Pre-19th Century: Early Observations
1507–1598: Portuguese sailors visiting the island noted its tropical climate, cyclones, and monsoon patterns, but no systematic records were kept.
1638–1710: During Dutch colonization, settlers observed seasonal rainfall and cyclones, but again, no formal records were maintained.
1715–1810: Under French rule, more attention was paid to agricultural needs, leading to informal observations of rainfall and temperature for sugarcane cultivation.
1774: Jean-Baptiste Lislet Geoffroy, a French astronomer and engineer, began keeping some of the earliest recorded meteorological observations in Mauritius as part of scientific studies. These records included temperature, rainfall, and atmospheric pressure.
19th Century: Beginnings of Systematic Observations
1810: After the British took control of Mauritius, the colonial administration began to take a more systematic approach to weather observation.
1851: The first meteorological observatory was established in Port Louis, marking the beginning of formal climate data collection.
1862: Cyclone records began to be systematically documented after a devastating cyclone hit the island.
1875: The Royal Alfred Observatory was established, further enhancing meteorological observations, including rainfall, temperature, and atmospheric pressure.
20th Century: Expansion and Modernization
1901: The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) was formally established, centralizing climate data collection and analysis.
1920s–1930s: Expansion of weather stations across the island, including in Rodrigues and outer islands, to improve data coverage.
1945: Introduction of radiosonde technology for upper-air observations, enhancing understanding of atmospheric conditions.
1960s: Radar systems were installed for cyclone tracking and improved forecasting. The first weather radar was set up in the 1960s, significantly enhancing the ability to monitor and predict cyclones and severe weather events.
1970s: Collaboration with international organizations like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to standardize data collection and share global climate data.
1980s: Introduction of satellite technology for weather monitoring, complementing radar systems and further improving cyclone prediction and climate analysis.
1990s: Establishment of long-term climate monitoring programs to study trends such as global warming and sea-level rise.
- 1999
- * First National Communication to the UNFCCC: Mauritius submitted its initial report, outlining baseline climate data, including temperature, rainfall, and cyclone records. This marked the formal integration of local observations into global climate policy frameworks.
- * El Niño Monitoring: The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) tracked regional impacts of the 1997–1998 El Niño event, noting correlations with reduced rainfall and coral bleaching.
21st Century: Advanced Monitoring, Regional Collaboration, Climate Change Focus and Resilience Building
- 2000–2002
- * Automated Weather Station Network Expansion: MMS began upgrading manual stations to automated systems, improving data accuracy for temperature, humidity, and rainfall.
- * Cyclone Dina (2002): One of the most intense cyclones of the decade, prompting enhanced cyclone tracking using satellite data and radar systems.
- * Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) Studies: Collaboration with international researchers to contribute data on sea-surface temperature anomalies affecting regional climate patterns.
- 2003–2004
- * Post-Tsunami Monitoring Upgrades: After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Mauritius strengthened its tidal gauge network, joining the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) to monitor sea-level rise.
- * Coral Reef Monitoring: The Albion Fisheries Research Centre initiated systematic assessments of post-1998 bleaching recovery, linking findings to rising sea temperatures.
- 2005–2007
- * Second National Communication to the UNFCCC (2005): Highlighted decadal trends (1999–2005), including a 0.7°C temperature rise and increased rainfall variability.
* 2006: Mauritius hosted the Indian Ocean Climate Initiative (IOCI) to address regional climate challenges.
* Cyclone Gamede (2007): Record-breaking rainfall data collected, underscoring the need for improved flood forecasting models.
- * IPCC Fourth Assessment Report Contributions: Mauritian data on island-specific climate vulnerabilities cited in the 2007 report.
- 2008–2009
- * Regional Climate Modeling: Partnered with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) to develop downscaled climate projections, focusing on cyclone intensity and coastal erosion.
- * Renewable Energy Initiatives: Launched solar and wind monitoring programs to support mitigation strategies, aligning with Kyoto Protocol goals.
- * COP15 Preparation: Active participation in African Union climate dialogues, emphasizing small island developing states (SIDS) challenges.
2010:
- * The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) upgraded its weather radar systems to Doppler radar technology, enhancing real-time monitoring of cyclones and severe weather events.
- * Installation of additional automated weather stations across the island to improve spatial coverage of climate data.
2011:
- * Launch of the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Report, which analyzed the impacts of climate change on Mauritius, including sea-level rise, temperature increases, and changing rainfall patterns.
- * Collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to integrate Mauritius into global climate monitoring networks.
2012:
- * Introduction of advanced satellite-based monitoring systems to complement ground-based observations.
- * Establishment of a dedicated Climate Change Division within the MMS to focus on long-term climate trends and adaptation strategies.
2013:
- * Publication of the first National Climate Change Adaptation Policy Framework, which emphasized the need for systematic climate observations to inform policy decisions.
- * Enhanced cyclone tracking and early warning systems using improved modeling techniques.
2014:
- * Participation in the Indian Ocean Commission’s (IOC) climate resilience programs, focusing on regional data sharing and capacity building.
- * Installation of tide gauges to monitor sea-level rise and coastal erosion.
2015:
- * Mauritius ratified the Paris Agreement, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate monitoring efforts.
- * Launch of the Mauritius Meteorological Services’ Climate Prediction Center, providing seasonal forecasts and climate outlooks.
2016:
- * Introduction of high-resolution climate models to improve local-scale climate projections.
- * Expansion of the network of weather stations to include remote and rural areas, ensuring comprehensive data collection.
2017:
- * Publication of the Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), detailing Mauritius’ climate observations and mitigation efforts.
- * Implementation of a National Early Warning System for extreme weather events, including floods and cyclones.
2018:
- * Deployment of advanced oceanographic buoys to monitor sea surface temperatures and ocean currents, which influence local climate patterns.
- * Collaboration with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to contribute data for global climate assessments.
2019:
- * Launch of the Mauritius Climate Change Observatory, a dedicated facility for long-term climate monitoring and research.
- * Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into climate modeling to improve prediction accuracy.
2020:
- * The MMS introduced real-time climate dashboards, providing the public and policymakers with access to up-to-date climate data.
- * Enhanced focus on monitoring the impacts of climate change, such as coral bleaching, coastal erosion, and changing agricultural yields.
2021:
- * Publication of the Third National Communication to the UNFCCC, highlighting observed climate trends, including rising temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events.
- * Installation of additional Doppler radar systems to improve cyclone tracking and rainfall monitoring.
2022:
- * Launch of the Mauritius Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which relied heavily on systematic climate observations to identify vulnerable sectors and recommend adaptation measures.
- * Expansion of the Indian Ocean Observing System (IndOOS), with Mauritius contributing data on ocean-atmosphere interactions.
2023:
- * Introduction of AI-driven climate models to predict long-term climate trends and extreme weather events with greater accuracy.
- * Establishment of a National Climate Data Repository, consolidating historical and real-time climate data for research and policy development.
