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There are now over 70 automatic weather stations across the country - and Caye Caulker got its first one declared open today. Here's footage for the ceremony at the village airstrip:

Ronald Gordon, Chief Met Officer
"This is the first time we're installing a weather station in Caye Caulker. Now, as you may well know from what we have experienced in the past, islands such as Caye Caulker are particularly vulnerable to tropical cyclones and their hazards."

"Apart from that, of course, this is an island with over 2,000 residents. So certainly it is important for us to have a weather station here so that we can provide our residents in this area with official alerts of potentially hazardous weather condition."

Shanea Young. Senior Climatologist, MET Office
"The data that we collect from these weather stations are very important, but not just collecting the data. Having good quality data so that then we at the department, particularly the climate services section of the department, can take the data and create useful information."

"Historically, like Mr. Gordon mentioned, we have had a weather station at San Pedro. And we have also had a weather station at Half Moon Caye. But that station was took down by a tropical cyclone in the past and it has now been reinstalled."

"But with these stations, especially those that are in the marine space, will help us fill a big gap that we have had for many, many years."

Seleny Villanueva-Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker
"In recent years, we have all witnessed the drastic changes in our weather patterns, from unexpected storms to prolonged drought."

"These events remind us of the pressing reality of global warming. Our island, like many others, is on the forefront of climate change. The data collected here will contribute to broader climate research, helping our scientists and those worldwide to track and predict the impact of climate change."

Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management
"The automatic weather stations, rainfall stations, and hydromet stations that are procured and installed through this project will assist the department and other partners, agencies and departments, in ensuring that timely and effective alerts of potentially hazardous weather and climate conditions are providing to the public."

Ryan Cobb, Director, Energy Unit
"So but one might ask, well, how does the weather station themselves impact the energy sector or the contributions of the weather stations to the energy sector? It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering factors that can affect the energy market."

"But weather can greatly influence the energy market, from electricity generation to cooling demands. The relationships between meteorological conditions and energy usage is intricate and certainly impactful."

"Understanding this relationship is essential for stakeholders across the energy sector, as weather conditions can drive significant fluctuations in energy, affecting both consumers and suppliers."

Each new weather station costs 30 thousand US dollars.