Press Release by Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) and the Palestinian Meteorological Directorate on the Occasion of World Meteorological Day, March 23, 2014

 

 

This Year’s Theme: "Weather and Climate: Engaging Youth "

 

Every year on March 23, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which has 189 members, and the global meteorological community celebrate World Meteorological Day around a chosen theme.  This year’s theme is “Weather and Climate: Engaging Youth”.

 

In Palestine, this day is celebrated by meteorological employees, mainly in the Palestinian Meteorological Directorate (PMD).

 

The PMD conducts optimal observation of climatic conditions in the direct or indirect service of different forms of life to contribute effectively to the development of the national economy. Palestine is an observer in the World Meteorological Organization and a member of the Arab Organization of Meteorology in the League of Arab States.

 

 

Meteorological statistics form a crucial part of the environmental statistics collected by PCBS from administrative records.

 

 

 

 

Weather and Climate: Engaging Youth in Palestine

To engage youth, environmental awareness programs are carried out every year by the Environmental Quality Authority in most schools in Palestine. Activities include seminars, short environmental films and the establishment of environmental clubs to develop environmental awareness and understanding among students. In 2013 35% of schools had an environmental club.

 

PMD also contributes by welcoming dozens of college students each year in visits to its headquarters in all the governorates.

 

This press release highlights the most significant meteorological facts relating to Palestine during 2013 (1/1/2013 to 31/12/2013) and the 2013/2014 season up to 16/03/2014 in some West Bank stations as follows:

 

 

Higher Average Rainfall in 2013

The amount of rainfall ranged between  806 mm in Nablus station and 148 mm in Jericho during 2013.  The yearly average rainfall in Nablus station is 660 mm and 166 mm in Jericho.

 

Rainfall in 2013, the 2013/2014 season up to 16/03/2014 and yearly average figures in some West Bank stations

 

Station	Quantity of rainfall (mm) (1/1/2013-31/12/2013)	% from yearly average	The 2013/2014  season up to 16/03/2014	% from yearly average
Jenin	480	103	263	56
Tulkarem	743	123	426	71
Nablus	806	122	439	67
Ramallah	771	125	425	69
Jericho	148	89	103	62
Jerusalem	549	88	400	74
Bethlehem	548	106	346	67
Hebron	661	110	447	75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High Temperatures in 2013 Compared with Yearly Average

Maximum air temperatures during 2013 were higher than the yearly average by 1.7°C in Hebron station; the smallest variation was - 0.7°C in Jenin station.

 

Variations in maximum air temperature during 2013 (°C) from yearly average in some West Bank stations

Minimum temperatures also differed  during 2013 were higher than the yearly average at around 0.7 °C in Ramallah station and 3.0 °C in Jericho station.

 

 

Variations in minimum air temperature (°C) compared to yearly average in some West Bank stations, 2013

 

 

Highest Annual Humidity in Nablus, Lowest in Jericho  

Data showed that annual relative humidity in 2013 ranged between 52% in Jericho station and 72% in Nablus station. 

 

Mean relative humidity (%) in 2013 and    yearly average in some West Bank stations

Station	Relative Humidity  (%)	Yearly Average	%
Jenin	66	69	96
Nablus	72	61	118
Ramallah	63	57	111
Jericho	52	52	100
Hebron	63	62	102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher Average Hours of Sunlight Compared with 2012

During 2013, the average hours of sunlight ranged between 8.9 hours per day in Ramallah station and 8.3 hours per day in Hebron station, compared to 2012 figures of 8.8 hours per day in Ramallah station and 8.2 hours per day in Hebron station.