Forecasting services

The division is responsible for collection and distribution of real-time weather information from all outstations in the field as well as producing daily public and aviation forecasts.
 Below are its sections.

1.National Meteorological Centre (NMC)

This section performs the following functions:

Weather Forecasting

The NMC issues weather forecasts that include daily 12,6-hour forecasts and tailored forecasts for public weather services, aviation, Marine, warnings of hazardous weather and warnings about impacts of severe weather such as floods. Other short-range forecasts such as 3-day, 5-day and Ten day weather forecasts as well as weather outlooks and advisories are also issued routinely.
 The Section also prepares meteorological products and impact assessments in collaboration with other Directorates and sections i.e. Agro meteorology, climate and Environment services as well as Hydrology for the purpose of distribution to customers and users.
 Data collection and exchange

The NMC through its National Telecommunication centre collects and exchanges observational data at national, regional and international level by using the Global Telecommunication System (GTS).
 The Centre is equipped with the African Meteorological Environmental diagnostic Integrated System (AMEDIS), which is integrated with the Satellite Distribution System (SADIS) and the Meteorological Data Distribution (MDD).
 The NMC also links the national data exchange with the GTS Regional Telecommunication Hub (RTH) Nairobi.

Ground Satellite Receiving Station

The NMC has a Synergie system for reception of satellite imagery information using twelve (12) different infra-red and visible channels.
 There is also a Meteorological Data Distribution System (MDD) which is used to receive data from satellite and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) products from other world centre such as the UK Met Office, Toulouse – France and the European centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).
 In addition, the Pilot briefing office is also equipped with the Satellite Aviation data Distribution System (SADIS), a dedicated data reception system for a variety of meteorological products for aviation.

Upper Air observations

There is one Upper Air stations at Entebbe International Airport (EIA) that is fully operational for monitoring vertical atmospheric profile for meteorological purposes. The station is equipped with a latest model of a Hydrogen generator as well as a DigiCora model MW41 for relay and display of the captured upper air data in real-time

Aeronautical Meteorological Services

The section provides meteorological services for domestic and international air navigation to ensure the safety, regularity and efficiency of air travel. It also provides support during Search and Air Rescue (SAR) operations by providing vital meteorological information during a search in both, marine and aviation accidents

Currently, the DMS provides aeronautic meteorological services at 2 airports and 3 aerodromes where Air Traffic Control services are provided. The airports are Entebbe and Soroti whereas the aerodromes are Gulu, Arua and Kasese. Limited meteorological services are also available at the aerodromes of Kajjansi, Kakira, Nakasongola, Pakuba, Kisoro, Kinkizi, Moroto and Kidepo.

The aeronautical meteorology services provided by DMS to Civil Aviation are specific and are chargeable on cost recovery basis under international rules and regulations. The aeronautical Department at NMC Entebbe, receives on daily basis a copy of “MAY FLY LIST” from the airport authorities. This list contains details of aircrafts that may take off or land at Entebbe International Airport for the day. The Pilot Briefing office then prepares a weather folder for each of the departing aircrafts giving specific details of weather conditions at the expected time of flight.

It is the duty of forecasters to append a trend type forecast to all hourly or half hourly observed data before they are transmitted to the Air Traffic Controllers.

The weather folder contains the following details:

• Terminal aerodrome forecast of the destination Airport & weather conditions of two agreed alternate airports.
• Weather forecast of the originating airport and en route forecast
• Upper level winds, temperature and significant weather for the entire route
• A forecast for Take-off data which refer to a specified period of time and should contain information on expected conditions over the runway in regard to surface wind direction and speed (QAN) and any variations thereof, temperature (QMU), pressure (QNH) and any other information as may be requested by a pilot.
• The Department also provides training in Aeronautical Meteorology to Air Traffic controllers, Pilots and Aeronautical Information Officers. It is also involved in the rating of these officers