The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) — most commonly referred to as the Met. Office — is a scientific organization that operates 24 hours a day, all year round, to improve the quality of life for everyone on St. Maarten and the surrounding region. Reliable early warnings are issued in the event of any severe weather, seismic issues or climatic events allowing decision-makers, communities, and individuals to be better prepared; thus avoiding socio-economic setbacks.

After the status change on 10-10-10, St. Maarten became fully responsible for the Meteorological Department and its activities. Due to the fact that St. Maarten didn’t have all the professional manpower, a yearly contract was signed with Meteo Curaçao to help St. Maarten with their daily tasks until St. Maarten can function on its own.

MDS (Meteorological Department St. Maarten) thus only became fully independent on 1 January 2013 — providing accurate weather service that aims to keep its community and the surrounding region safe from any meteorological hazards.

St. Maarten is an island located in the northeastern portion of the Caribbean – more specifically at 18.0° N, 63.0° W. After the breakup of the Netherlands Antilles, St. Maarten became an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 10 October, 2010 (10-10-10). The other islands of the former Netherlands Antilles also gained a new status, thus forming the following structure:

Our Mission

“Protect life and property through the issuance of timely and appropriate weather products for the adjacent waters, air space and the general public and to provide meteorological, hydrological and seismological related services to specific sectors, in order to sustain social and economic developments.”

Our Vision

A leading weather service provider collaborating with stakeholders to deliver services of high quality and accuracy.