CAA open to ideas from weather enthusiasts
Published: 06:07 PM,Jul 17,2023 | EDITED : 10:07 PM,Jul 17,2023
Muscat: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reinforced its commitment to collaboration and community partnership by hosting the first annual forum for weather enthusiasts in Muscat. The event, held at the CAA headquarters on Monday, aimed to enhance communication, identify meteorological talents, and engage approximately 250 weather amateurs from across the Sultanate of Oman.
The forum commenced with a dialogue session featuring Nayef bin Ali al Abri, CAA Chairman. Emphasising the significance of community partnership, Al Abri encouraged weather enthusiasts to contribute their ideas, initiatives, and inquiries. The session centred around three key topics: Governance of meteorological activities, resources and capabilities of the meteorological system, and fostering partnerships with weather amateurs.
Khalifa bin Salim al Sudairi, Head of the Numerical Forecasts Department at the Research and Development Department of the General Directorate of Meteorology, delivered a presentation on meteorology and the National Early Warning Center. Al Sudairi emphasised the centre's pivotal role in providing early weather forecasts and supporting decisions related to community safety and the protection of property.
Furthermore, the forum featured captivating presentations by weather enthusiasts, showcasing their inspiring projects in weather map design, atmospheric analysis, climate forecasts, imaging and documentation of severe weather conditions, as well as an overview of the Rasda project and its operations.
CAA Chairman Nayef al Abri expressed the Authority's commitment to engaging with weather enthusiasts and nurturing their talents. He emphasised that the forum serves as an initial platform for interaction and knowledge sharing, enabling the transfer of valuable experiences and efforts to provide accurate information.
Al Abri also highlighted the potential collaboration between the CAA and the earthquake centre at Sultan Qaboos University regarding tsunamis. A future merger between the earthquake centre and the Authority may be considered if the need arises.
'Subsequent editions of the forum will be organized by the weather enthusiasts themselves, with collaboration between weather amateurs and the CAA in developing the forum's programs,' added Al Abri.
Abdullah bin Rashid al Khadhouri, Director General of Meteorology, underscored the importance of establishing an effective partnership with weather enthusiasts and utilising their capabilities and skills to advance the field of meteorology. He emphasised the need for accurate and timely predictions, particularly in tropical weather conditions. Al Khadhouri highlighted that the Civil Aviation Law does not prohibit weather enthusiasts from pursuing their hobby; rather, it aims to regulate their activities for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Al Khadhouri also revealed plans to introduce new methods and tools for early warning, including trumpets and indicative regulations. The Authority will conduct training workshops to enhance the efficiency of weather enthusiasts, covering topics such as rain chasing and meteorological fundamentals. Additionally, an advanced smart application and website are currently in development to facilitate the meteorological system, offering user-friendly features, with an expected launch in early 2024.
The forum concluded with weather enthusiasts visiting the National Center for Early Warning of Multiple Hazards. Participants had the opportunity to explore the services, technologies, and emergency response strategies employed in monitoring, analysis, and forecasting. An exhibition showcasing the latest advancements in meteorological monitoring was also on display during the visit.
The Oman Meteorological Friends initiative, spearheaded by the CAA, encompasses the annual forum, training workshops, and awareness meetings between meteorologists and weather enthusiasts across the various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. These efforts aim to promote a greater understanding of weather, climate, and related aspects within this segment of society.
The forum commenced with a dialogue session featuring Nayef bin Ali al Abri, CAA Chairman. Emphasising the significance of community partnership, Al Abri encouraged weather enthusiasts to contribute their ideas, initiatives, and inquiries. The session centred around three key topics: Governance of meteorological activities, resources and capabilities of the meteorological system, and fostering partnerships with weather amateurs.
Khalifa bin Salim al Sudairi, Head of the Numerical Forecasts Department at the Research and Development Department of the General Directorate of Meteorology, delivered a presentation on meteorology and the National Early Warning Center. Al Sudairi emphasised the centre's pivotal role in providing early weather forecasts and supporting decisions related to community safety and the protection of property.
Furthermore, the forum featured captivating presentations by weather enthusiasts, showcasing their inspiring projects in weather map design, atmospheric analysis, climate forecasts, imaging and documentation of severe weather conditions, as well as an overview of the Rasda project and its operations.
CAA Chairman Nayef al Abri expressed the Authority's commitment to engaging with weather enthusiasts and nurturing their talents. He emphasised that the forum serves as an initial platform for interaction and knowledge sharing, enabling the transfer of valuable experiences and efforts to provide accurate information.
Al Abri also highlighted the potential collaboration between the CAA and the earthquake centre at Sultan Qaboos University regarding tsunamis. A future merger between the earthquake centre and the Authority may be considered if the need arises.
'Subsequent editions of the forum will be organized by the weather enthusiasts themselves, with collaboration between weather amateurs and the CAA in developing the forum's programs,' added Al Abri.
Abdullah bin Rashid al Khadhouri, Director General of Meteorology, underscored the importance of establishing an effective partnership with weather enthusiasts and utilising their capabilities and skills to advance the field of meteorology. He emphasised the need for accurate and timely predictions, particularly in tropical weather conditions. Al Khadhouri highlighted that the Civil Aviation Law does not prohibit weather enthusiasts from pursuing their hobby; rather, it aims to regulate their activities for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Al Khadhouri also revealed plans to introduce new methods and tools for early warning, including trumpets and indicative regulations. The Authority will conduct training workshops to enhance the efficiency of weather enthusiasts, covering topics such as rain chasing and meteorological fundamentals. Additionally, an advanced smart application and website are currently in development to facilitate the meteorological system, offering user-friendly features, with an expected launch in early 2024.
The forum concluded with weather enthusiasts visiting the National Center for Early Warning of Multiple Hazards. Participants had the opportunity to explore the services, technologies, and emergency response strategies employed in monitoring, analysis, and forecasting. An exhibition showcasing the latest advancements in meteorological monitoring was also on display during the visit.
The Oman Meteorological Friends initiative, spearheaded by the CAA, encompasses the annual forum, training workshops, and awareness meetings between meteorologists and weather enthusiasts across the various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. These efforts aim to promote a greater understanding of weather, climate, and related aspects within this segment of society.