People who study the weather are called meteorologists and people who study the climate are called climatologists or climate scientists.
A meteorologist is a specialist who studies weather processes in the Earth’s atmosphere.
A climatologist is specialist who studies long-term patterns and teleconnections, or weather patterns related over long distances, of the atmosphere.
There are many jobs in these fields with scientists working all hours of the day to give helpful forecasts, present those forecasts to the public, and study the weather and climate to help forecasters. Meteorologists can work in a TV station, at a desk, in the classroom, or out in the field and jobs are found all over the world. With the weather changing everyday, meteorologists will always be needed to forecast and communicate weather to those around them.
Types of Jobs
Broadcast Meteorologist
Broadcast meteorologists communicate weather information and hazards to the public. Broadcast meteorologists have an extensive knowledge of the weather in addition to great communication skills. Broadcast jobs can range from local TV stations to national channels, such as The Weather Channel. Typically, broadcast meteorologists obtain a Bachelors degree in Meteorology. Useful minors include: Journalism, Communication, and Public Speaking.
Forecaster
Forecasters look at numerous weather maps, models, and data to form daily, weekly, and long term forecasts for the public. Forecast jobs require knowledge of weather dynamics, pattern recognition, and the ability to work under pressure. Additionally, communication is key as forecasters must be able synthesize information and express it to the public. Most forecast jobs require a Bachelors in Meteorology, though some also obtain a Masters and/or a Ph.D. Useful minors include: Communication and Math.
Research Scientist
Research scientists study numerous sub-topics in meteorology, such as climate dynamics, tropical meteorology, polar meteorology, space weather, severe weather, aerosol interactions, and much more. Research scientists must have good data analysis skills and be able to process data, interpret results, and communicate these results to others. Often, research scientists have a Masters or Ph.D. in Meteorology. Useful minors range from Computer Science, Communication, Math, among others.
Academia
Meteorologists who go the academia route have three prongs to their job: research, teaching, and service. Most often, those in academia have a Ph.D. in Meteorology. Like with a job in research, Meteorologists in academia have skills in data processing, data analysis, and computer programming. In addition to these skills, teaching requires good communication, class management, and a good understanding of education. Finally, those in academia have service requirements, which can look like outreach to the community, local schools, and at community science fairs.
Private Sector
Meteorologists can also work in the private sector. Private sector meteorologists may provide weather forecasts for industries such as aviation, agriculture, or insurance, which are heavily impacted by weather. They can work directly for a company or have their own business. Private sector meteorologists use a lot of the same skills as forecasters, with a focus on the impacts a given weather event will have for a particular company or industry.
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