MHEWS Video and Reading

An effectively implemented, multi-hazard impacts-based forecasting system (MHEWS) is an excellent example of customer-centric service. An impact-based approach puts the customer's needs front and center. It takes into account how, when, and where weather events will impact customer activities and well-being. Implementing MHEWS is a goal of the WMO as a means to save lives and property. 

The following informational video provides an overview of how the Barbados Meteorological Service and their emergency response partners are beginning to use a multi-hazard, impacts-based approach to forecasting and warning. It demonstrates how their system works during a potential high-impact weather event.

This video is hosted on YouTube. If you are not a native English speaker, you may want to use the 'Closed Captioning' option on the lower right of the video and select your preferred language. Note that the closed captioning is machine-generated and may have some minor inconsistencies.

While this course focuses on marine services, all NMHSs should consider how to include multi-hazard, impacts-based forecasting into all of their services. The following documents are resources for your organization for implementing MHEWS:

Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems: A Checklist - Outcome of the first Multi-hazard Early Warning Conference - Read pgs 1-7 for an overview of the key tenets of implementing MHEWS (available in other languages on the WMO Library site)

WMO-No. 1150  WMO Guidelines on Multi-hazard Impact-based Forecast and Warning Services - Keep this resource in mind for future reference (available in other languages on the WMO Library site)