About Us
Mandate
To monitor, predict and provide information and weather and climate, that would contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country.
Objectives as derived from our mandate are as follows:
- To monitor ,analyse and predict weather and climate. The thrust of this objective is to ensure that the weather forecast is produced for early warning purposes. This information is vital for advisory in natural disaster early warnings.
- To provide weather and climate data and information for various socio-economic sectors such as Aviation, Agriculture, Water, Marine, Construction industry, insurance, Tourism, Health, sports and Recreation.
- To carry out research and development that would improve quality of weather and climate data and information for the general public. The focus is to carry out research for all aspects of meteorology, inter alia, the general public through mass media.
- To establish and maintain a well-equipped network of Met stations. This Objective intends to ensure that meteorological data and information is reliable, timely and up to date.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
“To provide reliable, responsive and high-quality weather and climate services to meet national, regional and international obligations through timely dissemination of accurate and up to-date data and information for socio-economic development.”
Our Vision
“A Responsive Nation to Weather and Climate Change Impacts”
Our Organisational Structure
The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS), under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, is led by the Office of the Director (Dr. Lucy Mtilatira). The department comprises three main divisions: Engineering and Communications, Climate, Climate Change, and Research, and Forecasting and Observation, each overseen by a Deputy Director.
The Engineering and Communications Division is responsible for maintaining the department's weather monitoring infrastructure, which includes weather stations and communication networks. This division ensures the smooth operation of meteorological equipment, facilitating the accurate collection and transmission of weather and climate data. Under the divison there is Engineering and ICT Section
The Climate, Climate Change, and Research Division is dedicated to providing climate services to various sectors within Malawi and beyond. It collaborates with local and international partners to promote research projects that enhance the understanding of weather, climate variability, climate change, and related fields, contributing to policy development and decision-making. Under this division there is the climate, Research, Climate Change, Aviation services, Public weather and Agrometeorological sections.
The Forecasting and Observation Division is tasked with collecting, analyzing, and disseminating weather forecast and warnings. This division employs advanced forecasting tools, including models, to deliver accurate and timely weather forecasts, issue warnings for severe weather events, and provide climate predictions. The National Met centre (Forecasting ) and Observation are the sections under this division.
Our History
1800
The origins of meteorological observation in Malawi date back to the 1800s, initiated primarily by British colonial farmers and missionaries. These early efforts were later formalized under the Federal Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which managed meteorological services until the federation was dissolved in 1964.
1964-1982
Following Malawi’s independence, the responsibility for meteorological services was transferred to the Government of Malawi, initially administered under the Department of Civil Aviation. During the period 1964 to 1982, development of the sector remained modest, with a stronger emphasis placed on aviation meteorology. Notably, The first trained meteorological weather forecasters began work on January 1, 1968
1982-2009
A major turning point came in 1983, when the Department of Meteorological Services (DMS) was established as an autonomous entity within the then Ministry of Transport and Communication. This transition marked the beginning of a broader, more integrated approach to meteorological services in Malawi. The new department expanded its focus beyond aviation to include agrometeorology, hydrometeorology, public weather services, climate services, and meteorological engineering. This period also saw the recruitment of qualified personnel and the institutional strengthening of meteorological programmes. Throughout the 1990s, technological advancements and capacity development led to the modernization of the department. These improvements enhanced the collection of observations, weather forecasting, data distribution, and the development of specialized meteorological products.
2009 to present
In 2009, recognizing the growing significance of climate change, the department was renamed the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) and placed under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining. This rebranding reflected the department’s evolving mandate: to provide leadership and scientific guidance in both meteorology and climate change. DCCMS now plays a pivotal role in supporting national climate resilience through systematic observations, data-driven forecasting, and the provision of reliable information for climate change adaptation and mitigation.