Background & core functions

The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) was established by the Meteorological Authority Act No. 2 of 2019 through Government Announcement GN 459 dated 14 June 2019. With the responsibility of coordinating, controlling and providing meteorological services found in the United Republic of Tanzania.

This authority is based on the fact that the weather agency in Tanzania was established by the law of the agency (Executive Agency Act) Chapter No. 245 references for the year 2022. Before the weather agency, weather services in the country were provided by the former (Directorate of Meteorology), which was established in the year 1977 after the breakup of the former East African Community, with the responsibility of making observation and providing weather information in the country. Before the East African Community, weather services in the country were provided under the Weather Institute which was under the colonial rule.

In addition, the Authority owns the National Meteorological College located in Kigoma (www.nmtc.ac.tz ).

Core Functions:

1. Implement the National and climate related policies in relation to weather and climate matters;
2. Regulate and coordinate meteorological activities in the United Republic;
3. Organize and administer efficient networks of surface and upper air stations necessary to establish accurate records of weather and climatic conditions;
4. Provide weather and climate services for safety of life and property and to various users of meteorological conditions;
5. Issue severe weather-related warnings and advisories to ensure that there is a single authoritative voice in this regard;
6. Publish weather and climatological summaries, climate status and other interpreted products;
7. Observe, collect, process, archive and disseminate meteorological data and related information;
8. Cooperate with other institutions and authorities involved in meteorology and related fields in aspects of training, studies, research, environment, climate variability and change;
9. Recover cost for meteorological services rendered to ensure services sustainability;
10. Provide marine meteorological services to shipping, fishing , and other marine activities within the United Republic territorial waters and high sea;
11. Provide aeronautical meteorological services, advisory services, warnings, products and information and related services to civil aviation within the United Republic and other prescribed areas as per regional and international agreements;
12. Cooperate with other national and international institutions in search and rescue relating to aviation and maritime accidents by providing relevant weather information;
13. Keep in safe custody all meteorological records and data;
14. Calibrate and fabricate meteorological equipment for internal and external use;
15. Ensure that international standards and practices of meteorological services including instrument and equipment installation are maintained;
16. Carry out research, awareness activities, and training in meteorology, climatology and other related fields and to process and analyze climatic data for the purpose of use in socio-economic development planning;
17. Approve and register meteorological stations;
18. Participate in the activities of relevant international organizations, in particular the Organization; and
19. Carry out any other function as the Minister may direct.