Meteorologist: job description
Meteorologists use a variety of scientific techniques to understand, interpret, observe and predict the earth's atmosphere and its phenomena.

Meteorologists often choose to specialise in either forecasting or research.
What does a meteorologist do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills
Meteorologists study the earth’s atmosphere – particularly climate and weather – in order to forecast weather conditions.
The main duties of meteorologists include:
- recording and analysing data from worldwide weather stations, satellites, radars and remote sensors
- interpreting observations from the land, sea and upper atmosphere
- providing customers (such as civil aviation companies, broadcast companies and military units) with weather reports/forecasts
- employing mathematical and physical formulae and using computer modelling applications to help make long and short range weather predictions
- researching and predicting climate change
- helping to improve weather prediction models
- writing research papers, reports, reviews and summaries
- keeping up to date with relevant scientific and technical developments
Typical employers of meteorologists
- The Met Office
- BBC
- Environmental consultancies
- Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC)
- Research centres
- British Antarctic Survey
- The armed forces
Vacancies are advertised via the internet, by careers services, in national newspapers and in relevant scientific publications such as New Scientist , Science and Nature . Speculative applications are recommended, since roles aren’t always heavily advertised.
- The recruitment process is likely to involve a technical interview. Read our article on technical interviews to find out what these involve and how you can tackle them.
Qualifications and training required
You can only become a meteorologist if you have a good degree (a 2.1 or higher) in an appropriate subject such as meteorology, mathematics, physical sciences, computer science or environmental science. A relevant postgraduate qualification (a PhD or research-based MSc) is also beneficial, and may be necessary for research positions. A range of degrees are accredited by the Royal Meteorological Society.
Read our article on scientific postgraduate study to explore your different options.
Practical work experience can be beneficial: the Met Office provides a few industrial placements and summer placements each year, although these attract competition.
Key skills for meteorologists
- Analytical skills
- Genuine interest in weather systems
- Teamworking skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Written and oral communication skills
- Problem solving skills
- Computer literacy
- Mathematical abilities
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