About the Caribbean Regional Climate Centre

The WMO Caribbean RCC builds upon the rich history of the Applied Meteorology and Climatology Section (AMCS) at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) in the development and delivery of critical climate services and products to the Caribbean region. Within the Caribbean, the AMCS has developed a strong research and development programme in the area of climate variability which, although it has a significant impact on the sustainable development of many islands of the Caribbean, is under-appreciated relative to long-term climate change.

Since its inception in 2007, the AMCS has been the lead in the development and delivery of (i) drought and precipitation monitoring and forecast products to the region, (ii) the development of climate data products and services, (iii) the development of agro-meteorological products and services and (iv) applied meteorology and climate training services. In 2012, the AMCS along with NOAA established a crucial partnership that lead to the re-establishment of the Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF). The AMCS also played a critical role in the development of the GECAFS Science plan for the Caribbean – another under-appreciated regional output. Other noteworthy activities completed by the AMCS in recent years include:

  • The Caribbean Agrometeorological Initiative (CAMI)
  • The Caribbean Water Initiative (CARIWIN)
  • The Caribbean Agro-Meteorological Network
  • The CMO Climate and Hydrological Data Rescue Initiative

The AMCS has also established many partnerships with leading regional and international institutions focused on climate science and its application. AMCS partners include NOAA, IRI, University of Reading, University of Florence, CCCCC, CDEMA, CARD, UWI… among others.

The WMO Caribbean RCC is expected to expand and extend the excellent work started by the AMCS by taking advantage of the many opportunities expected under the implementation of the GFCS. In particular, the WMO Caribbean RCC:

  • Currently manages, archives and disseminates the climate data of Member States of the Caribbean Meteorological Organization (CMO). This service is being expanded to all Member States of the WMO Caribbean RCC.
  • Develops and publishes climate outlooks for the Caribbean region in the Caribbean Precipitation Outlook and outlooks from the Caribbean Drought and Precipitation Monitoring Network.
  • Liaises with national and regional stakeholders in the development and delivery of critical climate services and products in the fields of Health; Disaster Risk Reduction; Agriculture and Food Security; and Water Resources.
  • Facilitates realtime data sharing and acquisition between participating states and regional and international organizations.
  • Conducts research and development necessary to sustain the actions of critical climate sectors in participating states. In addition, the WMO Caribbean RCC conducts and supports fundamental research in topical climatology.
  • Supports human capacity development in climate science and its applications in applications in participating states through the development of long-term and short-term training programmes and international and regional attachments.