WEATHER IMPACTS ON JAMAICA IN 2012 Evan Thompson, Meteorological Service, Jamaica

WEATHER IMPACTS ON JAMAICA IN 2012Evan Thompson,

Meteorological Service, Jamaica

Weather Impacts on Jamaica

TOPOGRAPHIC MAP OF JAMAICA


STATION NETWORK


STATION NETWORK


STATION NETWORK


RAINFALL TREND

0

50

100

150

200

250

MEAN2012


HURRICANE SEASON 2012


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)


ERNESTO TRACK


TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO


TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO


ISAAC TRACK


TROPICAL STORM ISAAC


TROPICAL STORM ISAAC


SANDY TRACK


SANDY TRACK OVER JAMAICA


SATELLITE IMAGERY OF SANDY


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


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


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


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


“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

Documents

WEATHER IMPACTS ON JAMAICA IN 2012 Evan Thompson, Meteorological Service, Jamaica