Meteorologist jobs

Meteorologists are concerned with the weather as well as the climate, and they do scientific analyses of data in order to generate forecasts.

You will use information gathered from the land, sea, and atmosphere in your work as a meteorologist to research the weather and climate. In order to generate accurate short-term and long-range weather predictions, as well as studies of climate trends and conditions, you will need to make use of mathematical and computerized models.

In most cases, you will choose to specialize in either research or in predicting the weather. In the field of forecasting, you have the opportunity to give weather forecasts for a wide range of organizations, including the following:

the industry of flying airplanes

farmers

services provided by the government, such as consulting on matters pertaining to environmental policy

medical care and services

manufacturing and consumer goods retailing firms

insurance firms

public services

organizations devoted to sailing and offshore businesses

the military as a whole

media outlets

the fishing industry at sea and the shipping industry.

You might look at the effects that weather has on the surrounding environment as part of your research, as well as investigate weather patterns, climate change, and different models that forecast the weather.

Responsibilities

In order to make accurate forecasts of the weather, you will need to:

Collect information from weather stations and satellite photos, as well as radar and remote sensors, from all around the globe.

Take readings of variables such as air pressure, temperature, and humidity at a number of different altitudes in the atmosphere.

consumers will be given weather briefings when this information has been analyzed and presented to them.

reports on the weather that have been encoded for transmission through foreign networks

In order to generate accurate short-term and long-term weather predictions, it is necessary to make use of physical and mathematical linkages as well as advanced computer models.

maintain communication with coworkers and customers located around the nation and the globe.

In order to do research, you will need to:

Consider looking into topics like the movement of air in the lowest kilometer of the atmosphere, the mechanics of clouds and precipitation, or the evolution of the global climate.

Create and refine numerical and computer models in order to more accurately anticipate atmospheric processes and increase the precision of weather predictions.

Keep an eye on the varying and changing environment.

Conduct research on climate prediction, ocean forecasting, and seasonal forecasting.

Keep an eye on and research any shifts that occur in the stratosphere (the layer of air that is ten to fifty kilometers above the surface of the Earth).

Implement the findings of research so that, for instance, flood warnings may be sent or an assessment can be made of the consequences that are anticipated to come from global warming.

Salary

Starting salaries for student operational meteorologists, who are also commonly known to as technicians, are typically in the region of £20,500 but may increase to £23,000 after the training has been successfully completed.

It is reasonable to anticipate that experienced meteorologists will earn salaries in the region of $25,000 to $35,000.

Starting pay for managerial roles average about £38,000 and may go far over £60,000.

There is a possibility that you may be eligible for extra benefits, such as a pension or a shift allowance. In the academic world, the scales used to determine salaries for postdoctoral researchers at universities are often used. The salaries offered by private companies are not standardized.

The monetary amounts listed are just meant to serve as a reference point.

Time spent working

Since the Met Office must give predictions at all hours of the day and night, most employees there work on shifts. There is a good chance that you will be needed to perform 12-hour shifts that will encompass the days, evenings, and weekends.

If you work in research, your typical schedule will be Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, with the possibility of overtime. When working in the field, regular work hours are probably not going to be something you can count on.

What may be anticipated

The vast majority of work is performed in pleasant settings with enough space and comfort; although, depending on the profession, you may be expected to work in distant locations or on military activities, both of which are often carried out in more basic settings. The field is a common place for instrument and measurement scientists to do their job.

Although the majority of employees at the Met Office are located in its twin operations centers in Aberdeen and Exeter, there is a possibility that you may be needed to travel to regional weather centers around the nation. Jobs with other organizations and in research might be located anywhere in the UK or even outside of the country.

It is crucial for television forecasters to present themselves in a professional manner.

It is unusual for people to travel over the course of a regular working day. Depending on the role that you hold, you may be obliged to spend the night away from home and/or travel internationally for work-related reasons, such as attending conferences.

Operational meteorologists that are employed by the Mobile Met Unit (MMU) are attached to the Royal Air Force (RAF), and they may be stationed in a variety of locations throughout the globe.

There are a lot of businesses that want to encourage equality, diversity, and inclusion in their workforce, and they are going to put policies in place to do so. Check out the equality, diversity, and inclusion plan that the Met Office has put up for an example of what's already accessible.

Qualifications

A degree is required to become a meteorologist, albeit the degree does not need to be in the field of meteorology itself. Other topics that are acceptable include the following:

science and engineering of computers and software

environmental sciences

mathematics

ocean science

geology and physiography

physics and other branches of the physical sciences.

On the RMetS Courses website, you may find a list of universities in the UK that offer degree programs linked to meteorology. In addition, the list indicates which academic degrees fulfill the prerequisites for participation in the Society's Chartered Meteorologist Accreditation Scheme.

In general, applicants must possess a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in a field related to meteorology, a physical science, mathematics, or engineering, in addition to demonstrating proficiency in mathematics at the A-level or higher and physics at the AS-level or higher (or equivalent). In addition to that, you'll need to show that you have an interest in the weather. Other companies will seek for credentials and attributes that are comparable to these.

It is unusual to get entry with just an HND or foundation degree. You may, however, be accepted at this level by some organizations if in addition to your relevant GCSEs you also have applicable A-levels in mathematics and/or physics.

A postgraduate degree in meteorology is necessary for research roles; however, a postgraduate degree in meteorology is not required for other sorts of employment; yet, having one may boost your chances of being appointed to positions in meteorology more broadly.

Skills

You will need to demonstrate that:

the capacity for mathematics and computation

excellent problem-solving skills

careful consideration of specifics and exactness

writing skills applicable to scientific reports

a focus on teamwork as the primary mode of labor

the capacity to engage with a variety of individuals, which is particularly necessary in the operational forecasting context, which is more customer-oriented and commercial.

passion for the field of meteorology as well as a genuine interest in the environment.

Practice in the workplace

Your chances of success will improve if you have relevant job experience or have worked on projects. The Met Office offers a paid summer placement program that lasts for three months and consists of ten weeks of work in a variety of fields, including science and forecasting. Candidates might include recent graduates as well as current students. You may also apply for an industrial placement that lasts for a year and lasts for 12 months if you are currently enrolled in a sandwich course for a relevant degree.

Becoming a student member of the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) is beneficial because it will allow you to keep up to date with developments in the field, network with other students and professionals, join groups, and attend conferences. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to network with other students and professionals. You also have the opportunity to volunteer for the organization in capacities such as serving as an editor on one of its publications, a student ambassador, or a mentor. Visit the RMetS Student and Early Careers Membership page for additional information.

It is helpful to gain some experience of computer modeling and to try to learn a coding language, as this is a major part of a meteorologist's work. This can be accomplished through relevant work experience or by completing a degree project with a strong component of computer modeling. Since computer modeling is such a significant part of a meteorologist's work, it is helpful to gain some experience of this.