Meteorologist

Meteorologists collect and store weather data, analysing and interpreting the information to produce reliable weather forecasts. Almost all meteorologists in the UK work for the Meteorological (Met) Office, based in a new high-tech building in Exeter. Working for a variety of clients, meteorologists use sources of information and measurements such as weather stations (including buoys at sea), satellites, observation vessels and civil and military aircraft. Upper air measurement of temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction is constantly monitored by electronic instruments and transmitted in numerical form to the Met Office. At the same time, meteorological assistants and voluntary observers collect routine surface observations in a more time-honoured tradition.

Working as a meteorologist, you would use sophisticated computer systems to collate the flow of data, together with mathematical models to analyse and interpret the results, before producing your weather forecasts.

The Met Office provides some 3,000 forecasts and briefings every day. These include general forecasts for television, radio and newspapers, alongside more specialised services for clients such as the armed services, airports and airlines, electricity, gas and water suppliers, the National Severe Weather Warning Service and local authorities (especially if they might need to grit the roads).

By the way, while a few meteorologists appear on television as weather forecasters, most of this work is carried out by professional broadcasters after a short training course at the Met Office college.

Entry level
You need a degree to work as a professional meteorologist. This could be in meteorology, in physics, maths or computing science or in a related subject such as electronics, oceanography or environmental science. You must have proven ability in maths, with at least an A level or equivalent qualification.

For a meteorology degree, you would normally need both maths and physics at A level/AH or Higher grade. You should research the exact entry requirements of individual universities, especially for the range of subjects mentioned above.

Making the grade
The Met Office has its own college in Exeter, providing training courses for new entrants and for continuing professional development. You would normally be encouraged to join the Royal Meteorological Society and take part in their Chartered Meteorologist Accreditation Scheme, the purpose of which is to give you a professional qualification in meteorology at a level equivalent to that of chartered engineer. While not absolutely essential, chartered status denotes that you have reached and continue to maintain a specified level of knowledge and experience and that you are conversant with current best practice.

You could, like many meteorologists, work towards a postgraduate degree such as MSc in Climate Change, in Physics of the Atmospheric Environment or in Meteorology and Climatology. For these courses, you would usually need a good honours first degree. It is also possible to undertake research at doctorate level.

Personal qualities
To succeed as a meteorologist, you should have an enthusiastic interest in meteorology and other environmental sciences (including geography), an aptitude for physics and maths and an analytical and logical approach to problem solving.

Because of the need for accurate and reliable forecasts, you must have good powers of observation and an appreciation of the importance of precision and attention to detail. Above all, you must have a sufficiently high level of numeracy and IT skills to be able to collate, process and interpret data from a range of sources.

Good interpersonal, spoken and written communication skills are necessary because much of the work involves being a member of a multidisciplinary team, while you would sometimes have to work with and present reports to clients.

Finally, you must meet UK Civil Service residency requirements.

Looking ahead
The Met Office has a promotion structure that allows for progression and promotion on merit. This includes an annual performance-related pay scheme. You would be encouraged to manage your own career and to apply for internally and externally advertised posts in any part of the organisation, within your current job level. This would allow you to broaden your range of experience and widen your skills and knowledge base by, for example, transferring from forecasting to research.

Outside the Met Office, there may be limited opportunities for internal promotion because you would be one of the small number of meteorologists employed by a specialist organisation.

Alternative suggestions
If you like the idea of being a specialist in the science and study of the earth's atmosphere and the interaction of the atmosphere with the earth itself, you may also wish to consider training as a geologist, hydrographic surveyor or oceanographer.

Take-home pay
New first-degree graduate entrants to the Met Office usually start on Job Level (JL) 4, on a scale rising from £17,487 to £26,229. You may attract a higher starting salary with a relevant postgraduate degree. Meteorologists at the highest level are on the JL 1 scale, with salaries ranging from £45,257 to £67,885.

You may receive an additional allowance for shift work.

Effects
You would work mostly in an office environment but you may have to work for a time in less comfortable settings, including going outside to take weather measurements at remote weather stations that could include airfields, islands and defence bases. The most extreme conditions are probably those experienced by meteorologists working for the British Antarctic Survey!

As an operational meteorologist, you would have to work shifts, including weekends and public holidays.

Sources of information
Met Office: www.metoffice.com
Royal Meteorological Society: www.royal-met-soc.org.uk

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