Atmospheric studies are highly complex because of the millions of factors that influence weather and wind patterns. The well-known inference in weather forecasting is that the flapping wings of a tropical butterfly in Brazil could have a substantial impact on the weather as far away as New York. While the best-known application of meteorology is the forecasting of the weather, research is also applied to such diverse and important considerations as air pollution control, acid rain, ozone depletion, global warming, air and sea transportation, and agriculture. In fact, Chaos Theory, a widely accepted approach that helps explain the organization of all matter, was discovered by a meteorologist.
Because the atmosphere has many different and complex components, meteorologists specialize in one of three distinct areas. Operational or synoptic meteorologists are specialists in weather forecasting. They gather and interpret data to predict weather, usually in specific geographic areas. They use instruments and machines to measure temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation, and air quality. Increasingly, meteorologists are using photographs and satellite data to predict the weather. This data, combined with powerful computer weather modeling programs, provides meteorologists with weather and storm information for long-term, short-term and local forecasts. In 1994, the Doppler weather radar system was completed; this system greatly increases a meteorologist's ability to forecast severe weather such as tornados, heavy rains causing flash flooding, and hurricanes in specific areas. While accurate weather forecasting is now limited to only a few days, the increased speed of computers and sophistication of mathematical weather models will help meteorologists make more accurate long-term forecasts.
Physical meteorologists are concerned with the chemical and physical properties of the atmosphere. They study the transmission of sound, radio, and light waves, the transfer of energy in the atmosphere, and the properties of geomagnetic fields. Using new sensors and other sophisticated equipment, physical meteorologists study the behavior of small particles and contaminants, much of which is released in the form of industrial pollution. They are leaders in understanding the spread of acid rain, and have determined the long-term consequences of ozone depletion by studying the release of chloro-flurocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-destroying chemicals. They also study factors affecting the formation of clouds, rain, snow, and other atmospheric phenomena.
Climatologists analyze past records of wind, rainfall, temperature, and sunshine in specific global regions. They track past global atmospheric and weather patterns and create mathematical models to forecast future patterns. Climatologists track the movement, growth, and decline of glaciers, study the effects that shifting climate patterns have on landscape and vegetation, and first hypothesized the greenhouse effect by noticing a trend in rising temperatures. Much of their work is centered on improving medium-range and long-range weather forecasting, mainly through building better computer models. The work of climatologists is also used to help design buildings, plan heating and cooling systems, and improve agricultural practices.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The minimum educational requirement for a career as a meteorologist is a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology or a closely related degree, such as mathematics, physics, geophysics, engineering, or geography. Only a handful of colleges offer a major in meteorology, but many schools combine their meteorology program with another academic discipline, such as agriculture, engineering, or physics. Prospective students should make sure that specific courses required by the main employers of meteorologists, including the National Weather Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are offered at the college they are considering.
Although some positions are available for those with only a bachelor's degree, obtaining a graduate degree greatly enhances job and advancement potential. A master's degree is often required for conducting research, and a doctorate is required for college teaching.
There are specific educational requirements for meteorologists seeking government employment. Federal guidelines require entry-level meteorologists to hold a bachelor's degree in meteorology or one of the related sciences. Students must have 20 hours of meteorology coursework, including 6 hours of dynamic meteorology, 6 hours of weather analysis and forecasting, 6 hours of differential and integral calculus, and 6 hours of physics. Additional requirements include 6 hours of physical science classes, such as statistics, physical oceanography, chemistry, or physical climatology, and 3 hours of computer science.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
There are no federal or state licensing requirements for meteorologists, but the American Meteorological Society (AMS) offers the Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) certificate. Candidates are certified only after meeting the following three requirements: knowledge, experience, and character. The experience criteria requires at least five years of work at the professional level and three letters of reference are necessary to prove character. In order to receive the CCM designation, a written and oral examination must be passed and at least one report or professional publication must be presented and critiqued. Contact the AMS, listed at the end of this chapter, for further information.
SETTING
Meteorologists work in a variety of locations and situations. Some are employed in metropolitan areas forecasting weather for commercial television, radio stations, or commercial airlines. In general, meteorologists working in small offices work independently while in larger offices they work as part of a team. Others run weather stations around the nation and globe. The level of comfort and quality of equipment depend heavily upon the location. Most physical meteorologists and climatologists work in offices at public and private research centers.
Meteorologists working as metropolitan weather forecasters or researchers generally work a regular 40-hour week. Jobs in weather stations, some of which operate around the clock, seven days a week, often involve night work and rotating shifts. During storms or other severe conditions, meteorologists may be required to work overtime.
