The new radar network and the modification of the contribution formula of the Caribbean Meteorological Council (CMC) are key agenda items for the 40th Meeting of the Caribbean Meteorological Council which will be convened in Bridgetown, Barbados on 7-8 December, 2000.
The Council is expected to consider in addition to training, the role of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) in the maintenance of the Barbados radar, and as central spares facility for all the radars to be established under the Project. It will also encourage radar host countries to ensure that local facilities, formalities and procedures are in place for the smooth implementation of the new radar network.
Implementation of the new radar network project will have far reaching impact on the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation’s (CMO) contribution formula which is currently under revision. The CMO council will consider proposals submitted by the Coordinating Director relating to the programme of activities now on stream regarding the revision of the contribution formula.
The current CMO Formula defines the level of contributions to the CMO headquarters, the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the Caribbean Rawinsonde Network and the CMO Radar Network
The new radio network which is being funded by the European Union under the Lome Agreement involves the installation of digital radars in Barbados, Belize, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. It will improve the meteorogical services in key sectors, including the aviation industry, water resources sector and disaster preparedness operations.
Additionally, the network will improve the inter-linkages across the Caribbean extending from the Dominican Republic which covers Haiti; Jamaica, which partially covers the Cayman Islands; Guadeloupe which covers Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and several Leeward Islands; Martinique which covers Dominica, Saint Lucia and most of the other Windward Islands; and French Guiana.
