Meteorology Department Annual Report 2012

Abstract

Weather and climate are widely recognized as crucia l in the development of any nation since weather and climate impact on all sectors of econom y. Moreover, many of the natural disasters in the world are related to weather and climate. Knowledge of weather and c limate is necessary if it has to be appropriately factored into the national development strategic plan. It is because of the importance of the science of meteorology that the Department of Meteorology of the University of Nairobi was established in 1963 at the request of the East African Community (EAC), the World Meteor ological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to tr ain professional Meteorologists for the English speaking countries of Africa. Ever since its inception, the Department of Meteorology has continued to play a major role in training highly skilled meteorol ogical personnel, most of whom are currently manning National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs ) of most countries in Africa. In response to the evolving needs the Department has developed several other programs in applied fields that are listed below. The mission of the Department is to maintain a leading role in the pursuit and development of knowledge of Meteorology through quality and rel evant teaching, research, consultancy and community service.