Closure of the SAWDOS Blog - 31 March 2013

It is a day of mixed emotions for the Founder of the  SAWDOS and the SAWDOS Blog. The first blog (S.A. Weather and Disaster Information Service - with hits to date) was created on the 8 October 2008.  A new blog (SA Weather and Disaster Observation Service with hits to date) with subsequent name change was created on the 1 January 2012.

Today (31 March 2013) is the end of the road for the SA Weather and Disaster Observation Service Blog.  It is the end of an era but the beginning of a new venture. The time has come for one unified organization to keep the public informed about severe weather conditions by means of real time weather observation. The  statement available HERE set out the current merger/amalgamation plans.

SAWDOS has indicated in the past that restructuring of the SAWDOS Blog is essential. The topic is available HERE. In the mean time discussions took place between HAMNET, SAWDOS and Kobus Botha (Weatherphotos). An agreement has been reached as set out by HAMNET in their statement.

The use and updating of the SAWDOS blog as of 1 April 2013 will constitute a duplication of weather observation information. The web-site of Kobus Botha at www.weatherphotos.co.za contains all the necessary information pertaining to the weather in South Africa. Disaster information and communications will be available on the HAMNET web, Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Twitter and Facebook pages of the SAWDOS also contain valuable information and images supplied by the public. As a result of the merger/amalgamation the SAWDOS Blog will be closed  at the end of the day on the 31 March 2013. The SAWDOS Twitter and SAWDOS Facebook pages will remain active until the merge and amalgamation has been completed.

SAWDOS would like to recommend that subscribers and users of the SAWDOS Blog migrate to Kobus Botha's Weather Photos of South Africa so as to get acquainted with the workings of the site. Kobus has an excellent site with information and data. Click HERE to visit Weather Photos of South Africa.

SAWDOS, HAMNET and Weatherphotos will keep the public informed on a regular basis as to changes that will occur in the next few months.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our readers, weather observers, the media, NGO'S, Disaster Management, Radio Amateurs and others who supported/contributed to the SAWDOS Blog in the past. You all made the Blog a source of information that I believe was of great benefit to South Africans and citizens abroad and around the world.  A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!!

Johan Terblanche
Founder:  SAWDOS and SAWDIS
Mossel Bay
31 March 2013