UAE's weather channel goes beyond daily forecasts

The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) launched its official YouTube channel on Monday. The 'UAE Weather' channel will feature interactive elements and will broadcast weather bulletins, videos and programmes.
The programmes aim to unify sources of meteorological and seismic information "to avoid the spread of rumours across the Internet and social networking sites", the centre said.
The YouTube channel is the first of its kind in the Arab world in the field of meteorology, providing daily weather forecasts and weekly programmes in Arabic.
The channel also includes additional programmes that showcase the best travel and tourism spots inside and outside the country during different seasons. It also features programmes for health, events and other developments of the centre's initiatives and projects.
Photography and video competitions are also open to the public.
Dr Abdullah Al Mandoos, Executive Director of the centre, said, "The launch of the channel came in line with the vision of the wise leadership in establishing the foundations of e-government and to facilitate meteorological services in the easiest and fastest route available."
He explained that the channel is the first step in creating a specialised programme for weather- and climate-related information. "The channel will be available exclusively through electronic media platforms for the transfer of expert daily news in meteorology."
Accurate information provided by the centre should not be manipulated, he warned.
He said weather forecasters are the at "core of the channel", providing official daily weather forecasts sourced from meteorological and seismic information in the country.
Al Mandoos said the channel will target areas inside and outside the country. The centre's official website receives about 50,000 visitors daily, but increases to about two million during unusual weather conditions.

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