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| National Weather Service overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2001; 24 years ago (2001) |
| Type | Public |
| Jurisdiction | Meteorology |
| Headquarters | Pretoria 25°53′26″S28°10′15″E / 25.890576579039017°S 28.170749985670785°E /-25.890576579039017; 28.170749985670785 |
| Parent department | Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism |
| Website | www |
TheSouth African Weather Service (SAWS) is the meteorological service under theSouth African government'sDepartment of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. SAWS is a member of theWorld Meteorological Organization.
The SAWS traces its lineage to theCape of Good Hope Meteorological Commission, established in October 1860. TheUnion of South Africa's Weather Service was established in 1912 under theDepartment of Irrigation, with Charles M Stewart as its first Chief Meteorologist.[1] At some point between 1912 and 1940, the SAWS' name was changed to theMeteorological Service, and in 1940, during theSecond World War, became the responsibility of theDepartment of Defence. In 1949, the Meteorological Service was transferred to theDepartment of Transport, and became theSouth African Weather Bureau. It became housed under the Department of Environmental Affairs in 1986.[2]
Under the South African Weather Service Act (No. 8 of 2001) effective 15 July 2001, the Weather Bureau became the South African Weather Service as a public entity.[3]
South Africa operates a significant number of weather stations inSouth Africa as well as stations atGough Island,Marion Island andAntarctica in cooperation with theSouth African National Antarctic Programme.[4]
Near real-time (~5 minutes delay)weather radar is available for most of the country,[6] even within theKruger National Park.[7]
Between 30 and 40 driftingweather buoys are deployed annually.[4]
The SAWS, in cooperation with a number of other entities, is actively involved inweather control research under the South African National Precipitation Research and Rainfall Enhancement Programme, specifically with the Bethlehem Precipitation Research Project.[8][9]
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