In almost every news bulletin that I have watched, there will be a portion with a “weather person” who will be explaining what the outlook was like for the day, forecasting the weather for tomorrow and perhaps for the rest of the week. If it were earlier days, the only use for that would have been to tell me what I should wear tomorrow! However, weather bulletins are much more important than that!
Paying close attention to the weather can mean saving lives.
Those guys we see during news bulletins and others that are behind the scenes are known as meteorologists.
Meteorology is a scientific field that focuses on analysing atmospheric conditions with the aim of understanding and forecasting the weather. Such analysis utilises numerical data collected around various weather phenomena, understanding how the phenomena are related and finally being able to predict the weather when similar conditions recur. Like all science, it is about understanding logical cause and effect relationships between events.
The work done by Meteorologists falls into two main activities: research and forecasting.
Research
- Investigating changes in the climate on land and in the oceans.
- Provide results of research.
- Possible causes and effects of global warming.
- Development of new forecasting models.
- Environmental monitoring- clouds, air and precipitation.
Forecasting
- Producing weather estimates and predictions (forecasting).
- Collecting data from weather stations and satellites.
- Analysing images and presenting information to customers.
Both research and forecast meteorologists use sophisticated computer systems to monitor the flow of data and subsequently use mathematical models to interpret that data into information.
Required Skills
- Problem-solving.
- IT skills.
- An analytical mind.
- An interest in mathematics and physics.
- Verbal and written communication skills.
Education
There are a number of study options available to those interested in meteorology, some of these include:
- Computer Sciences.
- Physical Geography.
- Environmental sciences.
Usually, a Meteorologist is not required to do a lot of travelling. Having to work on weekends and public holidays is a common requirement in their role as providers of a critical service. Some of the industrial sectors that employ meteorologists include: -
- Media
- Insurance companies.
- Agricultural industries.
- Aviation
If you enjoy data analysis and curious about weather phenomena and like working with computers and other cool gadgets, then consider a career in Meteorology!
Written by
Sharon T. Sakonda
Edited By
Edmore Munedzimwe