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Meteorologist Job Description

Kundan Pandey
Besides weather forecasting, the job of a meteorologist includes research, analysis, and a study of various weather conditions. In case, you are planning to pursue a career in meteorology, then this information will help you gain some knowledge about this job profile.
Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmospheric conditions that prevail in the Earth's atmosphere. Meteorology mainly focuses on in-depth research, analysis, and forecasting of weather conditions.
Meteorology is an observational science and the scientists and professionals who work in this field are called meteorologists. We all have seen weather forecast  on televisions that warns us of any possible harsh weather conditions on the next day or within hours after the news telecast. The data presented there is collected and prepared by meteorologists.

Job Description

A meteorologist carefully analyzes and studies weather conditions. The forecast is based on scientific data collected on a time duration of a day, week, month, or in most cases, a year or several years.

Predict Weather Conditions in Advance

Forecasting weather is the most common job of a meteorologist. They record atmospheric conditions with help of satellite images that give clear and accurate information about the weather conditions.
The data collected with the help of various devices is tabulated and based on that, the weather is predicted. Warnings about hurricanes and tornadoes are immediately conveyed to sensitive areas of a region.

Warn the Air Traffic

They safeguard air travelers by warning them against any potential threats due to adverse weather. Weather stations contain installed wind systems that are able to detect any sudden signs of climate change.

Research and Share Information

Besides weather forecasting, the job of a meteorologist includes working activities that aim at in-depth research and data collection from satellite images, radars, remote sensors, and weather stations all over the world.
The duties include coordinating information and investigating subjects like the physics of clouds, precipitation changes, humidity and the relation between abrupt climatic changes and global warming. A meteorologist is also responsible to apply various mathematical formulas and other complex scientific techniques to forecasts weather conditions.

Who Should Be a Meteorologist?

You must have deep interest in geography and curiosity to understand the nature of the world around us. One of the key requirements is that ypu should have good analytical skills.
The collection of data and its analysis involves scientific temperament that makes it mandatory for the student to have a good background in science subjects. A deep driving desire to learn the various facets of nature and a zeal to unravel the science of environmental changes, are the key factors that motivate students to pursue a career in meteorology.

Educational Requirements

Students wanting to make a career in meteorology must start planning from high school. Select subjects based on life sciences like Earth sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Computer Science. This is essential as the meteorologist job is based on these scientific subjects. If you learn one or two foreign languages, it would be excellent for your profile.
A meteorology student must obtain at least a bachelor's degree in atmospheric science or meteorology. After completion of the bachelor's degree, one can carry on and take many other higher degrees in Maths, Computer Science (graphics etc.), Chemistry, and Physics, that help in the research work related to weather forecasting.
A student of meteorology has excellent job opportunities in reputed institutes of USA. Mostly, meteorologists are hired by the USA government. Other institutes like the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, etc., recruit them for research work.
Besides these, they also work for television, private firms, and as teachers of climatology in universities. The average earning potential of a meteorologist is usually between USD 31,400 and USD 101,900 per year; and after substantial work experience (10-15 years) it can reach anywhere between USD 42,600 and USD 114,500.