eteorology, the study of the atmosphere especially as it relates to the weather, makes it possible to predict or forecast the weather to a certain extent.
In Jamaica, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, which is a scientific division of the Ministry of Land and Environment, handles this very important business of meteorology.
Until the decade of the 40's in the 20th century, meteorological matters in Jamaica were coordinated by a "Government Meteorologist", whose chief tasks were the collection and publication of data such as rainfall, temperature, wind direction, wind speed and sea level pressure.
Located on the Western end of the island, in the parish of St. James, Montego Bay is Jamaica's second largest city. Back in 1494, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus anchored in Montego Bay, and called it 'Golfo de Buen Tiempo' ('Gulf of Good Weather'). With good reason - generally in Montego Bay and across most of Jamaica, the climate is tropical, with year round hot and humid weather. Jamaica lies in the hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean; as a result, the island (including Montego Bay) will sometimes experience significant storm / hurricane activity, particular between the months of June and November (the annual Atlantic hurricane season).
