The Improving Climate Data and Information Management Project for Jamaica (ICDIMP) was pivotal in enhancing the quality and application of climate-related data for effective planning and action at both local and national levels. The project’s main focus was to upgrade the hydro-meteorological data collection and processing infrastructure through the acquisition of new equipment, systems, and training for operators, thereby improving forecasts and the availability of reliable data for climate change modeling, risk analysis, and warning systems. Initially, Jamaica’s hydro-met system and the capacity to develop and deliver climate services were significantly challenged due to financial constraints, leading to inadequate maintenance and outdated equipment, such as the obsolete Doppler Weather Radar at Cooper’s Hill.

The technical advancements achieved by the project included a substantial expansion of the meteorological and hydrological observation network, enhancement of data transmission, and the preservation of historical rainfall records. The project enabled open access to weather data and installed 72 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs), which account for over 65% of the national hydro-met network, marking the Caribbean’s first real-time weather reporting system. Additionally, soil moisture probes and tide gauges were installed, contributing to irrigation decision-making, sea level monitoring, and early warning systems for tsunamis and floods. The real-time data system has been instrumental in improving water resource management and disaster response, benefiting 1.2 million people, including training over 150 individuals in data management, with women making up 48% of the beneficiaries. The project’s implementation saw 95% of the equipment installed and operational, with the Meteorological Services of Jamaica’s targets surpassed by 134%.

Read the counterfactual analysis here.