• Question: How would you describe a meteoroligist

    Asked by Nova to Christie, Dan, David, Dawn, Sian on 15 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Dawn Lau

      Dawn Lau answered on 15 Jun 2016:

      A meteorologist is a person who predicts the weather and uses information collected from the land, sea, and air to figure out the causes of weather conditions. They also carry out research into how the weather affects the environment, climate change, weather patterns, etc. And they are also studying how to improve weather forecasting by building better and more accurate computer models of weather.

    • Photo: Christie Waddington

      Christie Waddington answered on 20 Jun 2016:

      I’ve gone for the dictionary definition on this one! “A weather forecaster”. It isn’t simply the guy on tv that reads the information! These guys are a type of scientist! They use scientific principles to explain, understand, observe and forecast the earth’s atmospheric phenomena and research how these things affect the earth and life on the planet.

      There are many types of meteorologist:
      1. Broadcast meteorologist – report weather for television. Entry-level job, requires a degree.
      2. Forecasters – Responsible for preparing and issuing the forecasts as well as warnings to the public.
      3. Climatologists – look at long-term weather patterns and data to help assess past climate and predict future climate trends.
      4. Research Meteorologists – storm chasers and hurricane hunters! Researchers who are trying to find out more about the weather. They have Masters or PhDs.
      5. Forensic Meteorlogists – investigate claims for insurance companies, for e.g. if your house was flooded.
      6. Incident Meteorologists – work with firefighters and other emergency services by providing onsite weather support. If a fire was burning and a heavy wind was approaching, it will change how the firefighters tackle the fire!
      7. Tropical Meteorologists – Specialise in tropical weather.
      8. Consulting Meteorologists – Hired by retailers, film crews, companies to provide weather guidance on whatever project they’re doing.
      9. Lecturer – those who want to inspire and teach to the next generation of meteorologists!

      Great question! I’ve learnt a lot myself!

    • Photo: Sian Thomas

      Sian Thomas answered on 20 Jun 2016:

      Last year I was invited to speak at a conference – beyond the smart city and I was up after the Chief Meteorologist from the Met Office. It may have been the best talk I have ever seen presented. The computing power that goes into delivering the weather forecast each day is amazing.

      The climate change predictions are also within scope of meteorology – and obviously this has an impact on what food can be grown where so of huge importance to future civilizations!

Comments