Historic Aruba weather archives have been digitized as part of a regional data-preservation project intended to strengthen climate research, projections and early-warning systems, according to a September 28 report by 24ora.
Historic records converted for modern analysis
The International Panel on Deltas and Coastal Areas announced that work to rescue and digitize meteorological archives from Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten had been completed. Historical records were converted into digital images, and much of the underlying data was extracted into computer-readable formats.
The project involved Aruba’s government and meteorological service, their counterparts in Curaçao and Sint Maarten, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute and other Dutch Caribbean partners. Local climate platforms, including Aruba’s National Climate Resilience Council, supported the initiative.
Former Netherlands Antilles archive adds early records
The work also included approximately 70,000 pages from the former Netherlands Antilles meteorological archive in Curaçao. Some records date to 1880, according to the source. Following a legal review and agreements on intellectual property, the digitized material was shared with Aruba, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands.
For Aruba and Bonaire, the archive helped fill gaps in the 1991–2020 climate-normal reference period, supporting more accurate comparisons between current temperature trends and historical conditions.
Data to support projections through 2100
Project partners expect the expanded database to improve understanding of current conditions and strengthen early-warning systems. They also plan to use the records in future research to refine climate scenarios for 2050 through 2100 and support adaptation planning.
Paper archives are difficult to use with modern analytical tools and are vulnerable to fire and extreme weather. Digitization preserves the information while making it more accessible for long-term analysis.
Source: 24ora — Completion of meteorological archive digitization for the Dutch Caribbean
