Overview of Meteorology in the Pacific
Meteorology is the scientific study of the weather and climate based on physics, mathematics and chemistry. It supports the operational delivery of weather and climate services that inform decisions in such fields as aviation, marine transport, public health, agriculture and food security, integrated coastal management, water resources, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. National Meteorological Services (NMSs) work around the clock to provide vital weather and climate information.
NMSs are mandated by their governments to address weather and climate water related issues that affect social and economic development. They are the authoritative voice behind weather and climate warnings, including for storms, air quality, seismic events, tsunamis and floods. Their early warnings help to save lives and property, and protect resources and the environment.
SPREP through the Pacific Meteorological Desk Partnership (PMDP) with the World Meteorological Organisation and the developed Meteorological Services in the region such as the NOAA National Weather Service(NWS), Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), MetService New Zealand, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Meteo-France, Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), United Kingdom Met Office (UKMO), APEC Climate Centre (APCC), Korean Meteorological Agency (KMA), Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and other partners continue to provide support to the NMSs in the Pacific region.
At SPREP, the meteorology program and the PMDP is managed under the Science and Policy component of the climate change division.
Meteorological partners in the Pacific
The work of meteorology and climate are supported by various partners including the following:
