26th January, 2017 The Tonga Meteorological Service is to further boost its forecasting capabilities through specialized Himawari-8 weather satellite training conducted by Senior Forecasters from the Japan Meteorological Agency. The training is the second phase of the project for the installation of a satellite receiving station implemented earlier in the month as part the assistance of the Government of Japan through the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The training will ensure that Tonga’s Forecasters are able to use and interpret high resolution satellite image products to assist weather forecasting operation out of Fua’amotu. This system that has been installed at Fua’amotu for receiving satellite imagery from the Himawari-8 Geostationary Weather Satellite is a giant leap forward for the Weather Forecasting Centre said ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, Director of the Tonga Meteorological Service. Forecasting Services in Tonga rely heavily in internet communications for the exchange of large amounts of meteorological data required to produce Tonga’s forecasts. Usually, when the internet fails, Forecast operations are severely crippled. Particularly during severe weather events, he added. Having this system will not only keep us functional during times of communications outage it will also allow us to provide more regular updates of the weather particularly during tropical cyclone events.
In a note from the Director-General of the Japan Meteorological Agency, Dr. Toshihiko Hashida from Tokyo, he expressed his sincere gratitude for the dedication and support provided by the staff of the Tonga Meteorological Service and the cooperation for the success of the project. He also reiterated that JMA wishes to further enhance its collaboration with the Tonga Meteorological Service in the future.
The specialized training is being held at the Fua’amotu Weather Forecasting Centre starting yesterday and will run until Friday.
For further information please contact the Meteorology Division on 35355 or metstaff@met.gov.to. More information is also available at www.met.gov.to