HISTORY

CUBAN    (staff members)

Meteorological observations date back to 1937, when under orders from Cuban President Batista observations were taken by a small station consisting of three Cuban officers. Three local men were added at a later time. The office was operated 24 hrs per day but only carried out synoptic observations. In the latter stages the station was managed by Mr. Felix Delarosa, who later obtained political asylum and worked in the U.S.

AMERICAN COOPERATIVE UPPER AIR STATION (staff members) (Upper air staff pictures)

During the early 1950’s the Eastern coast of the United States was hit by a number of hurricanes causing extensive damage and loss of lives. In response the United States funded the formation of 16 upper-air/weather stations in the Caribbean for early detection and warning, one such office was established in Grand Cayman.

The initial survey and the Cooperative Hurricane Upper Air Station were installed in Grand Cayman in early 1959. It was desired that the services would be run by local personnel, however in Cayman’s case this was not possible as most of the men were seamen by trade. The United States therefore obtained a number of officers to run the station from Trinidad and Tobago, who were replaced by local women.

On 13^th April 1976 agreement signed between Agencies of the United States of America and the Cayman Islands Government to jointly run the upper-air station, hence the name cooperative upper-air station.

CAYMAN ISLANDS   (staff members) (Pictures)

During the late 1970’s the Department of Civil Aviation become very concerned about the supply of weather information to pilots using the Grand Cayman airport. The problem was becoming particularly acute as the aviation traffic was increasing significantly.

An so, the Director of Civil Aviation carried out a review of meteorological development of the Cayman Islands on 11-19^th March 1982. As a part of the plan, a two-day visit to Jamaica was carried out to meet with the Director of the Jamaican Meteorological Service. The visit to Jamaica was necessary as they provided some weather information already and were now being asked to take over the responsibility for TAF’s and severe weather warnings.

At the 19^th Region 4 Hurricane Committee meeting, held in Nassau, Bahamas on 10^th July 1997, the Cayman Islands Weather service was given the responsibility for the issuing of Sever Warning, TAF’s etc for the Cayman area. Additionally, an observing branch was opened in Cayman Brac 2003 with three fully trained women early 2004.