Public weather services in Tripoli

It is very important to have an understanding of how people access and use weather information and services. Knowing what they think of the accuracy, timeliness and usefulness of weather services will assist LNMC with future planning of products and services.

This work comes from the results obtained from a public survey conducted in Tripoli, Libya during February 2008. The aim of the survey was to investigate the public perception of the weather forecasts broadcasting on the Libyan national TV channel.

The questionnaire consists of a number of questions prepared to explore the public opinions and attitudes on the TV weather bulletin techniques. Also it included some questions about TV weather presenters' performance and the public tendency of understanding weather graphics, symbols and terms used widely in the weather language.

Statistical analysis has shown very important results. In Tripoli, 25% of respondents said that they accessed weather information daily from TV forecast, 56% answered sometimes and 19% said they didn't. Moreover 57% of the survey respondents said they use weather information for work purpose; while a significant number indicated that they take their decisions based on or influenced by weather on travel, dress and food.

The respondents overall satisfaction and perception of the accuracy of TV weather forecast was 24% good, 70% answered acceptable and 6% said low.

Finally, some suggestions were recommended to develop the personal weather scientific knowledge and presenting skills to improve the public weather services culture in Tripoli, and increase its benefits, hoping to conduct this survey in other cities or in Libya in general.