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Meteorologist
Introduction
Meteorologists are weather and climate scientists who study the Earth's
atmosphere and how it affects the Earth's systems. They use observations
and computer models to understand and predict the behaviour of weather
and the climate.
Also known as
Weather Forecaster
Work Activities
Meteorologists are best known as television weather presenters but this is just one part of their work. They collect,
analyse and interpret information and use their findings to advise a wide range of people in government,
international organisations, business and scientific areas.
They monitor conditions such as pressure, wind, temperature, humidity and cloud level, using satellites and weather
stations on land and ships. They collect data at fixed times of the day and from a variety of sources. Meteorologists
use data and an understanding of the climate system to build computer models of the atmosphere that predict
weather and the climate.
The Met Office is the UK's national meteorological service. It provides vital services, for example, to the general
public, government and businesses. The Met Office has sophisticated telecommunications equipment and is able to
deliver weather forecasts very quickly throughout the world.
It gives warnings of severe weather, such as heavy rain, to the public and other agencies, so action can be taken to
save lives and protect property. Public information includes mountain area forecasts and the National Severe
Weather Warning Service (NSWWS).
The Met Office also provides a range of vital services to the government. It plays a very important part in how we
respond to emergencies, for example, through providing advice on the airborne spread of diseases such as foot and
mouth. The Office sends forecasts to the armed forces, such as the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and to air, sea
and mountain rescue services.
Some meteorologists work for private consultancy firms, advising sectors such as the energy market, insurance
companies, the transport industry, offshore engineering and shipping, the construction industry, agriculture and
sports and events organisations.
For example, the aviation industry uses forecasts in route planning. Energy companies use weather forecasts to
prepare the gas and electricity supplies for peaks in demand.
Retailers know that certain products are more in demand when the weather is hotter or colder. Accurate forecasts
help them to give customers what they want, when they want it.
Sporting events and music festivals benefit from reliable forecasts too. They might rely on a meteorologist's
assessment of factors such as rainfall, humidity, temperature and wind direction.
Some meteorologists study the world's climate, including climate change and global weather systems. Meteorologists
use computers to model how the global climate will change over the coming decades. They experiment with different
levels of greenhouse gases in the models to see how sensitive the atmosphere is to global warming. Their analysis of
global trends forms the scientific basis of the UK's policy on the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Meteorologists use their knowledge to solve problems. For example, they suggest the best places to build oil rigs,
based on their knowledge of gales, wave heights and storm tides, and help local councils to tackle coastal erosion and
prevent flood damage.
Meteorologists develop and test new instruments, and communications and data-management systems. They are
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involved in pure and applied research, in settings such as the Met Office, meteorology consultancy firms, specialist
engineering companies and universities.
Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.
Personal Qualities and Skills
To be a meteorologist, you'll need:
Strong maths skills and knowledge of physics.
To be thorough, accurate and methodical when recording and analysing data.
Computer skills to analyse results and model meteorological processes.
The ability to explain your findings clearly and concisely, including in written reports.
Good teamwork skills.
An interest in environmental issues is increasingly important.
Pay and Opportunities
Pay
The pay rates given below are approximate.
Met Office salaries start at around £22,000 a year, rising to around £30,000 to £40,000 a year. Senior positions attract
salaries of up to £60,000 a year.
Meteorologists working for other employers can expect similar pay rates.
Hours of work
Meteorologists in the Met Office usually work a basic 42-hour week, which might include early starts, late finishes,
shift work and work at weekends.
Where could I work?
The Met Office is the UK's national weather service. It employs most of its meteorologists at its headquarters in
Exeter. Other locations include the Aberdeen operations centre, and forecasters are also based at many Royal Air
Force (RAF) and Army Air Corps (AAC) stations throughout the UK and in other countries. The Met Office also provides
forecasters to the media.
Other major UK employers include the Royal Navy (both in observing and forecasting), private weather forecast
companies, and government and academic research institutions. There can be opportunities in other industries,
including agriculture, insurance, offshore oil companies and consultancy firms.
Meteorologists in research and consultancy might have the opportunity to travel to other countries.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised on the Met Office website, on the 'Met-jobs' mailing list, in science magazines such as New
Scientist (which also posts vacancies on its website), in national newspapers and on the Civil Service Jobs website.
Entry Routes and Training
Entry routes
Meteorologists are graduates. There are a small number of specialist degrees in meteorology, usually combined with
relevant subjects such as maths, physics or oceanography. The Royal Meteorological Society produces a list of
courses.
Many entrants have first (undergraduate) degrees in maths and physics, and it's also possible to enter with subjects
such as computer science, environmental science and physical geography, especially when combined with a
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postgraduate qualification in meteorology.
Some universities offer degree courses with a foundation year. This is an extra year for students who don't have the
specified science A levels for entry.
The Met Office's usual entry requirement for careers in forecasting and environmental monitoring is a degree in
meteorology, physics or maths. You'll also need Maths and Physics at AS level or higher.
The Met Office also has a science and scientific engineering route, involving the technical aspects of collecting
weather data and developing software and numerical models. Usual entry is with a degree in maths or physics.
The Met Office offers a number of summer placements for college and university students. These are usually paid
posts. For more information, check the Met Office website.
Training
The Met Office offers a comprehensive training programme, including the Initial Forecasting Course. This will equip
you with the skills and knowledge to take up a post as an unsupervised forecaster.
Progression
You could progress into a management position, or specialise in a particular area of meteorology.
With five years' professional work experience (an MSc might count as one year and a PhD might count as two years),
you can apply to become a Chartered Meteorologist (CMet) through the Royal Meteorological Society. Achieving this
status demonstrates to employers and clients that you have reached a high level of competence in your specialist
area of meteorology.
Qualifications
For entry to a degree course in meteorology, the usual minimum requirement is:
2/3 A levels, including Maths and Physics or Chemistry.
GCSEs at grade C and above in your A level subjects.
A further 2/3 GCSEs at grades C and above, including English Language.
Alternatives to Physics GCSE are:
Science and Additional Science, or
Science and Additional Applied Science.
Alternatives to A levels include:
Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals
the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
However, course requirements vary, so please check prospectuses carefully.
Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A-level.
Adult Opportunities
Age limits
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
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there is a real need to have these limits.
Courses
If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter a degree course, you might be able to start one after completing
an Access course, for example, Access to Science. You don't usually need any qualifications to enter an Access course,
although you should check this with the course provider.
Funding
Funding for postgraduate study and research is available, through universities, from the Natural Environment
Research Council (NERC) and other funding bodies.
Statistics
6% of people in occupations such as meteorology work part-time.
14% have flexible hours.
8% of employees work on a temporary basis.
Further Information
Contacts
Civil Service Jobs
Website: www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs
GreenJobs
Website: www.greenjobs.co.uk
New Scientist
Publisher: Reed Business Information Ltd
Website: www.newscientist.com
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Address: Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411500
Website: www.nerc.ac.uk
Earthworks-jobs.com
Website: www.earthworks-jobs.com
myOilandGasCareer.com
Publisher: OPITO
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.myoilandgascareer.com
OilCareers.com
Website: www.oilcareers.com
Oilandgaspeople.com
Website: www.oilandgaspeople.com
Met Office
Address: FitzRoy Road, Exeter, Devon EX1 3PB
Tel: 0870 9000100
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.metoffice.gov.uk
Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS)
Address: 104 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 7LL
Tel: 0118 9568500
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Website: www.rmets.org/our-activities/careers-and-courses
Met-jobs
Meteorology, oceanography and climatology jobs published by Reading University
Website: www.lists.rdg.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/met-jobs
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