{"id":473936,"date":"2025-07-03T20:31:05","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T00:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/uncategorized\/indomet-history-and-functions-of-the-dominican-institute-of-meteorology\/"},"modified":"2025-07-03T20:31:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T00:31:05","slug":"indomet-history-and-functions-of-the-dominican-institute-of-meteorology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/history\/institutions\/indomet-history-and-functions-of-the-dominican-institute-of-meteorology\/","title":{"rendered":"INDOMET: History and Functions of the Dominican Institute of Meteorology"},"content":{"rendered":"The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET<\/a>)<\/strong> is the official body responsible for issuing weather forecasts, alerts, and climate studies in the Dominican Republic<\/a>. Throughout its history, it has evolved from simple observation stations to become a key scientific entity for national security and development.\n\n\n

Beginnings of Meteorology in the Dominican Republic<\/h3>\n\n\nThe first meteorological observations in the country were recorded in 1871<\/strong>. In 1884<\/strong>, five climatological stations were established. The importance of these services grew significantly after the passage of Hurricane San Zen\u00f3n in 1930<\/strong>, which boosted the expansion of the climate monitoring system.\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Institutional Consolidation<\/h3>\n\n\nIn 1954<\/strong>, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)<\/strong> sent a mission led by Edward Miller and Fernando Huertas to train Dominican personnel. A year later, in 1955<\/strong>, the first meteorological forecast office for aviation and the general public was inaugurated, located at General Andrews Airport. Finally, in 1984<\/strong> the National Office of Meteorology (ONAMET)<\/strong> was founded, the direct predecessor of the current INDOMET.\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Evolution towards INDOMET<\/h3>\n\n\nFor decades, the entity operated as a government dependency. Its professionalization advanced with the execution of international projects such as DOM-81-009<\/strong> in 1981 and PRONAMET<\/strong> in 2000. Currently, the meteorological service has reached a high technical and scientific level, and its transformation into INDOMET<\/strong> reinforces its autonomy and specialization as a national meteorological surveillance center.\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Main functions of INDOMET<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Issue weather bulletins and early warnings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Monitor atmospheric phenomena such as hurricanes, troughs, and tropical waves.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Support air and maritime navigation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Coordinate with emergency entities such as the COE and Civil Defense.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Train technicians in meteorology and climatology.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Study the impact of climate change on the island.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Implement networks of automatic stations, radars, and numerical models.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    Technological Modernization<\/h3>\n\n\nThe INDOMET has implemented technologies such as Doppler radars<\/strong>, satellite sensors<\/strong>, automatic weather stations<\/strong> and numerical prediction models. Likewise, it has strengthened its presence in digital media to disseminate accurate and real-time information to the population.\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    Chronology of Directors of the Dominican Meteorological Service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    1. Captain Francisco Castro Catrain (1915-1920)<\/strong>
    2. Don Ram\u00f3n Jansen (1920-1924)<\/strong>
    3. Don Aurelio Ortori (1924-1935)<\/strong> \u2013 Installed key stations and alerted about the San Zen\u00f3n hurricane.
    4. Don Sebasti\u00e1n Robiou Valverde (1935-1948)<\/strong> \u2013 Introduced internal regulations.
    5. Don Juan Molin\u00e9 (1948-1956)<\/strong> \u2013 Considered the “father of Dominican meteorology”, managed the arrival of international experts.
    6. Don Juan Bautista Cambiaso Valdez (1956-1962)<\/strong>
    7. Don R. Alberto Arvelo G. (1962-1963)<\/strong>
    8. Don C\u00e9sar de Windt Lavandier (1963-1965, 1966-1972)<\/strong>
    9. Ing. Pedro Julio Suazo Tirado (1965-1966)<\/strong>
    10. Ing. Petronio Mej\u00eda (1966-1967)<\/strong>
    11. Frank W. Richardson Lugo (1972-1973)<\/strong>
    12. Don Julio A. Rib Santamar\u00eda (1973-1979)<\/strong>
    13. Ing. Fernando A. Schrils (1979-1982)<\/strong>
    14. Don Danilo Rodr\u00edguez (1982-1986)<\/strong> \u2013 Promoted professionalization and proposed converting meteorology into an institute.
    15. Ing. Antonio Cocco Quezada (1986-1997)<\/strong> \u2013 Modernized ONAMET, strengthened the technical area and received international donations.
    16. Dr. F\u00e9lix Abel Abreu (1997-1999)<\/strong> \u2013 Faced Hurricane Georges.
    17. Teophrasis Arredondo (1999-2000)<\/strong>
    18. Ing. Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Duquela (2000-2005)<\/strong> \u2013 Implemented the PRONAMET program.
    19. Ing. Gloria Ceballos (2005-Present)<\/strong> \u2013 First woman to lead the institution, has focused her management on research and technical modernization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    INDOMET today<\/h3>\n\n\nCurrently, INDOMET operates as a modern institution with a scientific focus. Under the direction of “Gloria Ceballos”, applied research, institutional strengthening, and regional and international integration have been promoted. In addition, it actively participates in the Caribbean Meteorological Services Network and in global climate change forums.\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Technical Sheet of INDOMET<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Full name:<\/strong>
    Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Previous Name:<\/strong>
    National Office of Meteorology (ONAMET)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Origin Date:<\/strong>
    1871 (first meteorological observations)
    1984 (creation of ONAMET)
    Progressive transformation to INDOMET<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Main Office:<\/strong>
    Av. Las Am\u00e9ricas, Sector Los Mameyes, Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Current Director:<\/strong>
    Ing. Gloria Ceballos (since 2005)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Government dependency:<\/strong>
    Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (formerly from the Ministry of Agriculture)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Main areas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Weather forecast<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Hydrometeorology<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Climatology<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Agrometeorology<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Atmospheric observation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Satellite monitoring<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Scientific research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Main functions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Issue daily weather bulletins and alerts for atmospheric phenomena<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Provide climate services for aviation, navigation, agriculture, and emergencies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Coordinate with national organizations such as the COE and Civil Defense<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Participate in international meteorology forums and networks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Train technicians and strengthen climate education<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Infrastructure:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Doppler weather radars<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Automatic weather stations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Forecasting center at the AILA<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Digitized meteorological databases<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Active web platform and social networks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          International Affiliations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Caribbean Meteorological Services Network<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • UN Environment (UNDP, UNDRR)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Relevant historical projects:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • DOM-81-009 (1981): Strengthening of the meteorological system<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • PRONAMET (2000): Technical and physical modernization of the institution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Key Contributions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • Prevention of natural disasters through early warnings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Studies on the impact of climate change in DR<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Support for national sustainable development with meteorological data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET) is the official body responsible for issuing weather forecasts, alerts, and climate studies in the Dominican Republic. Throughout its history, it has evolved from simple observation stations to become a key scientific entity for national security and development. Beginnings of Meteorology in the Dominican Republic The first meteorological observations […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":474240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[39062],"tags":[34608,40954],"class_list":{"0":"post-473936","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-institutions","8":"tag-indomet","9":"tag-meteorology"},"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/70c7b340-c6a5-4925-a759-9f3e4217f39f.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phj1q1-1Zi8","dum_api":{"author_name":"Redacci\u00f3n De \u00daltimo Minuto","author_image":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/cropped-logo-de-ultimo-minuto-96x96.png","categories_name":["Institutions"],"featured_media_url":"https:\/\/cdn.deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/70c7b340-c6a5-4925-a759-9f3e4217f39f.webp"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473936","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=473936"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473936\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/474240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=473936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=473936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=473936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}