Meteorologist

Overview

Meteorologists study the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere to increase understanding of weather and climate, and to forecast changes in the weather and long-term climatic trends.

Day-to-day

• studies composition, structure and dynamics of the atmosphere, investigating the direction and speed of air movements, air pressure and temperature, humidity and other phenomena
• investigates the nature of solar and terrestrial (infra-red) radiations and effects on the atmosphere
• 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
• studies climatic conditions by analysing meteorological observations made over extended periods of time, and investigates past and possible future fluctuations in climate
• 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
• may specialise in a particular area of meteorological science.

Considerations

• stressful.