Meteorology is the science dealing with Earth’s atmospheric phenomena, such as the occurrence of typhoons, tornadoes, thunderstorms, rain, and snow. Atmospheric scientists who look into atmospheric phenomena and interpret the data compiled by air stations and surfaces are known as space weather analysts. The upper atmosphere is impacted by space weather and long-term climate trends are also influenced by space weather.Geomagnetic storms, solar flares, and particle events heavily impact human affairs and activities. Solar flares can disrupt radio communications, and at times the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), a vast plasma blob parted from the sun, accompanies these solar flares. As the CME hits Earth’s magnetosphere, geomagnetic storms occur and cause a high degree of disturbing consequences. The electrical current affects power lines and interferes with television, radio, and telephone signals’ broadcast signals. These effects are associated with magnetic storms, which alter the atmospheric ozone layer. The protons ejected during a solar flare can affect any satellites and increase the radiation hazard for astronauts in the low-Earth orbit. Significant solar activity is a cause of concern in space flight as it can disrupt communications. The heat generated in the upper atmosphere shortens the orbital lifetime of the spacecraft. There is a possibility to tumble and burn the spacecraft in Earth’s atmosphere. Careers In MeteorologyWeather Forecasting and Warnings: Forecasting a natural atmospheric event that affects the lives of thousands of people is a challenging profession. Young people are attracted to this job as it is considered the heart of meteorology. Weather forecasters warn us about the dynamic atmospheric changes across regions. This career also deals with variations in temperature and moisture patterns that produce distinct weather conditions. A weather forecast provides the result and is part of a worldwide team of thousands of meteorologists associated with many country’s National Weather Services.Atmospheric Research: Presently Earth is under the threat of global warming which is a concern across the world. Atmospheric scientists constantly assess the situation by analyzing past and present trends available in the world. It’s very competitive to get a faculty or research scientist position. It requires teaching experience and a Ph.D. degree to get job titles such as air quality scientists, climate change analysts, educators, or research meteorologists. Research meteorologists also coordinate with scientists in basic physical disciplines, oceanographers, and hydrologists.Meteorological Technology Development And Support: We have seen an advancement in meteorological technology, which provides accurate forecasting results. Extreme weather can be identified with the new radar technology and supercomputers using computer models which provide forecast guidance to our meteorologists. There has also been a potential improvement to satellite technology. Many companies design, manufacture, and market the various instruments required for atmospheric measurements. These advancements have created more job opportunities. Information Services: Customers such as media outlets, weather bureau, weather-sensitive institutions, the transportation industry, and ski resorts require accurate information on weather and climate. The information services include support in processing the acquired raw data pertaining to their customers, displaying critical information on the weather, and preparing forecast models to suit the laymen and enable them to utilize it effectively. Information services also provide colorful graphical screens for the television and the newspaper industry, creating many job opportunities.Forensic Services: Legal cases which are impacted due to weather conditions need the help of forensic meteorologists to recreate the event. This requirement is mandatory and is a part of the legal process. The forensic meteorologist’s work is to retrieve and analyze the archived record information using various sophisticated research tools and reconstruct the location’s weather conditions. The weather conditions could be hazardous weather or a sunny day. These forensic meteorologists can also be called upon to testify as expert witnesses in court cases impacted by weather data. Degrees Related To MeteorologyMeteorology is heavily driven by subjects like science and math, including physics, chemistry, and computer science.Aspiring meteorologists can study science and math courses, which provide them with a strong mathematics and science background. These subjects provide the required tools for a better understanding of upper-level meteorology concepts.These bachelor’s degrees take three to four years to complete. The courses cover the meteorology program and provide in-depth knowledge about weather and atmospheric forces. Students will be exposed to various radar and satellite technologies to predict weather patterns. The classes may include subjects such as climate dynamics, numerical weather predictions, applied climatology, global geography, and weather analysis. A bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science or any closely related field should include an option to earn a degree in meteorology. Some of the other degrees related to meteorology are an Environmental Psychology degree, Environmental and Biology degree, B.Sc. Human Environment, B.Sc. Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, B.Sc. Earth and Atmospheric Science, and B.Sc. Integrated Science.A master’s degree generally takes two years, depending on the university. The minimum qualification to earn a master’s degree is a bachelor’s degree. The course covers tropical weather and climate, micrometeorology, mesoscale meteorology, computer applications in meteorology, and transportation meteorology. The student will also have to complete their research papers. Some of the popular master’s programs are M.Sc. Climate Studies and Meteorology, M.Sc. Ocean and Climate Physics, and M.Sc. Environmental Geography.For opportunities within the National Weather Service, meteorology degree requirements should meet the American Meteorological Society and the federal civil service requirements. Meteorologists are paid well and the average meteorologist salary as per the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics 2020 is $99,740 per year and $47.95 per hour.Qualifications, Skills, And Training Required To Be A MeteorologistThe essential qualification required to be a meteorologist is a degree in meteorology or related subjects like physics, maths, environmental studies, geography, and computer science.Since these subjects are relevant to meteorology, you will require further study to gain proficiency in the subject matter. The entry-level credential required is a bachelor’s degree in meteorology. However, suppose you are looking at a more significant role that involves research positions, teaching, or looking for specific senior positions, it requires a master’s degree in meteorology and an additional Ph.D. degree in any specialized branch of meteorology.Apart from a minimum primary degree in meteorology, it is essential to have specific mandatory skills to survive as a meteorologist. These skills include strong analytical skills, interest in weather systems, good problem-solving skills, written and communication skills, proficiency in mathematics, and being computer literate.To become a successful meteorologist, it is essential to undergo formal training programs to understand the important applications of the scientific principles surrounding meteorology. These training programs offer a crash course on climatology, atmospheric forces, physical sciences, and severe weather events.Famous MeteorologistsWe have prepared a list of the famous meteorologists alive and from the past. Some of these meteorologists have been great weather forecasters even before the term meteorologists came into existence.John Dalton was an English physicist, chemist, and weather pioneer. To record his weather observations, he used homemade instruments. Dalton’s most outstanding achievement was his formulation of the Atomic Theory. His work on partial pressures was created as Dalton’s Law in 1803.William Morris Davis, the American geographer, was known as the ‘Father of American geography’. Davis studied meteorological phenomena and was a geographer and a geologist. His passion for nature helped him uncover the correlation between meteorological happenings and the geological issues which affected them.Gabriel Fahrenheit was a German engineer and physicist known for his invention of the alcohol thermometer in 1709 and the mercury thermometer in 1714, among many other tools of meteorology. His invention of the Fahrenheit temperature scale is still commonly used in the United States.Alfred Wegener was a German meteorologist famous for his Continental Drift Theory. Abraham Ortelius proposed the theory in 1596, but Alfred Wegener fully developed it in 1915. In 1905, while working in the Royal Prussian Aeronautical Observatory near Berlin, he studied the upper atmosphere using kites and balloons.Dr. Steve Lyons is one of the most famous meteorologists in modern times. Lyons has been a weather expert for 12 years at The Weather Channel. Lyons earned his Ph.D. in meteorology in 1981 and worked for The National Hurricane Centre before working for The Weather Channel. Dr. Steve Lyons has also contributed to the Navy and the National Weather Service by creating more than 40 technical reports and articles.Jim Cantore is one of the most recognized faces among broadcast meteorologists. His presence indicates deteriorating weather and he is right there where the storm will hit. He is aware of the temperature and its impact and how quickly it can change. Cantore’s desire to protect others is apparent, as he is always close to the storm to show how dangerous it could be.Meteorologists’ work is to study, analyze, interpret, and predict weather and climate change, and provide weather reports on a day-to-day basis based on scientific principles.Temperature is predicted by meteorologists using tools like weather balloons having weather packs to measure the temperature, wind direction, wind speed, and air pressure in all the tropospheric layers of the atmosphere. Short forecasts are approximately accurate up to 90%.
Meteorology is the science dealing with Earth’s atmospheric phenomena, such as the occurrence of typhoons, tornadoes, thunderstorms, rain, and snow.
