How to become a Meteorologist

Duties & Tasks of a Meteorologist

Meteorologists:

• Use and develop scientific techniques to forecast and interpret atmospheric conditions
• Analyse and interpret surface, upper-level and other measurements (including satellite images and other remote sensing data about atmospheric conditions)
• Prepare weather forecasts for the public as well as specific users such as aviation, marine, defence and emergency services
• Issue warnings for cyclones, storms, gales, floods, frosts and fire danger
• Study climate and identify climatic change
• Work with physicists and engineers to develop observation equipment and distribute information on topics such as air pollution
• Supervise and coordinate the work of other meteorologists, technical officers and meteorological observers
• Carry out weather studies for particular clients.

Tasks

• Studies climatic conditions by analysing meteorological observations made over extended periods of time, and investigates past and possible future fluctuations in climate.
• Investigates the nature of solar and terrestrial (infra-red) radiations and effects on the atmosphere.
• May specialise in a particular area of meteorological science.
• Studies composition, structure and dynamics of the atmosphere, investigating the direction and speed of air movements, air pressure and temperature, humidity and other phenomena.
• Studies physical nature and properties of solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, investigating them as the process of cloud formation, precipitation and electrical disturbances.
• Studies data on atmospheric conditions obtained to prepare weather maps and forecasts for advice to aviation, shipping, agriculture and the general public.
• Employs balloons, rockets and artificial earth satellites and such techniques as spectroscopy, hygrometry, daylight and infra-red photography, radar and radio to obtain data on atmospheric conditions, and directs processing of the data.

Working conditions for a Meteorologist

Meteorologists in forecasting positions usually work in shifts. Operational meteorologists may work in field station locations throughout Australia and its territories, from the tropics to Antarctica. Others are involved in policy development, administration and training.

Employment Opportunities for a Meteorologist

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is the major employer of meteorologists. A few positions are occasionally available in private companies, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), universities and state or territory government bodies (mainly environmental agencies).Most meteorologists are employed in capital cities, but some are employed at major airports and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases outside capital cities and further afield (Antarctica, for meteorological consultants and practitioners who provide a private consultancy service to engineers and architects.Competition for the few positions offered each year is very strong. Holding a higher degree qualification may be an advantage. Those who successfully complete BOM's training course are employed in the bureau's head office in Melbourne or in a capital city regional forecasting centre. Subsequent promotion is based on ability and on positions becoming available. Vacancies are usually advertised on the BOM website, online job websites and through universities during March and April for training courses that commence in late January/February.

Specializations

Hydrometeorologist

A hydrometeorologist provides information about rainfall patterns and intensity in support of the planning and management of land and water resources, as well as the design of urban drainage systems and dams.

Climatologist

A climatologist monitors and studies the climate and the factors that control its variability. A climatologist may produce climate assessments and forecasts of seasonal conditions, or contribute to national and international assessments of climate variability and climate change. Climatologists may also provide relevant climate data to users such as the insurance industry.

Meteorological Consultant

A meteorological consultant provides advice and conducts investigations involving the application of meteorology to fields such as agriculture, engineering, architecture, health, tourism, urban planning and design.

Research Meteorologist

A research meteorologist develops and tests theories and concepts, applying the laws of physics to the study of the atmosphere with the aim of improving forecasts and warnings. This includes the analysis of meteorological data and running of forecast and global climate models.

Meteorologist

Meteorologists forecast the weather and study the atmosphere to improve the understanding of climate.

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  Average age

  42

• 

  Future Growth

  N/A

• 

  Gender Share

  33% female

• 

  Average full-time

  39 hours

• 

  Weekly Pay

  N/A

• 

  Skill level rating

  Very high skill

• 

  Unemployment

  Lower unemployment

• 

  Full-Time Share

  77%

• 

  Employment Size

  710

• 

  Employment by state

  ACT: 3.8%
  NSW: 18.1%
  NT: 3.8%
  QLD: 11.4%
  SA: 5.2%
  TAS: 6.8%
  VIC: 42.1%
  WA: 8.8%
  
• 

  Age brackets

  15-19: 0%
  20-24: 3%
  25-34: 25.3%
  35-44: 28.4%
  45-54: 25.9%
  55-59: 8.5%
  60-64: 3.9%
  65 and Over: 4.9%
  
• 

  Education level

  Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 3.3%
  Bachelor degree: 24.1%
  Certificate III/IV: 1.5%
  Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 68.2%
  Year 10 and below: 0%
  Year 11: 0%
  Year 12: 2.9%