WEATHER IMPACTS ON JAMAICA IN 2012Evan Thompson,

Meteorological Service, Jamaica

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

TOPOGRAPHIC MAP OF JAMAICA

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

STATION NETWORK

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

STATION NETWORK

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

STATION NETWORK

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

RAINFALL TREND

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50

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MEAN2012

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

HURRICANE SEASON 2012

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

HURRICANE SEASON 2012

TROPICAL CYCLONES THAT THREATENED JAMAICA

Tropical Storm ERNESTO (Aug

1-6)

Tropical Storm ISAAC (Aug 21-

27)

Hurricane SANDY (Oct 22-25)

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

ERNESTO TRACK

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

ISAAC TRACK

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

TROPICAL STORM ISAAC

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

TROPICAL STORM ISAAC

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

SANDY TRACK

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

SANDY TRACK OVER JAMAICA

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

SATELLITE IMAGERY OF SANDY

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

SANDY EXTREME DATA

During the passage of Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, the following was recorded:

Maximum Sustained Wind – 85 km/h Maximum Wind Gust – 115 km/h Minimum Pressure – 972.1 mb Maximum 24-hr Rainfall - 282.6 mm Loss of Life - 1

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

SANDY STRENGTHS

The Meteorological Service received high commendation from the Jamaican public, various agencies and the Government, including the Prime Minister.

Strengths were seen in the: accuracy of the NHC forecasts early warning system and NHC coordination timely communication with disaster management

officials detailed bulletins issued through the media use of forecasting tools, including SMARTMET and

CCRIF RTFS numerous radio interviews and continuous

television presence collaboration of NMC Officers availability of real-time AWS data

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

SANDY WEAKNESSES

Recognition is, however, given to the fact that there could be improvements.

Weaknesses were seen in the: inoperability of weather radar unavailability of some Internet-

based AWS data

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

OCTOBER STORMS

Other Tropical Cyclone Threats during the month of October since 2000

2001 – Hurricane Michelle

2003 – Tropical Storm Odette

2005 – Hurricane Wilma

2007 – Tropical Storm Noel

2010 – Hurricane Tomas

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

“FREAK” STORMS

•- Kingston (June 26)

•- St. Elizabeth (July 26)

•- Clarendon (September 30) confirmed to be Microburst from thunderstorm

WEATHER IMPACTS ON JAMAICA IN 2012Evan Thompson

Meteorological Service, Jamaica