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F
ROM ITS RELATIVELY
small beginnings as a reporting
station in the early part of the last century, the Kingdom
of Bahrain has grown, despite its tiny geographical
proportions, to become a major force in the world of meteo-
rology in the Middle East, and within the family of nations that
is known as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Regional Association II (Asia).
Over the past few years, thorough training and planning
within the Bahrain Meteorological Service (BMS) has reduced
a staff of 90 to a more manageable and economically viable
65, with most of the remaining and newly recruited staff at
graduate level or its equivalent. The leadership of the Deputy
Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Ali Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa has
been fundamental to this transformation.
Services have been extended to include an automated avia-
tion service for both military and civil aviation, and a marine
service that covers the entire Arabian Gulf region including
the Gulf of Oman and its approaches.
Tailor-made services are also available for commerce and indus-
try. In addition to these vital services, BMS is the official voice
for meteorological warnings and advice for the general populace,
as well as for the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
A proportion of the high-level staff training has been due to
the help and advice given by the WMO and the United Nations
Development Project (UNDP). This support is freely acknowl-
edged and highly appreciated by BMS.
The BMS is now itself a training entity and has provided
meteorological training for a number of Gulf States in statisti-
cal analysis, general meteorology, and pre-initial forecasting.
Its plans are in place to extend this operation in an effort to
offset core costs funded by the Government.
Partnership with WMO
A productive and cordial partnership between BMS and WMO
goes back many years. The guidance and advice provided by
WMO has been invaluable.
Planning and governance:
Bahrain Meteorological Service
Abdulmajeed Husain Isa, Assistant Undersecretary for Meteorology,
President of Regional Association II (Asia)
Bahrain Meteorological Service forecast operation centre
Photo: BMS