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A metrology and meteorology cooperation in the Caribbean: Assuring confidence in temperature measurements
by Mrs./Ms. Nkese Mc Shine, Dr. Alexis Valqui, Mr. Nicol Best

Abstract

The joint project Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, the National Metrology Institute of Germany - CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (PTB-CROSQ) Metrology for Meteorology in the Caribbean (2020 to 2022) was a sub-project of the Regional Fund Quality Infrastructure for Biodiversity and Climate Protection in Latin America and the Caribbean. This project aimed at ensuring quality temperature measurement along with its traceability and measurement uncertainty in the Caribbean region to produce reliable data for improved weather forecast and climate change observations. It addressed three levels of intervention: 1. Bringing the Caribbean metrology and meteorology scientific communities together; 2. Strengthening the technical competencies of the National Meteorological and Hydrology Services (NMHS); and 3. Strengthening the technical competencies of the National Metrology Institutes (NMI) and the Caribbean Reference Laboratory (CaRL). Bi-monthly project meetings used the tool MURAL to engage participants into networking between NMHS and NMI within one’s island as well as with those of the other islands. The development of National Road Maps for each island fostered collaboration and identified the needs of the institutions and proposed feasible solutions for improvements. One need was the improvement of the Quality Management Systems (QMS) at the NMHS. Two (2) complementary QMS Mentoring Programs, ten (10) training sessions each, were implemented and conducted by qualified experts. These sessions equipped participants with diagnostic tools and problem-solving techniques to work with the institutions where they were at. In addition to this, capacity building virtual training workshops in Metrology, Temperature Measurements and Measurement Uncertainty facilitated by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) and the CROSQ Secretariat were organized. Capacity development for the NMI was implemented through virtual thermometry courses and a Temperature Mentoring Program along with a hands-on training on ice-point measurements. The Temperature CaRL was trained to perform inter-laboratory comparisons by the National Metrology Institute of Colombia and to conduct virtual hands-on trainings through a special pilot program of PTB. The Belize Bureau of Standards also benefited from the procurement of temperature measuring equipment. To close the project, a four (4) session virtual study tour which showcased regional and international metrology laboratories and meteorological services were organized to educate stakeholders and the public on the resources available within the Caribbean. Also, a joint publication was published from the ten (10) Caribbean islands’ metrology and meteorology institutions involved to ensure cooperation between these two scientific communities, their continuous improvement and credible parameter measurements for climate science.

Poster

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Topic : Theme 1: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.
Reference : T1-A22

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