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Vision: To be a proactive, highly efficient and effective institution

Mission: To provide accurate and timely weather information and meteorological products for the general welfare of the citizens of the Republic.

Preamble:

Activities, relating to Meteorology, can be traced back to 1774 and the first public observatory was established in 1832 at the wharf , in Port Louis to meet the needs of the marine community.

The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS), as the specialised agency on matters relating to the atmosphere, weather and climate is catering for the present and future needs of the Republic of Mauritius in its capacity. The philosophy is to deliver extremely valuable services to stakeholders and the nation at large.

The Meteorological Services is an essential service working round the clock. In order to function effectively, this service has in place an extensive program to utilise modern technology, including space-based, into its observing systems and for the preparation of meteorological products. The MMS is also priviledged to be an active participant among regional and international meteorological communities, where it is playing highly constructive and lead roles.

The MMS has moved one step further in the concept of equal opportunities for all. Recruitment of staff, both at technical and professional levels, include ladies who despite strenuous working conditions have been made to easily integrate the system.

Main Objectives:

The main objective of the MMS is to assess weather and the state of the climate and provide accurate and timely predictions to:-

(a) Ensure safety of life and property on all the territories of the Republic of Mauritius;

(b) Assist individuals, agencies and authorities engaged in planning, primary production, industry, trade and commerce;

(c) Ensure safety of air and maritime navigation;

(d) Enhance quality of life;

(e) Provide inputs for sustainable economic growth and protection of environment;

(f) Fulfill the regional and international obligations of the Republic of Mauritius in the fields of Meteorology and work closely with the World Meteorological Organization, (WMO), a UN Specialised Agency.

Strategy:

The MMS is recognised as the leader in weather and climate service provision. It is aiming at a highly motivated and skilled cadre of professionals for the successful implementation of its goals. The development of key infrastructure, including new technologies such as computerisation of the service, establishment of a network of automatic weather stations, space-based technologies and the provision of continuous in-house training to staff members, has a high priority.

The objectives are fulfilled through the followings:-

• Timely acquisition of real time climate and remotely sensed data.

• Development, maintenance and archiving of quality- controlled meteorological data .

• Data processing, including preparation of climatological statistics.

• Maintaining an up- to- date databank.

• Monitoring space-time evolutions of weather and extreme events in the South West Indian Ocean.

• Timely dissemination of adverse weather warnings.

• The understanding and improvement of the modeling of the processes which affect the current and future state of the atmosphere, weather, water resources, physical state of the oceans and climate change.

• Maximizing of the potential of weather, and climate sensitive natural resources including renewable sources of energy, in support of sustainable development and reduce adverse environmental impacts.

• Close collaboration with international, especially WMO, regional partners, other relevant organisations, academia, the media and the private sector.

• Sensitization of the public, government and other sectoral users in understanding weather and climate and its related applications and their use in planning for socio-economic benefits.

• Establishment of on-line systems to stay in touch with all stakeholders.

WE THEREFORE PLEDGE TO:

Principles :

• Show courtesy to the public and all our stakeholders and act with promptitude and diligence.

• Hold high the commitments of the country vis-à-vis international organisations and to countries of the region.

Data Acquisition:

• To collect all weather data from the South West Indian Ocean Islands within 15 minutes after observation time and disseminate our data within the same time interval to be exchanged on the Global Telecommunication System of WMO.

Preparation and dissemination of Weather forecast:

• Continue issuing:-

- Fishermen's forecast daily at 4.00 a.m and 17.00 p.m for Mauritius, at 4.00 a.m and 10.00 a.m for Rodrigues and ultimately to St Brandon and Agalega.

- National weather forecast to the media for onward broadcast at the following times everyday: 5.30, 11.30 and 16.30 hrs.

- Provide TV weather news at latest by 17h00 everyday.

All of above will be issued irrespective of weekends and public holidays.

- Special requests of weather forecasts of 24-hr validity requested by the public, enterprises and hotels within 30 minutes of request.

- Forecast with validity of beyond 1 day and up to 5 days within the hour following the request :

• All necessary data for aircrafts at latest 1 hour before departure of small planes and at latest 3 hours before those of larger intercontinental planes.

• Marine Forecasts for open seas twice daily at 05h00 and 16h45.

• Special Weather Bulletins, during adverse weather conditions, to the public as soon as the need arises.

- A 5-day forecast to the agricultural community every Monday and Friday.

• Seasonal forecasts, and updates if necessary, at the beginning of each summer and winter.

Cyclone and other adverse weather warnings:

• Provide cyclone warnings at regular intervals of 6 hours for Class I and Class II, 3 hrs for Class III and as soon as relevant information are available for Class IV warnings but not later than 30 minutes after receipt of latest data.

• Provide timely warnings in case of torrential rain, and rough seas to the public and fisherman for open seas.

• Prepare warnings for aircrafts flying in our zone of responsibility to warn of adverse weather condition.

• Provide timely information and warnings to the population about occurrences of cold spells, heat waves, tidal surges and all other weather extremes.

• Provide all meteorological information that may affect the health of the population.

• Provide special advice to the agricultural community through the appropriate authorities of the likelihood of drought and flood events.

Climatology :

Meteorological Services are often solicited for past data by building contractors, insurance agencies, consultancy firms, agricultural communities, researchers, individuals and university students for climate data to be utilised in planning, design and research.

Provide such data within one week of request of data of extended periods of years to decades but within two working days for data of shorter periods.