Evan Thompson, one of the faces of Prime Time Weather over the past 17 years, has been selected to replace Jeffrey Spooner as director of the Meteorological Services Division.

Spooner, who headed the division for just about five years, has retired.

Thompson has over 27 years’ experience in the field and has served the Met Service in several capacities, including head of the Weather Branch since 1994. He was also the designated severe weather (tropical cyclone) forecaster, from 1995; and television presenter from 1999, which has seen him co-producing and presenting the weather for television audiences. He also served as the head of the National Meteorological Centre from 1993 to 1994.

“He brings to the table an impressive array of skills, including comprehensive severe weather analysis, forecasting and warning, public relations and weather broadcasting, “ the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation said in a statement.

“He was selected from a number of other persons who had vied for the post,” a staffer told the

Jamaica Observer.

Thompson graduated from the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill) in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pure and Applied Sciences, majoring in meteorology. He has also completed several courses in tropical meteorology, with specific applications in satellite meteorology, radar meteorology and numerical weather prediction, to name a few.

Thompson, who is a devout member of Webster Memorial United Church, was the second runner-up in the Jamaica Civil Servant of the Year Awards for 2014. That same year he also received the Jamaica Civil Service Long Service Award for over 25 years of continuous service.

He is married to Dr Michelle Harris-Thompson, with whom he has two grown sons, David and Jed.