• to monitor the atmospheric and water resources in Guyana and its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
• to collect, process, archive and make available data and information on weather, climate, hydrology and oceanography.
• to coordinate Hydrometeorological activities of the Government of Guyana.
• to establish and maintain networks of climatic, synoptic and water monitoring stations in Guyana and its EEZ.
• to routinely provide the governmental and non governmental agencies with information on composition of the atmosphere, quantity and quality of surface and ground water and sea surface temperature, waves, swells, ocean currents and other parameters.
• to work along with other agencies in promoting environmentally sound economic and social activities.
• to conduct research and systematic monitoring of activities in furtherance of Guyana’s commitments under international related conventions.
• to promote public awareness of the atmospheric and water resources of Guyana and their importance to the Socio-economic development of Guyanese.
• to advise the Minister on matters of general policy relating to the hydrological, meteorological and oceanographic aspects of the atmosphere and water resources in Guyana and its EEZ.
• to perform such other functions pertaining to the monitoring of the atmospheric and water resources of Guyana and its EEZ as may be assigned by the Minister or under any enactment.

The Hydrometeorological Service provides useful outputs to varied users; top of the list being the agriculture, education & aviation sectors. It also contributes to the World Weather Watch (WWW) and World Climate Programmes. Activities such climate and weather forecasts, monitoring the water resources, provided high tide alerts, daily weather forecasts, etc. are disseminated via radio, television, through newspapers, bulletins and facsimile. The Hydrometeorological Service is also link with two regional institutions viz.- The Caribbean Meteorological Organisation (http://www.cmo.org.tt) and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (http://www.cimh.edu.bb/) and one international organisation: the World Meteorological Organisation (http://www.wmo.int), a UN agency that co-ordinates global activity related to weather, water and climate. It also relates to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (http://www.icao.int) on matters relating to operational meteorology for aviation. Local weather and monthly climatology were also exchanged for international consumption and aviation on the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) and the AFTN world networks co-ordinated by the World Meteorological Organization, and the ICAO.

In addition, the Hydromet Service is the focal point for the National Ozone Action Unit (NOAU), United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC), Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO), Mainstream Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) Project and the Caribbean Water Initiative Project.

The Hydrometeorological Service is currently divided into 5 sections:

Meteorology

1. Aerometeorology
2. Climatology
3. Agrometeorology

Hydrology

4. Surface Water Hydrology
5. Ground Water Hydrology