Daily Sun Article
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
South African Weather Service Watching the Weather to Protect Life and Property Strong winds and other kinds of rough weather can destroy WHOWHO WE WE ARE ARE houses and lives . THE South African Weather Service is the advanced equipment that aids us in the national provider of weather and climate-re- monitoring and prediction of weather pat- lated information. terns and the collection of climatic-related The past 10 years has seen an increase in information. weather-related natural disasters that have Our improved national weather observa- affected the lives of local communities. tion network has resulted in more accurate The deaths, injuries and damage to prop- weather and climate information, that helps erty caused have hampered sustainable de- us to provide bad weather early warning sys- velopment in both urban and rural commu- tems to the Republic of South Africa. nities, and we play an important role in The South African Weather Service is at helping the South African government to the forefront of providing weather and cli- lessen the effects of weather-related natural mate information in South Africa and we are disasters. confident that the years ahead will see even As an organisation, we are committed to more measures being developed to help pro- reducing the impact of these disasters by in- tect the South African public and keep vesting in the latest and most technologically weather related damage to a minimum. CELEBRATE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY EACH year, on 23 March, the World Meteoro- a specialised agency of the United Nations. resulting distribution of water resources. community to see that that important weather logical Organisation (WMO) – a United Nations The theme for World Meteorological Day South Africa is represented at WMO by the and climate information is available and accessi- organisationwith189members–andtheworld- 2013 is “Watching the Weather to Protect Life CEO of the South African Weather Service ble for global programmes. wide meteorological community, celebrate and Property” and “Celebrating 50 Years of (Saws). As a permanent representative, dr Lin- Nationally, the South African Weather Serv- World Meteorological Day around a chosen World Weather Watch”. da Makuleni serves on the executive council of ice is the authoritative voice for severe weather theme. The WMO is the authority on the state and WMO. warnings–somakesureyouconsulttheauthori- This day commemorates the creating the behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere, its activity Through WMO and other arrangements, tative source whenever severe weather seems WMO in 1950. In 1951, WMO was made into with the oceans, the climate it produces and its South Africa cooperates with the international to threaten your community. How they keep Products and services HERE are the public Education and a quality service , products: awareness pro- Weather, climate grammes about forecasting, and warn- the weather and THE South African Weather Service Recognising and responding to cli- ing services. climate. , Gather meteoro- Provide pupils, committed itself to the establishment ent requirements. , , and maintenance of a Quality Manage- Providing resources needed for im- logical and climato- students and ment System that will be its guarantee plementing, and supporting continuous logical data. teachers with ed- Gather atmos- ucational materi- to all its clients by: improvement. , Setting quality objectives that will Reviewing its quality management pheric trace gas data als on the weath- improve, processes that can be used to policy, and its quality policy statement to monitor climate er and climate. create products and services. the South African Weather Service’s change. Herearethecom- Duties for the mercial services: Improving its existing products and management and all staff members are , services., committed to the vision, mission and World Meteorologi- Offerings include Improving its operational efficiency values of the organisation, and will ac- cal Organisation specialised mete- and, effectiveness through careful plan- tively contribute to and support all ini- (WMO) and acting as orological infor- ning and standardisation of all its proc- tiatives aimed at achieving the Weath- the SA government mation to legal, esses. er Services goals and objectives. representative for insurance and these duties. other companies. Provide meteoro- The manufacture See the logicalservicesforthe, and sale of mete- CONTACT Safety of Life at Sea orological equip- (Solas) Convention. ment to the state Provide the public and others with sign . DETAILS with, information on support and daily rainfall, and the From left: Member of the Ekurhuleni Mayoral Committee maintenance. maximum and mini- for Community Safety, Mthuthuzeli Siboza, Deputy Other commer- THE South African Weather lines: mum temperatures. Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice cial services are: Weather Service logo Operate the na- Specific and 082 162/ , Mabudafhasi, and South African Weather Service CEO, Dr , represents the movement of weather systems 083 123 0500 tional meteorological Linda Makuleni, talk about the importance of an specialised and how they fit in with the earth, sun and SMS service: telecommunication automatic weather station. Photo by Happy Mnguni weather fore- atmosphere. *120*555# network and compu- casts for clients. It is a fresh and dynamic visual symbol of ter systems. Conduct research aimed at re- Specialised climate information. the South African Weather Service. Website: Collect for and maintain the Na- ducing, the impact of weather-relat- , Aviationmeteorologicalservices. The light blue represents water which is www.weathersa.co.za tional, Meteorological Library and ed natural disasters. , Servicestothemaritimeindustry South Africa’s main source of life. Mobi site: the National Climatological Data- Provide meteorological informa- which, are not included in the Solas The dark blue represents the atmosphere in www.weathersa.co.za/ base. tion, for aviation and maritime Convention. which all weather happens. m/ Provide meteorological and cli- search and rescue activities. Weather and climate-related re- The green symbolises sustainability and life. Follow us on matological, advice to government. Provide meteorological services search., The red-brown represents the earth from Provide meteorological and re- for, the benefit of farmers, fishermen Theproductionandsaleofweath- Twitter: , , which all growth and life originates. @SAWeatherServic lated training to the public. and vulnerable communities. er and climate-based publications. The yellow circle represents the African sun. VISION Effectively developing and managing talent. a high standard of excellence in the job. IN delivering its statement of purpose, South , Improvingcollaborativepartnershipsandef- Integrity: A consistent sense of honesty, Vision,Vision, African Weather Service set the following vi- fectively, bringing weather products to users. truthfulness, and trust in one’s own actions sion for itself: “To be the foremost provider of Utilising cutting edge technology to convert while valuing others’ opinions and beliefs. relevant services in respect of weather, climate data, into meaningful products and services for Caring: A commitment to create a support- and related products, which contribute to sus- risk mitigation. ive, environment that promotes compassion tainable development in South Africa and the Advancing the science of meteorology, re- and understanding, internally and externally. African continent”. search, and relevant applications. Accountability: A commitment to take re- MISSION Improving financial discipline and resource sponsibility, of what is expected from the occu- missionmission , To achieve this vision, South African Weather use to increase sustainability in order to make pied positions and/or roles – responsible for our Service set itself the following mission state- decision making better and contribute to the own actions. ment: “We, in line with our quality policy state- safeguarding of life and property. Recognition of excellence: A willingness to ment, provide useful and innovative weather, VALUES identify,recogniseandacknowledgeindividuals, climate and related products and services for The South African Weather Service is guided and teams who show outstanding perform- and values all South Africans and the African continent, by and committed to a set of internal values, ance. and values through: set out in the values statement below: Teamwork: A willingness to work together Enhancingobservationaldataandcommuni- Professionalism: Self-control and behaviour to, achieve a goal by making use of and/or appre- cation, networks. that, is best for business practices, and displays ciating everyindividual strengthsand abilities.” 2 DAILY SUN Thursday 14 March 2013 Severe weather: Be aware, take care! Lightning WHEN thunder roars, go indoors! canpowera100wattlightbulbfor90days. Lightning occurs with every thunder- Lightning precautions: storm and must be expected as soon as If you are outdoors when you see or thunderstorms form. hear, a thunderstorm coming get inside What is lightning? safe shelter immediately! Lightning is a flow of energy through the Ifyourhairstandsonend,leavethearea air. Positive and negatively charged parti- as, fast as possible, as lightning will almost cles gather together on the bottom and certainly hit that very spot quickly. the top of a cloud. When the forces of at- When you see the lightning FLASH traction between them become too count, the seconds to where you hear