The Pacific Island of Tonga has broadcast its first fully presented weather forecast on television, with support from the Met Office. It’s hoped bringing presented forecasts to the screen, along with an upgraded graphics package, will improve the accessibility of weather warnings for the country, helping to keep its citizens and their properties safe.
The historic moment saw meteorologists from the Tonga Meteorological Service step in front of the camera for the very first time.
Met Office staff visited Tonga in September to help build a brand-new media studio, as well as provide comprehensive training in a new graphics package, as part of the UK Voluntary Cooperation Programme. The Met Office has been part of this programme for a number of decades, working in partnership with other met services around the world to develop their weather and climate services.
Steve Fallon, Broadcast Media Technical Director at the Met Office said: “We started planning the project back in early 2024, developing the weather graphics and testing the studio equipment in the UK before shipping it over.
“Once in Tonga, we helped to transform a completely blank canvas into a fully-functioning television studio, as well as providing all the necessary technical training, enabling the Tonga Meteorological Service to design their own weather graphics, effectively operate the studio, and deliver broadcast quality content in just seven days. For many of the meteorologists, this was the first time they had seen this cutting-edge studio technology, so focusing the training programme on creating opportunities to practice and perfect skills at each step of the training, helped them to prepare to launch the service on national TV.
“There was a real sense of excitement from all those involved, with the Tonga Broadcasting Corporation filming the team for a news programme that was aired on TV. To watch history take place, knowing that we had played a part in it, was absolutely incredible.”
Strengthening Early Weather Warning Systems in Tonga
Forecasting the weather in Tonga can be challenging at times due to its location and size. Located within an area of the south Pacific which is affected by tropical cyclones at certain times of the year, some extreme conditions can affect the islands. In the wet season, these tropical cyclones can cause extensive damage to local infrastructure, agriculture, and major food sources as well as disrupting transport between the islands. In the dry season, the island can experience prolonged drought conditions, depleting the amount of safe drinking water.
The new broadcast service is part of a drive to improve the communication of early weather warnings in the country as part of a wide range of activities also being supported through the World Bank funded Pacific Resilience Programme (PREP). In August 2024, Tonga hosted a visit by the UN Secretary General and the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) Secretary General. During their visit, both leaders emphasized the critical need for “early warnings for all” in the Pacific Islands. The importance of this message was emphasized by an unexpected earthquake and flash flooding on the opening day of the event, providing a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the region.
Laitia Fifita, Director of Tonga Meteorological Services, said: "The TV Weather Services, with its new studio, enhanced forecasting methods, and visually engaging graphics, significantly elevates meteorological services in Tonga by providing timely and accurate weather information to the people of Tonga.
“These improvements not only help the public stay informed about severe weather conditions, but also empower individuals and communities’ visualization of the weather to make better decisions for safety and preparedness. By delivering forecasts in this more accessible and engaging format, the Tonga Meteorological Service ensures that essential weather information reaches a wider audience, improving our resilience and supporting Tonga’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems." This also achieves one of the key related activities of the department in the Tonga Meteorological Service Strategic Development Framework 2024-2030.
The studio room before local building works began (left), and then after the VCP media studio equipment installation (right).
Making History Together
The Met Office was approached by the Tonga Meteorological Service and was able to assist as part of the UK’s longstanding commitment to the WMO’s Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP) which has seen over 50 years of support to developing countries.
As part of this, the Met Office work in partnership with the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of developing countries to help sustainably develop their weather and climate services. This can be in the fields of weather observations, forecast delivery, climate data management, human resource development and media and communications.
Catherine Moore, International Development Delivery Manager at the Met Office said: “We are actively involved in a number of international programmes, projects and initiatives in partnership with National Meteorological Services. This request from Tonga aligned perfectly with our mission to support met services in developing countries deliver effective and timely weather forecasts to their citizens, and is just one of many international programmes we are involved in.
“This initiative was a key activity area in enhancing Tonga’s multi-hazard early warning systems, especially ahead of the tropical cyclone season. By providing Tonga Meteorological Service with the studio capability to create their own content and improve the quality and reach of their weather broadcasts, website and social media, we aimed to help the people of Tonga keep themselves, and their properties, safe in the face of natural hazards.”
Continuing Support and Future Plans
Over the years, Met Office staff have developed a relatively low-cost media studio system for use with the VCP programme, along with an easy-to-use graphics package. The equipment and software is already used successfully by a number of developing countries, mainly in Africa, supported through the VCP programme.
Since visiting Tonga, the Met Office continues to support the Tonga Meteorological Service remotely, and is looking to develop additional graphics for marine forecasting and visual warnings in the future.
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UK contribution to the WMO Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP)
