The Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) has welcomed home two forecasters who have completed their postgraduate qualification at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Training College.
The program has equipped SIMS forecasters Frank Bale and Richard Huka with improved skills in meteorology, forecasting techniques and climate science. They also learned observation techniques and data analysis and gained an in-depth understanding of tropical meteorology.
Their training will directly enhance SIMS’ capability to forecast extreme weather events, such as cyclones, to inform communities to help keep them safe.
The training was carried out under a twinning arrangement between SIMS and the Bureau of Meteorology launched in March this year.
Supervising Director of SIMS, Eddie Maru, said ‘This achievement by our two staff builds our local technical skills, capacity and expertise in providing advanced meteorological services for the safety and decision making for the people of Solomon Islands, especially with the early warning system of the country.
“Their skills and knowledge will be useful in the weather forecasting section with preparation and dissemination of public weather forecasts, marine weather forecasts, aviation weather forecasts, severe weather warnings and tsunami warnings.
“I sincerely thank the Australian BOM and AHC for their continued support in improving the Solomon Islands, meteorological service via staff capacity building and upgrading of weather observation stations. Congratulations Frank Bale and Richard Huka.”
Acting Australian High Commissioner Andrew Schloeffel said “SIMS plays a crucial role in supporting economic development and public safety in Solomon Islands, especially to strengthen resilience to the impacts of climate change. That’s why Australia is pleased to be supporting learning opportunities for the SIMS team.”
The training builds on existing Australian support to Solomon Islands’ meteorological services, including upgrading weather observation stations and improving data quality and management systems to build operational resilience.
Source: Australian High Commission, Solomon Islands
