Meteorologist is also known as the Atmospheric Scientist, is a professional who is apt in the scientific study of the earth's atmosphere and its changes, used especially for forecasting weather especially rains, storms, snowfalls etc. He analyzes weather conditions and makes forecasts, thus play an important role in private firms, such as airlines, or government agencies that are concerned with whether or air pollution. They also teach and conduct research at colleges and universities.
Some meteorologists who are involved in forecasting are employed in metropolitan areas near large airports. Others run weather stations in remote areas throughout the world. A number of them work in planes and on ships. Those meteorologists who are interested in long-term changes in the weather are known as Climatologists. Their goal is to predict slow changes in the climate that might affect food production or ocean temperatures. They may study fossils and tree rings to find out what the weather was like, many thousands of years ago. Physical Meteorologists study the chemistry of the atmosphere or the way radio waves pass through it in different kinds of weather. They make use of various methods and techniques to study a broad range of atmospheric activities. They collect data and evaluate it using scientific methods. On the basis of their findings and analysis, they suggest potential applications of the results of their survey and help to find solutions to the problem at hand.
The employment opportunities for these professionals are increasing very fast owing to their requirement in the ever-growing aviation industry as these professionals are acutely needed in this industry. Besides, there will be a continued demand for meteorologists to analyze and monitor air pollution. Because of so many actives involved in the same profession, it is being considered as one of the most absorbing yet interesting profession nowadays. This profession demands a lot of hard work and effort but at the same time offers enormous scope for the building of one’s career. But on the other hand, this profession is such a profession which demands a high percentage of perfection, hard work and high level of patience.
Meteorologist Eligibility
The minimum qualification to become eligible for Meteorologist courses is 12th class in science stream with a minimum of 50% marks.
Meteorologist Required Skills
- Meteorologist possesses skills like good at problem-solving and planning; good at communicating; good at writing, as they need to prepare reports and research papers.
- They should have enquiring and observant; persistent, patient and motivated; organised and able to work well in a team.
- Meteorologist should be confident of accepting challenges and an ability to understand things as they come before him. They have to look into every minute details of the facts to conclude as precisely as possible. So to acquire these kinds of traits or to tone up the traits if one already has, one can go for course specially designed for the professional who has decided to choose this as their career.
How to become a Meteorologist?
Aspiring candidates have to follow the given steps to become a Meteorologist.
Step 1
After clearing 12 class with maths and physics as main subjects the aspiring candidates have to get admission in 3/4-year Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Sciences.
Interested candidates may have to appear in an entrance test conducted by the various Universities providing 3-4 years of Bachelor’s degree courses in the colleges affiliated with them. However, some colleges/universities also give admission on the basis of % of marks obtained in the qualifying examinations
Step 2
After completing this 3-4 years of course in which one has to go through all the major aspects one has to take up any of the following Master’s degree course to make his career as Meteorologist.
- Postgraduate degrees in meteorology, physical sciences or mathematics.
Step 3
After completing this 2 years of course in which one has to go through all the major aspects of Meteorology one can work for a variety of Governmental and non-Governmental organizations or can go for PhD in the related subjects to make a career in research or teaching.
Institutes offering Courses for Meteorologist are
- Andhra University (AU), Vishakhapatnam
- Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
- Shivaji University, Kolhapur
Meteorologist Job Description
- Meteorologist job includes analyzing weather conditions and making forecasts on the basis of their finding out of their analysis.
- Their job also includes teaching and conducting research at the upper level of the educational institutes.
Meteorologist Career Prospects
Meteorologist Career opportunities are available in private as well as public sector organisations. The meteorologist can also be absorbed in the public sector, government agencies like defence forces, aviation industry and much private organization like news channels, sports federations etc.
Meteorologist Salary
The meteorologist can expect anything between Rs.40,000 to Rs.50,000 as far as a fresher is concerned. After gaining some on-job experience one can earn as good as Rs.60,000 per month and more.
