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Weather observers gather for training in American Samoa

American Samoa weather service building
Source: PITD; Pacific Desk

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The NOAA/NWS Pacific International Training Desk (PITD; Pacific Desk) at the University of Hawaii is hosting its first in-country training program in American Samoa at the Weather Service Office (WSO), Pago Pago with participants from Samoa, Tokelau and Tonga Meteorological Services. The Training will take place August 13-24.

American Samoa is represented by the Department of Homeland Security and the WSO, Pago Pago. 

The in-country training is part of a Training Program hosted by the Pacific Desk in Honolulu and Guam for weather observers from Pacific Island Countries (PICs). 

Training will be for 2-weeks and will focus on basic weather forecasts and analysis with an emphasis on the tropics.  In addition, the training focuses on operational forecasting to enable weather observers to prepare and disseminate locally-produced meteorological, hydrologic and climate products for their home countries. 

“It is crucial that we have continued regional collaborations in various aspects of weather services to better prepare our communities and reduce impacts that endanger lives, infrastructure, economy and the environment.  This is our first in-country training and we are excited to bring it to American Samoa. 

“We would like to thank Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga for his support of this training opportunity.  We also would like to thank the WSO, Pago Pago office, Ms. Elinor Lutu-McMoore and her staff for their support.  We appreciate the opportunity to be here,” says H. Gingerlei Porter, Associate Director of the Pacific Desk.        

The Pacific Desk was established on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) in 2001 by the US National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS) at the Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Honolulu. The Pacific Desk is one of NOAA’s contributions to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Voluntary Cooperation Program (VCP).